{"id":419,"date":"2018-02-28T20:24:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-01T01:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.pawboost.com\/index.php\/2018\/02\/28\/2018-2-27-spayingneutering-101-what-you-need-to-know\/"},"modified":"2023-09-14T14:07:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T18:07:41","slug":"2018-2-27-spayingneutering-101-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pawboost.com\/blog\/2018-2-27-spayingneutering-101-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Spaying\/Neutering 101: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spaying\/Neutering 101: What You Need to Know<\/h1>\n

According to PETA,<\/a> more than 6 million lost, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats enter animal shelters across the United States every year. And due to overpopulation\/space limitations at shelters for pets that do not get adopted, 3-4 million of those animals are euthanized annually. As lovers of all fur babies, we know these numbers are heartbreaking \u2013 but the great news is that pet owners everywhere can actively help reduce this problem!<\/p>\n

Spaying or neutering your pet (or working with a trusted veterinary professional to surgically remove their reproductive organs) is one of the most responsible things a pet owner can to do help reduce the pet overpopulation problem and has many potential society and health benefits.<\/p>\n

We worked with Lori Behrman of the Toby Project – a New York City based non-profit that operates to provide free and low-cost spay and neuter services to those communities that supply or surrender the most animals to municipal shelters – to answer some of the outstanding questions you may have about spaying or neutering your pet.<\/p>\n

What is the difference between \u201cspaying\u201d and \u201cneutering\u201d my pet?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics \u2013 \u00a0According to the American Veterinary Medical Association<\/a>, spaying your female pet will remove her ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. With those reproductive organs removed, she will no longer experience a heat cycle and will be unable to produce offspring. This procedure may also be known as an Ovariohysterectomy.<\/em><\/p>\n

If your male pet has been neutered, his testicles and any associated structures have been removed. Neutered males will also be unable to produce offspring and may experience reduced, if not eliminated, breeding behaviors (e.g. humping). This procedure may also be known as an Orchiectomy.<\/em><\/p>\n

What are some of the benefits of having my pet spayed or neutered?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In addition to significantly contributing in reducing the pet overpopulation problem, having your pet spayed or neutered can help significantly expand the length and quality of your fur baby\u2019s life. According to American Humane, the additional health and behavioral effects of spaying or neutering your pet may include:<\/p>\n

Health Benefits<\/h3>\n

Spaying female cats and dogs before their first heat cycle can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer and almost eliminate the odds they will have uterine infections\/cancer. Neutering males can decrease their chance of testicular cancer or enlargement of the prostate gland, and greatly reduces the risk of developing perianal tumors.<\/p>\n

Behavioral Benefits<\/h3>\n

Spaying your pet can reduce the constant crying, nervous pacing, or any messiness associated with females in a heat cycle. Neutering of male dogs and cats can prevent certain undesirable sexual behaviors, such as urine marking, aggression and the urge to roam in search of a mating partner<\/p>\n

\"
\nPhoto Credit: Ghost Presenter via Pexels<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

At what age is it safe to have my pet spayed or neutered?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to Behrman, the Toby Project will only accept pets between 4 months and 5 years of age on their mobile clinics, as older pets can be more likely to have post-operation complications. The ASPCA<\/a> notes that it is generally safe to spay or neuter healthy kittens and puppies who are as young as 8 weeks old at more traditional stationary veterinary clinics.<\/p>\n

How much will spaying or neutering my pet cost? \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Spaying\/Neutering costs can vary depending on a variety of factors, including your location, the size\/type of your pet, and the type of facility where you choose to get the procedure. One benefit of having your pet spayed or neutered through your regular veterinary professional is the convenience\/flexibility with your schedule, but those services can come at a price. According to Behrman, private practice spay\/neuter procedures can run on average from $200-$400.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, the cost [of a spay\/neuter surgery] can be prohibitive for a lot of people who love their pet and want to do the right thing,\u201d Behrman says. \u201cThese pets are members of their families, but they are struggling [financially] and it\u2019s hard for them to afford it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing that procedure costs can be one of the biggest challenges to ensuring that every pet is spayed or neutered, organizations like the Toby Project in NYC, the ASPCA, and the Humane Society attempt to offer local and national services that are more affordable.<\/p>\n

Be sure to contact your municipal shelters, local chapter of the Humane Society as well as the ASPCA\u2019s comprehensive database<\/a> to find out more about affordable spay\/neuter programs in your community.<\/p>\n

What should I do to prepare my pet before a surgery?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Behrman instructs potential clients who are interested in taking advantage of the Toby Project\u2019s services to do the following before bringing their pet in for a spay or neuter operation:<\/p>\n