MYTH
Males don’t have litters, so they don’t need to be neutered.
FACT
Males may impregnate females many times a year.
MYTH
Spaying and neutering is painful.
FACT
Surgery is perfomed under general anesthesia so no pain is felt. There may be mild discomfort after surgery but pain medication is available to alleviate the pain.
MYTH
Dogs will not be protective after they are altered.
FACT
A dog’s natural instinct will not be affected.
MYTH
Children should experience the miracle of birth.
FACT
Most dogs and cats have their litters at night in quiet, dark places away from everyone’s sight.
MYTH
Female dogs and cats should have at least one litter before having them spayed.
FACT
No medical evidence indicates this. In fact, spaying female dogs and cats eliminates the possibility of developing uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the threat of mammary cancer.
MYTH
Behavior is adversely affected by sterilization.
FACT
Changes in dog and cat behavior after sterilization are positive. Male cats tend to reduce territorial spraying. Neutered dogs and cats fight less. Male dogs and cats wander less. Approximately 80% of dog bites are caused by unaltered dogs.
MYTH
Animals become overweight after spaying or neutering.
FACT
Animals become overweight, just like humans, when overfed and underexercised.
Information from the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection