Should I Spay or Neuter My Pet?

Should I Spay or Neuter My Pet?

Animal Clinic in Wake Forest NC | Complete Pet Care

Every year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are euthanized. The good news is that responsible pet owners can make a difference by having your dog or cat sterilized. Spaying and neutering pets prevents unwanted litters, helps protect against some serious health problems, and may reduce many of the behavioral problems associated with mating instincts. Complete Pet Care, Animal Clinic in Wake Forest NC and our team of experienced staff are here to walk you through the important information pet parents need to know about sterilization. 

What is Spaying or Neutering?

Spaying and neutering is the act of surgically sterilizing animals. Female dogs and cats undergo the spaying procedure, where their uterus and ovaries are removed. Male dogs and cats are neutered, in which sterilization is performed through removal of the testicles. Both of these procedures remove the animal’s physical parts used to reproduce, along with most of the instincts and behaviors typically associated with reproduction such as howling, spraying, mounting, and others. Complete Pet Care, Animal Clinic in Wake Forest NC highly recommends sterilizing your pet, due to the large number of benefits listed below. 

Benefits of Spaying Your Female Pet

  • Spaying prevents females from reproducing; meaning your household pet won’t have an unexpected or unwanted litter
  • Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats
  • A spayed female won’t go into heat, which is a headache of its own 
  • Your pet will live a longer, healthier life along with superior care from Complete Pet Care, Animal Clinic in Wake Forest NC
  • Spaying helps slow population growth, which in return reduces the number of euthanized animals 

Benefits of Neutering Your Male Pet

  • A neutered male can’t reproduce; meaning your intact household female pet won’t have an unexpected or unwanted litter
  • Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems
  • Neuterization lowers the risk of pancreatic cancer, and can increase a male animals life expectancy up to 18%
  • A neutered male won’t have the same behavioral problems as an intact male such as inability to focus, whining, escaping, aggression, mounting, and others
  • Neutered males are less likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine 
  • Neutering male dogs and cats helps to slow population growth, which in return reduces the number of euthanized animals 

When to Spay/Neuter Your Pet

When Should I Spay or Neuter my Dog? 

We always recommend an initial visit to your vet to determine the best time for your furry friend, however the traditional age range for sterilizing is six to nine months. Adult dogs can be sterilized as well, although there is a slightly higher risk of postoperative complications. Communicating with your local animal clinic in Wake Forest NC, Complete Pet Care, about the sterilization process will enable you to plan for the best time to schedule the procedure. 

When Should I Spay or Neuter my Cat? 

It is generally considered safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old to be spayed or neutered. In animal shelters, surgery is often performed at this time so that kittens can be sterilized prior to adoption. However, cats who aren’t sterilized young, become sexually mature around five months old. In order to prevent unwanted pregnancies, it’s recommended that cats are neutered at around four months old, after they have completed their primary vaccinations. Spaying and neutering adult cats is quite safe as well. 

Complete Pet Care Animal Clinic in Wake Forest NC

Complete Pet Care offers a complete range of pet services for the Raleigh, Wake Forest, and surrounding areas making us your trusted partner in ensuring your pets are healthy, happy, and part of your family for as many years as possible. Together, we determine the best pet care services for your pet and create personalized plans for wellness, as well as treating and healing many injuries or illnesses. Our team understands that your priority is your pet’s health and well-being, and it’s our priority too. All pets, from your 15-year-old cat to the puppy you just adopted, will receive our attention and top-notch, compassionate care. We have become one of the top animal hospitals in the region by being continually committed to our purpose. Contact Complete Pet Care for your pet’s care whenever you need it — day or night.

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