Ever wonder why we recommend spaying and neutering for your pets? The El Gato Veterinary Hospital team is here to tell you why! First and foremost, these are the basics of spaying and neutering.
Spaying and neutering are the removals of reproductive organs from cats and dogs. Female pets are spayed, which is the removal of the uterus and ovaries. Neutering is the removal of testicles from male pets. Both procedures are performed by a veterinarian and anesthesia is used, although it’s a relatively routine procedure. Spaying is much more involved than neutering because the organs are removed internally, while neutering is performed externally. Pets should be spayed or neutered between the age of eight weeks and five months, although it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to select the best age for your pet.
Why do we recommend spaying and neutering for your pet? We’re here to answer that.
First and foremost, this procedure is done for your pet’s health. After being spayed or neutered, animals are less likely to suffer from health issues like uterine, mammary, testicular cancer, and other serious health issues. Spaying a female pet before going into heat even once can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a future cancer diagnosis. In addition to health problems, spaying and neutering are done to avoid pet overpopulation. More puppies and kittens are born daily than humans, leading to six to eight million pets enter shelters every year with three to four million pets being euthanized, most of whom are young and healthy.
The El Gato Veterinary Hospital team is here to answer your questions about spaying and neutering, and we hope you ask. If you need to make an appointment to bring your pets in for an exam or consultation, please visit our contact page to reach out to our staff.