Desexing your pet Cats and dogs are able to start their reproductive lives at a very young age, and throughout their lifetime can potentially deliver many litters of kittens or puppies. For example, it only takes 2% of our domestic (non-desexed) cat population to replenish the entire cat population (the remaining 98%) over a period of one year. Or to view it another way, just one female cat can produce through its offspring 1,048,756 cats in ten years. Once the scent of a cat or dog on heat has been detected, pets that are not desexed will go to enormous lengths to mate, including jumping over fences, and travelling considerable distances to find the scent's source. Pet owners must decide whether they would like their pet to be desexed or whether they prefer to leave it entire. Many pet owners who do not intend to allow their pet to breed have their pet permanently sterilised. In doing this, the owner no longer needs to take any special precautionary steps to prevent their pet from mating. There are many good reasons to have your cat or dog desexed, which are outlined below. The important thing to remember for those pet owners who choose not to have their pet desexed is that they must, as a consequence of this decision, fulfil extra obligations to ensure their pet does not have unwanted litters or impregnates other pets. You can keep your pet entire and still be a responsible pet owner, but it does require extra effort and commitment on your part. Why desex your pet? Not only does desexing help reduce the problem of unwanted puppies and kittens, it can also result, in varying degrees, in positive behavioural advantages. A desexed pet may: Be less prone to wander Not mark its territory by 'spraying' in the house Be less likely to develop aggressive tendencies, which is desirable unless your dog is a guard or security dog Eliminate sexual frustration of the dog or cat pursuing another on heat but not being able to reach her. Other advantages of desexing: Desexed animals are far less inclined to go in search of a mate- if your pet goes wandering from your property (it should of course, be confined at all times), it could get lost or injured. It eliminates the need to house female pets to protect them from keen males that are attracted by her scent if she is on heat. All Councils reduce registration fees if your cat or dog is desexed, and may provide desexing vouchers for pensioners, enabling them to have their pet desexed at a participating local vet for a reduced fee. By reducing the population of stray or unwanted cats, we in turn reduce the damage these strays can do to our native flora and fauna. You will not have the problem of having to find homes for unwanted or unexpected litters of puppies or kittens. What's involved in desexing? Pets of any age can be desexed, even as young as eight weeks. However, the most common age for desexing recommended by vets is between 3-6 months (before 'puberty'). The operation is undertaken by a vet and is a very straightforward procedure, causing minimal discomfort to your pet- most pets are fully recovered within twenty-four hours. Discuss with your vet any questions about what's involved and how to care for your pet after the operation. Some Common Myths: A desexed pet will become fat Desexing your pet does not make it fat or lazy, only lack of exercise and too much food will do this. Pets lose their personality after desexing False. Your pet will retain his or her own, very individual personality after the operation. The only 'character' change resulting from desexing may be that your pet calms down a little. The operation is painful Pets will experience some tenderness in the affected area immediately after the operation. Your vet can advise you on caring for your pet after desexing. Most cats and dogs bounce back very quickly Females should have one litter first No. There is no benefit in letting your pet have a litter before it is spayed- it is actually better for her not to have a litter or a period of being on heat before being spayed. Think carefully before letting your female pet have a litter, as you are responsible for keeping the offspring until you find responsible owners for them. Puppies and kittens must not be dumped or left to fend for themselves. Dumping puppies and kittens carries a penalty of up to $1000. Apart from being inhumane, these animals could add to the stray and feral cat or dog populations. A more responsible course of action, if you are unable to find a caring home for an unwanted litter of puppies or kittens, is to have them put to sleep by a trained vet.
	Responsible Pet Ownership Copyright / Disclaimer Last Updated: 18/02/2003 This site was designed and developed by KnowledgeWorks.