So we all remember Bob Barker reminding us to spay and neuter our
pets, but why would this be such a big deal? Besides the
over-breeding of select breeds of dog (see my blog on "Not Just
Anyone Should Breed Dogs"), spaying and neutering your pets has
positive health benefits for them.
Below, I list the main health
benefits for male dogs, and the main health benefits for female dogs.
You may be surprised!
Benefits for Neutering Male
Dogs:
1. Eliminate
prostate problems - the prostate gland enlarges as a dog ages,
which can result in constipation and discomfort. It's even possible
the prostate gland could get infected, so removal may as well be done
in advance to avoid any pain for your pup.
2. Reduce aggression in male dogs - not always the case, but can help in extremely aggressive males.
3. Reduce wandering behavior and sex drive (less leg humping!)
4. Reduce their need to "mark their territory."
5. Less unwanted pregnancies. There is already a population problem, of course due to overbreeding.
2. Reduce aggression in male dogs - not always the case, but can help in extremely aggressive males.
3. Reduce wandering behavior and sex drive (less leg humping!)
4. Reduce their need to "mark their territory."
5. Less unwanted pregnancies. There is already a population problem, of course due to overbreeding.
The main benefits of neutering in female dogs :
1.
Eliminates the need to be concerned about uterine or ovarian cancer,
and greatly reduces the likeliness of breast cancer, especially if
your dog is neutered before her first heat.
2. No more strange
male dogs showing up drooling at your doorstep when she comes into
heat.
3. No more daipers! Spayed females will no longer "spot
blood" during their heat!
4. No false pregnancies or
infection of the uterus (pyometra) which can be life threatening.
5.
Reduced chance of mammary, ovarian and uterine tumors
So if you have been putting off getting your pup an appointment with the vet, you may want to reconsider.
