Improves their health
According to USA Today, animals that are spayed live longer than pets that aren’t. Dogs and cats’ risk of developing uterine and prostate cancers is reportedly much lower once they have been ‘fixed’.
Un-neutered cats are also more at risk of contracting ‘cat AIDS’ or feline immunodeficiency virus. Make sure your cat is not only neutered but also up to date with vaccinations to reduce the risk.
Helps curb bad behaviour
Dogs that haven’t been neutered are more prone to ‘urine marking’ (lovely), and it;s even stronger in cats which haven’t been spayed.
Pet owners will also note that their pet becomes much more ‘relaxed’ and less temperamental after they have been spayed. This is due to the decrease in hormones being released during ‘heat’.
Spare yourself the embarrassment of your beloved pooch becoming the local doggy sex pest and take him/her down to the vet at around 4/6 months old. You will have a much happier pet as a result.
Tackles the increase of stray dogs and cats
More and more animals are finding themselves homeless thanks to over breeding. Though it’s tempting to let your furry friend make adorable babies, remember that those cute bundles of fluff require a lot of care and attention. They will eventually need homes, which are already in short supply for thousands of unwanted animals up and down the UK.
Relieve the strain on shelters and take your puppy/kitten to be neutered!
How are they neutered?
Your local vet will give your pet a general anaesthetic so they will not feel anything during the procedure. Males' testicles are removed through a small incision before being stitched up. Your pet may be allowed to return home to rest on the same day depending on your vet practice.
Female dogs and cats an incision is cut in their abdomen. Blood vessels are clamped to avoid too much blood loss as the uturus and ovaries are removed.
For the first few days after surgery your dog will only be allowed outside to use the toilet and cats will need to stay indoors. 10 days after the operation they will return to the vet for a final check up. Most vets now use dissolvable stitches which mean they will not have to go through the discomfort of having them removed.
It can be difficult to see your pet feeling slightly sorry for themselves following their operation, but rest assured that you are doing the right thing for them. Make sure you provide lots of love and cuddles in the run up and following the procedure!
Eases pressure on shelters
With all those animals to look after, many shelters are forced to destroy healthy animals purely because they can’t afford to care for them. If you neuter your pet then you are actively helping stray animals and doing your bit to help shelters cope with the terrible increase in demand for space and resources.
Spaying charity K-9 Angels says: “The single most important thing that we can do to save these poor dogs from all the suffering and death that their overpopulation causes is to spay and neuter them.
“Spaying and neutering are routine, affordable surgeries that can prevent thousands of animals from being born, only to suffer and struggle to survive on the streets, be abused by cruel or neglectful people, or be euthanised in animal shelters for lack of a loving home.”
K-9 Angel co founder Victoria Eisermann will cycle 400 miles alongside TV presenter Anneka Tanaka and singer Pola Pospieskalska in a gruelling cross-UK challenge.
They hope to raise money to help spay more stray animals and raise awareness about the importance of neutering your pet.
Head to www.k-9angels.org for more information.