Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellie May  Animal Reproduction. American College of Theriogenologists
This summarizes my opinion on telling somebody that they absolutely should alter their animals. Thankfully osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma are not major concerns in Yorkies, so the decision is a bit easier.
Intact and altered animals do have different caloric needs. Just feed accordingly. And behavior/personality changes are absolutely possible because it is influenced by hormones.
I choose to spay for health reasons, but not automatically before the first heat. I choose to castrate for behavioral and safety reasons, but again not at four or five months just bc somebody says to.
My girl went into heat several times. It does not make much of a mess with the small breeds. Doggie diapers work if you don't want red dots all over your blankets. |
Interesting link. Thank you for sharing it. I found this one part especially interesting.
"The ACT and SFT do not believe that mandatory spay/neuter programs will significantly reduce the pet overpopulation problems, since most animals that are abandoned are relinquished because of behavior, health, economic and life changing conditions and not due to their reproductive status.
In fact, in some European Union countries where gonadectomy is illegal unless deemed medically necessary (such as Norway) there are no significant problems with pet overpopulation, indicating that the pet overpopulation problem that exists in the United States is due to cultural differences on the importance of pets, the responsibility of pet owners, and the ability of the government and national agencies to properly educate the public. "
I would contend that there reason these cultural differences exist is primarily BECAUSE of the pet over population problem. When it's so easy to pick up a dog for free off of craigslist, from the back of a car at your local walmart or from your mother's neighbors hairdressers son , there really isn't much need to be concerned about valuing it. After all, it's easily replaceable when that pup is no longer cute and tiny or it eats a hole in your dry wall...Might as well get rid of it and start over with a new one. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.