February is National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month—so if you’ve been on the fence about whether to have this done for your furry friend, there’s really no time like the present!
Of course, not every pet owner wants to have their dog or cat sterilized. For example, you may harbor some ambitions to breed. For the majority of pets, though, spaying and neutering is the right call to make—and in this post, we’ll explain why!
5 Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Pet
1. Spaying your female pet can result in a longer, healthier life.
For female pets, spaying is really a no-brainer—because it can literally help them live longer. Research shows that spaying not only prevents uterine infections but also breast cancer. The latter is fatal for about 50 percent of dogs and a staggering 90 percent of cats. By spaying, you could end up saving your pet from a premature death.
2. Neutering is good for the health of male pets.
While male dogs and cats don’t have quite the same health worries that females do, they can get testicular cancer, which may require invasive surgery to effectively treat. Neutering is the best thing you can do to prevent testicular cancer in your male pet.
3. A spayed female won’t go into heat.
An obvious benefit of spaying is that your female pet won’t go into heat. Cats, in particular, have short cycles, typically going into heat for several days, roughly every three weeks. During this time, your pet will not only bleed but also potentially urinate in the house and howl for a mate—all of which can be unpleasant, but is avoidable through spaying!
4. Neutering your male will keep him from running away.
Male pets are hardwired to do anything and everything they need to do in order to find a suitable mate—and that includes leaving your home! Neutering your pet can eliminate this risk, and curb the risk of your four-legged pal trying to run away from you.
5. Spaying and neutering can be cost-effective.
While there is obviously the one-time fee associated with spaying or neutering, that ends up being considerably less than the cost of caring for an entire litter of puppies or kittens—to say nothing of damage done when your female goes into heat or your male runs off.
Questions About Spaying and Neutering?
As you can tell, there are plenty of good reasons to consider spaying or neutering—but we’re not here to talk you into it. Before making any big decision about your pet’s health, we always recommend speaking with your veterinarian, who can tell you more about some of these benefits.
It’s something to think about this month—and if you have any further pet care needs, we hope you’ll reach out! Contact Lake Wylie Pet Resort today!