Myths Surrounding Spaying and Neutering Pets

My pet will get fat and lazy.

The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise.

It’s better to have one litter first.

Medical evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier.

But my pet is a purebred!

One out of every four animals brought into the shelter is purebred.

I want my dog to be protective.

Spaying and neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instincts to protect its home and family. A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by its sex hormones.

I don’t want my male dog or cat to feel less of a male.

Pets don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering a male dog or cat will not change its basic personality. It doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional male, reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

It’s too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered.

The cost depends on the sex, size and age of the animal, the vet’s fees, and other variables. It is a one time cost and relatively small when compared to all the benefits. It’s a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and caring for the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add to your vet bills and food costs. It is a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.

I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.

You may be lucky enough to do just that. However, in less than a year, each and every one of your pet’s litter may have produced it’s own litter, adding more and more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is kept going one litter at a time.