Spay and Neuter Services for Dogs & Cats in Mint Hill, NC

Puppies and kittens are bouncy furballs of boundless energy, and while they may seem impervious to danger, they require a lot of care in their first year of life. One of the most important things you’ll need to consider is their spay and neuter surgery. At Mint Hill Animal Hospital, we strongly recommend this surgery for every puppy and kitten due to the many health benefits it brings as well the positive impact it has on stray overpopulation.

What Are the Benefits of Spay/Neuter Surgery?

Spay and neuter surgery has a variety of benefits for our own cats and dogs as well as the greater pet community:

Unexpected and unwanted litters contribute to pet homelessness, overpopulation, and overcrowded shelters. Since shelters are at or over capacity, many of these otherwise healthy pets are euthanized because there are no resources for them. When you spay/neuter your pet, you are actively helping to curb pet overpopulation and reduce the strain on shelters, giving more pets a chance to find their forever homes.

Surgery offers pets a variety of medical benefits that can help them live longer, healthier lives with you. Spayed cats and dogs have a significantly lower risk of developing mammary gland tumors later in life and the risk of cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers is eliminated. Meanwhile, neutered dogs and cats have a reduced risk of developing prostate problems and surgery eliminates their risk of testicular cancer.

In addition to medical benefits, the surgery also boasts some behavioral perks. Neutered cats and dogs are generally less aggressive, and are less likely to exhibit urine-marking and mounting behaviors. Spayed dogs and cats will no longer have heat cycles, which are frustrating for her (and you!), and may attract the unwanted attention of intact males. Furthermore, both males and females are less likely to want to roam to find a mate, which means fewer escape attempts.

When is the Best Time to Spay/Neuter My Dog or Cat?

There are many different factors to determine the best age for spay and neuter surgery. For instance, some females benefit from an earlier surgery, as soon as they're at a healthy weight, in order to spay them before their first heat cycle. Meanwhile, some larger breed dogs benefit from a later surgery because the reproductive hormones help control their growth rate. Your veterinarian will discuss with you the best time for your individual pet’s surgery so they reap the most benefits.

spay and neuter in mint hill, nc