Furry friends are lifelong companions, and there is a huge responsibility in caring for them. We love our pets, and at unexpected times, there comes the decision to spay and neuter them. Whether it’s for our furry friends’ health and safety or even to abide by some laws of the country to control the pet overpopulation problem, we’re here to assist you in this discussion for you to make a decision.

1) What is Spaying and Neutering?

Spaying and neutering are the most common surgical procedures and acts as preventive reproducing measures for animals. While going through the process, your pets will be put under general anesthesia so that they do not feel any pain.

If you are unsure exactly the difference between spaying and neutering, let us look further into these two common medical terms for pets and animals.

· Spaying: Refers to the surgical removal of a female animal’s reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus) so she cannot become pregnant.
· Neutering: Refers to the surgical removal of some of a male animal’s reproductive organs (testicles) so he can’t impregnate a female.

 

A cat sitting on couch

 

2) What are the Benefits of spaying and neutering my pet?

While some may discuss the cons of what spaying and neutering can do to your pets, here are some pros in going through the surgeries – mainly focused on benefiting your furry friends.

 

a. Improves Health and Wellness

Spaying and neutering your pet can bring a lot of health benefits in the long run. Some serious and dangerous diseases like uterine infections, breast cancer/ tumours and testicular cancer can be prevented.
Spayed dogs and cats will not develop ovarian or uterine cancers later in life, while neutered dogs and cats are less likely to experience prostate and testicular problems.

 

b. Eliminate ‘In-Heat’ Situations

Similar to human menstruation, female cats and dogs’ “in-heat” situations happen in cycles. This is around four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. When female pets go into heat, the desperation to mate will be high. Though natural, these heat cycles can cause them to be in pain, while sometimes running amok in the house – screaming and urinating more frequently or rubbing against everything in the house.
Spaying your pets will save them from the pain of going through all those situations, and it also saves you the hassle of dealing with the kinds of “in-heat” drama and mental health in your house.

 

c. Decrease the urge and chances to roam out of home

When male cats and dogs are unneutered, they can smell a female in-heat miles away and will be in great need to mate. This urge will cause them to find ways to escape from your house and potentially be in danger like getting into fights with other animals or risk getting hit by a vehicle.
So, in any case, neutering your male furry friends will allow them to be safer near you and not truly making them less ‘manly’.  

 

d. Behavioral Problems and Issues

An animal’s sex hormones often influence the different ways of it acting around you and other animals or humans. By spaying and neutering, they can decrease your pet’s aggressiveness in behaviour and generate better and maybe calmer personalities.
Spaying and neutering can also help reduce, or sometimes eliminate certain unwanted tendencies like mounting, urinary marking, inter-male aggression, roaming and many more.

 

e. Reduce unwanted litters, overpopulation and overcrowded shelters

This is a given benefit when you choose to spay or neuter your pets. You can minus the possibility of your pet getting unwanted pregnancies and cause unnecessary litters.
As some countries struggle with pet overpopulation, many animal laws have to be put in place where pet owners are compulsory to spay and neuter their pets. This is because strays can have negative impacts to neighbourhoods and communities by spreading diseases, causing fights with other animals and people, and other related issues.
You are doing your part and responsibility in keeping the community safe by making the decision to spay or neuter your pet.

 

3) What happens if I do not choose to spay or neuter my pet?

Should you choose not to spay or neuter your pets, you might be risking them for severe and life-threatening health issues and diseases in the long term.

For male pets, if left intact past the age of 5, they will have higher possibilities of developing an enlarged prostate. Affected dogs will generate potentially dangerous issues which include difficulty urinating or bowel movements.

Whereas in female pets, there is an increased chance for them to get pyometra, which is a severe infection of the uterus. Pyometra is one of the most life-threatening diseases in unspayed cats and dogs.

 

shiba inu dogs in singapore

 

4) When is it the best time and age to undergo the surgeries?

Should you decide to spay and neuter your pet, the concern is when would be the appropriate time to do so. Both cats and dogs can go through spaying and neutering as young as eight weeks old as long as they are healthy, but you can decide depending on the condition of your furry friend and advised by your vet.

Dogs: Traditionally, the age for neutering is between six to nine months. As for female dogs or puppies, it is recommended to spay them before their first heat cycle, which is between five and ten months of age.

Dogs can be neutered as adults as well, although there’s a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications for dogs who are older, who have health problems or overweight.

Cats: Cats or kittens can become pregnant as early as four months old. To avoid this, it is advisable to spay or neuter before your own cat reaches five months of age. It’s possible to spay a female cat while she’s in heat.

 

5) Still unsure about the Spaying and Neutering? Speak to us!

In general, spaying and neutering are quite affordable, and they can allow you and your beloved pets to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives together.

 

It is definitely a huge decision to make but fret not! Here at WhatsDoc, we have a great panel of knowledgeable veterinarians and animal doctors that are always available to address your concerns relating to your furry friends and their long-term health.

 

Speak to us and we can share some pre-op advice, after-care tips to determine together what is best for your pet.

 

References:

1. Spaying & Neutering Pets

2. Why Spay and Neuter Pets?

3. 5 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Pets

4. Spay and Neuter Your Pets!

5. Why spay or neuter your pet?

6. Sapy/Neuter Your pet

7. How will spaying change my dog?

 

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