Best Pet Articles

Spaying or Nuetering Your Dog-Get The Facts... Be Responsible


Bringing a new puppy or dog home is a huge commitmentand a three-fold responsibility. You now have a commitmentto your dog, yourself, and to your community. Spaying orneutering your pet is just another responsibility that youmust think about when bringing a puppy or dog into yourhome. And, if you've already brought one home, the time tostart thinking about you and your pet's future together isnow.

Unless you are a professional breeder, there is no reason notto have your dog spayed or neutered. Let's take a look,quickly, at the differences of each.

Spaying vs. neutering
A female dog is spayed and a male is neutered. Theoperation is a removal of the animal's reproductive organs.The operation tends to be a little more expensive for femaledogs as the veterinarian has to make an incision and sew upthe animal's lower abdomen. In a male dog, however, thescrotum is opened and the reproductive organs are removed.The operation is also a little quicker for male dogs. The ageand health of your dog will cause recovery time to vary.

A long time ago in the United States, older dogs were theonly one's spayed or neutered as they had a greater chanceof survival than puppies. However, with advances insterilization, the operation is usually done when a puppy isaround six months of age. Some veterinarians will do theoperation a little sooner, around three to five months. Olderdogs can also be spayed or neutered, but you should talk toyour vet about the appropriate time, especially for femaledogs. The operation should occur well after a heat cycle(Estrus).

There are many benefits to spaying or neutering your dog.Female dogs undergo a heat cycle for six or seven days,three times per year. While female dogs, unlike cats, remainsomewhat controllable during Estrus, it will save youheadaches, clean up, and every male dog in theneighborhood coming over for a visit to your front yard.Spayed or neutered pets live longer, happier and healthierlives. Spayed dogs (females) have no chance at developinguterine or ovarian cancer, as these organs have beenremoved. Studies show that spayed animals have a lesslikely chance of developing breast cancer.

Neutered dogs (males) are less likely to wander off andexplore. The dog will also be less aggressive in his play orwhen outside on his own. He will not play as rough, norwill he bite as often. This, of course, all depends upon thetraining your dog receives as well.

Spayed or neutered dogs tend to be more affectionate andloving. They usually display calmer temperaments and aremore enjoyable to play with and be around. Neutered petsare less likely to urinate on every tree or post they pass.Does it cause weight gain?

Some people believe that spayed or neutered animals tend tohave problems with weight gain. While spayed or neuteredanimals tend to be more docile, there is no relationship withthe surgery and weight gain. In other words, it all dependsupon proper playtime (exercise) and diet, not whether yourpet is spayed or neutered.

There are many places that you can contact regardinginformation or to schedule an appointment for your dog.Contact an animal shelter, your vet or contact SPAY USA.There are grants and monies available for those who maynot have the funds to pay for all of the surgery.The responsibility rests with you. This small step will meana more fulfilling life for you, your dog and not to mention,for your community.

About the Author:
Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site at Dog Gifts and Toys for Dog Lovers.

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.


MORE RESOURCES:

Shelter Exchange and Adopt-a-Pet.com Partner to Help Homeless Animals
MarketWatch (press release)
RALEIGH, NC, Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- A new partnership was announced this week in the animal welfare community between Shelter Exchange and Adopt-a-Pet.com (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com.) This new collaboration between these two organizations ...

and more »


Care2.com

Winterize Your Pet With the Royal Treatment
Huffington Post
Global warming may exist, but winter is still upon us, and our pets can feel the chill. A pet on the lap is a simple and wonderful way to lower heating bills, but what can we do to reduce their risk of illness from the tolls of winter?
Big Pets Get Bigger: Latest Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic ExpandingMarketWatch (press release)
Most American Pets are Too FatCare2.com
Confused.com guides pet owners through the minefield of pet insuranceWebWire (press release)

all 15 news articles »


Lynnfielders Help PAWS Pets Find Homes
Patch.com
By William Laforme Since this website went online in late 2010, it has run regular columns from PAWS (Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society) highlighting the various pets, mostly cats in this case, that need a home. The local nonprofit recently ...

and more »


Canine changes; Pet owners fear licensing costs will rise after takeover
Record-Searchlight
Pet licensing in Shasta County will be privatized by next year. Curtis Martin runs Wednesday with his dog Jemma on Market Street. A change in the Shasta County Animal shelter's licensing program prompted by Haven Humane Society's eventual takeover ...

and more »


PR Web (press release)

Why People Don't Fix Their Pets
Patch.com
February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and veterinarians and advocates have answers and aid for unsure pet owners. By Therra C. Gwyn Millions of kittens (and puppies) end up homeless on the streets and in shelters because of the problem of pet ...
Royal Pet Club Announces Partnership With Animal Aid to Donate Profits to ...PR Web (press release)
Sex and the Kitty: Discounted pet spay/neuters during FebruaryExaminer.com
NEW: Channel 10 Leads “Help These Faces” Unwanted Pet CampaignGoLocalProv
St. Augustine Record -Mail Tribune -Today's THV
all 11 news articles »


Critter Cleaners, All Pet Pantry Open on State Street
Patch.com
The pet grooming business and feed store now share a space at 1120 State St. in the Chipain's Shopping Plaza. By Amanda Luevano Critter Cleaners, the pet grooming business formerly located in downtown Lemont, opened its doors at a new location on State ...

and more »


Columbus Dispatch

So to Speak | Joe Blundo commentary: Note to Steubenville: Politicians good pets
Columbus Dispatch
Sign up for home delivery of The Columbus Dispatch and find out What's In It for You. Enroll in EZPay and get a free gift! Enroll now. The governor is in Steubenville today to deliver the State of the State address — to be given for the first time ...

and more »


Plain Dealer

Northeast Ohio pet owners want fast FDA action on pet treats from China
Plain Dealer
WASHINGTON, DC - Candace Thaxton of Westlake believes that tainted chicken jerky pet treats from China killed her 10-year-old pug, Chansey, last year and sickened the five-month-old puppy her family got to replace it. On Monday, Thaxton and other pet ...
Concerns about potentially tainted pet treatsWTAM.com
Brown, Kucinich Seek FDA Action to Protect Dogs From 'Tainted' TreatsCleveland News - Fox 8

all 4 news articles »


Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year Award Winner New York's Hotel Pennsylvania ...
MarketWatch (press release)
7, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- As the 2012 Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year award winner and host hotel for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, New York's Hotel Pennsylvania has become the only hotel to stay at for the Westminster Dog Show.



Pet Connection: How to prevent a lost-pet crisis
The Salem News
Unfortunately, one in three pets will be lost during their lifetime. Ten million pets get lost yearly. If they don't have an ID, 90 percent of those lost pets never return home. Indoor cats get out through loose screens and open doors.


Google News

home | site map | SubArticle
© 2008