In America, one healthy animal loses its life every 13 seconds. It is not a result of sickness or disease but euthanasia. Animal shelters are not able to take care of a large number of homeless pets. They must euthanize to make room for more.

It is sad and frustrating since some animals are genuinely lost pets. However, the rest are a result of not spaying or neutering. It results in many unwanted litters of cats, dogs, and other animals.

Spaying and neutering is a good way of reducing the overpopulation of homeless animals. Adoption of these pets would help. However, very few people step up to adopt the animals within the shelter’s time limit. If you can adopt, please do. Also, ensure you take your fur baby to the vet for spaying or neutering.

What Is Spaying?

Spaying is removing a female pet’s ovaries and uterus. It renders them infertile. With it, you do not have to worry about getting unwanted pets. The doctor performs the procedure laparoscopically and removes the organs while your pet is under anesthesia.

Spaying takes more time than neutering, but it is not a procedure. Sometimes, the vet may ask to keep your pet overnight for observation. When it comes home, it must avoid bathing, jumping, or running for two to four weeks.

What Is Neutering?

Neutering is the surgical removal of a pet’s testicles. The vet does it through an incision in the abdomen. Neutering makes it impossible for your pet to father any little fur babies. The process happens when the pet is under anesthesia. It does not take long. Thus, your pet can go home the same day. However, ensure it rests and does not run, jump, climb, or swim during the healing period.

Benefits Of Spaying And Neutering

There are many benefits to these practices. They include:

Reducing Unwanted Litters Of Fur Babies

Female cats have several heat cycles per year before spaying, while female dogs get into heat twice a year. Cats will go into heat before they are a year old. They will continue to produce dozens of litters of kittens as the years proceed. Spaying reduces your pet’s desire to roam free and mate. If a male gets near them, they will not attempt to mate. Hence, you will not have unwanted fur babies.

Curbs Aggressive Behavior

During mating season, female cats behave aggressively and vocalize loudly to attract male cats. The behavior may be distracting and annoying. It may also cost you your sleep if they do so at night. Spaying will curb this behavior and allow you to have a good night’s sleep.

Neutering also deals with aggressive behavior in male pets. It curbs their desire to roam free, act sexually, and attempt to bite people. Male pets also mark their territory with their urine. The odor is extremely unpleasant and hard to remove. Neutering will deal with this behavior.

Curbs Diseases And Increases Life Span

Spaying your female pet reduces the risk of ovarian, uterine, and mammary gland cancer. It also reduces the risk of prostate or testicular cancer. Reducing the risk of these diseases increases their lifespan by roughly three to five years. You get to enjoy more time with your fur baby.

For more on spaying or neutering, call Pearl River Animal Hospital at (845) 735-3213 to reach our Pearl River, New York office.