As a first-time dog owner, one of the best ways to give your dog a good start is to get them spayed or neutered.
Neutering a dog refers to the removal of its reproductive organ. Spaying is referred to the removal of the reproductive organs of female dogs. Spaying or neutering dogs is essential to let your dog have a healthy life.
Dog rescue groups, animal shelters, and many humane societies urge dog owners to have their pets neutered to prevent the birth of unplanned puppies.
Most countries require all adopted dogs to be sterilised before returning to their new homes. Dog owners opt to neuter or spay their dogs for this reason. If you have decided to go for it, this blog will help you better understand the benefits of spaying and neutering dogs.
What are Spaying and Neutering?
Spaying is a surgical procedure involving removing a female dog’s uterus and ovaries through an incision made in the abdomen under general anaesthesia.
Neutering is a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthesia to remove a male dog’s testicles, which is a much simpler surgery than spaying.
Why Spay or Neuter Your Dogs?
Here are some top reasons to consider getting your dog spayed or neutered.
Reduce Overpopulation of Dogs
Most countries are forced to euthanise dogs due to the surplus of millions of companion animals. Dogs do not need our help to increase their numbers but to help reduce unwanted litter until they all have good homes.
So by spaying and neutering, we humans can help reduce the overpopulation of dogs.
Prevent Public Nuisance
Stray dogs can be genuine concern in many places. They can be a public nuisance as they often soil roads and parks, frighten children and other pets, create disturbance by barking, and even cause road accidents.
Much Healthier Dogs with Longer Life
Sterilising your dog will also increase its chances of a healthier and longer life. They have the chance of a low risk of prostate, testicular and ovarian cancers, mammary glands, and perianal tumours.
Have Your Dog Behave Better
Dogs that have been spayed or neutered make them behave like better pets due to the decrease in the urge to roam. With the reduced urge to roam, your dog will have fewer chances of contracting diseases or getting hurt in accidents.
Avoid Unplanned Puppies
If you have not spayed your female dog, she will attract male dogs during the breeding season. This can result in the production of incidental puppies. It can be quite expensive to manage a litter as well as time and energy-consuming.
Eliminate Certain Behaviour Issues
Neutering your male dogs can reduce undesirable behaviours such as mounting and leg-lifting. Neutering can also decrease certain aggressive behaviours in dogs. It also makes it easier to train your dogs.
The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Dog
Listed below are some of the many benefits of getting your dog spayed or neutered.
Benefits of Neutering Male Dogs:
- Reduces the number of puppies because most people don’t want the trouble managing 5-6 puppies
- Helps your dog live a healthier and longer life
- The desire to roam has less chance of getting injured in fights or self-accidents.
- Reduced risk of testicular cancer
- Decreases aggressive behaviour
Benefits of Spaying Female Dogs:
- Reduces the number of unplanned puppies
- Helps your dog live a healthier and longer life.
- No heat cycles, so no male attraction
- The desire to roam is less.
- If done before the first heat cycle, there is a reduced or no risk of mammary gland tumours and uterine or ovarian cancer.
What is the Right Age For a Dog to be Spayed or Neutered?
The spaying or neutering procedures can be done even on puppies. However, every dog owner who decides to get their dogs spayed or neutered should consult with a veterinarian to understand the best age for their dogs to get it done.
There also may be a long-term health benefit to neutering the dogs after they reach puberty, leading to reduced health problems and improved behaviour.
Many opt to get their female dogs spayed before their first heat, which can occur even at five months of age. However, this can be too early to get a surgical procedure as the dogs at this age have not fully grown or developed.
You must also consult your dog trainer to determine the appropriate age to neuter or spay your dog, depending on its breed.
The most recommended age for small breed dogs is an adult that weighs less than 45 pounds and should be neutered by six months, and female dogs should be spayed at 5 or 6 months before they get into heat.
For large breed dogs, an adult who weighs over 45 pounds is spayed between 5 to 15 months and neutered by around 9 to 15 months.
This can differ due to various factors for certain dogs, which can be sorted by consulting your dog’s vet.
There are three options if you decide to spay or neuter your dog. Some of which are :
- Private Veterinary Clinics
- Voucher Programs
- Spay and Neuter Clinics
Please discuss with your veterinarian all available options they can offer and choose the one you think is best for your dog.
Conclusion
Millions of dogs and puppies are euthanised every year. You can avoid this as a responsible dog owner by simply getting your dogs sterilised and preventing an increase in population.
Spaying or neutering your dog is the best way to prevent unwanted litter, protect dogs from serious health issues, and reduce certain behavioural problems related to mating instinct.
Make sure to talk to your dog’s vet and decide on the right option and time that would work best for your dog when it comes to spaying and neutering.