Pets bring joy to our lives. They become part of our family and it just feels good to see them when you get home. And like any member of your family, you want to make sure your pet is protected in times of injury or illness.
What Does it Mean to Spay or Neuter a Pet?
Spaying or Neutering is a surgical procedure to sterilize your pets. Spaying is the removal of ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes of female dogs and cats. It is also called an ovariohysterectomy. Once a dog or cat is spayed, she will no longer be able to reproduce.
On the other hand, neutering is the removal of testes for male pets. The surgical procedure for male pets is also called orchiectomy. Once the procedure is done, male dogs and cats won’t be able to impregnate their female counterparts.
When Should Pets be Spayed or Neutered?
In general, dogs can be spayed or neutered between six (6) months to nine (9) months old. Older dogs can still be neutered/spayed depending on their overall health condition, however, there might be postoperative complications.
For cats, the surgical procedure can be done at a younger age, from 8 weeks old to 5 months old. It would be better to consult with your veterinarian to determine what is best for your pet.
Why Do People Spay/Neuter Their Pets?
There are many reasons for spaying or neutering your pet. The most common reason is to prevent unexpected reproduction or reduce the number of unwanted animals. The second reason is to get rid of unwanted behaviors like aggressiveness and the urge to mate when they are male dogs. The last reason is to reduce medical risks like uterine infection for females and testicular cancer for males.
Why Do Most Pet Insurance Policies Not Cover Spaying and Neutering?
The cost of spaying and neutering ranges from $300 – $600 if you go to private veterinary clinics. It is worth noting that spaying at a younger age or neutering smaller breeds is cheaper than big breeds or pets with older age.
Most pet insurance companies do not cover this because it falls as an elective procedure that is planned, instead of an emergency. It would be good to shop around for policies that cover a wide range of procedures and checkups.
Interested in pet insurance in Arkansas? Give us a call or request a quote to find the best pet insurance coverage at the best price!
