Getting your furry friend desexed is an important duty for every responsible pet owner. Tim Falk finds out why.
- Prevent disease
The most obvious benefit to getting your pet desexed is that it’s good for their health. “For dogs, desexing prevents a number of diseases,” explains Love That Pet’s behavioural vet Dr Eloise Bright. - Reduce roaming
Desexing can have several behavioural benefits for dogs and cats, so getting the procedure done can in turn make your own life easier. Any dog owner who has seen the desperate lengths their male pooch will go to in order to track down a female in heat, or a cat owner who has been hit with expensive vet bills after their roaming male was injured in a fight with another kitty, knows just how many problems the urge to mate can cause. - Stop spraying
Did you know that desexing can reduce your pet’s desire to mark their territory? “Male cats are known for their habit of marking or spraying around the house, so desexing your male cat will greatly reduce the likelihood of this behaviour being practised,” says Jade Fountain, an animal behaviour consultant from Animal Behaviour Matters and puppy supervisor/trainer for Assistance Dogs Australia. - It’s not “cruel”
One common excuse owners give for not desexing their pets is that it’s cruel, but the truth is actually very different. “Pets don’t have the sense of ‘self’ that humans do,” Dr Eloise says. “They live in the moment and don’t plan for their future and have regrets that they didn’t start a family. These are human concerns.” - Less unwanted animals
This might be the last reason on the list but it’s a critically important one for any animal lover. Each year, RSPCA shelters alone around the country take in 160,000 unwanted animals — and who knows how many thousands of those were the result of unplanned litters.
Want more pet advice and care tips? Pick up a copy of PETS Magazine in your local newsagent or order online at http://www.universalshop.com.au/.
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