5 Spay and Neutering Myths Debunked

Photo by The Road to Dog

1. Every female pet should have at least one litter before being spayed.
   FALSE. In fact, your pet will be healthier if she never sexually matures. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal 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. Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life if she is spayed.
2. Neutering alters an animal's personality.
   FALSE. The personality of your pet will not change. They will still be their quirky, crazy selves. Any changes that may result from neutering are usually for the better as they are hormonal related. For example, not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps your pet stop roaming and decreases aggressive tendencies. 
3. Neutering is emasculating to a male.
   FALSE. Neutering provides major health benefits for your male. Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your pet prevents testicular cancer if done before six months of age. Your male dog will be less inclined to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate including escaping a fence or digging out! And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males. Intact male dogs and cats may also mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can also be avoided by early neutering. A neutered male will be much better behaved.
4. Spaying or neutering will lead to obesity in my pet.
   FALSE. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat. Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
5. Spaying and neutering is expensive.
   FALSE. There are many low cost Spay / Neuter Resources available. You just have to look for them! Visit http://neuterspay.org/ and search for programs in your area! There are many areas that have programs specifically to help feral cat problems. If you don't find your area listed on this site, check your city website. No matter where you live, your city is anxious to keep the animal population down and will most likely have a spay and neuter program available. 

 
Source:  ASPCA