Congratulations on being a pet owner! Pets bring such joy to our lives. Wondering if you should get your pet spayed (females) or neuter (males). The answer is YES! Spay/neuter surgery is the process by which a veterinarian renders a cat or dog sterile. There are many benefits to sterilizing your pets.
Unaltered cats can go into heat four to five days every three weeks during mating season. They yowl and urinate more frequently to advertise for a mate. Fixing female cats and dogs reduces these behaviors and lowers the risk of uterine infections (e.g., pyometra) and breast cancer. The fatality rate for these diseases is 50% in dogs and 90% in cats. Spaying a female before her first heat offers the best protection against these diseases.
Neutering male pets lowers the rate of prostate/testicular cancers, helps decrease volatility and aggression, and reduces the urge to roam in search of a mate. Unneutered male cats spray strong-smelling urine to “mark their territory.” Sterilized dogs are less likely to mount dogs, people, or objects.
The bottom line is that spaying and neutering house pets improves their temperament and keeps them healthier, increasing the likelihood of a long and loving life by your side.
Groups like Beltsville Community Cats (BCC) are committed to seeing that house cats and free-roaming cats have access to spay/neuter surgeries and the associated benefits. The benefit to the community is a reduction in the number of unwanted litters while minimizing fighting, spraying, flea/tick infestations and the use of yards and gardens as litter boxes.
BCC needs volunteers and donations. Refer to our new website, www.beltsvillecats.net, for more information. Contact BCC at hello@beltsvillecats.net or 240.444.8353.