Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Pets

Joel Todd Leroy Prince

Introduction• Joel Todd Leroy Prince, DVM, studied veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois in Urbana.

Since graduating, Board-certified, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince serves as a partner at Elmhurst Animal Care Center.

Elmhurst Animal Care Center performs a number of vital surgical procedures on behalf of pet owners, including spay and neuter operations. Spaying and neutering represent the most effective way of helping America’s homeless pet population. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that between six and eight million homeless pets enter animal shelters every year, with less than half being adopted.

Ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and mammary gland tumors are a few of the more serious health conditions that can be avoided by spaying a female pet. Both male and female animals generally live longer lives following the procedure, with male dogs living about 18 percent longer and females 23 percent longer.

While pet owners should not expect a drastic personality change, spay and neuter procedures can have a positive impact on animal behavior. For example, unneutered cats are more likely to spray urine throughout their living environment, while unneutered male dogs tend to roam and act more aggressive with other dogs.