How to Save a Life: Spay or Neuter Your Pet
There are many reasons why responsible pet owners choose to spay or neuter a pet. The sheer volume of unwanted or discarded pets that end up dying in animal shelters each year should be enough of a reason to convince most pet owners that increasing the population is not a good idea. While some of these pets are rescued from animal control in Massachusetts, adopted and given forever homes with new owners that love and care for them, many more will never share this experience.
Medical Benefits
In addition to curbing overpopulation, there are several medical benefits that can come from taking the time to spay or neuter your pet. These medical benefits are perhaps some of the most compelling reasons for dog and cat owners to have this procedure done.
#1 – Cancer
Spaying and neutering helps to reduce the odds of developing breast cancer in female pets, as well as prostate and testicular cancer in males.
#2 – Heat Cycles
Messy heat cycles are a clear drawback for female pets, not to mention all the unwanted attention from males that will be drawn to your home to seek out your female for mating.
#3 – Longer Life
Studies show that spaying and neutering can significantly increase the longevity of pets, helping them to live healthier and happier lives all around.
Behavioral Benefits
As a bonus to the medical benefits that can come from spaying and neutering can also prompt many frustrated pet owners to get this procedure for their pets. While it does benefit behavioral issues in both males and females, male pets will benefit the most.
#1 – Frustration
The natural urge to mate with another of its species can make your pet frustrated, which leads to distractions that can cause problems in training.
#2 – Running Away
According to statistics from animal control in Massachusetts, the number one reason why most pets run away from their owners is the urge to find a mate, which can lead to getting lost, getting into fights with other “suitors” or getting hit by a car.
#3 – Aggression
When you do not spay or neuter your pet, you may experience aggression, as the tendency to bite or lash out is increased in frustrated males who are seeking to mate.
#4 – Territory Marking
There are a number of ways that dogs and cats mark territory, and much of that “marking” has to do with mating urges. Marking includes spraying and even making inappropriate sexual gestures and behaviors toward people and/or objects.
Financial Benefits
It may sound selfish, but in the current economy, pet owners, counties and municipalities are all looking to find ways to save money. More pets means more money spent on food, medical care and housing.
#1 – Food Costs
Imagine the increased food costs you would experience if your female dog had a big litter of puppies! Dog food is increasingly expensive and multiplying that by five, ten or more puppies can quickly get your budget out of hand.
#2 – Medical Costs
The costs to see a pet through pregnancy, delivery and raising of pups or kittens until they are old enough to be adopted out from your home is much higher than the costs associated with spaying and neutering at your local animal hospital in Dartmouth.
#3 – Taxpayer Costs
Each year taxpayers foot the bill for millions of dollars that is spent to provide care for animals that have been abandoned, neglected and abused due to overpopulation.
Community Benefits
Unwanted and overpopulated domestic animals can cause undue financial burdens, which can lead to more animals being destroyed for lack of funds or space to house and care for them. Aside from costs, there are other negative aspects experienced in areas where there is a large number or stray or abandoned pets.
#1 – Reduced Population
Reducing the number of stray animals and unwanted animals within the local community is also a huge benefit, allowing animal control in Massachusetts to focus on other equally important issues.
#2 – Property Damage
A lot of damage is caused each year due to car accidents, property damage and rooting through garbage cans – all the result of so many stray animals loose across the state.
#3 – Protected Wildlife
Animal control in Massachusetts has to deal with calls regarding stray domesticated animals, such as cats and dogs, that have caused injury or death to local wildlife. Controlling the cat and dog population would help protect local animal populations as well.
Spay or Neuter Your Pet at Anchor Animal Hospital
When you bring your pet in for spaying and neutering at Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth, you can rest assured that your pet will be examined by a certified veterinary surgeon prior to the procedure and that anesthesia will be provided according to the specific needs and requirements of each individual pet. Your pet will be cared for and monitored during surgery and recovery, checking pulse, blood oxygen saturation and blood pressure.
Follow-up care includes on-site technicians who will stay with your pet following surgery, to ensure that he or she is completely awake and recovering normally. Your pet will stay at Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth throughout the day to ensure that they are comfortable and not experiencing any unnecessary pain or discomfort. Once the surgeon deems your pet ready to go home, you can contact our veterinary staff with any questions or to discuss any difficulties your pet may experience after spaying and neutering.
For more information on the costs to spay or neuter a pet, or to schedule an exam with one of our highly trained and experienced veterinarians, call Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth at 508-996-3731. We provide veterinary care for a wide variety of animals, including cats and dogs, exotic animals, pocket pets, reptiles, birds and more!