Leaving your pet unattended can be more dangerous than you think. If not trained well, your pet will participate in activities that will leave them dirty, poorly behaved, and lead to overpopulation. This is an issue that puts your and your family’s health on edge as well.
This is why spaying and neutering are important for your pet’s longer and healthier life.
Spaying is used for female pets, and their ovaries are removed during this process. Meanwhile, male pets undergo neutering, which involves the removal of testicles to limit reproduction. Apart from controlling the reproduction, these processes can also inflict behavioral changes.
A process as delicate and important as this is bound to put several suspicions in people’s minds. And suspicion can lead to misinformation and myths that can hurt your pet’s health.
In this guide, we will discuss several such myths and test their authenticity to see whether they hold any credibility. Let’s get started.
1. Myth: Spaying or neutering causes pets to gain weight
Fact: The reality behind this myth is different. While spaying and neutering are linked with reduced pet metabolism, weight gain cannot be directly associated with the process.
A slightly reduced metabolism means you must put more effort into managing the pet’s diet and exercise routine. Any negligence can lead to weight gain unrelated to the procedure.
2. Myth: It’s better to let my pet have one litter before spaying
Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. With each heat cycle, the chances of mammary tumors increase. So, letting your pet have a litter before spaying goes against scientific research.
Instead, it is suggested that spaying before the first heat cycle is more beneficial and improves pet behavior. It further reduces the risks of cancer and other infections.
3. Myth: Spaying and neutering will change my pet’s personality
Fact: This is just an exaggeration of the behavioral changes that pets go through. You need to remember that spaying and neutering only alter your pet’s behavior regarding mating. In that regard, your pet will show fewer signs of aggression and roaming.
However, the fundamental personality of your pet will remain unchanged as personality is formed from genetics, learned experiences, and environment.
4. Myth: Spay/neuter surgeries are painful and unsafe
Fact: Spay/neuter surgery is like every other surgery your pet might go through. The experts perform this surgery under appropriate anesthesia to reduce pain.
After the surgery, your pet might feel some pain and discomfort, but it is no different than routine surgeries and can be handled through pain medications. When performed by trained veterinarians, the risks of any complications are minimal.
5. Myth: It’s too expensive to spay or neuter my pet
Fact: Any cost regarding your pet’s health should be measured in the long term. The upfront cost of a spay/neuter surgery might seem too much in the short term, but you must keep the bigger picture in mind.
This crucial surgery will help avoid cancer and other infections that might require expensive treatments in the longer run. Moreover, the alternative to this procedure is a growing litter, and taking care of a litter is much more expensive than this simple procedure.
6. Myth: Neutering my male pet will make him feel less masculine
Fact: Pets do not have the same perception of gender as humans do, so this procedure will have no emotional impact on your pet.
However, some hormonal behaviors, such as aggression, roaming, and marking a territory, can often be associated with masculinity, which is not always true. Female pets can also show signs of aggression and roaming. Spaying and neutering eliminate these behaviors, which is a positive thing.
7. Myth: Spaying or neutering will make my pet less protective
Fact: People often make the mistake of relating a pet’s aggressive behavior towards other animals and people to their protective nature.
Spaying and neutering just reduce your pet’s aggressive behavior. There is no long-lasting impact on your pet’s protective instincts and commitment towards your family.
Do not believe any information without verifying it from credible sources. These myths will only bring inconvenience and health problems for your pets. So be responsible and reap the benefits of this procedure.
Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
Now that we have established that these procedures are not a cause of inconvenience for your pet, it’s time to discuss the benefits they can offer.
Let’s start with some health benefits. Spaying and neutering are associated with a reduced risk of uterine infection, and in female pets, they can reduce the chances of mammary tumors. These tumors are malignant in 90% of cats and 50% of dogs.
For male pets, neutering can help reduce the risk of testicular cancer. Moreover, since pets no longer participate in reproduction, they are also saved from reproduction-related cancer and infections.
However, the benefits are not limited to health alone. Spaying and neutering also change a pet’s behavior positively. They reduce aggression and territorial behavior, making them peaceful.
It also solves the overpopulation problem and reduces the number of stray dogs in animal shelters, reducing the burden. This means reduced harmful animal interactions and public safety concerns.
It’s All About Timing
The most crucial aspect of this process is its timing. There is a lot of contention among people on when they should get this procedure done or if they should get it at all.
The sooner you make the decision, the better. As mentioned earlier, with each heat cycle, the chances of tumors and eventually cancer increase. So the clock is always ticking.
For cats, the ideal time to get the spay surgery is when they are around 5-6 months old. However, for dogs, the time frame varies based on the breed. For example, small breeds can be neutered around the age of 6 months, whereas for larger breeds, this procedure should be delayed till they reach skeletal maturity, which can be around 9 to 18 months.
Conclusion
Spaying and neutering are vital components of responsible pet ownership, offering significant health and behavioral benefits for your pet while contributing positively to the community.
By dispelling common myths and understanding the facts, pet owners can make informed decisions that enhance their pets’ quality of life and help address broader issues like pet overpopulation. Always consult your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your furry companion.
Vets24: Your Trusted Destination for Spaying and Neutering
Vets24 is the leading and most trusted Vet Clinic in Ras Al Khaimah when it comes to your pet’s health and safety. Our trained veterinarians offer seamless and risk-free routine procedures like spaying and neutering for your pet’s long life.
Leave the myths behind and talk to our expert professionals. Get a free consultation and high-quality care packages today. Book an appointment now.