Neutering of Pets
You can help prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens by having your dog or cat neutered







Neutering of Pets
According to many articles you can find online, every year millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are euthanized. The good news is that a pet owner who is responsible can help to make a difference. You can help prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens by having your dog or cat neutered. Spaying and castration can help avoid unwanted litters, guard against major health issues, and reduce many of the behavioural issues that come with the mating instinct.
- Neutering is a term used for both male and female pets.
- Spaying is used for the female, and Castration for male.
The neutering procedures are done under anaesthesia and take very little time. Spaying takes 15 to 20 minutes, while castration typically takes 10 to 15 minutes or less. Both surgeries require several stitches. Neutering prevents unwanted litters. If a dog is not neutered, at the end of 6 years the offspring could have produced a total of 67,000 dogs. This is only calculated at 6 puppies per litter, twice per year when the dog is in season.
For cats, the figure is more as cats litter three times a year and can produce over 2 million cats in 8 years. There’s nothing cruel about being sensible. And unless there are very strong reasons for wanting your cat or dog to have a litter, the kind and sensible thing to do is to have it neutered.
When is the best time to neuter our dogs and cats?
DOGS – Spaying of puppies can be done at five to six months, castration at eight months. We do not encourage early age neutering. Adult dogs can be neutered, though there is a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications in older dogs, overweight dogs and dogs with health issues.
CATS – Spaying of kittens can be done at five to six months, castration at eight months.
In animal shelters, surgery is often performed at this time so that kittens & puppies can be neutered prior to adoption.
*These procedures must be done at a vet clinic, so please talk to your veterinarian to discuss the best time to schedule this*
Reasons to Neuter Your Pet:
1. Your pet will live longer and be in better health.
Spaying a Female Pet Will Help Her Live Longer
Spaying your kitten from five months of age can help to reduce the possibility of her developing mammary cancer later in life. Spayed dogs are less likely to develop certain cancers, as well as pyometra, a potentially fatal uterine infection.
Castrated Male Pets Will Be Healthier
Castrated dogs do not get testicular cancer, and they do have a lower chance of prostatic cancer plus an enhanced life expectancy of up to 18%. Castrating your cat also reduces the risk of prostatic cancer and eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.
2. Spayed pets don’t go into heat
Cats will go into heat at around six months if they are not spayed. Then the heat cycle repeats every three weeks on average. Cats become highly noisy and demanding when they are in heat. They may bleed or even urinate.
Dogs only go into heat twice a year in general. During their cycle, they also bleed and urinate a lot. Your pet will never go into heat and show this behaviour if you spay him or her.
3. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
Being overweight affects pets for the same reasons it affects people. Overeating and not exercising enough are the most common causes. If you continue to give them energetic activities and check food consumption, your pet will remain fit and trim.
4. It helps fight overpopulation
Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays every year. Neutering your pet will assist in reducing the number of animals in need of a home. This helps stretch shelter resources.
5. Neutered pets are better behaved
Unaltered male dogs and cats may spray strong-smelling urine all over the house to indicate their territory. Neutered pets, on the other hand, are more focused on their human family, and early neutering may help avoid aggressive issues especially in males.
6. You’ll save money
You still have to pay for our pet’s neutering surgery, however you will save money in the long term by preventing many serious health problems.
SPCA Penang gives neutering subsidies to eligible pet owners in the low income group. The application form can be downloaded here.
Isn’t it cruel or unnatural to have my cat or dog neutered?
It’s even more cruel to deny unneutered animals normal mating. And if you allow them to mate, you’re contributing to the problem of unwanted animals in Malaysia. Sexually frustrated animals not only become restless and call out constantly; they can also lose weight and become susceptible to illnesses. A neutered animal will be a calmer and easier pet to look after.
Will my pet still be the same?
It’s not true that a neutered animal will become fat and no longer playful. Your vet will advise you if you need to cut back on the amount of food given to your pet. Many pets become more playful and affectionate because they’re not distracted by the urge to mate.
Shouldn’t a female animal have one litter first?
Like many outdated theories, this one is nothing more than an old wives’ tale. There is no good reason for letting a female cat or dog produce a litter, and the normal health risks involved in birth and pregnancy mean that it can be harmful.






