Spay/Neuter Myths
The continuation of myths about spaying and neutering cause some people to avoid the surgery. Below are some common myths and the facts.
Myth: “I can’t afford it”
Myth: “It’s better to let my female pet have one litter before spaying.”
Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, and spaying before the first heat cycle offers the best protection from these diseases. Cats can become reproductively active as young as four months old. Many veterinarians now sterilize cats and dogs as young as eight weeks of age. Talk with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures for your pet. Pets do not mourn their lost capability to reproduce. They reproduce solely to ensure the survival of their species. Female pets nurse their young for a few weeks, teach rules, boundaries, and limitations to their kittens and puppies, and send them off into the world. Male cats and dogs are not “fathers” in the human sense of the word and do not actually recognize kittens and puppies as their own.
Myth: “My pet will get fat and lazy after being spayed or neutered.”
The truth is that pets gain weight because their owners feed them too much or don't give them enough exercise, not because they are sterilized. The weight gain that people may witness after a spay/neuter surgery is most likely caused by continuing to feed a high-energy diet to a pet that is reducing its need for energy as it reaches adult size. Exercise in the form of play can help encourage activity to keep the weight off and muscles strong.
Myth: “My pet needs to be at least 6 months old to be sterilized.”
Today we know that kittens and puppies can be spayed or neutered at the age of two months (or the weight of two pounds). The American Veterinary Medical Association has endorsed this practice, called Early Age Neutering; the animals recover more quickly from surgery when they are young. Your veterinarian can advise you on the most appropriate age to spay or neuter your pet based on its breed, age, and physical condition.
Myth: “My male dog or cat will fell like less of a male.”
Many people have a difficult time sterilizing their pets, imposing upon their dogs their own feelings on losing reproductive abilities. Male pets do not have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. Neutered pets have less desire to roam, mark territory, or exert dominance over other pets. Sterilized pets are proven to be more affectionate and less likely to bite, run away, or become aggressive.
Myth: “Spay and neuter surgeries are risky.”
There are always risks involved with any anesthesia or surgery, but the overall incidence of complications is very low. These surgeries are the most commonly performed veterinary procedure—our staff veterinarians perform over 11,000 each year!
Myth; “I want my children to experience the miracle of birth.”Frequently, animals go off by themselves to give birth, or do so during the night, so it is unlikely that your child will see the birthing process. While the birth of baby animals may teach children a love of life and living things, this lesson can be taught in many other, more humane, ways and not by the expense of the your pet and its offspring. The miracle of birth is quickly overshadowed by the thousands of animals that are euthanized in communities across the country due to the overpopulation of companion animals.
The facts are simple—spaying and neutering saves lives. There are just too many pets and not enough homes. It is one of the most important decisions you can make for your pet. Not only does it help him or her live a happier, healthier life, it will save the lives of many others.
