Buddy and Porky Pet Health – The Importance of Spaying and Neutering

Dear readers,
February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month, so we thought we would remind you of the important health and behavioral benefits of spaying and neutering pets.

If this sounds like another lecture . . . it is.

And we hope you will memorize this information and nag and/or irritate your neighbors until they get all their pets spayed and neutered just as you have!

So here are the important benefits (with the assistance of the ASPCA for the technical information):

Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.  No, there is no truth to the claim that it is healthier for females to have “just one litter!”

Your spayed female pet won’t go into heat.  Female cats usually go into heat for four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they’ll rub themselves against every available surface, including your legs, cry and yowl, and urinate more frequently—sometimes in the house.  They may think they are particularly alluring, but for you it is not a pretty picture.

Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.

Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An unneutered male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways escape from the house. Once he’s out and roaming, he risks getting lost, being injured in traffic and fights with other male animals.

Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine both outside and inside. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people, and innocent inanimate objects after he’s neutered.
Some aggression problems may also be avoided by early neutering.

Remember that neutering is not a substitute for training, but when you consider all the other benefits, why make your “best boy” more vulnerable to behavioral problems?

So don’t be a fool about caring for your pets.

Get them spayed and neutered.

But you can be a fool for your pets.

Come to the Fools for Fur Balls Party on April 1, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Bridie Manor, 1 Bridie Square, Oswego.

Music, snacks, contests, prizes, cash bar.

Admission $20.

A benefit for the fur balls of the Humane Society.

The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.

Located at 110 W. Second St., Oswego, NY.

Phone: (315) 207-1070.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.oswegohumane.org

Because People and Pets Are Good for Each Other.

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