Why Are Spay and Neuter Services Important in Cooper City, FL?

Whether you’re already a dog owner or you’re thinking about adopting a dog in the near future, you may be wondering whether or not your pet needs to be spayed or neutered. So many people and organizations talk about the importance of spay and neuter services, but how important are they, really? Is it something you can skip if you don’t want to (or can’t) pay the vet bills to cover it, or should you try to find a way to go through with it regardless?

Reasons Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet in Cooper City, FL

Spaying and neutering services are extremely important for dogs as well as cats in Cooper City. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most crucial reasons why you should spay or neuter your dog as soon as possible.

Male Dog Health Benefits

Male dogs who are neutered receive many health benefits from the procedure. For example, neutered male dogs are no longer able to contract testicular cancer at all, which often occurs in intact dogs. Neutered male dogs are less likely to have problems with prostate cancer too, especially as they get older.

Since male dogs often get into fights over females when they’re left intact, your dog’s health will be improved in a roundabout way, too. If he’s less interested in mating, then he’ll be less likely to get into fights. This, in turn, will keep him from becoming injured as easily.

This also reduces your dog’s exposure to other dogs who may carry diseases or parasites and can improve his overall health in this way, too.

Female Dog Health Benefits

Female dogs in Cooper City who are spayed receive tons of health benefits too. These dogs are no longer able to develop uterine or ovarian cancer at all, and they have a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer as well as benign breast tumors. Breast cancer and tumors are both very common in intact female dogs, so you’re doing your dog a huge favor by having her spayed.

Additionally, spayed female dogs don’t risk coming down with mastitis, which occurs often in female dogs who have recently had puppies.

Female dogs left intact go into heat twice a year, give or take a few months. Heat is unpleasant for dogs and makes them feel physically uncomfortable and emotionally unhappy. If your dog is allowed outdoors during this time, she will draw the attention of intact males from miles around, and may end up in the middle of fights because of this. By having your dog spayed, you will remove this risk altogether.

Prevention of Puppies

Of course, one of the most important reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered is to prevent litters of puppies from being born. There is a severe problem of overpopulation of both dogs and cats in the United States and worldwide, and it’s important to keep your pets from contributing to this issue.

When you have your pet spayed or neutered, you won’t allow your dog to become a part of this overpopulation problem, and you’ll essentially be freeing up space in pounds, shelters, and rescues for other puppies that need to be there instead.

There’s another factor to consider in preventing your dog from having puppies: cost. If you are the owner of a female dog who becomes pregnant, there are a lot of vet bills to deal with moving forward. You’ll need to pay for your dog’s vet care during and after the pregnancy, and you’ll also need to pay for vet care for each of the puppies, too.

If you plan to sell or rehome the puppies, you’ll need to get them started on their initial puppy shots before finding them a new home in Cooper City. And you’ll also need to purchase additional food and care items for mom and puppies along the way, too.

Prevent Behavioral Issues

We’ve already discussed how spaying helps prevent female dogs from going into heat. Part of going into heat involves behavioral changes that affect your dog’s relationship with everyone in your family.

For example, a dog who is usually kind and friendly may become territorial and skittish while she’s in heat. She may snap or growl at family members she usually enjoys cuddling with, and she may be too afraid or upset to spend time with anyone. This is unpleasant for her as well as for the family, but spaying can prevent these behavioral issues.

Male dogs are also territorial when they are not neutered. Instead of becoming defensive, however, they mark their territory by urinating a lot, on almost anything. You can often solve problems related to your dog urinating where he’s not supposed to by having him neutered. This may also help him settle down and become less aggressive or fearful in some instances, too.

Keep in mind that spaying and neutering may not automatically solve every behavioral issue in your dog. You may need to work on behavior training and take care of the problem via other means too.

Have Your Dog Spayed or Neutered in Cooper City, FL

There are many good reasons to have your dog spayed or neutered as soon as possible. Doing so can help prevent health issues, behavioral issues, and more, and it will keep you from having to worry about paying for the medical costs of a litter of puppies as well.

Additionally, despite common misconceptions, there are no health risks involved in having your dog spayed or neutered. It doesn’t increase the risk of health problems or cause your pet to become overweight, and the surgery itself is a simple procedure.

Some people mistakenly believe that female dogs should be allowed to have a litter of puppies before being spayed. This is also a misconception; dogs don’t become more docile after having puppies and in fact may develop health problems that cause them to be in a bad mood more often than not.

Additionally, there is no valid reason to prevent your male dog from being neutered, either. Male dogs live long, fulfilling lives after being neutered and are happier and healthier as well. Keep all this in mind as you try to choose what’s best for your pet.

As your veterinarian in Cooper City, FL, we’re always happy to answer any questions you have about spay and neuter services and will work with you on deciding when these services are best for your pet. We want your pet to live a long and healthy life with you, which is why we always put their health first when creating the best care plan for them. Call us today regarding any questions you have about these services, or if you want to schedule an appointment to have your pet spayed or neutered.