Every person’s pet is special in their own way. Thus, many factors influence how Fido and Fluffy are cared for, including their age, size, breed, and health. Regardless of our differing opinions on the best ways to train and feed pets, veterinarians strongly endorse spaying and neutering cats and dogs. This article, written by your Armitage Animal Clinic veterinarian in Newmarket, ON, explains why the benefits exceed any associated costs.
Fixing Your Pet: A Solution to Pet Overpopulation
Spaying or neutering pets dramatically reduces the likelihood of unplanned litters. Having too many pets can lead animals to be subjected to cruelty, neglect, or hoarding. Every year, an enormous number of cats and dogs suffer. The fate of millions more depends on our decisions to rectify the situation.
Homeless animals encounter numerous obstacles, including a lack of shelter, harsh weather, parasites, wounds, and infections.
Puppies and kittens are universally beloved. But, finding a home for your pet’s litter does not ensure success for future generations. Sterilization is necessary due to the global overpopulation of stray animals.
You’ll be astonished by how much your pet can change things. In just nine years, two cats can produce 2,072,514 kittens. Fido, coming in a close second, can produce an average of 6 to 10 pups every litter; leading up to 67,000 puppies in just 6 years.
Altered Pets Are Healthier
We cannot deny the evident medical benefits of spaying and neutering. Following such a routine treatment, pets will have a significantly lower risk of acquiring genital cancer, as well as prostate, breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers. Spaying or neutering your pet can lead to fewer urinary tract infections (UTIs), which is a further upside. By avoiding these issues altogether, it’s easier and less expensive than addressing them after the problems arise. For more specific information, talk to your Newmarket, ON vet at Armitage Animal Clinic.
Say Goodbye to Free-Roaming
The likelihood of your pet becoming lost, injured, or even killed increases if you do not keep a close eye on them while they are intact. Animals are often endangered by a multitude of factors, including vehicles, bad weather, wild animals, toxins, parasites, diseases, and many more tragic conditions.
If you get your pet fixed, they won’t feel compelled to seek out a mate. Fido and Fluffy’s constant attempts to exit the house every time the door is opened will finally come to an end. Without a doubt, mating impulses are one of the most common reasons for pets to flee.
Say Hello to a Longer Life
As if you didn’t know, getting your pet altered usually increases their lifespan. The more you think about it, the more it makes sense. Pregnancy and the birthing process present numerous risks. Dogs are particularly susceptible to these challenges due to their widespread size differences across different breeds. For instance, an accidental impregnation of a tiny female by a huge male can lead to serious complications, including the death of both the puppies and the mother.
Sterilizing pets ensures their safety by reducing injuries caused by straying. Male cats or dogs who have not been altered are more likely to fight on the street if they are not supervised. If the fight or wounds are not noticed, this can lead to significant injuries and, in some cases, death.
Spayed/Neutered Dogs Are More Relaxed
Your pet’s emotional health will improve as a result of being altered. Reducing hormonal impulses may have surprisingly positive benefits. The occurrence of disruptive behaviors such as digging, chewing, and fleeing may diminish. Without the constant need to reproduce, sterilized pets are frequently more relaxed than intact pets. It’s normal to expect Fido and Fluffy to spend more time cuddling with you once they have recovered from the surgery. When they finally stop pursuing companions, they will fully commit to you. Afterall, you are the center of their universe.
Altered Pets Rarely Spray
Scheduling the surgery based solely on this information may be enough for anyone. Pets commonly utilize spraying to indicate their territory. In most situations, they no longer need this after surgery because their hormone response has been eliminated altogether. Although some older animals may continue to spray since it is established as a habit, the majority of pets will stop after surgery.
Sterilization Reduces Yowling
In spite of the fact that this is a bonus, we cannot emphasize how significant it is. Every single person who has ever listened to a squeaky-cat love ballad has our deepest sympathies here. Fluffy takes pleasure in drawing attention to the fact that she is currently unattached in a manner that is wildly unrelated to music. Some cats certainly love the song of their people, but the majority of us are relieved they didn’t make us listen to their terrible shrieks.
Commonly Asked Questions:
When Will My Pet Feel Better After Their Spay or Neuter?
In most circumstances, a pet will need 3 to 5 days to recover from the minor surgery. The entire healing process, however, often takes 10 to 14 days. It is critical that your pet rests while recuperating. Do not encourage your pet to run, jump, or play vigorously unless your vet approves.
What Steps Can I Take to Help My Pet Recover After Surgery?
Contact your regular animal hospital for further information on what to do after the surgery appointment. They are generally able to provide you with a booklet or a single-sheet printout with all of their suggestions. Read the instructions carefully before carrying them out. Pain medication and nutritional changes may be part of your pet’s treatment plan to ensure a full recovery.
Aside from that, all your pet needs is a pleasant and clean area to sleep. Investing in a new dog bed now is a wise decision. It may be vital to keep them comfortable while restricting their movement. A puppy play enclosure, kennel, wire crate, or even a carrier can suffice to limit their exercise while they heal.
How Can I Help My Pet Heal After a Spay or Neuter?
Your primary priority should be to stay alert and let your pet some downtime. You should closely supervise them to ensure that they do not rip out their stitches. Your veterinarian may recommend an Elizabethan collar (also known as a lampshade, e-collar, or cone of shame) or an inflatable ring collar to keep them from causing damage to their stitches.
Pay close attention to the area where the incision was made. Be on the lookout for redness, swelling, foul odors, heat, bleeding, pus, or any other changes that might suggest a problem. Additional symptoms include shivering, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Although some drowsiness and weariness are common reactions to surgery, excessive lethargy requires immediate veterinary intervention. There’s no need to worry if they’re still a little tired when they arrive at your place; nevertheless, they shouldn’t be completely lethargic after the first day. If you see anything out of the ordinary, please contact your clinic right away.
What Is the Average Spay/Neuter Cost?
The prices that are going to be charged may vary depending on the location. A number of characteristics, including size, age, and health, have the potential to influence the rates. This solution, on the other hand, is consistently more cost-effective than dealing with health problems that could have been avoided or the costs associated with caring for a litter.
Should you make arrangements for them to undergo surgery? Please give us a call at Armitage Animal Clinic in Newmarket, ON so that we can schedule your consultation as soon as possible.
