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Fact or Fiction? Spay/Neuter Myths Busted
Every year, millions of healthy dogs and cats in the United States are euthanized simply because there aren’t enough homes to go around. The ASPCA is working hard to combat the pet homelessness crisis, and spay/neuter operations are one of the most effective tools at our disposal. Spaying (female) and neutering (male) helps curbs animal overpopulation and has medical and behavioral benefits for pets—yet there are a number of myths, rumors and falsehoods circulating about this important procedure. In honor of Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, we’re here to set the record straight.
MYTH: Spaying and neutering will cause my pets to gain weight.
FACT: Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not spaying and neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor their food intake.
MYTH: Neutering will cause behavioral changes.
FACT: Unneutered cats and dogs are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Unneutered dogs also have a tendency to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects. All of these above behaviors may change when your pet is sterilized—which is a good thing! Neutering can help avoid some aggression problems or undesirable behaviors caused by a higher level of testosterone. That said, it is important to note that there are no guarantees. Neutering does not eliminate the testosterone hormone completely, nor will it negate any behaviors that your pet has learned or that have become habitual. The effects of neutering are largely dependent on your dog’s individual personality, physiology and history.
MYTH: Spay/neuter operations are expensive.
FACT: The cost of your pet’s spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter! Plus, the ASPCA and many other organizations offer free or low-cost spay/neuter services for pet owners.
MYTH: Spaying and neutering is unhealthy for pets.
FACT: Just the opposite! Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. Spay/neuter will help your pet live a longer, healthier life.
MYTH: Neutering will make my pet feel like less of a male.FACT: Pets do not have any concept of ego or sexual identity, and neutering won’t change that. What might change, however, is that your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home! An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house. Once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.
Similarly, spayed female pets won’t go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they’ll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!
Spay/neuter operations will help curb these behaviors and keep your pet where he or she belongs: in your safe and loving home.
What You Can Do Because many people won’t do the right thing unless the law requires them to,those who care must lobby for local laws that will require animal guardians to prevent the births of more dogs and cats when so many are literally dying for homes. Find out how here.
Many people enjoy the companionship of cats and dogs, who were domesticated thousands of years ago.1 Over time, people have manipulated animal breeding to produce certain physical characteristics, resulting in the different breeds of cats and dogs we know today. But domestication took these animals out of their natural environment, and their reproduction is no longer regulated by predators or habitat. The result is an overpopulation crisis that can only be controlled through widespread spaying and neutering.
Female cats and dogs should be spayed shortly after they reach 8 weeks of age. Males should be neutered at 8 weeks, but both spaying and neutering can be done safely through most of adulthood. Some animal shelters encourage earlier spaying and neutering, which can be less stressful for animals.5 Younger animals also tend to recuperate from surgery more quickly.6
Spaying and neutering helps stem the tide of homeless cats and dogs. It does not affect animals’ energy levels or change their personalities, as some people mistakenly believe. Spaying eliminates the stress and discomfort that females endure during heat periods, eliminates the risk of uterine cancer, and greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer. Neutering makes males far less likely to roam or fight, prevents testicular cancer, and reduces the risk of prostate cancer.4 Altered animals are less likely to contract deadly, contagious diseases that are spread through bodily fluids, such as feline AIDS and leukemia.
The Tragic Cycle Tens of thousands of puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. each day.2 Some are born to breeders who sell animals for a profit, some are born to people who want their cat or dog to have the “experience” of having a litter or who want their children to witness the “miracle of life,” and some result from allowing fertile animals to roam freely and mate.