Facts and Myths about Spay/Neutering your Pets
MYTH: I
was told that you are only supposed to spay/neuter between the ages of 3 months and 6 months old or it can be bad for them.
I was told that you are only supposed to spay/neuter between the ages of 3 months and 6 months old or it can
be bad for them.
FACT: It is actually best to spay/neuter a dog at an early age. An
article in Dog Fancy stated this ... “Not many years ago, veterinarians advised dog owners to wait until their dogs
where at least 6 months old before spaying or neutering. With the advent of more sophisticated anesthesia and surgical techniques,
that age recommendations has decreased to 4 months or less. Spaying or Neutering dogs less then 8 weeks of age are particularly
popular with animal shelters because it prevents future unwanted puppies. Dog spayed or neutered at a very YOUNG AGE BLEED
LESS, EXPERIENCE LESS PAIN and RECOVER from surgery MORE QUICKLY than older dogs" ... but you can safely spay/neuter
any dog at any age unless there are health reasons that will not allow it.
MYTH:
Spay/Neutering will make my pets activity level go down and he/she will gain weight.
FACT: The truth is
that most pets activity levels drop and they gain weight because their owners feed them too much and don't give them enough
exercise.
MYTH: It is better
to let my female have one litter before spaying her.
FACT: Medical evidence indicates just
the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians
now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age.
MYTH: I want my kids to experience the miracle of birth.
FACT: There are many other
way for your children to experience the miracle of birth rather then putting your beloved family pet through the stress of
reproducing, risking many health issues that may come from it, producing many other potentially unwanted pets and teaching
them that pets are disposable creatures that are there purely for the benefit of humans.
MYTH: But my pet is
a purebred.
FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There
are just too many dogs and cats—mixed breed and purebred. Have a look at petfinder.com ... you will usually find at
least one purebred in every shelter and rescue.
MYTH: I don't want the temperament, personality and attitude my pet to be changed. I heard that if
you spay/neuter your pet they become lazy and won't protect their family and home.
FACT: Spaying
or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instincts. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment
they are raised in rather than by sex hormones.
MYTH: I don't want to take away my male's man-hood.
FACT:
Pets don't 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.
MYTH:
But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a
puppy (or kitten) just like her.
FACT: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will take on their
personality. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what
they want out of a particular litter. In fact, in some cases the pet owner will get a litter that has taken on all the worst
characteristics from the mother and the father.
MYTH: I can't afford to have my pet spay/neutered.
FACT: The cost of spay/neutering your pet is a one time,
small price to pay for the pet you love. It will save you the thousands of dollars you will spend trying to save your pet
when it comes down with a related health problem and compared to the cost of what you would spend should she become pregnant
is pennies ... between vet visits, special food for mom and pups and if a complication should come up during birth you are
looking at a very pricy vet care.
MYTH: I have family and
friends that love my dog and want one of her puppies. They will all get very good homes.
FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But
each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Reputable Breeders and Rescues
have an application and screening process that checks out the backgrounds, phone interviews, home visits, vet references and
personal references to make sure that every home is going to be the right home for each pet. They also have a policy that
states in the contract that if anything should happen and the new owners are unable to keep the pet it is to be returned to
the Breeder/Rescue to be rehomed. This guarantees that none of these pets will end up in the shelters ... are you going to
do all of this to ensure the safety of the pets you are giving away/selling?
