Spaying and Neutering
By Stan Rawlinson
Approximately 135,000 stray dogs per annum are picked up in the UK. 400 are destroyed per week. 8 million to 12 million dogs and cats are euthanised annually in the US for lack of loving homes. And because they have no organised program for neutering. Two dogs and their offspring can produce 67,000 young over a 6-year period. Two cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 over a 7-year period.
Myths of Spaying and Neutering
My pet will become fat and lazy: The only way your pet will become fat and lazy is from over feeding lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle. This can all be controlled by the owner
It's better to let my pet have one litter first: Medical evidence indicates that females spayed before their first heat are often healthier.
I want my children to witness the miracle of birth: Participate in a foster care program with your local Shelter, you can take in an unwanted pregnant cat for this experience. At the same time help your children learn about the unwanted pet problem and the need for spaying and neutering of pets.
I will find good homes for them all: Kittens and puppies are easy to place, however, where will they be in a year? Most of the animals find their way to animal shelters at about one year of age.
I want my dog to be protective: Spaying or neutering does not affect the dog's natural instincts to protect home and family.
My dog is a pure-bred: Many of the animals admitted to Shelters are pure-bred; over-population does not discriminate over mixed or pure-bred.
Neutering may affect my dog's emotional identity: Dogs do not cognitively possess a macho identity. Concerned owners should ask your veterinarian about a product called neuticals. It is an implant available for a dog who is to be neutered but the owner "or some people think the dog" doesn't want anyone to know.
I can't afford to have my pet spayed or neutered: Many veterinarians have spay or neuter programs for regular clients. Check your area for low cost spay/neuter Vets. Adopt from a Rescue Centre as the pets are often spayed or neutered prior to adoption.
Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Dog
Spaying and neutering makes for a better pet and a more affectionate family companion. It is a medical fact that spaying and neutering can prolong the life of a pet and reduce the number health problems that may be difficult or expensive to treat.
Female pets can benefit from spaying by reducing the incidence of uterine or ovarian cancers. This is particularly successful if your pet is spayed before her first oestrus cycle. Oestrus lasts an average of six to twelve days that is when the dog is most receptive and liable to fall pregnant the heat or season lasts in total from beginning to end about 3 weeks, and is twice a year for dogs and six times a year for cats. Female cats cry incessantly, show nervous behaviour and attract unwanted male animals, when in heat.
Neutering a male pet reduces the incidences of prostate cancer and prostate disorders. Male pets are less likely to develop unwanted behaviours such as marking of territory with urine or sexual aggression and mounting, either humans or other dogs of both sexes.
Males are less likely to escape and roam the neighbourhood, or fight with other pets. Veterinarians recommend that cats and dogs are spayed or neutered anywhere between 5 to 12 months of age before the first oestrus cycle in females and prior to males developing a behavioural problem.
My personal belief is males should not be castrated until they have been cocking there leg for one month. If you castrate before this the males will always squat. In females it should be around about 9 months depending on whether or not she has had her first cycle by then, if she hasn’t then go ahead, if she has you should wait approx 2/3 months after finishing the season whilst everything settles down before spaying.
Set a good example for your future generations of pet owners, spay and neuter your pets. Remember, if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.
Information and Stats
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Stan Rawlinson (Doglistener) is a Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer who has owned and worked dogs for over 25 years, starting with Gundogs then moving on to the behavioural and obedience side of Pet Dogs in 1996. He now has a successful practice covering London, Surrey and Middlesex. Visit his Web Site
Spaying and Neutering was published by The Dog Scene on 03 Jan, 2008. © All rights reserved. You may download and print this article for personal or non-profit use only. Please feel free to link to this article.
Spaying and Neutering was published by The Dog Scene on 03 Jan, 2008. © All rights reserved. You may download and print this article for personal or non-profit use only. Please feel free to link to this article.
Submitted:
03 Jan, 2008 (Edited 18 Jan, 2008)
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