Pet Spay and Neuter Services
Why Should You Spay Your Pets?
There are many medical and behavioral benefits of having your female cat or dog spayed:
1. Convenience to owner
- Eliminates estrous or “heat” periods: no bloody discharge
- Eliminates the scent that attracts males
- No need to confine your female while in heat
- Eliminates the frantic pacing and crying by the female while in heat (cats are especially vocal at that time)
2. Better health for your pet
- Eliminates all of the problems and potential risks involved in pregnancy and birth.
- Eliminates the common risk of mammary and uterus cancer as the pet gets older.
3. Helps decrease overpopulation
- By not bringing more unwanted puppies and kitten into the world.
- Rids you of the worry of what to do with unplanned litters of puppies and kittens.
4. Eliminates sexual frustration
- Decreases your pets desire to roam in search of a mate: decreasing the problems involved with a free-roaming animal (car accidents, etc.)
- Lets your pet relax, and enjoy being a part of the family
Common Myths
1. Spaying will make my pet fat
Spaying will not make her fat and lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise are the main causes of obesity.
2. My pet should have one litter first
It is actually better for her NOT to have a litter or a heat period before being spayed. They can be spayed at six months of age.
3. Spaying will hurt her
Spaying is a safe and relatively painless operation done by a licensed veterinarian. Your pet will appreciate the freedom from sexual frustration and repeated parenthood.
4. I will find homes for my puppies or kittens
You may be able to place your puppies or kittens but are they all good homes? And remember each time you place one of your puppies or kittens, somewhere else an animal is being killed because there was no home for it. Right now in the United States, 15 million animals are being euthanized yearly.
Why Should You Neuter Your Pets?
There are many medical and behavioral benefits of having your male cat or dog neutered:
1. Convenience to owner
- Usually stops tomcats from spraying foul-smelling urine in the house
- Reduces the urge for male dogs to “mount” children and adult’s legs
- Reduces aggression against other animals
2. Better health for your pet
- Eliminates your pet’s desire to seek out a female and reduces the risks involved with a free-roaming animal (car accidents, etc.)
- Reduces the risk of prostate problems and testicular tumors later in life
3. Helps decrease the overpopulation problem
- One male running loose for just a few hours can impregnate many females, adding to the serious problem or unwanted puppies and kittens
4. Eliminates sexual frustration
- A male sensing a female in heat nearby can break down doors and jump fences in his desire to mate
- Lets your pet relax and enjoy being a part of the family
Common Myths
1. Neutering will make my pet fat
- Neutering does not make your pet fat and lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise are the main causes of obesity.
2. Neutering will take away the “guard dog” instincts
- Neutering a dog does not reduce his ability as either a guard or watchdog. He will still be as protective of his territory as he was before the surgery.
3. Neutering him will hurt him
- Neutering is a safe and relatively painless operation done by a licensed veterinarian. Your pet will appreciate the freedom from sexual frustration.
Call All Creatures Veterinary Hospital providing spay/neuter services to cats and dogs in the Salem and the North Shore areas of Massachusetts today or request an appointment online.