Introduction

The decision to spay or neuter your pet is one of the most important things you can do for their long term health. Without this simple procedure, your dog or cat could develop a number of serious diseases later in life. It also helps prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduces the likelihood that they will run away from home looking for a mate. Spaying and neutering have become such popular procedures that many veterinary clinics offer them at no cost to low income families who do not qualify for regular assistance programs offered by local humane societies or shelters. If you are on a tight budget but still want to keep your pets healthy, then make an appointment today with your veterinarian!

Spaying Helps Prevent Breast Cancer

Spaying also helps prevent breast cancer, which is the most common cancer in dogs. This procedure reduces the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers as well. Breast cancer occurs in about one in every three female dogs by age 10, so spaying before that age is an important step toward preventing this life-threatening disease.

Neutering Helps Prevent Prostate Cancer

Neutering can also reduce the risk of prostate cancer by as much as 90%, which is the most common type of cancer in male dogs. This is good news for all dogs, but especially older ones who are at an elevated risk for this deadly disease.

While neutering certainly won’t make your dog live forever (as much as we’d all like that), it does help keep him safe from a number of diseases associated with his sex organs—and it’s important to remember that these aren’t just problems for him; they affect you too! That’s why we hope you’ll consider spaying or neutering your pet if you haven’t already done so.

Spaying and Neutering Decreases the Risk of Other Cancers

Spaying and neutering is a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including:

• Ovarian cancer—a type of cancer that affects the ovaries.
• Testicular (or testicular tumor) cancer—a malignant tumor that grows in one or both testicles. Testicular tumors are more common in dogs than cats, but they can occur in any breed or age range. There are several different types of testicular tumors that affect dogs; some are more aggressive than others, but all require surgical removal if they are going to be treated successfully. Fortunately, spaying or neutering can significantly reduce your pet’s chances of developing this type of cancer later on in life.

Spaying and Neutering Reduces Risks During Pregnancy and Whelping

Spaying and neutering your pet can help to reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and whelping.

Spaying, which is the surgical removal of a female pet’s ovaries and uterus, has many health benefits for pets. Spaying a female pet before she reaches her first heat cycle reduces the risk of life-threatening infections caused by uterine infection or uterine cancer. It also prevents pyometra, an infection of the uterus that is often fatal if not treated quickly. Neutering, which is the surgical removal of a male’s testicles, prevents testicular cancer in males (which has been shown to occur at higher rates in unaltered dogs than females). Neutering also prevents prostate problems in male dogs (such as prostate enlargement) as well as behavioral changes such as marking behavior or aggression toward other pets or people when intact male animals are allowed free access to females in heat. It also helps prevent unwanted litters by preventing unwanted pregnancies which can be difficult on both mother and puppies!

Spaying and Neutering Can Reduce Aggression and Some Other Unwanted Behaviors

Spaying or neutering your pet can reduce their aggression and other unwanted behaviors.

• Spaying female pets
• Spaying a female pet will reduce her aggression. This is because removing the ovaries reduces hormone levels in the body, which often results in calmer behavior overall.
• Neutering male pets
• Neutering a male pet will reduce his aggression as well as some other unwanted behaviors like urine marking, roaming and territorial marking.

Spaying and Neutering Improves Your Pet’s Health

Spaying and neutering can reduce the risk of certain cancers and infections in your pet.

Cancer: Male dogs castrate at a young age are less likely to develop prostate cancer, which is one of the most common cancers found in older male dogs. Female animals spayed before their first heat cycle are less likely to develop breast cancer or ovarian cancer later on in life.

Infections: Spaying and neutering can also help prevent certain infections from occurring in both males and females. Neutering male pets can help prevent testicular tumors, which can spread and become malignant if not removed early enough by surgery or radiation therapy; this surgery is often performed when a dog reaches one year old. Spaying female pets before they reach puberty reduces the risk of pyometra—a severe infection that occurs in the uterus due to retained fetal membranes after heat cycles end—as well as mammary gland tumors (breast cancer).

Altering Your Pet Reduces The Number Of Pets That Are Euthanized Every Year

• Reduces the number of pets that are euthanized every year.
• Reduces the number of unwanted animals in shelters.
• Increases the number of animals that are adopted.

Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Can Save You Money In The Long Run

Spaying or neutering your pet can save you money in the long run.

• Preventing health issues: Spaying or neutering your pet can help prevent certain medical conditions, like mammary cancer and testicular tumors. It also prevents some behavioral problems, such as spraying, marking territory and roaming to find a mate (this often leads to getting hit by cars).
• Reducing aggression: Spaying or neutering can reduce aggression in male dogs and cats as it prevents them from feeling the need to fight other males for dominance over females when they are most likely ready to breed at puberty age (usually 6-8 months old).

Altering Your Pet Will Not Change Their Personality

It’s a common misconception that altering your pet will change their personality. However, this is not the case. Your pet’s personality is determined by genetics and early socialization (usually from birth to 16 weeks of age), not by whether they’re spayed or neutered.

Neutering a male dog will not make him any smarter than he already is, nor will it affect his ability to learn new things. In fact, studies have shown that there are no changes in intelligence or learning capabilities due to altering your pet! Likewise, spaying a female dog will not cause her to gain weight or become lazy—these myths have been debunked by multiple studies as well.

There Are Plenty Of Financial Incentives Available To Help You Afford The Cost Of Spaying And Neutering Your Pet

There are many financial incentives available to help you afford the cost of spaying and neutering your pet. Your local animal shelter may offer discounted rates, or even free services, for low-income individuals. You can also ask for assistance from your local vet or find out if there are any special programs in place that will allow you to pay off the procedure over time.

Asking around is the best way to find out what kind of assistance might be available near you.

Choosing to spay or neuter your pet is one of the most important things you can do for their long term health.

Once you’ve made the decision to have your pet spayed or neutered, you might be wondering how to find a low cost clinic that accepts your pet’s insurance. You’ll also want to know if there are any clinics in your area that are less than 30 minutes away from home. Here are some tips for locating these clinics:

• Call around and ask for referrals from friends, family members and coworkers who have recently had their animals fixed
• Visit the Humane Society of the United States’ website (www.humanesociety.org) and look through their database of low-cost spay neuter programs throughout the country. These programs provide discounted spaying and neutering services at more than 2,000 veterinary hospitals across America. In addition, they can help you locate other resources such as free mobile health clinics or reduced-rate veterinary care through state agencies such as Medicaid or public assistance programs like food stamps (SNAP).

Conclusion

If you’re still not sure about spaying or neutering your pet, we hope that by now you have a better understanding of just how important this decision is. We know there are some people who prefer to keep their animals intact for religious or other personal reasons, and we respect that. But if you’re not planning on breeding or showing your animals and can afford the cost of altering them, then it’s something every pet owner should consider doing for their pets’ health and safety.