Saturday, September 8, 2012

Myths Associated With Spay And Neuter

By Casandra Cotton


Every year millions of dogs and cats die in shelters, and this number does not account for the animals that suffer and perish on the streets. Spay neuter Ossining, NY provides an effective way to help deal with pet overpopulation, and these procedures also help increase the overall health of animals. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions related to having animals fixed that can prevent owners from having these procedures done.

The cost of having an animal fixed often stands in the way of owners having this procedure done. While some places do charge quite a bit of money for these surgeries, there are many groups that offer lower cost spays and neuters. A web search or a few phone calls is all it takes to find a location with reasonable prices. Also, having a pet fixed can decrease overall vet bills because it drastically reduces the chance of certain cancers and diseases.

Fear of hurting a beloved dog or cat can stand in the way of an owner having the surgery performed. Spaying and neutering reduces or eliminates the chance of an animal developing certain diseases and cancers, so a surgery now could save the animal a lot of pain in the future. Licensed veterinarians also work diligently to make sure the entire process, from before surgery through recovery, is as painless and safe as possible.

Some owners choose not to have a dog or cat fixed simply because it is a male. Females are the ones to physically have the babies, but males are also needed for this to become possible. Even if precautions are taken to keep a dog or cat from mating, it can happen. Male animals are known to go to great lengths to reach a female that is in heat, so do not neglect to have males fixed.

A lot of people let their female dogs or cats have one litter before having her fixed because they believe that this will make her a better pet. There is no medical proof that it is necessary for a female to have any babies before being altered. Actually, a female who is fixed prior to her first heat is less likely to have certain medical issues in the future. Younger animals also recover from surgeries a lot faster than older ones.

Many families fear that spaying or neutering will change how their pets behave. Altering animals can help with certain behaviors, like territorial marking or overly aggressive tendencies, but the personalities of animals are more strongly influenced by their environments. If a dog or cat is raised to be obedient and sweet then that dog or cat will still be obedient and sweet after the surgery.

A popular myth is that spaying and neutering leads to fat and lazy pets. Actually, feeding a poorly balanced diet and not allowing plenty of exercise is what determines the weight of an animal. As long as a dog or cat is given good food and encouraged to remain active there should not be any problems.

Purebred dogs and cats should not be an exception to spaying and neutering. In fact, many of the animals that die in shelters every year are purebreds. A lot of owners believe that as long as homes are found for the offspring then there will not be a problem, but no one can control the actions of new owners. The offspring, or the litters of the offspring, could still end up homeless. Spay neuter Ossining, NY can help keep this from happening.




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