Pro's & Con's

Simply speaking, there are more pets being born than there are homes for them. The best way you can help is to desex your pets.

Benefits about speying and neutering. If you have other questions, ask the Wellington SPCA.

Desexing is the surgical sterilisation of pets. Speying or neutering removes an animal's ability to reproduce.

Female cats and dogs are speyed, which involves surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries. Male cats and dogs are neutered, and this involves surgical removal of the testicles.

Both operations, done under general anesthesia, are safe, routine, and relatively painless. Typically a speyed or neutered cat or dog is up and about within a day of the operation.

The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting my pet desexed?

1. Male Dogs

Advantages

• reduced desire to run away and chase after female dogs, especially when the females are in heat and less chance of becoming lost or injured in search of a mate

• reduced aggression to other dogs (especially other male dogs), thus saving themselves much pain and their owners high veterinary bills

• reduced aggression to people

• reduced incidence of diseases of the prostate, which includes very malignant cancers

• reduced incidence of cancer of the testes

• reduced incidence of unwanted sexual behaviour, such as mounting cushions, peoples legs, or children

• the dogs personality will not change

• less distracted by sexual instincts

• more responsive to family members

• cheaper to register with the local city council

Disadvantages

• wont be able to father any puppies

• has to undergo a general anaesthetic for the surgery

• the dog may miss sex, but neutered dogs don’t show interest in sex

2. Female Dogs

Advantages

• prevent the dog coming into heat every 5-8 months

• won’t produce the bloody vaginal discharge that occurs in every heat, which will stain carpets and furniture

• no chance of getting pregnant and won’t be able to produce puppies

• no chance of developing false pregnancies (a psychological form of pregnancy)

• won’t attract all the neighbourhood male dogs around to visit when in heat

• won’t have to be confined to prevent her running away

• reduced incidence of mammary cancer (the incidence increases with each successive heat, starting at 10-20% risk after the second heat)

• reduced incidence of uterine infections which can be life threatening

• reduced costs because dogs eat more both when pregnant and after offspring are born and health care for pregnant females is expensive

• raising puppies is also expensive, and time-consuming, to feed, worm, vaccinate, advertise and place them into homes

Disadvantages

• wont be able to produce any puppies

• has to undergo a general anaesthetic for the surgery

3. Male Cats

Advantages

• reduced incidence of urine spraying inside and outside the house, to mark their territory

• reduced incidence of injuries from fighting with other cats, which can cost a lot at the vets

• reduced chance of contracting Feline Aids, which is life threatening

• reduced desire to roam away from home while searching for mates

• unable to breed and produce kittens

• won’t develop characteristic tomcat smell, which is very offensive

Disadvantages

• wont be able to produce any kittens

• has to undergo a general anaesthetic for the surgery

4. Female Cats

Advantages

• prevent the cat coming into heat and howling very loudly, every few weeks in her breeding season

• no chance of getting pregnant and wont be able to produce kittens

• won’t attract all the neighbourhood tomcats around when in heat

• reduced incidence of mammary cancers

• reduced chance of developing uterine infections

Disadvantages

• wont be able to produce any kittens

• has to undergo a general anaesthetic for the surgery

You can see the benefits far outweigh the risks. Don’t let your cat or dog contribute to the pet overpopulation problem.

The best way to stop the destruction of unwanted animals is to limit the number of animals being born.

Desexed pets have a healthier and longer life, are easier and cheaper to look after. Please help to prevent unwanted litters.

Please get your pet desexed.

The Wellington SPCA provides a low cost desexing clinic for those in need.

Please contact us for more details.