Benefits of spaying and neutering companion animals

Spaying for females (removal of the uterus and ovaries) and neutering for males (removal of the testicles) are services which SNAP is proud to offer to the community. These procedures not only help reduce pet overpopulation but can also provide marked health benefits for our animal companions.

When a dog or cat is spayed before reaching her first heat cycle (generally 4-6 months of age), her risk of developing mammary/breast cancer later in life is significantly reduced. Additionally, intact (un-spayed) female dogs and cats can develop a life-threatening infection of their uterus (called a pyometra) that often requires an emergency surgery to remove the uterus; this is more expensive than spay surgery and has a much higher complication rate.

With male dogs and cats, neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the risk of certain prostate issues (cancerous or benign). There can also be certain behavioral benefits, since intact (un-neutered) male dogs and cats can get lost while roaming in search of females to breed.

What is the best age to spay or neuter my pet?

Four months is the best age to have your pet spayed or neutered.  Cats and dogs are more likely to develop malignant mammary tumors (cancer) if they are spayed after their first heat cycle.  Most cats and dogs have their first heat at about six months of age, but some do have their first heat cycle even younger. Spaying and neutering companion animals at four months old will not only help prevent health problems later in life but will also help prevent unplanned litters and pet overpopulation.

What are some benefits of spaying my female pet?

• Your pet may live longer.  Multiple studies have shown that spayed pets live longer than intact pets.  Research conducted at the University of Georgia showed that spayed and neutered dogs lived an average of 1.5 years longer than intact dogs.

• It reduces the risk of cancer.  Spaying your cat or dog eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, and significantly reduces the risk of mammary cancer if she is spayed early enough—ideally before her first heat cycle.  In dogs, about half of mammary masses are malignant (cancerous), and in cats about 80-90% are malignant.

• It prevents pyometra.  Pyometra is an infection of an intact cat or dog’s uterus.  This infection can be life-threatening and is often also very costly to treat on an emergency basis.  The treatment for pyometra is often an emergency spay procedure, antibiotics, and supportive care.

• It helps reduce accidental litters.  About half of pet births are unplanned, and many of these puppies and kittens will never find homes.  Millions of animals (about 6,500,000 annually) end up in shelters and humane societies, and there are not enough adoptive homes for every cat and dog who needs a family.

• It helps combat pet overpopulation. Over years, one intact female cat or dog and her offspring can produce thousands of homeless kittens and puppies.  Help the people and pets in your community by having your cats and dogs spayed and neutered; be part of the solution!

• It will save you money.  There are high costs associated with pyometra, mammary cancer, problems during pregnancy and birth, C-sections, not to mention care of puppies and kittens!  Spaying and neutering your pets before they are sexually mature prevents many expenses later in pet ownership.

What are some benefits of neutering my male pet?

• Your pet may live longer.  Multiple studies have shown that spayed/neutered pets live longer than intact pets.  Research conducted at the University of Georgia showed that spayed and neutered dogs lived an average of 1.5 years longer than intact dogs.

• Neutering prevents testicular tumors and prostate problems.  Prostatic disease can result in difficulty urinating or defecating.  For prostate disease related to hormone levels, the treatment is usually to have your pet neutered.

• Neutering reduces roaming, fighting, and aggression.  Fights between un-neutered males can lead to health problems such as bite wounds, abscesses, and infection with viruses such as FIV and FeLV in cats.

• It can prevent, reduce, or eliminate urine marking.  The best strategy is to have your pet neutered at about 4 months of age, before he begins urine marking.  However, neutering an adult pet who has already begun urine marking may help alleviate this behavior, in combination with thorough cleaning and behavior modification.

• It helps reduce accidental litters.  About half of pet births are unplanned, and many of these puppies and kittens will never find homes.  Millions of animals (about 6,500,000 annually) end up in shelters and humane societies, and there are not enough adoptive homes for every cat and dog who needs a family.

• It helps combat pet overpopulation. Over years, one intact female cat or dog and her offspring can produce thousands of homeless kittens and puppies (of course, she needs a little help from an un-neutered male).  Help the people and pets in your community by having your cats and dogs spayed and neutered; be part of the solution!

• It will save you money.  There are costs associated with testicular tumors and torsions, prostate issues, cleaning up after urine marking in the house, not to mention care of puppies and kittens!  Spaying and neutering your pets before they are sexually mature prevents many expenses later in pet ownership.