If your pet is 6 months or older, then he/she is close to being sexually mature.

 

What does this mean to you? Your pet is capable of making babies.

 

Most female cats go into heat sometime between 6 and 9 months of age. Female dogs go into heat for the first time between 6 months and a year of age depending on the size and breed of the dog.

 

Male cats and dogs are usually physically capable of making a female pregnant once they reach 6 months. You may notice them trying to mount other pets, toys, or your leg.

 

Why should you spay/neuter your pet?

 

There are a number of reasons to spay/neuter your pet.

HEALTH REASONS

·        Both male and female animals are less likely to have certain types of cancer if they are spayed/neutered at an early age.

·        Females can become anemic while in heat and have a high chance of uterine infections.

·        Urinary tract infections are also common in intact animals.

·        Male dogs will break out of yards to get to females in heat, often getting lost or injured in the process.

 

BEHAVIOR REASONS

·        Aggressive behavior can be a direct result of hormones. Many breeds with aggressive tendencies benefit from early spaying/neutering.

·        Spraying and marking behaviors do not start until the pet reaches sexual maturity.

·        Humping behavior is less likely to occur in pets that are spayed/neutered young.

·        Females, especially cats, can have a wide range of annoying behaviors when they are in heat.

 

HUMANE REASONS

 

·        Thousands of homeless animals are put to death every year just in our small area of Houston. Unless a pet is a high quality – show quality – healthy, purebred animal, there is no good reason to breed it. EVEN if the pet does meet those requirements, you should question your reasons for wanting to breed the pet.

·        Female animals are at risk during pregnancy. Your pet could suffer complications during or after pregnancy or even die while giving birth.

·        Many male animals are killed crossing the street to get to a female in heat.

PLEASE ASK ABOUT SETTING UP AN APPOINTMENT TO GET YOUR PET SPAYED OR NEUTERED.