Myth Busters: Spaying and Neutering

Myth #1:  It is better for my female dog to have a litter before I spay her.

This is an absolutely not true. All the medical evidence suggests a dog should be spayed before her first heat (see Myth two for more on this).  It is much easier for a young female to undergo this procedure rather than undergoing the same procedure at an older age.  Due to the size of the pet and the decreased amount blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, it is an easier surgery in a younger animal. Another reason to spay or neuter your pet is due to the #1 problem in nationwide pet shelters and humane societies: overpopulation. By spaying or castrating your animal, you have chosen the responsible thing to do, given the magnitude of the problem in this country.  A third reason to spay your pet is to limit the incidence of mammary gland cancer.  Research shows that spaying prior to the first heat cycle virtually eliminates the risk of you dog developing mammary cancer at an older age.

Myth #2:  I should I let my dog have a heat before I spay her.

Medically, it’s better to spay your dog prior to her first heat cycle. It greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors. With every heat cycle, the chances of developing mammary tumors increases to one out of four. Another health risk is a pyometra, which can happen at any age, whether she has been bred or not. With a pyometra, the cervix closes after the heat cycle.  At this point, any bacteria that has migrated into the vagina begins to overgrow, filling the uterus with infection.  Pyometra is an important disease to be aware of for any dog owner due of the sudden nature of the disease and the deadly consequences if left untreated. It is often compared to acute appendicitis in humans. 

Myth #3:  Dogs and cats get lazy or gain weight once you spay or neuter them.

The real reason that pets gain weight is that their owners feed them too much or don't give them enough exercise, not because they are altered. The weight gain that people may witness after a spay/neuter surgery is likely caused by continuing to feed a diet that is formulated for a growing animal to a pet that is reaching its adult size, which decreases the need for fat and energy.  Just like in people, exercise is vital to the well-being of animals.   Exercise, in the form of play, can help encourage activity to keep the weight off and the muscles strong. Exercise also increases the quality time spent with your pet along with socialization.  This socialization helps your puppy to develop into a calmer, more assertive dog.  There is some medical evidence to show that a dog's metabolism will also slow down once he or she is altered.  To account for this, we recommend feeding your pets at a level equal to 80% of the recommended amount on the packaging.  (Like all rules, this is not an across the board rule, simply a generality)

Myth #4:  My pet needs to be at least 6 months old to be spayed or neutered.

Once they are fully vaccinated, we recommend spaying or neutering your pet.  At about 4 1/2 months of age, your pet has a very high level of immunity due to the vaccinations.  It is also true that puppies and kittens recover a lot faster than adults dogs and cats.  The surgical procedure is also easier to perform and carries slightly less risk when performed in younger animals. There is no medical evidence to support waiting until the animal is 6 months or older to alter.  The six month age was an arbitrary number that was followed as a guideline many years ago and is no longer the recommended standard.

Myth #5:  My pet will have a behavioral change once spay or neutered.

Spaying or neutering is not going to affect your dog’s desire or ability to protect your home or protect you. Guard dogs are trained to be guard dogs. Their behavior is a function of genetics, instinct, environment, and training.  Male pets do not have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. It is a fact that the decreased hormone levels cause neutered pets to have less desire to roam, mark territory, or exert dominance over other pets. Sterilized pets are proven to have some negative behaviors minimized such as: roaming, irritability, aggression, frequent urinations, and bleeding. 

The facts are simple—spaying and neutering saves lives.

There are just too many pets and not enough homes. It is one of the most important decisions you can make for your pet. Not only does it help him or her live a happier, healthier life, it will save the lives of many others.

This article was submitted by Amanda Bell, R.V.T.