My pet will get fat and lazy.
Neutering or spaying may lower your pet’s overall activity level, their natural tendency to wander, and their hormonal balances, which may influence appetite. However, pets that become fat and lazy after being altered usually happens because they are overfed and do not get enough exercise.
We want another pet just like Rover and Fluffy.
Breeding two purebred animals rarely results in offspring that are exactly like one of the parents. With mixed breeds, it is virtually impossible to have offspring that are exactly like one of the parents.
My pet’s personality will change.
Any change will be for the better. After being altered, your pet will be less aggressive toward other dogs or cats, have an even more pleasant personality, and will be less likely to wander. Spraying (urine marking), which is often done by dogs and cats to mark their territory, diminishes or ceases altogether after pets are altered.
We can sell puppies or kittens and make money.
Even professional breeders are fortunate if they break even on raising purebred litters. The cost of raising such a litter — which includes stud fees, vaccinations and other health care costs, and feeding a quality food — consumes most of the “profit.” Well-known breeders raise breeds that they like and choose the male and female very carefully to improve the standard of the breeds they raise.
My children should witness our pet giving birth.
Pets often have their litters in the middle of the night or in a place of their own choosing. Because pets need privacy when giving birth, any unnecessary intrusion can cause the mother to become seriously upset. These intrusions can result in an unwillingness to care for the offspring or in injury to the owners or to the pet.
I am concerned about my pet undergoing anesthesia for the spaying/neutering.
Placing a pet under anesthesia is a very common concern of owners. Although there is always a slight risk involved, the anesthetics currently used by veterinarians are very safe. Many veterinarians use equipment that monitors heart and respiratory rates during surgery to ensure that their patients are doing well under anesthesia. Thus, the medical benefits of having your pet spayed or neutered far outweigh the slight risk involved with undergoing anesthesia. Consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about this aspect of the procedure.
