Sterilization of male and female pets will eliminate unwanted dogs and cats.

Sterilization for dogs and cats is one of the responsibilities of conscientious pet owners because thousands of unwanted animals are born each day only to become the prey of cruel and exploitative humans, or victims of starvation, accidents, and the elements.  Unwanted feline and canine pregnancy will result in puppies and kittens that often become the source of food for other larger carnivorous animals, but mostly these fall under the category of "animal control" and face certain death.

Neuter is one name for the surgical removal of the reproductive glands in a male animal. Cat and dog neutering is actually castration (orchectomy), which means that the reproductive glands, i.e. the testes of the male animal are surgically removed.  Only the testes are removed from within the scrotum.  All castration surgeries are performed under general anesthetic. 

Reasons for cat and dog neutering include:

• Eliminate the reproductive capacity
• Reduce sexual activity
• Reduce the tendency to roam and fight
• Reduce the general level of aggression
• Eliminate testicular cancer
• Resolve disease of the prostate gland.

Six to twelve months is the best age for neutering dogs and cats.  Performing the neuter procedure at this age involves a very low risk to the animal; prostate and testicular disease is effectively absent at this age, territorial marking (inappropriate urination often called spraying) has not been established yet and if you castrate early you virtually eliminate unwanted feline and canine pregnancy.  Unless you desire to use your pet dog as a valuable breeder, early neutering could help your dog be a more valuable pet and it could prevent life threatening diseases that occur later in life.

Spay is one name for the surgical removal of a female animal's uterus and ovaries.  The medical term is ovario-hysterectomy and the common name is "fixing".  Spaying is done under anesthesia and is a routine surgery for most veterinarians.  Female dogs and cats can be spayed when they are in heat or are pregnant; however, spaying before a first litter or heat cycle is a more simple procedure and recommended.  It is usually done around six months of age, before the animal is mature enough to have begun its heat cycles.

Reasons for preventing feline and canine pregnancy are plenty, not the least of which is mentioned above.

Female dogs and cats should be spayed for the following reasons: 

• Spaying will eliminate all feline and canine pregnancy that will result in unplanned and costly litters.  It costs someone money to have unwanted animals euthanized.
• Reduce the risk of mammary and ovarian cancer.
• Spaying will eliminate the risk of a life-threatening uterus infection called pyometra that can develop several weeks after a heat period thus requiring surgical removal of the uterus.  It usually is an emergency situation. 
• Spaying will prevent the risks associated with giving birth, such as Caesarian section or the rejection of the mother to her offspring causing owners extra care and attention to the young.
• Spaying eliminates the heat cycle, associated mood swings and undesirable behaviors, messy spotting (in dogs) and the attraction of all available males to your yard.
• Spaying will curb the need to roam and search out a mate.  This reduces the chance of serious injury and death from car accidents or encounters with other animals.  It also reduces the spread of contagious diseases such as rabies.

Spay and neuter are two words that should be high on the list of a responsible pet owner's vocabulary.  Dogs and cats will make better domestic house pets if feline and canine pregnancy is prevented.  Spaying and neutering an animal when it is young, before it acquires the urge to reproduce should be a topic you discuss with your vet as soon as you acquire a new pet.

To purchase online pet shopping & products for pet reproductive health such as Ovaban (megestrol) used to postpone heat cycles and to treat false pregnancy in dogs visit our partner sites.  Other unique online pet shopping & products are available through all our links below.

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