Columbus Veterinarians Encourage Pet Owners to Spay and Neuter Pets

The number of stray, homeless and unwanted pets is huge in the United States. But that's not the only reason to have a young animal spayed or neutered. Choosing the minimally-invasive surgical procedure for a new pet is one of the best things you can do to ensure a longer and healthier life for your beloved animal.

Good for the Pet; Good for the Family

Contrary to popular beliefs of the past, surgical sterilization will not "make a pet fat," contribute to bad behavior, or encourage lazy and disruptive actions. The opposite is actually true. In addition, sterilization prior to sexual maturity actually "calms" a young male, and contributes to the overall health and future well-being of female animals. Common cancers of reproductive organs, which are often fatal, are eliminated if the procedures are performed early. Many veterinary professionals recommend spaying and neutering as early as six months of age.

The procedures are cost-effective; animals recover quickly, and the benefits are many:

• Male and females alike reap health benefits in older age
• Neutering reduces straying and marking behaviors in male cats
• A neutered male dog is generally more compliant and less aggressive
• Spaying prevents a female from going into heat, with its associated behaviors
• The procedures prevent unexpected pregnancies, and help reduce animal homelessness and abuse
• Your animal will enjoy a healthy life and should remain a loving companion for your family for a number of years.

As awesome as it might be to witness the birth of a litter, most families today are not equipped to care for or provide homes for a large pet family. We believe there are other, better ways to teach young children about life, animal care and respect for their worlds. Our staff also believes that spaying and neutering is the responsible choice for every pet owner to make.

Do you have questions about the benefits of spaying and neutering? Have you recently adopted an animal? Call us to schedule an appointment, we hope you will join our family of caring pet owners.