More than 90 million American families have at least one pet, equating to seven out of 10 American households. This represents a notable increase from 56 percent of American households in 1988. Unfortunately, not all cats and dogs in America have a home with a family. An estimated 6.3 million homeless dogs and cats live in animal shelters. About 900,000 shelter animals are euthanized every year.
The most effective way for responsible pet parents to reduce America’s homeless and shelter pet populations is to spay and neuter family cats and dogs. Unless a pet parent is also a knowledgeable and responsible animal breeder, there is no reason not to schedule a spay or neuter procedure for a young cat or dog.
Spaying, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, is a surgical procedure for female animals that involves the removal of the animal’s reproductive organs. Meanwhile, a neuter procedure, orchiectomy, is a surgery used to remove the testicles from a male animal. The term “neutered” is sometimes colloquially applied to both female and male animals that have undergone the corresponding procedure.
Female cats and dogs enjoy a number of benefits after being spayed. To start, a spayed cat has a decreased risk of developing several medical conditions, including mammary tumors, uterine infections, and various cancers of the reproductive organs. Spayed cats will also refrain from unwanted, potentially risky behaviors such as howling and marking territory while in heat and attempting to escape the house in search of male cats.
Female dogs enjoy many of the same benefits. In addition, both cats and dogs will enjoy longer lifespans following a spay procedure.
Neutered cats and dogs are also less likely to develop specific types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Animals are also less likely to engage in sexualized, potentially aggressive behaviors, marking, or experience hormonal mood swings.
While these and other benefits may sound attractive, some pet parents may be concerned about the drawbacks of spay and neuter procedures. Fortunately, these negatives can largely be attributed to myths and misconceptions. For example, some pet parents may have heard that a pet gains weight after a spay or neuter procedure. In reality, lack of exercise and overfeeding are the most common causes of obesity in pets, not sterilization.
That said, some myths place too much emphasis on the benefits of spay and neuter procedures. While spaying and neutering can decrease instances of marking territory and unstable behavior, the surgeries are not quick fixes for all behavioral problems. This is a positive for pet parents who may worry that the surgery will change their pet’s personality but underscores the importance of proper training and socialization for other families.
After the decision to go ahead with a spay or neuter procedure, the veterinarian should be consulted on when to schedule the procedure.
