Spaying and Neutering for Cats & Dogs?
The terms spaying and neutering both refer to the surgical sterilization of an animal under general anesthesia.
Spaying is a surgical procedure done for female animals, and the technical phrase for it is ovariohysterectomy. When veterinarians conduct spaying procedures they remove a female cat or dog's reproductive organs.
Neutering, or orchiectomy, removes a male pet's testicles and the surgery itself is considered much more simple than spaying. In some situations, the term 'neutering' can also, refer to the desexing or 'fixing' of either gender.
Benefits For Cats
Here we have listed the 6 main benefits of spaying or neutering your cat:
- It curbs naughty behaviors, like spraying to mark territory.
- Neutered cats are less likely to stray from home.
- Your cat could get more affectionate.
- It lowers the chances of your kitty contracting certain diseases.
- It decreases the risk of uterine infection in female cats.
- It could reduce the risk of mammary (breast) cancer.
Benefits For Dogs
These are the 5 key benefits of spaying or neutering your dog:
- It reduces the risk of prostate and other cancers.
- It decreases problems with spraying and marking.
- It stabilizes your dog's mood.
- It reduces the mating urge.
- It can decrease sexualized behaviors.
Spaying & Neutering FAQs
- Why should I get my cat spayed or neutered?
Population Control
According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), it is estimated that around 3.2 million cats enter US animal shelters every year.
Spaying or neutering your feline is by far the best way can help lower the number of unwanted cats in Toledo area shelters.
Protect Wildlife
It's estimated that cats in the USA kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds every year. You can help save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife by helping to keep the number of homeless cats as low as possible.
Cat Neutering Benefits
By neutering your male cat you could help curb many undesirable feline behaviors like howling, roaming, fighting with other undoctored male cars, and spraying indoors and around your house to mark territory. Reducing your cat's temptation to fight could also lower their risk of injury, and of contracting Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
Cat Spaying Benefits
Having your female cat spayed before they have their first heat cycle may help reduce their risk of getting mammary tumors and pyometra (infection of the womb). It's also essential to point out that female cats carrying infectious diseases are able to spread serious conditions onto their kittens, who could then carry the disease even more. The pregnancy and the birth process can be risky for young cats, and costly to their owners.
- Why should I get my dog spayed or neutered?
Population Control
According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), across the United States, about 3.3 million dogs are brought into shelters every.
The best way for you to help reduce the overall number of unwanted puppies born every year while improving your pet's behavior and reducing their risk of some serious health conditions is to spay or neuter your dog.
Dog Spaying Benefits
Female dog spaying can help to prevent serious health problems such as pyometra, (a potentially life-threatening uterine infection), and mammary cancer.
Dog Neutering Benefits
Neutering your male dog helps protect them from getting testicular cancer and may also help reduce undesirable behaviors including humping, straying, and dog aggression.
- When should I have my pet spayed? What age?
You should ask your veterinarian, to find out which is most appropriate for spaying or neutering your cat or dog. Some studies show there could be long-term health benefits to spaying or neutering dogs after they have finished puberty.
Lots of veterinary professionals suggest spaying female animals before they have their first heat, which could occur as early as 5 months of age. However, there is increasing evidence that this is too young as the animals have not been allowed to fully develop and grow.
- What should I know about the recovery process for my pet?
Spaying
After spay surgery, some clinics will want to keep your female cat or dog overnight, while others will allow them to go home the same day as the procedure. The rule of thumb is generally 7-10 days of restricted activity.
Neutering
If your dog or cat's procedure doesn't encounter any complications or other health issues, they can generally usually go home the same day, with restricted activity restricted for several days while the incision heals.
For both procedures, we might send your furry friend home with a protective collar to prevent them from licking the incision.
We generally schedule follow-up appointments, so we can examine how well your pet is healing and remove the stitches.
- Will my pet feel anything during the procedure?
No, your pet will be under general anesthesia, and will not feel anything during the procedure.
- Will my pet gain weight after the procedure?
Your puppy or kitten will keep growing to their full adult weight after their spay or neuter procedure has been completed, and this typically includes a bit of weight gain.
However, your pet will not gain weight as a result of being spayed or neutered.
- Is this service part of your Pet Wellness Plans?
Spay/neuter services are not included in Wellness Plans because they are one-time procedures.
However, if your pet is on a Wellness Plan, you qualify for 10% off the spay/neuter procedure.