Why
should I spay or neuter my pet? The
first, and most obvious, answer is to prevent pet overpopulation. According to HSUS and ASPCA, between 6 and 8
million pets enter shelters in the US each
year. Half of them, 3 to 4 million
dogs and cats, are euthanized every year.
There are also many health benefits to your pet from these
procedures. Spaying a female prior to
her first heat can reduce her lifetime chances of breast cancer by up to 85%. Also, as females age they become much more
likely to develop infections in their uterus (pyometra), a very dangerous
disease which is fatal if not treated.
Neutering a male dog will not only reduce roaming and marking behaviors
(as well as some aggression problems) by up to 50%, but it will virtually
eliminate prostate enlargement and infections.
Be sure to discuss any concerns you have with your veterinarian.Links: http://www.aspca.org/
http://www.humanesociety.org/
