Why Neuter?

There are several very good reasons to have your companion neutered.

To avoid unwanted litters

Over 300,000 kittens are born in Ireland every year and of those 180,000 will die before they are four months old. On average, ten dogs were killed every day in Irish pounds in 2013. These shocking statistics are a direct result of companion animal overpopulation, itself the consequence of humans neglecting to neuter their companion animals.

The top ten reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered were killed in pounds in 2013.

For your companion’s health

Neutered companions will, generally, live longer, healthier lives than unneutered ones. Here are some of the reasons why:

  • Spaying female dogs (bitches) and cats, especially if carried out when they are young, will greatly reduce the risk of breast cancers and infection of the womb – these are common and frequently fatal conditions in older, unspayed females.
  • Both pregnancy and giving birth carry significant risks to the mother.
  • Many bitches will have a false pregnancy following their season. While this is natural, it can lead to behavioural problems and even, in some cases, medical ones. Neutering prevents this.
  • In male dogs castration will significantly reduce the incidence of prostate disease, and reduce the risk of some cancers.
  • Neutering male dogs and cats reduces their urges to roam and to fight – as a result they are less likely to go missing, get hit by cars or suffer wounds from fights.
  • For male cats, neutering reduces their chance of catching terminal viruses which are spread by saliva – most frequently from bite wounds while fighting.
  • Companions who are not neutered and are confined can become frustrated and unhappy. They will often make determined efforts to escape and as a result may fall out of windows, go missing or be involved in traffic accidents.

For your own sake

The decision whether to neuter your companion can affect more than the animals themselves. If you’re thinking of not neutering, you should consider the following:

  • For guardians of an unspayed female there is the permanent stress of ensuring that she doesn’t become pregnant. If she does become pregnant, there is the added responsibility and worry of having to care for her through pregnancy, birth and the rearing of her litter – before facing the challenge of finding good homes for the puppies or kittens. (You might want to reflect on the facts that a female cat can produce up to six kittens, three times a year, or that some breeds of dog can have as many as 12 puppies in a litter.)
  • Bitches in heat can be messy, producing a bloody discharge for three weeks or more, and attract a constant stream of hopeful male dogs to the front door.
  • Female cats, if not spayed or mated, often come into season over and over again, so that they may be almost continuously on heat. This can be exhausting for both the cats and their guardians and usually attracts many amorous and vocal tomcats to the house.
  • Entire male cats will frequently mark their territory with a powerful and unpleasant scented urine, not normally produced by neutered male cats. Bear in mind they may consider your house part of their territory!
  • Male dogs have been known to break down doors and fences in their attempts to escape and go after bitches in heat. In the absence of a suitable companion, they are not too fussy about where they redirect their amorous intentions either, frequently mounting their toys, the furniture or their owner’s legs. They are also much more likely to show aggression to other dogs.