3 Key Facts To Know About Spaying/Neutering

Having a dog in your home and life can be exciting. Of course, this new family member does require a good amount of love and care to ensure they have a good, healthy life. To reduce the risk of overpopulation and keep your dog healthy, you should consider having them spayed or neutered. Unfortunately, most people do not truly understand these procedures. This guide will give you a few interesting facts about spaying/neutering.

Spay Versus Neuter

One of the first things you need to know is that there is a big difference between spaying and neutering.

If you have a female dog, you would have them spayed, since this is the surgery that removes a female dog's ovaries and uterus to prevent reproduction.

If you have a male dog, you would have the dog neutered, which is the surgery that removes a male dog's testicles.

Timing Matters

Most people are also confused by when they should have their dog spayed or neutered. Because it is so important to prevent reproduction in a world where there are already too many unwanted animals, spaying and neutering can be done at any age. However, veterinarians believe the sooner, the better, since there is a higher risk of surgical complications in older dogs.

Traditionally, veterinarians recommend puppies be spayed or neutered when they are between 6 and 9 months as long as they are healthy.

If you are unsure when to have your dog spayed or neutered, schedule a consultation with a veterinarian for more information.

Not Just to Prevent Overpopulation

Again, the main benefit of spaying or neutering your dog is to prevent reproduction, which reduces the risk of overpopulation. Surprisingly, there are many other benefits of having your dog spayed or neutered.

In most cases, spaying/neutering also keeps your dog healthier for longer. Dogs who are spayed/neutered have a decreased risk of developing various infections and diseases.

Male dogs who are neutered are less likely to run away in an attempt to reproduce. With female dogs, spaying prevents them from going into heat, preventing urinating and bleeding accidents in your home.

Many veterinarians believe spaying/neutering also improves a dog's behavior. Dogs are less likely to act out aggressively, jump, dig, and scratch.

Spaying and neutering is a surgical procedure that should be understood fully. This guide will help you understand a few important facts to ensure your dog is healthy before, during, and after the surgery. Contact a clinic, like Spring Hill Veterinary Clinic, for more help.