Benefits of Spay and Neuter in Dogs

When it comes to spaying and neutering your pup, there can be lots of questions. It can be a difficult decision to make, but the benefits of spaying and neutering your dog are unmatched.

The benefits of spaying and neutering include controlling the animal population in shelters, as well as cost, health, and behavior advantages.

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Control the Animal Population

One of the biggest benefits to spaying and neutering your dog is to control the population. All across the country, shelters and clinics are full of stray dogs locked up in cages and crates. When these shelters reach capacity, they often have no choice but to euthanize in order to control the population.

Dogs can reproduce at a rate that is fifteen times as much as humans. Even though there are many people that adopt from shelters, strays come in at a rate and quantity that is much faster and larger than the number of people that adopt.

The best method to curb overcrowding and unnecessary euthanasia in shelters is to simply spay and neuter your pup.

Cost

A second benefit to spaying and neutering is cost saved in the long run. For example, it’s a lot less expensive to spay or neuter than it is to care for a litter of four, five, or even six puppies. If you have a female dog that gets pregnant, you will have to pay for additional veterinary bills for tests and exams.

There are additional cost benefits that come with getting your dog spayed or neutered. Dogs that get fixed tend to have fewer health complications down the road, which result in money saved on tests, medicine, and vet visits treating these complications and conditions.

Furthermore, getting your pup spayed or neutered sooner rather than later will save you more money. It is cheaper to get your dog fixed as a puppy compared to when they are an adult.

Health

It is a proven fact that dogs that get spayed or neutered experience less health problems and live a longer life. In fact, according to a University of Georgia study, fixed male dogs will live 14% longer and fixed female dogs will live up to 26% longer compared to those who have not been spayed or neutered.

Neutering a male dog early in his life will also significantly decrease the likelihood for problems with the prostate, such as prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.

Similarly, spaying a female dog before her first heat brings her likelihood of breast cancer down to almost zero percent. Spaying also decreases the risk of other cancers, such as ovarian.

A huge benefit to spaying your female pup is that they will no longer go into heat. This means no more drops of blood on the carpet or on that new hardwood floor.

Behavior

When a dog is spayed or neutered, they are far more calm and their behavior is easier to control.

Less Aggression in Males

When a male dog is fixed, they will have a decrease in testosterone. This will result in less aggression, making it less likely your dog will fight another dog or attack and bite.

Less Roaming

Dogs that are not neutered are always looking for their next mate. Male dogs can smell a female in heat from miles away, so they may leave your yard and roam until they find their mate.

While roaming, a dog can encounter many deadly forces. From coyotes and other predators to the potential of being struck by a vehicle, roaming is extremely dangerous for dogs.

By getting your dog neutered as a puppy, they will have far less testosterone and won’t have the urge or instinct to roam for their mate.

Strange Behaviors in Female Dogs

Females can also exhibit unpredictable behaviors such as howling, writhing on the ground, and demanding extra attention. Additionally, female dogs may urinate in the house while in heat to try to attract a male mate.

Even if you get your pup spayed later in life, she can still display these behaviors as they will become routine for her. That is why it is best to get your dog spayed when they are a puppy.

Easier to Train

When dogs are fixed, it makes them easier to train and follow commands. When your dog is not fixed, they have a bunch of hormones bouncing around their body that will make it difficult for them to train. A fixed dog has curbed a lot of these hormones, allowing them to focus and behave better when it comes to training.

Myths

While there are many myths to getting your dog fixed, they are just that: myths.

One huge myth is that getting your dog spayed or neutered will make them gain weight. However, getting a dog spayed or neutered just alters their metabolism. Exercise, diet, and/or portion control, not “fixing” a dog, will determine whether they gain weight or not.

Another myth is that getting your male dog fixed will remove their masculine personality. While fixing a male dog does decrease their testosterone levels, the benefits to neutering far outweigh a drop in testosterone. Considering these elevated testosterone levels could cause your dog to be injured in a fight, attacked by a predator, or hit by a vehicle while roaming, it is easy to see how fixing has its benefits.

Conclusion

Getting your dog spayed or neutered has countless benefits that go unmatched. From saving money, to health and behavior benefits, getting your dog fixed is a no-brainer. Remember, it is better to get your dog fixed as a puppy since the costs will be cheaper and the behavioral benefits will be stronger.

Do you have any additional questions or comments about spaying or neutering in dogs? Lake City Animal Hospital in Lake City, FL is here at (386) 755-0236 to take any further questions!

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