Benefits & Cons of Neutering or Spaying your pet

Gina
- November 28, 2022

Pet parents are encouraged to neuter or spay their pets. You’re probably one of them too! We all want the best for our furry friends, including ensuring they’re as healthy as pawsible! 🐾💗

You might be asking yourself the following questions:

What is the difference between neutering and spaying?
What are the benefits and disadvantages?
Are there any health risks involved?
What is the financial cost applied?

Worry not! MyFriend is here to answer all of these questions. We’ll be tackling these questions, based on the current research, and a veterinarian’s input! 👩‍⚕️

Disclaimer: This article’s purpose is to inform our readers about the benefits and advantages of desexing your pet, and we have also included disadvantages that all pet parents should be aware of, and we always recommend you consult with your trusted veterinarian before making any decision. MyFriend supports neutering and spaying your pet, as well as adopting friends to reduce the stray animal population.

What’s the difference between neutering and spaying?

We’re probably all familiar with the results of these procedures: so our pet doesn’t have any more babies! But what exactly happens during these sterilization methods? Simply put, it’s when our pet’s reproductive organs are removed, making it impossible for them to procreate.

Neutering – is when a male animal’s testicles are removed.
Spaying – is when a female animal’s ovaries and uterus are removed.

The ideal time for these procedures will depend on your pet’s breed, genetics, weight, and even environment. Generally, your veterinarian will recommend waiting until your pet’s reproductive organs have matured, before the procedure. This would be roughly 8-10 months for dogs, and 6-8 months for cats.

Benefits of desexing your pet

We’re sure that whenever walking down the street, we are bound to find one (or many) strays in Bangkok. There are simply too many furry friends roaming around with no home. Neutering our pets can help reduce this issue so that animals won’t have to suffer on the streets later on. Neutering your pets can also help

Reduce aggressive behavior
No testicular, ovarian, or cervical cancer
No more uterine infections
Lower risk of breast cancer
Less vocalization
Reduced marking
Less desire to sneak out of the house

Cons and possible risks of neutering your pet

Like any health procedure, there are always going to be some risks involved. Although the benefits outweigh the risks for most animals. As always, talk to your veterinarian about the best option for your pet. There are possible risks of neutering your pets, especially if they are desexed too early, such as

Bad reaction to the medications used during the procedure
Negative bone development and joint problems
Obesity
Urinary incontinence
If the desexing procedure is done too soon, it might harm the reproductive system of our furry friends that are not fully developed yet.

Financial Costs in Thailand

The costs of neutering and spaying your pets will depend on the vet or clinic you decide to visit. Be sure to ask if the costs have included the fees for blood tests, vaccinations, anesthesia, medications, or other varying procedures to avoid any unexpected surprises. These costs will also depend on your pet’s breed, weight, medical history, and age. Often, our feline friends who are Scottish Folds, or Exotic Shorthairs will have a much riskier time, so the costs will also increase.

With many pros and points to consider before of neutering and spaying your pets, consult with your pet’s veterinarian, and consider every aspect of your pet’s conditions and the cost of sterilization. Be sure to give your pet’s complete medical history to the vet to avoid any possible complications.

Wanna make your life easier? Check out our Health Tracking feature and send your pet’s health records with one simple link on our app!

This article is reviewed by the veterinarian from Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University (CUVET)

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