It might seem counterintuitive at first glance, but spaying and neutering your pet in Kelowna can actually help them live a longer happier life. However, it’s good to know what the procedure involves and why it’s worth doing before you decide if it’s right for your pet.
What Does it Mean to “Spay and Neuter”?
First things first, the two words aren’t interchangeable or actually used together. “Spaying” specifically refers to the removal of a female pet’s reproductive organs (typically for dogs, cats, and rabbits), while neutering refers to the procedure that’s done for males and male reproductive organs (also for the same types of pets).
It might sound barbaric at first glance, but both procedures are safe, painless for your pet, and effective at helping your pet live a longer life. In both cases, it prevents your pet from reproducing or producing a litter of babies.
Why Should You Spay or Neuter Your Pet?
Because your pet can no longer produce babies, you won’t have to worry about finding a home for any unwanted puppies, kittens, or bunnies which can sometimes end up as strays. Aside from that responsibility, your pet can actually be healthier after getting spayed or neutered.
Males often are less aggressive and less likely to get into fights. This is especially true for dogs. Males are also less likely to run away or wander off meaning you don’t have to worry about your dog running away.
As females no longer have a heat cycle, they won’t have destructive or unwanted behavioural changes. For instance, female cats in heat can howl relentlessly and spray or urinate inappropriately while in heat which won’t happen once they are spayed.
Spayed and neutered pets, on average, also live longer. In both males and females, many reproductive health issues are either eliminated or greatly reduced. For example, neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer in all species and lowers the risk of prostate problems in male dogs.
When to Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Spaying or neutering your furry friend is best done when they are little. How little? Spaying or neutering should be done when they are between 8-16 weeks old. It might seem young, but this reduces the chance for any complications from surgery and the ability of your pet to recover as quickly as possible. Both spaying and neutering can be done later in adult life, but naturally, there are more risks involved, especially if they’ve developed any health conditions in that time.
Before your animal is spayed or neutered, it’s important to get them checked out by a veterinarian to determine that they are in good health. After the surgery, they will need special care and attention to ensure they recover as quickly as possible.
Spaying or neutering is not only a responsible choice to make as a pet owner, it can help your pet live a long fruitful life by your side.