What are the pros and cons of spaying/neutering a cat and dog?

Question

Hi, guys. I'm thinking of spaying my dog (female) and neutering my cat (male). What are the pros and cons of doing so?

Answer 1

The benefits of spaying and neutering your dog and cat are far greater than the risks. By spaying females they won't get a pyometra (infected uterus), which can cause death. They are less likely to develop mamary tumors (breast cancer). They are not attracting other male dogs/cats to your house to mark all over everything you own and they themselve do not have the desire to wander and find a mate (less likely to get lost or hit by a car).

Neutering a male prevents testicular cancer. Decreases the chance of any prostate problems. The males won't feel the need to wander in search of that other female blocks away that hasn't been spayed so they are less likely to get lost or hit by a car. They also are less likey to mark their territory, which can be very messy and smelly.

There are risks with a spay/neuter surgery just as there is with any type of procedure that requires anestesia. There is pre-surgery blookwork that can be done to make sure the organs that filter the anestesia are functioning properly before surgery and also test to make sure that your pets blood clots properly. If they are young and appear to be healthy then you shouldn't need to worry. Thousands and thousands of dogs and cats undergo these procedures daily and everything is fine.

Yes spaying and neutering helps to cut back on over population but you get to enjoy the personal gain by having your pets live a longer, healthier and safer life with you.

Answer 2

There are no cons, only pros. Pros - avoiding behavior issues related to hormones - males become aggressive and WILL get outside, and they will spray all over the house. It REEKS. You will not get the odor out. Even females can urine mark. In addition to pregnancy, each passing heat cycle in a female increased her chances of developing mammary cancer over her lifetime, and puts her at risk of developing pyometra, a deadly infection of the uterus. Unspayed kittens generally don't get spayed - and then they reproduce, contributing to the over 4 million cats and kittens, dogs and puppies who are euthanized each year in the US alone, as there are more animals born than there are homes for them. Trust me, shelters do not make money off the animals. If it were not for grants and donations, they couldn't afford to exist. There small adoption fees don't even begin to cover the costs of spay/neuter, FeLV and FIV testing, flea treatment, worming, and microchipping. Those things would all add up to over $300 at a private practice vet, and possibly quite a bit more. How are the shelters making a profit on that? They also have building upkeep, and staff to pay. The shelter you are considering sounds like a very good one indeed. Your boyfriend has some real issues. It's bad enough that you have a cat that's brought 7 unneeded kittens into the world, and it's really shortsighted and uncaring of him to not right that "wrong" that's been done.

Answer 3

First of all there are no cons. Unless you are a responsible breeder. Which very few of us are.
For your male cat it will help prevent him from spaying if he is not to old. He won't wander off looking for in heat females and he won't be prone to fighting other males where he could contract kitty HIV. Later in life he can have problems with his prostate just like any other male. And there is always the risk of cancer.
For your female dog. It will prevent male dogs in the area from breaking down/digging under your fences to get at your female. Late on in life, same thing with males, she can start having problems with her reproductive organs and animals don't show you their pain until it has progressed to the point of near death.
Our hospital has lost a few dogs to not being spayed/neutered. (New clients) It is very tragic and extremely painful for animal.

Answer 4

The MOST IMPORTANT "pro" is......less chance of getting cancer. Un-neutered (spayed) females have a higher prevalence of "mammary gland" cancer.....even if they've had a litter! Most times, neutering a male cat will lessen the chance of him "spraying/marking"! As for as most "ordinary" people are concerned.....there are no cons!

Answer 5

Pros: Your pets will live longer, they will have less of a chance of getting cancer, they will no longer be overrun by hormones, your cat will not be inclined to spray and the MOST IMPORTANT thing: there will be no chance of them reproducing and creating unwanted puppies/kittens. Even if an accidental pregnancy occurred and you found homes for the babies you would literally be stealing homes from pets in animal shelters who have to die if they are not adopted out.

Cons: As with every surgery, there is a SLIGHT chance of complications.

Get your pets fixed and save lives!

Answer 6

Much cleaner to live with and they settle into being nice pets to live with. If your cat sprays in the house you'll see my point. Also, do you want a pet or a tom cat that fights?
All it takes is for the female dog to get loose once while in heat and you have 5-7 puppies to give away or drop off at your local shelter.
Unless they are pure breed and you plan on selling their offspring it is much cleaner and kinder to fix them for all involved. Good luck.

Answer 7

My female cat was 5 years old when she developed pyometra(an infected uterus)from not having her spayed. She almost died from it & I hated myself for not getting her spayed earlier. If it's better for the animal to spay & neuter them, then do it. It's better than letting them get sick & die from not having it done. I also ended up with a $1,000 vet bill from the surgery when I could've just payed $30 to get her spayed earlier.

Answer 8

Pros--No puppies, Cat not wanting to run off tomming (Looking for girl cats), No going into heat. Can be much friendlier.
Cons--No Puppies or kittens, Surgery is involved but so common very few problems usually, as long as yu use a reputable Veternary clinic.

Answer 9

Pros: it better prevents some kinds of cancers in your pets. It also gives them a longer, happier life. male animals are less likely to run away if fixed. females won't have to go through heat.

Cons: no baby animals

Answer 10

pro: your dog lives longer and is easier to live with.

con: you make more dogs, and for every puppy you make there is another homeless dog executed by the state, unless you live in Italy, which does a better job with strays.