The Importance of Spaying and Neutering

Did you know that millions of pets end up in shelters every year due to pet overpopulation? There are not enough people to adopt all these dogs and cats, leading to many pets getting euthanized yearly. Spaying and neutering can help curb pet overpopulation by preventing unwanted pregnancies in your dog or cat. Our veterinarian at Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital in Bloomington, IL, wants you to understand the importance of these routine surgeries and how they can benefit your pet.

Prevents Unwanted Pregnancies

The primary benefit of spay and neuter surgeries is preventing unwanted pet pregnancies. Spaying removes a female pet’s ovaries and uterus, while neutering removes a male pet’s testicles. Doing this eliminates your pet’s risk of becoming pregnant or getting another pet pregnant, helping curb the pet overpopulation problem. You can also save tons of money in the future by spaying or neutering your pet since you do not have to raise litters of puppies or kittens.

Health Benefits of Spay and Neuter Surgery

Removing your female pet’s ovaries and uterus can provide other benefits to its health besides preventing pregnancy. Some of the health benefits of spaying include:

•             Lower risk of cancerous breast tumors

•             Prevents uterine infections and cancer

•             Prevents ovarian cancer

Having your male pet neutered can also provide significant health benefits. Neutering lowers your pet’s risk of having testicular cancer and can prevent problems with the prostate.

Behavioral Benefits for Pets

Spaying or neutering your pet can also offer several behavioral benefits alongside improvements to its health. Spaying female pets eliminates heat cycles that cause them to urinate or vocalize more often to attract males. Doing this helps lower the risk of accidents and noisy yowling in your home. Neutering pets can help reduce or eliminate the following behaviors:

•             Roaming or straying from home to search for female dogs or cats

•             Marking their territory indoors and outdoors with urine

•             Behaving in aggressive ways

Spay or Neuter Your Pet Today at Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital

Spaying or neutering your pet can lead to several health and behavioral benefits while preventing unwanted pregnancies, so contact Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital in Bloomington, IL, to schedule these routine procedures at our animal hospital today. Call us and schedule an appointment with our veterinarian at (309) 663-1414 to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy life.