Adopting a new pet also means thinking about his health and making sure that he has the best life possible, which includes neutering. Here is a non-exhaustive list of reasons to proceed.

Unwanted pregnancies
The problem with an intact male is that it’s hard for him to resist a female in heat! An intact male can run away and follow the smell of a female in heat located miles away. In addition, you may be liable if your male procreates with somebody’s prized female.

Pet overpopulation
Three to four million unwanted pets are euthanized each year. In the shelter world, this is known as pet overpopulation. At least some of these deaths could be prevented by neutering males (and spaying females).In essence, sterilizing your pet ultimately makes the world a better place.

Behavior
Unneutered pets have all kinds of behavioral problems. In male dogs, the most common behavior is aggression. Of course, there are many intact pets who behave well. and neutering isn’t a magic ticket to a better-behaved pet. Neutering can, however, reduce aggressiveness and improve certain behaviors.

Marking
Few things smell worse than intact male cat urine. Some people make their indoor cat an outdoor cat when they can’t tolerate the smell anymore, putting the cat at risk of being hit by a car and causing problems in the surrounding environment. Neutering your cat while he’s young can help control or eliminate the odor of male cat urine and helps prevent marking in male dogs.

Roaming
Pets are rarely taught how to cross the street safely. Intact pets may roam far afield in search of a partner and could be lost or hit by a car. Neutering decreases the urge to roam or run away from home and can decrease the tendency to get into fights. Abscesses from fights, bite wounds, and injuries from interaction with cars put roaming pets in danger. To decrease the risk to your pet, neuter your pet, pet-proof the fence in your backyard, keep your cat indoors, and always keep your pet on a leash during walks. In addition, talk to your vet about the benefits of tattoos and microchips.

Prostate Disease
Intact male dogs can have a number of diseases of the prostate including cysts, abscesses, and enlargement. The latter is called “benign prostatic hyperplasia,” just as in older men. Neutering (of dogs!) prevents these problems.

Perineal Hernia
A perineal hernia is a fixable but annoying problem mostly seen in intact male dogs. Organs from the belly can slip or herniate through weakened muscles in the pelvis. The consequence is a bulge on one or both sides of the anus. The hernia can contain fat, fluid, or even the bladder. These hernias classically cause constipation. This condition is believed to be due to testosterone (from the testicles). Neutering dramatically reduces the risk of these hernias.

Testicular tumors
Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. This condition, mostly seen in intact male dogs, is believed to be due to testosterone (from the testicles). It’s simple, really: no testicles, no testicular cancer.

Genetics
Yet another reason to neuter is to prevent the spread of bad genes. Professional breeders spend thousands of dollars on testing and screening to ensure that pets won’t pass on congenital defects. Pets with hip dysplasia, eye diseases, heart conditions, and many other genetic conditions should not be allowed to breed. Professional breeders spend thousands of dollars on testing and screening to ensure that pets won’t pass on congenital defects. If you plan to breed your pet, talk with your veterinarian about testing and procedures to make sure the pups are healthy, happy, and can find good homes.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. Neutering your pets is safe and could save their lives!