Spaying and neutering pets is crucial for controlling animal populations and reducing the number of shelter animals in need of homes. Unfortunately, many people fail to spay and neuter their pets. Many times pet owners opt against having pets spayed and neutered because of the many myths and misconceptions surrounding the practice.
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Have 1 Liter First
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Many people believe that female dogs and cats are healthier if they are allowed to have one liter before being spayed. According to both the United States Humane Society and the Sacramento SPCA, medical evidence suggests that pets are actually healthier if they are spayed before being allowed to have any liters. Spaying females early reduces the risk of uterine infections and breast cancer. Neutering helps prevent testicular cancer, prostate cancer and urethral obstructions. Spaying a female before she enters her first heat cycle also helps to prevent unwanted male visitors from becoming a nuisance.
Laziness and Personality Changes
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Pets do not psychologically associate themselves as male or female in the same way people do. Because of this, there is nothing traumatic or personality changing about spaying and neutering. Many people fear that a pet̵7;s behavior may change after a spay or neuter, but any changes will be for the better. Neutered males are far less likely to mark their territory with urine and females will no longer menstruate in the house. The risk of fighting among male pets will also be reduced by neutering.
The Procedure is Too Expensive
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Many veterinarians and community programs offer help to offset the cost of spaying and neutering pets. The cost of spaying a female pet can often be less than the cost of seeing her through a pregnancy and giving birth. Because spaying a young female can reduce the risk of breast cancer and uterine infection, spaying a female may be far less expensive than treating medical problems later in life.
Finding Homes
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There is already an overabundance of cats and dogs in animal shelters. Creating more animals that need homes can increase the number of shelter animals that need to be euthanized. It is also important to note that, according to the Humane Society of the United States, one in four shelter animals is a purebred. This means that even purebred animals should be spayed and neutered.
I Want My Dog to Be Protective
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Although neutering male dogs makes them less likely to fight with each other, it doesn̵7;t make them any less likely to protect their homes and families. Dogs are pack animals and instinctively protect both their territory and members of their pack. A good watchdog will still be a good watchdog after spaying or neutering.
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