The annual World Spay Day is held on the last Tuesday of February to promote awareness about the significance of spaying and neutering pets and stray animals. This is done to keep their population under control and to improve their health. We can minimise the number of homeless animals and improve their health and well-being by advocating spaying and neutering.
Spaying, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, is a surgical procedure that removes the reproductive organs of female pets. In a conversation with ABP LiveDr Shantanu Kalambi, chief veterinarian at supertails.com, shared some of the reasons why spaying your pet is important:
Prevents Overpopulation: One of the most significant reasons to spay your pet is to help control pet overpopulation. Each year, millions of dogs and cats end up in shelters, and many of them are euthanized due to a lack of homes. Spaying helps prevent unplanned litters and reduces the number of animals that end up in shelters.
Reduces The Risk Of Certain Cancers: Female pets that are spayed before their first heat cycle have a lower risk of developing breast cancer and uterine infections, which can be life-threatening. Spaying also eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, common in unspayed pets.
Helps Prevent Behavioural Problems: Unspayed female pets may display unwanted behaviours, such as aggression towards other animals or people, marking their territory with urine, and wandering in search of a mate. Spaying helps prevent these behaviours and makes them easier to manage if they do occur.
Improves Your Pet’s Quality Of Life: Spaying your pet can help improve her overall health and wellbeing. It can eliminate the stress and discomfort of heat cycles, which can be uncomfortable for your pet and disruptive to your household.
Saves Money: Spaying your pet is a cost-effective way to prevent the costs of an unplanned litter, such as veterinary bills, food, and care for newborn animals. It is also less expensive than treating certain health conditions that can arise in unspayed pets, such as uterine infections and certain cancers.
It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of spaying your pet with a veterinarian. In general, most veterinarians recommend spaying pets between the ages of four and six months, although the optimal timing may vary depending on the breed and size of your pet. By spaying your pet, you can help ensure that she lives a healthy, happy life, while also contributing to the larger goal of preventing pet overpopulation.