Why To Spay/Neuter Your Pet In Scarsdale?

As a veterinary spay and neuter provider, our staff at Central Animal Hospital often hear from people who want to know whether the benefits of spay and neuter services outweigh the drawbacks. Today, take a few minutes to learn why our veterinarians recommend that you spay and neuter your pets. 

Why We Recommend You Spay and Neuter  

Our veterinarians recommend you spay and neuter when pets reach the age of 6 months. The benefits to be realized include: 

• Fewer accidental litters – Accidental litters of pets contribute to pet overpopulation. Westchester animal shelters simply do not have room for all the unwanted pets in our community.  

• Calmer, happier pets – Getting your pet neutered removes his or her biological urges, so your pet can be happier and more relaxed as a result.  An unspayed female pet tends to urinate in the house and make noise to attract male suitors every time she goes into heat. A male pet who is not neutered may act aggressively and try to escape to locate females in heat.  Unneutered dogs and cats are also much more assertive and prone to urine-marking (lifting his leg or spraying) than neutered dogs and cats.

• Healthier pets – Most importantly, spaying and neutering helps your pets live longer, healthier lives by reducing their likelihood of developing reproductive cancers.  Unspayed female cats and dogs have a far greater chance of developing pyometra (a fatal uterine infection), uterine cancer, and other cancers of the reproductive system.  Male pets who are not neutered risk developing testicular and prostate cancers.

Spaying and neutering services provide peace of mind for both you and your pet. When your pet is calmer, he or she is also less likely to destroy your furniture or personal possessions, injure another household pet or family member, or escape and become lost.  And the health benefits of spaying and neutering have shown that neutered male dogs live 18% longer than un-neutered male dogs and spayed female dogs live 23% longer than unspayed female dogs.

Spaying and neutering are good for rabbits, too.  Neutering male rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing.  And just as with dogs and cats, spayed female rabbits are less likely to get ovarian, mammary, and uterine cancers.

At Central Animal Hospital, we spay and neuter pets regularly and advocate the health benefits of this important practice. We would be more than happy to answer any questions that you have about the procedure during a routine pet wellness exam. 

Do you have a pet that needs to be spayed or neutered?  Take a few minutes now to call and schedule your appointment at 914-723-1250.