If you've got a new puppy, you want it to stay as healthy as possible. One way to make sure it stays healthy is to have it spayed or neutered as soon as it's old enough. When it comes to pet health, reproductive surgery is just as important are routine vaccinations. If you're not sure you're going to have your puppy spayed or neutered, here are four reasons why you should choose the surgery.
Stops Roaming
Your puppy might be content to remain in the yard right now. However, as it grows, your pet will want to look for partners to mate with. If there are no potential mates with in your yard, your dog will attempt to search outside the yard. That's when the digging and escaping will begin to happen. Unfortunately, once your dog escapes out into the world, it can be hit by a car, get into fights with other dogs, or end up lost – which could result in a trip to the pound. Having your pet spayed or neutered will reduce the need to roam, which means they'll be more likely to stay in the yard.
Reduces Aggressive Behavior
When dogs aren't spayed or neutered, they can become aggressive during heat – or when they smell other dogs that are. If you have small children, this aggression can become dangerous, especially your puppy has grown into a large dog. Having your puppy spayed or neutered will reduce aggressive behavior when they reach maturity.
Prevents Some Types of Cancer
You might not realize this, but having your puppy spayed or neutered will help keep them healthy when they grow up. That's because reproductive surgery can prevent some types of cancer. For instance, having your female puppy spayed will prevent ovarian, uterine and mammary cancer. Neutering your male will prevent testicular cancer and reduce its chances of developing prostate cancer.
Slows Down Pet Over-Population
If you've ever walked through an animal shelter, you know how many unwanted pets there are in the world. By having your puppy spayed or neutered, you can do your part to get pet over-population under control. The ASPCA estimates that about 3.9 million companion dogs enter animal shelters every year. Most of those animals will never find homes.
If you've recently brought home a new puppy, talk to a veterinarian like Caring Hands Animal Hospital about having it spayed or neutered. You'll help keep it healthy, and reduce the number of unwanted pets.
