One of your most important responsibilities as a pet owner is getting your four-legged friend spayed or neutered at the local animal hospital. “Spaying” is the term for removing the reproductive organs from female pets, while “neutering” refers to the procedure for males. Some people mistakenly believe cats and dogs will feel less feminine or masculine following these essential surgeries, which is simply untrue. Cats and dogs do not recognize such feelings and benefit greatly from spaying and neutering services.

Top 3 Reasons to Get Your Pet Spayed or Neutered

1. Promotes Health & Longevity

Taking your pet to be spayed or neutered by a veterinarian promotes optimal health and longevity. Spaying female pets before their first breeding season, or heat, helps prevent breast tumors. Tumors are malignant or cancerous in 90% of cats and 50% of dogs according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Spaying also protects your feline or canine companion from uterine infections and related complications. In male pets, neutering reduces the risk of testicular cancer.

2. Reduces Behavioral Problems

Scheduling spay or neuter services with your local animal hospital prevents a variety of behavioral issues. Female cats in heat, for example, urinate frequently in an attempt to attract a mate, and they do not always use their litter boxes. They also yelp and yowl to attract male cats, which often proves irritating. Unneutered male cats roam to find mates, meaning you may not see them for hours or days. This risks injury from vehicles and fights with other felines. Both unneutered dogs and cats spray strong-odored urine everywhere to mark their territory, often resulting in messes around the home.

3. Helps Control the Domestic Animal Population

In addition to the health and wellness benefits spaying and neutering provides, they also play a vital role in controlling the animal population. Approximately 6.5 million animals enter U.S. shelters every year according to ASPCA, 1.5 million of which are euthanized because they were not adopted. Scheduling spaying or neutering services with your animal hospital helps you avoid having to find homes for unwanted litters or taking them to the already-crowded local shelter.

TLC Pet Care Centers features locations in the East and West Sides of Cincinnati, OH, to better care for the region’s pets. In addition to spaying and neutering services, the premier animal hospital offers pet boarding as well as general pet care and surgery. Call (513) 683-2300 (East location) or (513) 825-4011 (West location) to schedule an appointment or visit the website for a full service list. Follow the Google+ page for more pet wellness tips.