Whether to Have Dogs Spayed Or Neutered

Having your dogs spayed or neutered is never easy, yet it

is necessary. Practically all animal welfare and

community organizations strongly support spaying and

neutering dogs including the Humane Society, Urban

Leagues across the country, the Veterinary Medical

Association, and the American Animal Hospitals

Association. It is the most humane manner to control an

ever growing crisis in dog overpopulation.

Uncontrolled dog breeding has lead to far too many dogs

competing for far too few adoptive homes. Compounding the

situation are many factors including negligent dog owners


that buy cute puppies only to treat them as throwaway

toys, especially when the pups grow into adulthood. Many

of these companion dogs are simply abandoned on the side

of the road. Of course, there are other factors, but this

is particularly cruel and thoughtless behavior.

The result of such total disregard to common decency is a

large number of pet dogs and cats that are forced to live

on the streets and forage for their food as best they

can. They prey on wildlife and are a danger to children

playing in their own neighborhoods. They become a public

health problem by acquiring and spreading various

diseases and by defecating in public areas.

Local governments across the nation are forced to spend

many millions of dollars in animal control programs,

including large scale euthanasia programs in our nation's

animal shelters. We must act in a responsible manner and

do what we can to help. Having your dogs spayed or

neutered is a civic and humane responsibility.

Benefits of Spay Neuter Surgery

There are also benefits of spay and neutering surgery for

the dog as well as for the community. Spayed female dogs

will be free of their hormone-based aggression,

nervousness, and irritability during heat, because they

will no longer have heat periods. Certain forms of

infection and tumors will appear less often, and bitches

will no longer attract attendant males. Dogs have a very

keen sense of smell and male dogs can detect females in

heat for miles away.

Neutered male dogs will no longer roam far and wide for

mating partners, and will not be as interested in marking

territory. Their urine will be less odorous. In general,

they will exhibit less anxious behavior. Neutered dogs

will exhibit less hormone-driven aggression towards

humans and also towards other dogs. However, note that

habitually aggressive dogs will not change their

personality or behavior after neutering. Aggressive dogs

need good training to learn appropriate behavior.

Neutering is not a replacement for proper dog training.

Spayed and neutered dogs are more content, happier, and

friendlier pets.

Conclusion

Companion dogs are not intended to be breeding animals.

It is desirable for female dogs to be spayed before they

experience their first heat period. Both male and female

dogs should be spayed or neutered well before sexual

maturity.

Dogs engage in sex solely to satisfy their programmed

hormone-induced instincts and not for enjoyment. Do not

think you are depriving your dog of pleasure by

sterilization. You are not. Many communities have

programs to lower the cost of spay and neutering surgery.

The responsible thing to do is to have your dogs spayed

or neutered.

Read more about spaying and neutering dogs the article,

"Having Your Dog Spayed or Neutered: Clearing Up Some

Myths." Also, have you wondered how to properly wash your

dog? If you want some tips, read, "How To Give a Dog A

Bath." Allen MacAlister is a veterinary medical student

and writes about dog and cat allergies and general care.

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