The Importance of Spaying and Neutering

While this tends to be a sensitive subject across the animal industry, there is no doubting the benefits of “fixing” your pets. Along with a high-quality food and appropriate veterinary care, spaying or neutering has a positive impact on the quality and length of your dog’s life. Read on to see our team’s breakdown of what you can expect!

The Procedures

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Males are neutered, meaning the testicles are surgically removed. This is a commonly performed procedure. He usually can go home the same day, and return to regular activities within a few days.

Females are spayed, which surgically removes their ovaries and uterus. Surgery is more involved for females, since an incision is made in their abdomens. But females also usually come home within 24 hours, have limited activity until the stitches start to heal (for two or three days), and then return to regular activities within a week to 10 days.

Dogs can be altered as soon as they are 3 pounds, but talk to your veterinarian about when they recommend having the procedure done. Females should be spayed before their first heat – however, they can still be spayed later in life also. Low cost spay/neuter clinics are available. Emancipet (512-587-7729) and Animal Trustees of Austin (512-450-0111) are two in our area.

Why Spay or Neuter?

• Prevent pet overpopulation: Only 1 out of 10 dogs born ever find a permanent home. Over 7 million healthy dogs and cats are put to death every year in Animal Control facilities in the U.S. because there aren’t enough homes for them.
• Fewer behavior problems: Intact dogs dig out of yards, jump fences, and run away from home more often than altered dogs. Male dogs can smell a female in heat at a great distance away. Neutered males are also less likely to mark their territory.
• Less aggression: Altered male dogs are less aggressive towards other dogs than intact males. Altered females are also less aggressive, since a mother may become aggressive if she thinks her puppies are threatened.
• Better health: Female dogs are at risk for mammary or uterine cancer. Male dogs often get testicular or prostate cancer. These risks are reduced or eliminated as soon as your dog is altered, especially if the procedure is done before the dog goes through “puberty”. They are also less likely to escape your yard and get injured while running loose.
• Females do not go into heat: Female dogs in heat are messy, and can leave stains on your furniture and carpet. Heat “seasons” can last up to three weeks, twice a year. The scent of a female in heat can attract males from a great distance away and accidents happen easily. Even if you’re not trying to impregnate your female, the male dog may have other plans.

Common Objections to Spaying or Neutering

• “My dog won’t be able to hunt as well.” Neutering has no effect on your dog’s ability and instinct to hunt. Your dog will actually be less distracted by other dogs, and better able to concentrate on work.
• “Altering makes them fat and lazy.” Overeating makes dogs fat and lazy, not spaying or neutering. There are lots of overweight intact dogs out there. Your dog will be healthy and live longer when altered.
• “I want my kids to experience the miracle of birth, and puppies are so much fun” or “We want to keep a puppy.” Yes, puppies are cute and fun, but pregnancy is not risk-free. Are you willing to risk losing the mother dog? Are you willing to do the work to find responsible homes for every puppy she produces? If the new owners discover they are unable to keep their puppy, are you willing to take it back and find it a new home? A dog is a big responsibility. A litter of dogs multiplies that responsibility and the work, not to mention the time and money involved. There are thousands of dogs and puppies euthanized every year. Would you want one of your dog’s puppies to end up in that situation?
• “My dog’s too old.” Your dog is almost never too old for spay/neuter surgery. Unless your veterinarian finds a health reason to avoid surgery, go ahead and have it done. You could combine the procedure with another, like teeth cleaning.