To Snip, or Not to Snip?

Whether having a dog or cat, our beloved pet’s sexual instincts kick into high gear especially as spring comes around. For example, female dogs have their heat/menstruation cycle twice a year for twenty one days. As for female cats, they begin their heating/ menstruation cycle every two weeks. Like humans, having a healthy pregnancy/giving birth are both stressful and painful experiences for cats and dogs.

As for unneutered male cats and dogs, both will try to runaway to satisfy their mating instincts. Male dogs will be more aggressive and pee all over to mark their territory.

February is Spay/Neuter Month. Lady Gaga and Glinda have been successfully spayed and we have set a date for Benjy to be neuter as well. There are many benefits to spaying/neutering our pets:

• For females, the chances of getting ovarian, mammary, and uterine cancer is decreased by 90%.
• For males, eliminates the chances of getting testicular tumors and prostate cancer.
• The offspring of our pets will not end up at an animal shelter.
• Male dogs become less aggressive and territorial.
• Eliminates heat cycles, therefore, you won’t have to worry.

False Facts:

Dogs and cats will get fatter if they are spayed or neutered.

False. As owners we are in charge of our pet's diet and as they grow older they metabolism slows down, therefore just watch how much your pet eats. If your pet happens to be a dog make sure you walk them at least once a day.

My male dog or cat will feel like less of a male if I neuter him.

False. Even though we love our dogs and cats, remember, they are animals. They follow their animal instincts rather than common sense. He will NOT suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. He will be is macho self.

It's too expensive.

False. If you live in Los Angeles, you're in luck!

LA County is giving over 450 spay/neutering operations for FREE on the weekend of February 19th-20th. Call 1-800-SPAY-4-LA for more information.

Now if you do not qualify for this opportunity not to worry. The Golden State Human Society offers low cost spay and neutering. Here are their rates:

Male/Female Cats: 29.50

Male/Female Dogs: 0-30 lbs: 39.50

31 LBS or over: 1.50 per lbs

For more information, check out their website:

http://www.goldenstatehumanesociety.com/store.tpl?rnd=149&cart=B4B42388-9610-4FFB-A236-BF516E20AB40&