Why is there a debate on whether people should spay/neuter their animals?

Question

I have seen a few questions or answers on here suggesting that spaying or neutering is not beneficial? Why would people think that at all when it is well proven that spaying and neutering is beneficial especially if the animals are not going to be used for breeding! Just wondering

Answer 1

Even though people are debating/focusing on the overpopulation issue, animal right issue, whether humans should decide whether animals have a right to produce offspring or not, or whether animals should have this surgery just because of people’s irresponsibility. Regardless of the debate (which I won’t get into), as a medical benefit the statistical facts don’t lie and show it is highly favorable to spay and neuter your animals especially if you don’t plan to use them or breeding. In regards to spaying, if a dog is spayed before her first heat then there is a less then 1% chance that the she will develop mammary cancer. If she is spayed after her 2nd heat then there is a 26% chance that she will develop mammary cancer. This percentage can get as high as 42% as the dog gets older. This does not include an increased risk for developing a pyometra (infection of the uterus) with intact females as well. In regards to males, intact males have a greatly increased risk for prostate disease such as prostate infection (prostatitis), prostatic abscesses, prostatic cysts, and all intact males will eventually experience prostatic enlargement that can potentially predispose dogs to these diseases. These can be difficult to treat based on the severity of the disease and can require extensive and expensive surgery. There is also the increased risk for testicular cancer as well. I have seen from previous questions regarding this subject people claiming that spaying or neutering your animal increase the risks for the dog to develop osteosarcoma therefore because of this it is not necessarily beneficial to alter your animals. This is misinformation for several reasons. One reason is that osteosarcoma is MOST common in larger breed dogs such as Irish wolfhounds, Rottweilers etc. which probably includes less then half the dog population. Also this information was based on a study that followed several hundred Rottweilers (common breed to develop osteosarcoma) and showed that dogs that were altered before a year old had 3-4 times likelihood of developing osteosarcoma. HOWEVER despite this only 13% of the total population developed osteosarcoma. In an overall dog population osteosarcoma (or bone tumors in general) are the LEAST common tumor in dogs only representing 2-4% of tumors in dogs. In comparison to mammary gland tumors that represent 42% of tumors in intact female dogs and testicular tumors that represent 15% of tumors in intact male dogs. So in summary an intact female has a 10-20 X more likelihood of developing mammary cancer when compared to a spayed female in developing bone cancer. And an intact male has an approximately 5-7 X likelihood of developing testicular cancer when compared to a male developing bone cancer. I know there are people who may decide to keep their animals intact and are able to manage them well because they have years of animal experience (breeders, trainers etc.) and they may have the right to do so based on their state’s jurisdiction. But others should not be misinformed about the benefits of altering their animals because of that.

Answer 2

There's a debate because some people believe that peope have no right to decide whether an animal should be allowed to have kids. It's like of a doctor decided when you were born, okay, he'll be castrated but this other guy over here can breed. It's kinda like that. They think that we have no right to make that choice, since breeding is a natural life process. Other people believe that animals are going to overpopulate and that we should control them, breeding-wise. There are already hundreds of thousands unwanted dogs out there, dogs that end up in pounds and get put down every day by the dozens because no one wants them. Homeless puppies and kittens that were born into this world with no one to love them. They think that if you prevent them from having kids in the first place, then you can prevent all those homeless animals. I, personally, don't have a view on this. I have a dog and we adopted him from a shelter and he was already neutered. I can see both sides of this argument, but I'd hate to see hundreds of sad little faces on the street, unwanted little pups that are just looking for love. Then, instead, they get euthanized at the local pound. That's the whole debate really.

Answer 3

After owning 3 male Beagles, I decided to neuter them based on what my vet told me (many yrs ago) "They will be less prone to prostate problems if altered" Now I have an adopted Female BC that I got from the Humane society (at 5.5 yrs old she was already spayed) It is a personal decision but I would have chosen it myself with a puppy..The number of unwanted dogs at the shelter was an abomination, and I would never want to add to the problem myself! Since I have no intention of breeding (ever) That would be my primary reason (I am told that females health is usually better after being spayed as well) There are different schools of thought on the Hormone issue..I would still choose to alter a PET dog that I owned! AGAIN A PERSONAL DECISION....Hopefully we all consider the Dog's well being first! (the overpopulation is another reason I would make this decision!

