Spaying and Neutering

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Here are some excuses people make about spaying and neutering and the truth behind them.

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Download, Print, and Share this flyer about spaying and neutering

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I don’t want my dog’s personality to change.

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It’s true: spaying and neutering has a reputation for ‘staving off undesirable habits‘ such as marking and humping. However, allegations that spaying and neutering will make a dog fat, lazy, less loving, less protective, or less playful are categorically unfounded. Additionally, dogs do not have a concept of sexual identity and ego like humans, so they will not feel or act like they are “missing something” after the procedure.

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I don’t want to give my dog unnecessary surgery.

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There is nothing unnecessary about spaying and neutering, and the procedure is generally very safe. Not only do the procedures prevent unwanted pregnancies, but spaying a female before her first heat significantly ‘decreases her risk of developing mammary tumors‘ later in life and ‘pyometra‘ (infection of the uterus) which is deadly.

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Neutering males ‘prevents prostate and testicular cancer‘ and other life-threatening illnesses. Studies show that spaying and neutering young dogs (approx. six months old) generally results in less bleeding, quicker recovery, and increased skeletal bone growth. Spayed and neutered dogs live up to three years longer than their unaltered counterparts.*

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My dog is always on leash and doesn’t have the opportunity to “get it on.”

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At times, dogs escape, or they at least escape your field of view when you’re talking to the neighbor who is out for a walk with the dog. It doesn’t take long for accidents to happen, resulting in you becoming responsible for the care of not just one dog, but maybe even eight dogs. Considering that spaying and neutering is an easy, inexpensive procedure that prevent more than just pregnancies, it’s just not worth the risk.

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Spaying and Neutering is Too Expensive.

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Find a local low cost clinic at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter/, where you can get your dog spayed or neutered for less than $150. Low cost spay and neuter clinics exist in every state. Many local shelters are also offering the service to the public now.  Plus there are online grants you can even locate for financial help.

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The fact is, even triple that amount would pale in comparison to the cost of veterinary care for a litter of puppies or for your dog after he or she gets into a fight. (These procedures also reduce the chance of your dog getting into a fight.)

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From another perspective, what is a life worth? How about six or eight? If your dog has puppies, even if you can find homes for them, an equivalent number of shelter puppies will be killed.

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Spaying and neutering is just plain smart. Do yourself and your dog a favor, and make an appointment today. Click here to check out which veterinary clinics we use.

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