Caring For Your Pet
When it comes to caring for your pet there are a few things you need to consider in order to keep them healthy and happy. While regular vet visits are a must, opting to spay or neuter your pets can benefit them in the long run. A couple of the most significant reasons to have this procedure can include the following points.
Life Saving
There are thousands of homeless cats and dogs throughout the country, and it’s impossible to find a home for all of them. Too many unwanted strays are picked up off the streets and sent to shelters; however, the problem is that not enough people choose to adopt these animals. While shelters do the best they can, without adequate funding it’s hard to give them the support and care that they need and deserve. By spaying and neutering your pets, you can help stop this overpopulation, and help keep these animals out of shelters. This is by far the most humane, and effective way to help save the lives of potentially thousands of additional animals.
What Does Spaying And Neutering Mean?
While spaying is the process that involves removing a female animals reproductive organs, neutering involves the removal of a males testicles. This prevents impregnation and insemination respectively, and prevents unwanted pregnancy in which owner’s won’t be able to keep the entire litter.
- The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and pets don’t feel any pain during the procedure. While there may be some initial discomfort and soreness after, it will dissipate within a few days.
- It is recommended that animals get spayed or neutered at a young age, as this helps prevent future complications as the animal ages, in addition to unplanned pregnancy, as cats in particular can become pregnant at as young as 5 months.
The Benefits
Spaying and neutering is one of the best ways to begin caring for your pet, and overall it can help them live longer and healthier lives. A few of the most significant additional benefits include:
- Lowers the risk of breast cancer in females, and prostate or testicular cancer in male animals.
- Eliminates the natural urge to mate, making animals more focused and more easily trained. This can also help temper them and reduce frustration and aggression.
- Prevents heat cycles in females, and prevents them from attracting males.
- Stops an animals urge to mark their territory, or make advances towards people or objects.
How Spaying And Neutering Helps Your Community
By eliminating the possibility of creating additional stray animals, your community can benefit as a whole. This can include:
- Preventing strays from getting into trash bins, damaging property, and causing car accidents; or in the worst case, getting hit by a car themselves.
- Reduces the chance for accidental animal attacks or bites, especially if your community has a lot of curious children.
- Stops animals from injuring or killing local wildlife.
- Helps save community funds by reducing the number of neglected and abandoned animals that it then has to try and care for.
When it comes to caring for your pet there are many things we have to do as owners. Spaying and neutering is by far one of the most important as it not only helps keep our furry friends happy, but it helps keep additional strays from having to roam the street. If you’re companion hasn’t been fixed, or if you’re planning on adopting, make sure that they undergo the procedure as soon as possible. You’re best friend will thank you for it.