Answer 4

i think this is something that either their (bad) breeders are telling them, or something they made up so they don't have to 1.spend the money on surgery, and 2.Have puppies, for no other reason that they just want them. And i agree, i know that spaying and neutering does benefit the pet in MANY ways. It prevents unwanted puppies from being born, and it also helps lower the risk, and also eliminate some medical problems. All dogs and cats who are not owned by a reputable breeder should absolutely be spayed or neutered.

Answer 5

There's only a debate because ignorant people think that animals shouldn't be spayed/neutered. The benefits WAY outnumber the drawbacks (the only drawback being that the animal can no longer breed, which, if you think about it, isn't really a drawback at all). Altered animals live longer, healthier lives and are more laid back and sweet. :) Altered dogs don't tend to want to run away (to find other dogs), and altered kitties tend not to fight with other cats. All around good things!
As for the girl who commented on only breeding pure-breed animals, that's pretty ignorant, too. Anyone who's had dogs knows that "mutts" or "mixed breeds" are healthier, as undesirable traits are concentrated and amplified by selective breeding. Take a genetics class! NATURE is supposed to decide which traits are to be passed on, not US.

Answer 6

Yes Ifind it very silly people dont fix there pets, however I did do alittle research and some people people are reporting the the vigerous spay and nutuer program has made some breeds vanish .... again I dont know were they got there info but its worth it to check it out
I also run a small rescue and I think alot of people are just morons they think the puppies will be easy to breed but there are not and even after we find them good homes chances are they wont be there forever.... people die get devorced and so on I can almost guentee that about 80% of the pups that come threw my door will end up dying

Answer 7

I have 14 cats and the last three are scheduled for fixing next month. I ended up taking in an abanboned Pom mix and he'll get neutered at the same time. My husband was sneaky on him. I took him in and put him in the paper and took him with me on short trips, asking everyone if they wanted him or knew who might. We have 2 other dogs, 22 hamsters, a rabbit, 2 cockatiels, an iguana, a tarantula, a king snake, a pigmy goat, a red sheep and 2 tanks of fish and I felt my husband didn't want another pet. WRONG, he lied saying my 10 yr old asked to keep him and she told me no she never asked her dad. I now know who he was really asking for, himself. So we now have one more to be fixed, thank goodness my vet gives a 30% discound for 3 or more spay/neuters at one time. Even my goat got fixed years ago. I strongly believe in fixing all cats/dogs. If one doesn't want to get their animal fixed, they should go to their local SPCA, Humane Society, or animal shelter and watch how many animals are put down each day. Also how it's done. It's horrifing to see a dog fight with the vet so it won't be killed, they do know what's happening to them. I remember seeing a black Chow that the shelter brought to the vet to be put down and it snarled, growled, snapped (had muzzle on) and screamed. Some rafters/animal activist, they claimed they stand for animals rights, tried to call the police for cruelity to animals on the vet. We don't have staff or finances for a no-kill shelter where I live. These type people rather have animals breed and breed, then fix their own dog, which wasn't fixed by the way.

Answer 8

I don't neuter my dogs but I do spay females once I know they won't be bred. In the end, anything your dog does falls completely on the owner. My males always live 14-17 years, which is just as long as the females. And they never "turn" or show any of the other signs AR people turn too when trying to force everyone to neuter their dogs. The best answer is to mind your own business and stay responsible for yourself and your own dogs. Beyond that, don't preach to others your unwanted AR advice. www.petakillsanimals.com

Answer 9

Out hospital sees a fair number of clients from other countries, where it isn't the norm because people generally can't afford it, and we can't convince them to do it. We also see a HUGE number of people who get either purebred puppies, whether from breeders, the local puppy mills, or pet stores, and because they are purebred, they feel the need to breed them at least once. Most of our Pit Bull owners are the same way. Most of these dogs will never be bred on purpose, but most of them will have at least one accidental litter. It's also a huge deal with men, who feel it's more fair to leave an intact male dog cooped up and frustrated than it is to neuter him. No amount of talking will convince them. They wouldn't want to be castrated, so they don't want their dog castrated. And if he gets loose and breeds the neighbor's bi***, they think, well, good for him!!! It drives me nuts. Just because someone buys a purebred dog doesn't mean it should be bred, but there's no telling proud owners of poor specimens that!!!

Answer 10

I think most animal lovers (and the opposite) are FOR the spay/neutering of pets. There are so many dogs and cats that are put down each year just because there are too many!