Spay And Neuter: How Your Pet Will Change

While most pet owners feel it is their responsibility to spay or neuter their animals, some may wonder how their trusty companions will be affected. Pet neuter can affect your animal in many ways. Before you start stressing too much, though, you should know that most of these changes are actually beneficial for you as a pet owner.

Personality

One of the largest concerns for many pet owners before spaying and neutering their animal is how it will affect their pet's personality. It is true that their personality may change, but this may not necessarily be a bad thing. Many male dogs and cats actually become more calm and docile, since it is their surge of testosterone that can give them the urge to be dominant and aggressive. The urge to find a mate can also cause animals to do some crazy things like going to great lengths to escape the confines of their yard or home. Spaying or neutering animals removes this urge to mate and can help them to become much more content with simply staying at home.

Cool Off The Heat

One lovely side effect of spaying your female animal is that they will no longer have periods. Female dogs and cats both experience a period every so often, which is termed being "in heat." Some animals may be in heat as often as every 4 months, and it can last for up to 3 weeks at a time. An animal's period starts when they go through puberty, which depending on the species, could be as early as 4 to 6 months of age. When your dog or cat goes into heat, it can be difficult to keep them away from other animals, since male dogs and cats will be acutely aware of your pet's condition. Your animal will also likely bleed around your home, which may leave stains and can have an odor. Spaying your pet can really simplify matters for you as a pet owner.

Decreased Chance of Illness

Finally, another beneficial change that will happen in your pet is biological. Spaying or neutering removes certain reproductive organs that often become cancerous in the advanced years of animals, such as the uterus and ovaries in females or the testicles in males. Changing the biological makeup of their bodies can help your animal to stay safer during their younger years by helping them to stay away from risky behavior and in their older years by decreasing the chances of major illness such as cancer.