Adopting and caring for a pet comes with its own perks and downsides. They bring immense joy and love to your lives and make you feel the full extent of their purity. Having a pet is one of life’s greatest joys but it is not easy. 

Taking care of your pet requires time and commitment along with massive resources. One of the major health decisions you’ll make for your dog is whether you should have a dog sterilization done. 

What is Sterilization?

Sterilization is the process where you have the reproductive organs of your pet removed to avoid unplanned offspring and medical complications in your pet. 

Spaying is referred to as the process that removes the ovaries and uterus of a female animal and requires minimum hospitalization. This process offers long-term health benefits for your pet and is generally preferred as it makes them more comfortable. 

Neutering refers to the process that involves removing the testicles of a male animal. Neutering your animal is said to improve your pet’s behavior or aggression and get him to stay at home. 

Reasons to have your Dog Neutered

Getting dog sterilization done has many benefits to your dog and you. 

• Preventing continuous pregnancies- If your female pet is not spayed, she would go into heat for several weeks during mating seasons which is usually once or twice a year. Each time, she will feel highly uncomfortable and will be very attractive to male animals which will lead to pregnancies. Having a litter or two is manageable for both you and your dog, but any more and it gets very complicated. It is expensive and needs constant attention from your side, and you also have to find the puppies a suitable home. Your pet will also require care from a vet during this time and in her heat, she may bleed a lot. 
• Reduced Health Risks– Getting a dog sterilization done is helpful in avoiding certain health risks. Female dogs can develop painful and dangerous uterus infections called pyometra and are at risk of mammary tumors as well if they are not spayed. In male dogs, a lower chance of prostate disease and testicular cancer is noticed when they are neutered. 
• Behavior- Male dogs are often seen to have reduced aggression, tendencies to roam and loiter, and other undesirable behaviors when neutered. 

Risks of Early Sterilization 

Sometimes, people get their pets neutered too quickly. This may lead to some complications. There is no sure-fire way of determining when to neuter or spay services Talbott TN your pet without consulting a vet. They need to grow and develop their reproductive organs before this procedure can be done.

Here are some risks associated with early neutering- 

1. Abnormal Bone Growth- growth plates of dogs stay open till puberty, during which period estrogen and progesterone aid in the development of bones. If the hormone glands are removed during spaying, the growth plates may stay open and cause weird bone growth. 
2. Urinary Incontinence- This is a condition where the trained dog is unable to control its bladder. 
3. Increased Risk of hyperthyroidism 

If done correctly, there are more benefits to having a dogs sterilization done. You must visit a good vet and ensure that you allow your pet to develop it’s organs before you can neuter them. If you feel uncertain, you can allow your pets to mate once or twice before spaying them so as to not devoid them of knowing motherhood.