Cats and dogs frequently get spayed or neutered as a form of birth control. The decision to spay or neuter a pet is often challenging for pet owners. The widespread misconceptions surrounding this extremely simple surgery are largely to blame for this. The truth is that animals who have been spayed or neutered often live longer, healthier lives.
Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Contrary to common perception, female dogs and cats do not behave better after being pregnant, even once. In fact, the breeding instinct may cause unwanted behaviors and cause both the owner and the animal considerable discomfort. Additionally, even though some pet owners may have the best of intentions, very few are ready to put in the time and effort necessary to keep track of their pet’s pregnancy, care for the pups or kittens, and find suitable homes for them.
How Surgical Sterilization is Performed?
The veterinarian removes some reproductive organs in between surgical sterilizations. During the course of the procedure, your veterinarian will be removing female body organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus if they exist in your female pet. Although it is more often referred to as “spaying,” this procedure’s official name is ovariohysterectomy. When a male pet has the testicles removed, the procedure is known as an orchiectomy, often known as castration or just “neutering.”
The two most frequent surgeries performed by veterinarians on cats and dogs, spaying and neutering, are both substantial surgical procedures. Your pet has a complete physical examination prior to the treatment to make sure it’s in good health. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and painkillers are supplied. After the procedure, you will be instructed to keep your pet calm and quiet while the wounds heal for a few days.
Benefits of Spaying Female Pets
Female dogs
Depending on the breed, female dogs go through a “heat” cycle about every six months. During a female dog’s heat cycle, which can last up to 21 days, your pet may leave blood stains in the home, get stressed and irritable, and aggressively look for a mate. A female dog in heat may fight more frequently with other female dogs, especially females living in the same home.
Female cats
During the breeding season, female cats can experience period discomfort every two weeks until they give birth. During this stage, they could exhibit undesirable behaviors such as excessive yowling and urinating in public locations.
“Spaying reduces unwanted behaviors that may frustrate owners due to heat cycles. Spaying female dogs and cats at an early age helps prevent serious health problems, such as uterine infections and breast cancer, later in life.”
Benefits of Neutering Male Pets
Male dogs and cats are able to reproduce when they reach maturity (often between 6 and 9 months of age). Male dogs and cats may start “marking” their respective areas by urinating excessively on your coverings, furniture, and other parts of your home. Additionally, intact males may try to flee their homes and roam in quest of a mate if given the least opportunity.
Dogs and cats who are in search of a female in heat may turn violent and get into fights that hurt them, other animals, or people.
Male dogs and cats that have been neutered experience a diminished desire to reproduce as well as a relaxing impact that makes them more satisfied to stay at home.
Neutering males reduces their risk of hernias, testicular cancer, and prostatic illness. It also eliminates those risks. Additionally, it reduces the risk of problems associated with territorial and sexual aggression, inappropriate urination (spraying), and other undesirable male behaviors as well.
Misconceptions and Myths about Spay/Neuter
- Pet won’t get fat after getting spayed or neutered
Your pet will gain weight due to inactivity and excessive feeding, not neutering. If you continue to provide exercise and control food consumption, your pet will stay fit and trim.
- Neutering cannot resolve all behavioral issues
There is no reassurance that your dog’s behavior will improve after he has been neutered, even though neutering your pet frequently lowers unwanted behaviors brought on by a greater amount of testosterone. The procedure will lessen the level of testosterone in your dog’s body, but it won’t totally remove it. Additionally, neutering won’t change your pet’s learned or ingrained behaviors.
Risks of surgery
Sterilization has some anesthetic and surgical risks, like any surgical operation, although the overall frequency of problems is quite low. Your veterinarian will give you advice on both the advantages and disadvantages of the sterilization treatment because variations in the concentrations of reproductive hormones may alter your pet’s chance of contracting certain illnesses in the future.
How to recover safely and comfortably?
Your veterinarian facility will offer you pre-surgical instructions that you should follow. You should generally refrain from feeding your adult dog or cat after midnight the night before surgery. However, a puppy or kitten needs proper nourishment, therefore your veterinarian might advise against restricting them of food.
You can follow the post-operative instructions that your veterinarian can give you. After surgery, your pet might feel some discomfort, but your veterinarian can take steps to reduce suffering. Depending on the operation done, your pet may be sent home with painkillers.
Here are a few recommendations for a comfortable and calming down recuperation:
- Provide a peaceful space for your pet to rest indoors, separate from other animals.
- Avoid allowing your pet to run or jump for up to two weeks after surgery, or for as soon as your veterinarian suggests.
- Use an Elizabethan collar that is properly placed to stop your pet from rubbing the wound, which could result in infection.
- After surgery, your pet shouldn’t be bathed for at least 10 days.
- To ensure necessary healing, daily check the area of the incision.
Aspects of Pet Metabolism and Disposition
The surgery has no impact on a pet’s IQ, learning capacity, or capacity for play, work, or hunting. After surgery, most animals often behave better, making them more appealing as companions.
Additionally, the procedure won’t make your pet overweight. Feeding your pet a balanced diet and giving them regular exercise will help them maintain a healthy weight and lower their chance of developing obesity-related health problems. Ask your veterinarian for guidance on the ideal nutrition and exercise regimen for your pet at each stage of its life.
When should your pet be spayed or neutered?
According to your pet’s breed, age, and physical condition, talk to your veterinarian about the best time to spay or neuter it. It is estimated that male dogs are able to smell females in heat from a distance of up to a kilometer. Remember that it is not advisable to wait until your female dog or cat has experienced its first heat cycle, despite what is commonly believed.
Additional Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
It’s reasonably priced! Having and caring for a litter is much more expensive than having your pet spayed or neutered. Additionally, it’s less expensive than medical bills if your neutered male cat gets loose and fights a stray cat in the neighborhood!
It assists in reducing population growth. Worldwide, millions of dogs and cats of all ages and breeds are put to death or endure hardship as strays each year. The unexpected litter that led to these high numbers perhaps could have been prevented if spaying and neutering had been done earlier.
