Early spay/neuter Myths
MYTH: Female dogs and cats should have at least one litter before having them spayed.
FACT: There is no medical evidence to justify allowing a dog or cat to have a litter before spaying. In fact, spaying female dogs and cats eliminates the possibility of developing uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the threat of mammary cancer.
MYTH: Behavior is adversely affected by sterilization.
FACT: The only changes in dog and cat behavior after spaying or neutering are positive changes. Male cats tend to reduce territorial spraying, depending on their age at neutering. Neutered dogs and cats fight less, resulting in fewer bite and scratch wounds and lessening the spread of contagious diseases. Male dogs and cats tend to stay home more after neutering because they no longer wander in search of a mate.
MYTH: Animals are less active and overweight after spaying or neutering.
FACT: As any animal matures, it is necessary for human guardians to adjust dietary intake to compensate for more sedentary lifestyles. Animals become overweight only when they are fed too much and not exercised properly!
MYTH: Males don't have litters, so we don't need to neuter them.
FACT: It takes both a male and female dog or cat for reproduction. While a female dog or cat may only have one litter a year, male animals can impregnate females many times each day!
MYTH: Spaying and neutering is painful.
FACT: Surgical sterilization is performed under general anesthesia by a doctor of veterinary medicine. The procedure itself is not felt by the patient. There may be mild discomfort after the surgery, but most animals return to normal activity within 24 to 72 hours. We also provide post op pain medications. The minimal discomfort experienced by dogs and cats who are spayed or neutered is well worth the endless suffering that is prevented by eliminating unwanted births.
MYTH: Children should experience the miracle of birth.
FACT: Most dogs and cats have their litters at night in quiet, dark places far out of anyone's sight. Besides, every litter of puppies and kittens born contributes to the thousands of unwanted dogs and cats who experience the miracle of death every day across America in our nation's pounds and animal shelters.
MYTH: Dogs will not be protective after they are altered.
FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect his home and family.