The Benefits From Spaying & Neutering Your Animal

Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures which make your pet unable to reproduce. If you are unsure if spaying or neutering is right for your pet, knowing the benefits associated with the procedures can help you make an informed decision.

  1. Prevent Unwanted Pregnancy

    • If you choose not to neuter or spay--also known as "fixing"--your pet, you are leaving that pet open to the possibility of unwanted pregnancies. Non-neutered males will actively seek out an unspayed female in heat. Even if you keep your pet inside, it can find a way out. According to Marion County (Florida) Board of County Commissioners, there are 5,000 cats and dogs born every hour (while only 415 human beings are born per hour) and the majority of these animal births are unwanted. These pets often end up in shelters and many will never find homes and will be put down.

    Less Roaming

    • An unneutered dog has the ability to know there is an unspayed female in heat at a great distance, sometimes miles away, according to Paw Prints and Purrs. Males will roam great distances to find a female with which to breed. Unfortunately, roaming animals not only promote unwanted pregnancies, they can also become lost. Many animals that roam end up hit by cars, causing injury or death.

    Less Territorial Behavior

    • Since males will roam to find a female in heat, unneutered dogs and cats will mark their territory. This is usually done by an animal that is normally in a particular area, but roaming males will begin to mark new territory, as well. Marking can occur inside your home as well as outside. Because males can become very territorial when they are not neutered, they will fight with other unneutered males they feel have encroached upon their territory, according to Pawsperous Pets. This often results in injury to one or both animals.

    Less Aggression

    • Since male animals will fight for the right to breed with a female in heat, neutering helps reduce this aggression, according to Pawsperous Pets. In the case of dogs, neutering and spaying often reduces the likelihood that the animal will bite. Having your dog fixed will not eliminate the natural desire to protect the home and your family, but it will reduce aggressive behavior towards strangers. It can also reduce aggressive behavior, such as growling or biting, towards other animals.

    Reduction in Disease

    • Aside from the behavioral benefits and preventing unwanted pregnancies, fixing your pet can help your pet's health. According to PAWS, neutered males are less likely to develop problems with their prostate or testicular cancer and spayed females are less likely to develop cancer of the uterus or breast. Spaying also helps decrease the risk of urinary tract infections.