The main reason for desexing is to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The RSPCA takes in 160,000 animals every year and many of these are the result of unplanned breeding. Regretfully, many have to be euthanased because there are not enough suitable homes for them to go to. Desexing can help prevent and reduce this.

Desexed animals are generally less likely to get diseases and illness such as mammary cancer and uterine infections in females and cancer and prostate problems in males.Desexing commonly reduces behaviour problems such as roaming, aggression and urine marking in males. In females it prevents mating behaviour and false pregnancy.

The RSPCA practises early age desexing from the age of eight weeks when the surgery is simple and recovery is rapid. Early age desexing is an effective way of reducing accidental pregnancy in young animals and ensuring compliance with local council desexing requirements. If your puppy or kitten was not desexed prior to sale, they must be desexed before they are able to produce any unintended litters. There is absolutely no benefit in letting females have one litter before they are desexed.

Talk to your vet about desexing, microchipping and vaccinations. They’re all important parts of being a responsible dog owner and will ensure your new best friend stays healthy and happy.