Spay and Neuter: A Major Step Towards Keeping Pets Healthy
Spaying and neutering animals is an important deterrent against stray overpopulation, but it can also make pets healthier. At Companion Animal Hospital Lake Zurich, any care we recommend for your pet is done with their well-being in mind. Prevention plays a big part in maintaining health and increasing lifespan, and spay and neuter surgeries can aid in preventing a variety of health conditions. Overall, spaying and neutering can save lives, give shelter animals a chance to find homes, and help healthy pets stay healthy.
How Spaying and Neutering Improves Lives
Can spay and neuter surgeries really make pets’ lives better? Yes! While the benefits may vary from pet to pet, they all generally include:
Females
- Elimination of heat cycle and spotting
- Pet less likely to run away and go roaming off to mate
- A decrease in mammary, uterine, and ovarian cancer risks
- Prevention of pyometra, a serious infection of the uterus that can be life-threatening
- Less (or no) loud vocalizing or caterwauling while in heat (cats)
Males
- Less aggression
- Not as likely to engage in inappropriate mounting behaviors
- Less likely to roam away to mate
- A decrease in testicular cancer and prostate issues
The Best Time to Spay and Neuter
The ideal age at which to spay or neuter your pet is about 6 months. This gives your pet time to grow and develop normally but also ensures that any health issues they might face later won't have a chance to start. For large-breed dogs, we may wait until they are roughly a year old since their development takes a little longer.