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THE FACTS OF LIFE: WHY TO SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET
Spaying your female pet (ovariohysterectomy):
Removal of the ovaries and uterus, ideal age is 4-6 months
If spayed before the first heat cycle, your pet has a less than 1% of developing breast cancer
If spayed after one heat cycle, your pet has an 8% chance of developing breast cancer
If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk increases to 26%
After 2 years, no protective benefit exists
Pets with diabetes or epilepsy should be spayed to prevent hormonal changes that may interfere with medication
Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer; also eliminates the chance of life threatening uterine infections
Eliminates unwanted heat cycles (messy!) and pregnancy
Neutering your male pet:
Removal of the testicles and spermatic cord, ideal age is 4-6 months
Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, the second most common tumor in male dogs
Greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer and prostatitis (infection)
Reduces the risk of perianal tumors (tumors around the rectum and anus)
Reduces roaming and fighting
Eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered before 6 months of age or before the onset of these behaviors
Eliminates the risk and spread of sexually transmitted diseases
Eliminates unwanted litters
Unfortunate reality:
More than 4 million pets are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters each year simply because they have no home. Many are puppies and kittens less than 6 months old. Help stop this needless loss of life. Spay and neuter your pet!
Spaying or Neutering your pet does not:
Cause laziness or hyperactivity
Reduce its instinct to protect your family and home
Cause immature behaviors
Postpone or delay normal behavioral maturity
Alter its personality in any manner (your male dog will be just as “macho”!)
Why you don't need to have "just one litter":
You will not make money from having puppies or kittens - it will probably cost more than you think!
A breeder's purpose is to "better the breed", not just perpetuate the breed. Unless you are willing to devote time and money into research and proper veterinary care prior to breeding, leave it up to the professionals.
If you feel it is necessary for your children to "witness a birth" - we can suggest appropriate videos.
Having a litter is not necessary for your pet to "be a better pet". In fact, there are many risks associated with pregnancy and delivering that may be expensive and dangerous for your pet. Your primary concern should be the health of the pet you have, not of all the possible litters she/he can have.
For every puppy or kitten you find a home for from your litter means one more puppy or kitten from a shelter gets euthanized because it did not get a home. So even though you think you will find suitable homes for all the puppies and kittens, you still have an effect on the overall pet population.