What Are Spaying and Neutering?
Both spaying and neutering refer to the surgical sterilization of an animal under general anesthesia.
Neutering, or orchiectomy, removes the testicles from male pets and is considered a simpler surgery than spaying.
Spaying is a surgical operation that is performed on female animals. Spaying, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, is the surgical removal of a female's reproductive organs.
The term "neutering" can also, in some cases, refer to the desexing or "fixing" of either gender.
Benefits Of Spaying & Neutering Your Cat
There are 6 key benefits of spaying or neutering your cat:
- It curbs naughty behaviors, like spraying to mark territory.
- Neutered cats are less likely to stray from home.
- Your cat may become more affectionate.
- It may decrease the risk of mammary (breast) cancer.
- It reduces the risk of your cat contracting certain diseases.
- It decreases the risk of uterine infection in female cats.
Benefits Of Spaying & Neutering Your Dog
There are 5 key benefits of spaying or neutering your dog:
- It can reduce sexualized behaviors.
- It reduces the risk of prostate and other cancers.
- It stabilizes the mood of the dog.
- It reduces marking and spraying issues.
- It reduces the mating urge.
Pet Spaying & Neutering FAQs
- Why should I get my cat spayed or neutered?
Population Control
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), over 3.2 million cats are admitted to animal shelters in the United States each year.
The absolute best way for you to help reduce the number of unwanted cats in Torrance area shelters is by spaying or neutering your feline friend.
Protect Wildlife
It is estimated that cats in the USA kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds every year. By helping to keep the number of homeless cats to a minimum, you help to save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife.
Cat Neutering Benefits
Male cat neutering can help to reduce a variety of unpleasant cat habits, including spraying within and around your home to mark territory, wandering, howling, and fighting with other untreated male cats. Reducing your cat's temptation to fight may also reduce their risk of injury, and of contracting feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
Cat Spaying Benefits
Female cat spaying before the first heat cycle can help to reduce your cat's risk of developing pyometra (infection of the womb) and mammary tumors. It's also worth noting that female cats with infectious illnesses can transmit the sickness onto their kittens, who can then spread the disease even further. The pregnancy and the birth process can be risky for young cats, and costly to their owners.
- Why should I get my dog spayed or neutered?
Population Control
According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year across the U.S.
Spaying or neutering your dog is the most effective approach for you to help reduce the total number of unwanted pups each year, while also improving your pet's behavior and lowering their risk of some major health issues.
Dog Spaying Benefits
Female dog spaying can help to prevent serious health problems such as pyometra, (a potentially life-threatening uterine infection), and mammary cancer.
Dog Neutering Benefits
Male dog neutering helps to prevent your pet from developing testicular cancer and can also help reduce unwanted behaviors such as dog aggression, straying, and humping.
- When should I have my pet spayed? What age?
Pet owners should consult with their veterinarian to determine the best age to spay or neuter their cat or dog. Some evidence suggests that spaying or neutering dogs after adolescence may provide long-term health advantages.
Many veterinary professionals recommend that female animals be spayed before their first heat, which can occur as early as 5 months of age. However, there is increasing evidence that this is too young as the animals have not been allowed to fully develop and grow.
- What should I know about the recovery process for my pet?
Spaying
After spay surgery, some clinics will want to keep your cat or dog overnight, while others will let her go home on the same day. The rule of thumb is generally 7 to 10 days of restricted activity.
Neutering
If there are no complications or other health issues, your dog or cat can usually go home on the same day of the procedure, with activity restricted for a few days while the incision heals.
We may send your pet home with a protective collar for both treatments to prevent it from licking the incision.
We typically book a follow-up visit to check on how well your pet has healed and to remove the stitches.
- Will my pet feel anything during the procedure?
No, your pet will be under general anesthesia, and will not feel anything during the procedure.
- Will my pet gain weight after the procedure?
Your puppy or kitten will continue to grow to their full adult weight after their spay or neuter procedure, and this naturally includes some weight gain.
Your pet, on the other hand, will not gain weight as a result of having been spayed or neutered.
- Is this service part of your Pet Wellness Plans?
Spay/neuter services are not included in Wellness Plans because they are one-time procedures.
However, if your pet is on a Wellness Plan, you qualify for 5% off their spay/neuter procedure.
