Spay/Neuter Fact or Fiction?

There are lots of commonly held beliefs about how spaying or neutering will change a pet. Here are some of them and whether they are based in fact or simply fiction.

• Spaying or neutering will make my pet lazy. FICTION Spay or neuter surgery does not make an animal lazy. It reduces the urge to roam, which may result in a cat becoming more docile which may appear to some pet owners as 'laziness'. There are benefits of a more docile cat, including less fighting behavior which reduces the likelihood of abcesses and contracting blood or saliva-borne illnesses, e.g., feline leukemia.


• My cat will no longer be a good mouser if I have it spayed or neutered. FICTION Hunting skills, playfulness, general activity levels, and vocalizations do not typically change following surgery.


• Dogs can be spayed or neutered as early as six weeks old. FACT In fact, it is far better to do the surgery at a younger age. This is also the case for cats.


• It a good idea to let a dog have one litter before having her spayed. FICTION There is no benefit to this. Spaying a dog before her first litter is easier and safer, and drastically reduces her risk of developing mammary (breast) cancer.


• Spaying or neutering helps cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives. FACT Pets live longer and healthier lives when they have been spayed or neutered. They are less likely to roam and so less likely to be hit by a car or contract a disease. They are less likely to get several forms of cancer.

For more information on low cost spay/neuter options in Isabella, go to: www.hatsweb.org/spay.html.