Surgical sterilization is one of the most common procedures in veterinarian’s offices. Many owners opt for this surgery, but some put it off due to cost, inconvenience, or concerns about their pet’s well-being. Dan’s Pet Care specialists often meet owners who are on the fence about this issue. However, spaying or neutering your dog is almost always the best choice. This article explains a few of the top reasons why you should spay or neuter your dog this year.

1.     Behavioral Benefits

Your dog’s behavior is likely to improve after he or she is neutered or spayed. Without being spayed, female dogs will experience heat cycles. These can be messy and frustrating for you and your pet. Your dog will also have the urge to wander in search of a mating partner, and she can become lost or injured in the process. When you decrease this drive by spaying your dog, she will be happier staying within the boundaries of your home and yard. Furthermore, if your female dog is not spayed, you may experience unwanted visits from neighborhood male dogs.

Neutering male dogs can also dramatically improve their behavior. Intact male dogs will often explore their neighborhood in search of a mate, and they can become hard to manage in the presence of female dogs. They also tend to be more aggressive and to mark their territory by spraying urine in unwanted places. Also, neutered dogs are less likely to mount household objects or visitors’ legs, so neutering can prevent problematic behavior when company comes over.

2.     Health Benefits

Spaying or neutering your dog also has important health benefits. Without being neutered, male dogs are more prone to developing diseases of their reproductive organs, like the prostate and testicles. Likewise, spaying your female dog can protect her against breast cancer and health problems involving her uterus. Spaying and neutering can also prevent the development of noncancerous tumors. These can be concerning enough to require a veterinary checkup, even if they turn out to be harmless. Overall, spaying or neutering your pet is a highly effective way to boost their chances of a long, healthy life.

3.     Eliminating Unwanted Litters

Spaying or neutering your pet can be expensive, but it’s much less expensive than the cost of raising a litter of puppies. Some owners avoid spaying or neutering their dogs because they believe their pet will never have the chance to leave their property and find a mate. However, dogs that have not been surgically altered are often incredibly persistent in their search for a mating partner. Even if you have a strictly indoor dog, spaying or neutering is worthwhile to keep your community’s dog population in check. Shelters are often so overfilled that they have to resort to euthanizing unwanted pets. You can help to eliminate this problem by spaying or neutering your pet.

It's usually ideal to spay or neuter your dog early in life, so be sure to check with your vet about an appropriate timeline. Overall, the risks of this surgery are low compared to the many benefits it provides. If you haven’t had your pet surgically sterilized yet, there’s no time like the present to discuss this procedure with your vet!