Is Spaying & Neutering Good For Your Dog?

What is Spaying and Neutering?

Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures which remove reproductive organs, ending your dog's ability to reproduce.

Is Spaying and Neutering Good For My Dog?

Spaying and neutering can bring many lifelong benefits to your furbaby, according to the experts from the American Animal Hospital Association. 

Here are some of the benefits of spaying and neutering:

Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Dog

To prevent unplanned pregnancies.

If your female dog remains unspayed, she will continue to experience heat cycles. Each time she goes into heat, male dogs will be attracted since they can smell the scent of your female dog even from far away.

With many unwanted visitors in your yard and your female dog possibly on the loose, your female dog risks getting pregnant. Dog pregnancy, and raising a litter of pups, is quite expensive. Delivery can also be difficult, especially if your dog experiences any complications while in labor.

Having a litter, is also expensive - take into consideration veterinary care for each pup, updated vaccinations and the right environment needed for the pups to grow up well and healthy. Rehoming your pups when they're at the right age can also be very tiring and time-consuming. Finding good homes where they can provide everything needed by your pups can be a tough one and can create stress for you as you want to be ensured you are handing those precious pups off to a loving home.

Spaying and neutering also helps your community deal with dog overpopulation. Homeless dogs can pose a threat, or danger if not careful.

If you are not prepared, or not committed to responsible breeding practices, do not breed your dog. 

To reduce risk of certain diseases.

A mix and match of unwanted breedings can destroy the preservation of a breed's standards and qualities. So if ever your dog gets to mate a dog from another dog breed he/she is not compatible with, certain health risks may be present in their litter.

Furthermore, unspayed females can develop life-threatening diseases like pyometra (infection of the uterus) and mammary tumors. While males who aren't neutered may develop prostate illnesses and testicular cancer.

According to PAWS, spaying or neutering your dog can actually help give them a better, healthier life. 

To correct behavioral issues.

Spaying and neutering can also reduce certain behavioral issues in dogs like lessening their aggressive behavior, decreases their desire to escape and roam around to find a mate, helps eliminate leg-lifting & marking.

When Should You Spay/Neuter?

This depends on you and the behavior of your dog. Some pet parents are spaying/neutering their dogs after they've produced a litter, some spay/neuter their dogs whenever they start establishing behaviors of incontinence, others also decide to spay/neuter their pups at around 6 months.

To know the right time of spaying/neutering your dog, always consult your veterinarian. They know best.

Managing Your Dog After Spay/Neuter

Be on top of your dog's hygiene. Since your dog can't move properly, you have to keep the pee/poop away from your dog's skin immediately to avoid scalding and rashes. You can use a clean cloth and water or a saline solution to clean the area. Never use baby wipes on your dog since it can cause irritation.

Use dog diapers and pee pads. Instead of using an e-collar, you can use dog diapers as a post-operation cover up to keep your dog from licking the wound.

Using Pawtect® Pads, or even Pawtect® Blankets, are also great ways to keep your dog comfortable and your home clean. 

Provide a proper diet. Providing your dog a good, healthy diet can boost up recovery. But make sure that this diet is advised by your veterinarian. A healthy diet will provide your dog the needed nutrition.

Spaying/neutering your dog is up to you. You know your dog well and you know what will be best for the both of you. And if you look at the big picture, spay/neuter can be one of the most responsible ways you can take care of your dog.