FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

… about spaying and neutering dogs and cats:

Q: Does spaying/neutering make dogs/cats fat and lazy?
A: No, too much food and lack of exercise make a dog/cat fat and lazy!
Cats that are fixed remain good mice hunters.

Q: Does spaying/neutering shorten an animal`s life span?
A: No, on the contrary, spaying/neutering can prevent serious diseases of the reproductive organs.
It eliminates the chance of infection or tumors of reproductive organs.
And it reduces the risk of tumors in the mammary glands (especially if you have your pet fixed while it is young).

Q: What other advantage do I have when I spay my female cat/dog?
A: It eliminates the nuisance and mess of three week-long heat cycles each year.
And it stops the spread of disease by sexual contact.

A: When can a male/female cat be neutered/spayed?
Q: As early as possible, usually it is recommended at the age of six months. It has been observed that some cats become sexually active at the age of 4 months. Ask the vet in case of doubt.

Q: Will my tom cat roam less when he is neutered?
A: That is normally the case. Neutered males tend to stay closer to home and become more affectionate. They fight less with other cats (less injuries and vet bills!) and tend to mark or spray less very odorous urine around the house.
Your pet is less likely to wander from home and be injured or killed by predators or motor vehicles.

Q: I have a female cat who attracts tom cats who spray on my property. What can I do?
A: Have your cat spayed, that will help!

Q: Should a female not have at least one litter before she’s spayed for health reasons?
A: No, this is medically untrue!

Q: My dog is tied up or in the house all the time. He does not roam. Why should I have to neuter him?
A: We have heard that before but the reality is: Dogs always get loose when you least expect it.

Q: Is it not unnatural to spay or neuter cats and dogs?
A: Cats and dogs are pets, not wildlife. We have to look after them. They depend on our wise decisions. Spaying and neutering prevents a lot of misery, starving, unwanted pets that end up abandoned and condemned to a cruel death.

Q: Will my male dog be healthier once he is neutered?
A: There is a good chance because it reduces the risk of prostate disease, perianal tumors and perineal hernia.

Q: Should my children not be able to witness the miracle of birth?
A: We are sure that you don`t want them to witness the misery of so many abandoned animals for whom there is no home.

 

Did you know that…..?

… a female cat can get pregnant while nursing a litter of kittens

… a litter of puppies can have more than one father

… in seven years, one female cat and one male cat and their offspring can produce up to 420,000 kittens

… in six years, one female dog and one male dog and their offspring can produce up to 67,000 puppies

… the average number of kittens in a feline litter is 4-6

FACT: The average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
FACT: The average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10
FACT: The average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
(Source: SPCA St. John`s)