5 compelling reasons to have your pets sterilised

If you are in any doubt about the need to sterilise your cat or dog, please visit one of the SPCAs or animal shelters across the country. You’ll come face to face with the heart-breaking reality: there are too many unwanted animals and not enough homes for them. This pet overpopulation is the direct result of irresponsible pet owners failing to have their animals sterilised.

Last year we admitted over 14 000 dogs and cats to our SPCA in Springfield Park. Only 734 were claimed by their owners or adopted by new owners. When you realise that ours is just one of around 80 SPCAs in the country – all reporting similar statistics – you’ll understand the magnitude of the problem.

The last thing anyone needs is for more unwanted dogs and cats to be born. Yet the myths around pet sterilisation endure.

Don’t be fooled by myths around pet sterilisation
“It’s good for a female dog or cat to have at least one litter before they are spayed,” is a popular misconception. In fact, there is no health benefit to allowing your pet to produce a litter. And you may find it a lot more difficult than you thought to find homes for the puppies or kittens. Especially if there are a lot of them.

Although first litters are usually smaller, a cat can produce up to 9 kittens, while some breeds of dog have 12-15 pups. Do you really know that many people who’d be willing to take on a new pet? Or will you have to find homes for them via social media?  Handing over puppies and kittens to people you don’t know could sentence them to a lifetime of misery in homes where they are mistreated. And if they’re not sterilised either, you’ll add to the problem.

Weight gain
Another popular reason not to spay a pet is that, “Dogs get fat and lazy if you sterilise them.” While it’s true that spaying can reduce a pet’s tendency to wander, over-feeding and lack of exercise are more likely causes of weight gain.

One of the worst reasons for not sterilising your pet is the idea that you will be able to make money from selling the puppies or kittens. Not when you take into consideration the cost of veterinary care and extra, premium food for the pregnant and lactating female. Plus health checks and vaccinations for her offspring.

Why you should have your pets sterilised

1. Fewer unwanted animals – Spaying a female dog or cat (having the uterus and ovaries surgically removed) means that your pet can never have babies. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you are playing your part in reducing the numbers of unwanted animals in your community. That means fewer animals will have to be euthanised (put to sleep) because animal shelters are full.
2. More pleasant for you – Since your female dog will not come into season (on heat), there will be no mess from spotting (traces of blood left on bedding or carpets). In addition, you won’t be bothered by males howling and fighting outside your gate or trying to get into your property to mate with her.
3. Your pet will enjoy a longer, healthier life – Spaying eliminates the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer, and substantially reduces the chance of your dog or cat developing breast cancer. Neutering male dogs and cats has similar health benefits. It reduces the chance of prostate cancer and eliminates testicular cancer completely.
4. Your pet will be more loving – A dog that has been spayed or neutered is generally calmer, less aggressive and more affectionate towards its owners, because it is not distracted by hormonal urges. Sterilisation has no effect on a dog’s ability to learn or play. Nor will it make him or her less protective of your home and family.
5. Eliminates or reduces unwanted behaviour – Neutering male dogs and cats reduces aggressive behaviour and the urge to roam in search of a mate. Pets that are content to stay at home are less likely to be hit by a car, get into fights with other dogs, spread disease, disturb neighbours by howling or barking, or bite someone. Cats are less likely to ‘spray’ inside and outside your home to mark their territory with strong smelling urine.

When is the right time to get my pet sterilised?
Ideally, you’ll want to have your female pet spayed before the first estrous cycle (i.e. before she goes on heat). This is usually around 6 months for cats and small dogs. At the SPCA, all animals are sterilised before being re-homed, from 8 weeks upwards.

Large breed dogs may need more time to reach full size before being sterilised, but it should be done before they are one year old. Speak to your vet about your intention to have your pet sterilised and discuss the timing with him or her.

If you cannot afford the cost of sterilisation by a private vet, please contact your nearest SPCA to see if you qualify for special rates. Should you adopt a dog or cat from the SPCA, the animal will be sterilised before you are allowed to take it home.

Source: SPCA – Durban & Coast