According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an estimated 70 to 80 million dogs and 74 to 96 million cats are owned. These pets are loved and cared for, and are seen as part of the family. However, there are millions of pets that are homeless or in shelter, and can’t get the care and attention they need. One of the major contributors of the influx of homeless pet is a pet owner’s neglect to spay or neuter their pet. Here is some more information about the benefits of spaying and neutering your pet, and the best time to bring them to an animal hospital for the procedure.

Why Spay and Neuter?
Besides the uncontrolled population of homeless pets, there are a variety of different preventative care reasons you should get your pet fixed. Neutering your male dog or cat can prevent testicular cancer if done before six months of age. Spaying a female pet can prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. This makes fixing your pet just as important as veterinarian tests and vaccinations. Spaying and neutering will have no effect on your pet’s personality, and they typically become better behaved after the procedure.

When to Spay and Neuter?
The best time to spay or neuter your pet depends on a variety of different factors. This includes the pet’s age, breed, and physical condition. Many pet owners think they should wait until their pet has gone through their first cycle of heat, but this is not true. In fact, many pets need to get neutered early in life in order to get the health benefits that fixing can give. If you plan to spay or neuter your pet, consult a veterinarian about the procedure and your pet’s individual case.