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Neutering

The removal of the male's testicles. Also known as castration, is commonly called: "Neutering". BNA recommends that your male dogs and cats not intended for breeding purposes be neutered by 6-12 months of age. This recommendation is for a number of reasons.

• Population control is on the top of the list of reasons. Male dogs and cats, no matter how well trained they may be, when the get the "call of the wild" that is, when they smell a female in heat (her scent can travel for miles-and animal's noses are very sensitive). Males will jump fences, get into fights, cross busy freeways, all in order to fulfill their reproductive urges. These reproductive urges insure the continuation of the species, but in a world overpopulated by unwanted pets, this is not a desirable trait.
• Neutering will help to eliminate the potential injuries that are incurred by male dogs (and cats) while out trying to breed to a female in heat. Unneutered male dogs and cats are the most commonly admitted patient to animal ERs around the world, just simply because of their male-driven reproductive behavior. Fights occur over a female, cars potentially can hit these unneutered male pets when they are out looking for females that are in heat.
• Some male dogs and cats will have overly aggressive behavior as a result of the testosterone in their systems. Neutering can help reduce or eliminate that problem.
  Male cats that have not been neutered oftentimes will spray urine in your house as a means of claiming their territory or turf. Neutering a male cat that sprays will eliminate that behavior in 70% of all kitties.

Animals do not necessarily become lazy and fat after neutering. If they do, it is usually a matter of having fed them too much food, or perhaps an underlying problem that doesn't express itself until after the sex gonads are removed. Because the sex hormones contribute to the animal's METAbolic rate, its energy, and its calorie burning capacity, you should reduce your pets caloric intake by giving it 10% less food, and by getting it to exercise more.