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Blog

The health benefits of desexing your pets

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  • RSPCA Australia
  • Monday, 24 July 2017
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July is National Desexing Month, so we thought it might be a good opportunity to remind you of the many health benefits of ensuring your pet cat and dog are desexed.

·         HEALTHIER PETS: Desexed animals are generally less likely to suffer from disease and certain illnesses, such as mammary cancer and uterine infections in females and prostate problems in males.

·         PREVENTING ROAMING AND INJURY: Desexing commonly reduces behavioural problems such as roaming, aggression and urine marking in males. In females, it prevents mating behaviour and false pregnancy. Reducing the desire to roam also reduces the risk of being injured in a fight or a traumatic accident such as being hit by a car.

·         PREVENT UNWANTED LITTERS: Desexing is an effective strategy to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The RSPCA receives over 125,000 animals every year, and many of these unwanted animals are the result of unplanned breeding. Dogs can become pregnant as early as 6 months of age, and cats by 4 months of age, so it is important to desex them before this time to protect them from unwanted pregnancies.

·         LONGER LIFE: Research also shows that desexed animals can actually live longer.

If you’re looking to have your pet desexed, have a chat with your vet or local RSPCA. For more information on the importance of early-age desexing, see the RSPCA Knowledgebase.

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