Care about dogs? Spay or neuter your dog. Spaying and neutering have positive health benefits, and also help to reduce the pet population. Why spay or neuter your pet?
Positive Health Benefits
Spaying or neutering your pet leads to positive health benefits. In female dogs, spaying can drastically reduce the chances of breast cancer, false pregnancies, mastitis, cystic ovaries and ovarian tumors, along with a variety of other reproductive health problems. In male dogs, neutering reduces the frequency of testicular cancer, hyperplasia, tumors and male reproductive health problems. Given the potential health problems and reductions of various serious and even fatal cancers, spaying or neutering your dog is one of the best things you can do for your dog's overall shealth.
Behavior Improves
This is especially true in male dogs, but you'll note significant behavioral results when you neuter your dog. Neutering drastically reduces canine aggression toward other dogs. It also reduces wanderlust, lowering your dog's tendency to roam in search of a desirable mate. If your unneutered male dog smells a female dog in heat over a mile away, chances are that he'll find a way to break free and make his way to his lady love. Neutering can also reduce or prevent embarrassing sexual behaviors, such as humping, although some dominance-related humping may persist.
Prevent Pet Overpopulation
Pet overpopulation is a serious problem, especially in parts of the country that don't have good spay and neuter programs. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that between six and eight million cats and dogs enter the shelter system every year, and between three and four million of those animals are put down.
By spaying or neutering your dog, you can help prevent pet overpopulation and ensure that the deserving pets that are already out there can find good homes. Don't look at breeding your pet as a way to make extra cash; breeding can cause serious health complications, and without a solid breeding plan, puppies can be prone to their own health problems.
When to Spay or Neuter
While the exact timeline varies depending on your dog's breed and your vet's recommendations, you should try to spay or neuter before your dog has an opportunity to get into trouble. For female dogs, it's recommended to spay before the first heat cycle, as letting your dog go through a heat drastically increases her chances of getting breast cancer or other tumors and health problems.
For both male and female dogs, avoid neutering too early, as your dog needs hormones to develop properly. The age of six months is an appropriate time to begin thinking about spaying or neutering, although your vet may recommend that you wait longer in large or giant dog breeds.
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