Pet Care Corner: Neuter your male pets
Pet owners generally understand the importance of ensuring that their female cats and dogs are sterilised, as this prevents them from falling pregnant and having unwanted litters.
But, said Maggie Mudd of the Boksburg SPCA, owners do not always see the advantages of having this same procedure carried out on their male cats and dogs.
“Sadly, this can result in these animals escaping from properties to chase after bitches and queens on heat and fathering an unknown number of kittens and puppies,” explained Maggie.
She offers the following information on the neutering of male cats and dogs.
Cats
• Neutering a cat can make the animal become more affectionate towards the owner and will, depending on the age of the animal when the neutering is carried out, reduce the animal’s tendency to wander. The younger he is neutered, the better the results. Male kittens can be safely neutered from 12 weeks of age.
• Neutering a tomcat will greatly reduce them from spraying inside and outside the house, as this is their way of marking their territory. It will also minimise sexual and territorial aggression.
• Neutering a tomcat will also greatly reduce their desire to fight with other male cats and so will reduce veterinary bills.
• Neutering will also minimise the possibility of the cat contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
Dogs
• Neutering a male dog has no effect on the animal’s alertness or natural protective instincts.
• Neutering a male dog minimises sexual and territorial aggression.
• Having a male dog neutered reduces hyperactivity and the animal becomes more relaxed in the home environment.
• A with male cats, neutering a male dog can make him become more affectionate towards the owners – but an added advantage is that he can also become better behaved towards children and other pets.
• Neutering a male dog will also minimise or, depending on the age of the dog when the procedure is carried out, even eliminate bad habits such as jumping walls/fences, the chasing of cars and urinating in the house.
• As with male cats, neutering a male dog can also minimise the possibility of the dog contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
• It will also minimise the likelihood of the dog having prostrate problems.
“From the above, it is quite clear that it is as vitally important to ensure the sterilising of male animals as it is to sterilise the females,” said Maggie.
A male cat or dog can fertilise more females in one year than a female can have litters in her lifetime, she added.
Be a responsible pet owner and neuter your male pets.
