Austad and Hoffman say spayed and neutered pets live longer, healthier, happier lives because they have fewer behavioral issues and they are less susceptible to infections, degenerative diseases, and traumatic/violent causes of death.
A University of Georgia study, based on the medical records of more than 70,000 animal patients, found that the life expectancy of neutered male dogs was 13.8% longer and that of spayed female dogs was 26.3% longer.
Spaying reduces or eliminates the risk of developing malignant tumors. If you spay a female cat before her first heat cycle, the rate of her developing breast tumors—which are almost always malignant—drops to nearly zero.
Less desire to roam. Risk of mammary gland tumors, ovarian and/or uterine cancer is reduced or eliminated, especially if done before the first heat cycle. Reduces number of unwanted cats/kittens/dogs/puppies. Helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying prevents uterine infections and decreases the incidence of breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
Some dogs who don't get pregnant during a heat cycle will experience a “false pregnancy” and may begin to treat household objects as their litter, guarding them like they would their puppies. Spaying will prevent these behaviors in a female dog and typically make her more calm and consistent.
Generally, spaying or neutering your pet will not change its personality. If there are any effects on behaviour, they tend to be positive (reducing unwanted behaviour). Spaying or neutering will not change your pet's affection level or playfulness. For females, there is typically no change at all.
Female dogs can get much more life threatening conditions if they are not spayed. They can get an uterine infection, called pyometra, that requires emergency surgery. If this condition is untreated or surgery is not done as soon as possible, the infection gets into the bloodstream and becomes fatal.
The short answer is that no, your dog isn't likely to be less hyperactive after getting spayed or neutered. It won't change their personality much, if at all. Each dog has its own positive and negative social habits.
Spaying makes for a calmer cat. Without the drive to mate, your cat may be quieter and won't be prone to cat calls and the incessant need to seek out a mate. The spayed pet no longer attracts males and their annoying advances and serenades. Spayed cats are also easier to get along with.
Data revealed neutered male cats live, on average, 62 percent longer than unneutered males and spayed female cats live, on average, 39 percent longer than unspayed female cats. An increase in longevity was also seen in dogs.
However, if your cat is healthy, these procedures can be done at any point in their life. Therefore, it is never too late to spay or neuter your cat; even healthy cats who are in their teens can undergo this procedure without risk.
Some studies have shown that female dogs live longer than male dogs but the biggest factor seems to be whether the dogs have been spayed or neutered.
The smaller breeds of dogs tend to live the longest. Yorkshire terriers, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Toy Poodles and Lhasa Apsos are the breeds who typically live the longest with these averaging a lifespan of up to 20 years. This is much higher than the average lifespan of a dog which is between 10 and 13 years.
Spaying young females significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer), a common cancer in larger breeds with a poor prognosis. #2: When female dogs are spayed before puberty, distinctly female disorders rise. The risk of recessed vulva, vaginal dermatitis, and vaginitis increases.
Myth: Spay or neuter surgery is painful and can harm my dog or cat. Truth: During a spay or neuter surgery, dogs and cats are fully anesthetized, so they feel no pain. Afterward, some animals may experience some discomfort.
Spaying your dog too early can result in health problems later on since her hormones should have some time to work. Early spaying can increase the risk of hip dysplasia, torn ligaments, bone cancer, and urinary incontinence.
In fact, the studies show that spay actually increases aggression, fearfulness and anxiety in the recipient, as well as making them more difficult to train.
When should I spay my female dog? We recommend waiting until your dog is at least over 6 months and likely even older for larger dogs. The benefits are much more pronounced in larger dogs, but there is not a lot of difference for lap dogs.
Females may show less aggression towards dogs and humans after they're spayed. By getting your pet spayed, you can also eliminate the chances of hormonally driven defensive behavior. Female dogs will sometimes behave aggressively if other pets or people try approaching or touching their puppies.
Activity levels may be reduced in both males and females after spaying and neutering, but this is by no means certain in all dogs. It's important to note that males may still engage in full-testosterone male behaviors while their male sex hormone levels diminish after surgery.
The discomfort caused by spay or neuter surgeries usually only lasts a few days and should be gone after a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days you should contact your vet to get further advice.
There are some old wives' tales that a dog should go through at least 1 heat cycle before she's spayed. This just isn't the case. Studies have shown that the risks of mammary cancer and urinary incontinence are higher if you wait to spay your dog after she's gone through 1 or more heat cycles.
It is much better for your cat's health to be spayed or neutered. For example, female cats that are spayed before their first heat will have a much reduced chance of mammary cancer and will be unable to develop pyometra which is a serious uterine condition, both of which are main causes of death in cats.