The following information is courtesy of:
Green Meadow Veterinary Hospital
3000 State Route 26
Marietta, Oh 45750
740-373-9696

SPAY AND NEUTER FAQ


1. Will it make my cat/dog fat and lazy?
No. Obesity is due to excessive calorie intake. Weight can be controlled with proper feeding and exercise.

2. Will it change his/her personality,disposition or intelligence?
No. Cats' personalities do not fully develop until about 1 year of age (1-2 years in dogs) If there is a personality change after spaying/neutering at an early age, it would have changed without surgery.

3. Shouldn't my dog/cat have a litter first?
No. There is no advantage in allowing your cat/dog to have a litter of kittens/puppies.

BENEFITS OF SPAY/NEUTER FOR CATS AND DOGS (Courtesy of Spay USA)

• Benefits of Spaying (females):

  • No heat cycles, therefore males will not be attracted
  • 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
    
    

• Benefits of Neutering (males):

  • Reduces or eliminates risk of spraying and marking
  • Less desire to roam, therefore less likely to be injured in fights or auto accidents
  • Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated, and decreases incidence of prostate disease
  • Reduces number of unwanted cats/kittens/dogs/puppies
  • Decreases aggressive behavior, including dog bites
  • Helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives
    
    

• Top 3 Reasons to Spay and Neuter

  • It helps to reduce companion animal overpopulation. Most countries have a surplus of companion animals and are forced to euthanize or disregard their great suffering. The surplus is in the millions in the United States. Cats are 45 times as prolific, and dogs 15 times as prolific, as humans.They do not need our help to expand their numbers; they need our help to reduce their numbers until there are good homes for them all.
    
  • Sterilization of your cat or dog will increase his/her chance of a longer and healthier life. Altering your canine friend will increase his life an average of 1 to 3 years, felines, 3 to 5 years. Altered animals have a very low to no risk of mammary gland tumors/cancer, prostate cancer, perianal tumors, pyometria, and uterine, ovarian and testicular cancers.
  • Sterilizing your cat/dog makes him/her a better pet, reducing his/her urge to roam and decreasing the risk of contracting diseases or getting hurt as they roam. Surveys indicate that as many as 85% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered. Intact male cats living outside have been shown to live on average less than two years. Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome is spread by bites and intact cats fight a great deal more than altered cats.

Anyone wishing to help with the spaying and neutering of cats please send a check made payble to Marietta Community Foundation, PO Box 77, Marietta, Ohio 45750. Be sure the notation "Friends of Feline Fund" is on the memorandum line