Benefits of Spay and Neuter for Pets in Buffalo Grove, IL
As a pet owner in Buffalo Grove, one of the decisions you will have to make is if and when to spay/neuter your pet. Spaying and neutering are very common procedures that guarantee that your pet will no longer reproduce. Although we tend to think primarily of dogs and cats, any mammal larger than a hamster can potentially be spayed or neutered, including rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets. Once you consider the benefits of sterilization for your pets, the choice probably won’t seem so confusing after all. Animal experts agree that spaying or neutering your pet can have a positive effect on their health and behavior with the added bonus of helping to curb over population.
Veterinarians have typically recommended spaying or neutering pets at around six to nine months of age. New studies find large or giant breed dogs may benefit in waiting until after they are a year old. Waiting until sexual maturity may have a positive impact on joint health for large breeds. If you are purchasing a purebred, ask your breeder for any additional insight. It is not recommended to spay a female dog while they are going through their heat cycle to avoid excessive bleeding. While adult pets can certainly also spayed/neutered, they may run a higher risk of undergoing anesthesia and may take longer to recover postoperatively. Our hospital does take all necessary precautions including pre operative lab work and a pre operative ECG. Cats are usually safe to be spayed or neutered after 8 weeks old. It is best to have your feline undergo the procedure prior to five months old before they reach sexual maturity.

Health Benefits
We all want our pets to live long and healthy lives. Spaying or neutering can increase your pet’s life expectancy.
Health Benefits of Spay & Neuter Include:
- Spaying a female can help prevent infections and tumors of the reproductive trait
- Spaying can also stop the development of breast cancer in both cats and dogs
- Neutering can increase life expectancy by one to three years
- Decrease the risk of ovarian, uterine and testicular cancers
- Reduce the risk in hormone related behaviors
- Reduce the risk of prostate, uterine infections and mammary tumors
Behavior Benefits
Behavior Benefits of Spay and Neuter Include:
- Your male dog or cat is that it will be less likely to roam away from home.
- Spayed and neutered pets lose the innate need to mate
- The cost of your pet’s spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It is also much more cost effective for this one time procedure than shelling out for emergencies like life-threatening infections or cancers.
- Spaying and Neutering helps fight pet overpopulation
Conclusion
Spaying and neutering are very common medical procedures. These are an affordable and safe way to ensure that your pet does not reproduce. Opting for these procedures can help your furry friend remain healthy and happy for years to come. Not only will you be helping control pet overpopulation, but you will enjoy the added medical and behavioral benefits as well. To schedule an Spay & Neuter procedure in Buffalo Grove please call our practice at (847) 394-1128 or Request an Appointment today.
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About Buffalo Grove Animal Hospital
Buffalo Grove Animal Hospital has been a part of the Buffalo Grove community since 1969. Our veterinarians serve Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Palatine, and the surrounding areas with the best veterinary medicine year after year. Our commitment to pet health runs deep, and we’ve proven our skill and compassion by becoming an AAHA-accredited Animal Hospital, the highest accreditation veterinary practices can receive.