There are many benefits to having your dog or cat desexed, with evidence suggesting that desexed pets live longer and have fewer diseases then undesexed pets. The benefits extend beyond just preventing unwanted pregnancies. Pets who have been desexed or sterilised are less likely to get diseases and certain illnesses such as mammary cancer and uterine infections in females and prostate problems in males. There are also behavioural benefits such as preventing male cats from spraying and preventing male dogs attempting to escape their homes to reach nearby females on heat. Entire male dogs will go to extraordinary lengths to pursue a nearby female dog on heat, increasing chances of motor vehicle accidents, dog fights and lost pets.
Unwanted pregnancies
Veterinarians recommend desexing to prevent unwanted pregnancies in females. This is especially important for cats, as it is not always possible to tell when she is ‘on call’. In female dogs, desexing automatically stops their cycles and the associated bleeding and attention from male dogs.
Undesirable behaviour
Castration helps to control male dominance aggression problems and also reduces their wandering instincts if a female dog in the neighbourhood is on heat.
Tomcats have a tendency to roam and fight with other cats which can lead to other medical implications such as cat bite abscesses and FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus).
Significant medical reasons
Spaying reduces the risk of mammary tumours (which can be life-threatening - just like breast cancer in women). Tumours of the ovaries, uterus and cervix and pyometra, a gross infection of the uterus, can also be prevented.
Castration can reduce the risk of prostatic disease, perianal tumours, and eliminates the risk of testicular cancers.
Desexing may also be recommended in your pet to prevent hereditary diseases being passed on, or for treatment of some diseases such as prostatic hypertrophy or pyometra.
Desexing is Compulsory as per Government Requirements For Dogs and Cat
Desexing is compulsory in South Australia for all dogs and cats born after 1 July 2018. Cats and dogs have to be desexed by the age of six months, or within 28 days of when you take possession of a new animal.
The new desexing law is aimed at reducing the number of unwanted dogs and cats that end up in shelters every year.
This law does not apply to dogs and cats born before 1 July 2018, and exemptions are available for working dogs, registered racing greyhounds and animals belonging to breeders registered with the Dog and Cat Management Board.