Today, there are already far too many animals that are in shelters and are waiting to be adopted into safe and loving homes. To prevent this pet overpopulation problem, one of the most responsible things that pet guardians can do is to have their animal companions spayed or neutered.
Aside from helping to reduce the number of animals in shelters, there are many other benefits that come with desexing your pet. In this post, we will outline some of the top reasons why pet desexing is important.
Desexing Myths
Through miscommunication and misinformation, there are a number of myths associated with pet desexing. It is important to dispel these myths so that more guardians will be encouraged to get their animals fixed.
Myth: Desexing will alter my pet’s personality
Spaying or neutering your pet will not change their personality. Your animal companion’s temperament is largely determined by genetics and early life experiences.
Myth: My pet doesn’t need to be desexed because I’ll never let them outside
It only takes one time for an animal to slip out the door or jump a fence in order to get pregnant. Even if your pet never goes outside, there is always the potential for them to escape and mate with another animal.
Myth: My pet will gain weight.
Desexing does not cause weight gain or directly affect normal activity levels in your pet. If weight gain occurs after desexing, a simple adjustment to diet and activity can resolve this.
Myth: My pet should have a litter first.
For your pet’s health, it is recommended to desex your pet before their first heat. This greatly reduces their risk of related health complications.
The Benefits of Pet Desexing
Pet desexing is the general term used when referring to the suppression of fertility in animals. This is most commonly done by surgically removing the testes or ovaries under a general anaesthetic. It is an effective strategy to help reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and homeless animals in shelters and on the streets.
However, this is not the only reason why desexing is important. There are many reasons to desex your animal companion. In female pets, desexing prevents pregnancies. This not only prevents unwanted young, but also complications with giving birth and raising young – from complications with the foetuses, obstructions in the birth canal that require surgical intervention and more.
In male pets it reduces testosterone-driven behaviours such as roaming, mounting and urine marking. This reduces the risk of them being involved in traumatic accidents such as being hit by a car, getting into fights, and them being exposed to infectious diseases.
There are also a host of health benefits, including:
- Reduces the risk of mammary tumours
- Prevents other conditions & infections
- Eliminates the risk of tumours in the ovaries and uterus
- Reduces the risk of prostatic diseases
- Reduces the risk of perianal tumours
- Eliminates the risk of testicular cancers
Keep Your Pet Safe & Healthy
Pet Desexing is an important procedure for all animals, both for population control and for their own individual health. The House Call Vet is a local vet who are dedicated to desexing Brisbane pets. They will provide you with all of the information you need to make the best decision for your animal companion.
