Deciding to have your pet spayed or neutered is one of the most crucial decisions you need to make for their health and your finances.
<h3>Better Health and Longer Lifespan</h3>
The lifespan of spayed and neutered pets is noticeably longer than those that are not. According to a study from the University of Georgia, a spayed female dog had a longer life expectancy by 26.3% and a neutered male dog was at 13.8% longer. The average lifespan of unfixed dogs was 7.9 years while altered dogs had 9.4 years. The study was based on more than 70,000 medical records of animal patients.
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A different study by the Banfield Pet Hospitals, which used a database that covered records of 460,000 cats and 2.2 million dogs, revealed similar conclusions. The research found that a spayed female dog extended its life expectancy by 23% and a neutered male dog by 18%. Spayed female cats and neutered male cats lived 39% and 62% longer according to the study.
The shorter lifespan of intact pets is due partly to their urge to roam outdoors. This leaves them exposed to other animals, vehicular accidents, and injuries. Another factor that makes a difference in life expectancy is the risk of developing cancer. Female cats and dogs that are not spayed have higher chances of developing what could be a fatal urine infection called pyometra as well as cancer in the mammary gland, uterine, and other reproductive parts. A neutered male pet also has a lower risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia which affects its ability to process waste.
There have been some studies that called to challenge the benefits of spaying and neutering to the general health of pets. These studies brought up concerns about how these surgeries make dogs more vulnerable to specific types of cancers and orthopedic conditions. The fear caused pet owners to do away with spaying and neutering their pets. However, when you analyze the results, the studies actually pertain to giant breeds which typically weigh at least 90 pounds. The findings of these kinds of studies should not be used to generalize the effect of spaying and neutering on other breeds or other species such as cats.
Most studies covering this topic are retrospective which means that they evaluate existing data. Although they can find relations between a specific cause and outcome, they cannot be used to determine causality. Although studies can find statistically significant factors, they do not always translate to a clinically significant difference. There is space for more new research on these topics that cover different locations and sample sizes.
Due to the maturation and decrease in metabolism, weight gain is a common occurrence among altered dogs and cats. It’s essential for pet owners to monitor their weight and modify their diet to prevent unhealthy weight gain. 
Below are some of the top recommendations upon examination of available research:
• Spay female dogs before they reach 5 months of age.
• Spay female cats before they reach 5 months because they can get pregnant at 4 months old.
• Neuter male dogs from small, medium, and large breeds before 5 months of age.
• Due to orthopedic issues, neuter male pet dogs from giant breeds after they stop growing (typically 12 to 15 months old).
• Due to concerns with unintended breeding, giant breed male dogs that roam freely should be neutered before 5 months of age.
• Spay or neuter shelter animals before adoption. This can be done as early as 6 to 8 weeks depending on the state.
• Alter community cats older than 6 to 8 weeks (depending on the state) through the trap-neuter-return method.

<h3>Stop Unwanted Behavior</h3>
Dogs that are not altered are more likely to exhibit urine-marking behavior than a neutered dog. Although this behavior is typically linked to male dogs, female dogs can show such behavior as well. Spaying or neutering can help reduce the likelihood of urine-marking, and in some cases completely stop it.
Among cats, urine-marking is predominant among unaltered cats. The best solution is to spay or neuter them at 5 months old before the problem can persist. Spay/neuter surgery can resolve 90% of issues related to urine-marking including cats that have displayed the behavior for a longer time. Spaying or neutering can also reduce the urge to roam outside and fight other male cats.
The longer you put off the surgery, the higher the chances of it being an ineffective solution. When the animal has displayed the behavior for a long time, it simply becomes a reinforced habit. Aside from spraying or urine-marking, spaying or neutering can also help the following behavioral issues:
• Roaming, especially for females in heat
• Aggressive behavior
• In-heat behavior (vocalizing, yowling, rolling, and demanding behaviors)
• Excessive barking &amp; mounting activity
<h3>Reduce financial burden</h3>
Once you factor in medical costs in the long run for an intact pet, the financial benefits of spaying/neutering are highlighted. There is an abundance of low-cost clinics that now offer spay and neuter surgeries.
Having a pet develop cancer or pyometra can set you back thousands of dollars which is up to 10 times the cost of spay or neuter surgery. Intact cats and dogs have a strong urge to fight with other animals which means you will have to deal with the costs of treating injuries that could recur.
<h3>Don’t forget Pet Rabbits</h3>
Rabbits reproduce faster than cats and dogs so it’s just as important to have them spayed or neutered if you keep them as pets. In some areas, rabbits are the second most surrendered species in shelters. A neutered male rabbit is less likely to exhibit hormone-driven behavior which means less mounting, spraying, lunging, and boxing.
Spayed female rabbits have a lower chance of developing, mammary, ovarian, and uterine cancer just like cats and dogs. 50 to 60 percent of intact female rabbits which are older than 4 years develop uterine cancer.
<h3>Encourage Other Pet Owners</h3>
Spay/neuter surgery can help protect pets from certain diseases, control unwanted behavior, and reduce costly medical bills. Reach out to your veterinarian or local animal shelter if you’re looking for spay/neuter options that fit your budget. Some communities offer affordable wellness services, but if you don’t have one in your area it’s not too late to advocate and encourage funding for access to medical

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First Aid Remedy For Pets

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Why Spaying/Neutering Is The Best Option For Your Pet?

Why Spaying/Neutering Is The Best Option For Your Pet?

Why Spaying/Neutering Is The Best Option For Your Pet?