There are dozens of great reasons to spay or neuter your pet, yet many pet owners are unaware of the consequences of not spaying or neutering until it is too late.  If you are thinking about pet adoption, or are already a new pet owner, here is some key information you should know about the benefits of spaying or neutering, and the dangers of waiting.

Behavior

A common concern among pet owners when it comes to spaying and neutering is the fear that to do so will somehow alter a pet’s personality.  Medical professionals agree this is not the case, but it will alter certain behavior.

For example, intact pets are far more likely to wander away from home in search of a mate, leading to the possibility of loss, theft, or an accident, not to mention the very real possibility of an unexpected litter.  They are also more likely to engage in persistent territorial marking behavior to entice potential mates and warn off competitors—in and outside your house.

An un-spayed cat or dog will also go into heat which includes bleeding, loud vocalization, an insistent desire to go outside, and increased affection, spraying, and urination.  Prior to this, she may be snappy and aggressive—think the animal equivalent to PMS.  To make matters worse, a female that does not find a mate will go into heat more frequently and it does not stop with age.

Similarly, intact males tend to be more aggressive and persistent in their desire to hump—anything.  This can be particularly problematic when anything include you, your kids, your guests, your furniture…etc.

Disease

Spaying eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancers as well as reducing the risk of breast cancer, and neutering eliminates the possibility of testicular and prostate cancer.  This is especially important when you consider that cancer is a leading cause of death among canines.

Other health problems include pyometra, a very serious and often fatal condition in female pets that have not been spayed, which requires surgery to fix.

Don’t Wait

Female cats and dogs can experience their first heat at around six months of age meaning pregnancy is possible long before you stop thinking of her as a puppy or a kitten.  New pet owners can fall into the trap of believing they’ve got plenty of time to get a spay or neuter only to find out the hard way that time is up.

Veterinarians recommend performing the surgery between two and four months of age.  This will not only save you money but is also better for the health of your pet.  Younger animals tolerate the anesthesia and heal faster than older animals that require more drugs and have a higher risk of bleeding and trauma (adding up to a more expensive surgery).

Furthermore, once your pet has reached maturity there are certain physical changes that can’t be reversed.  For example, the anal glands of mature intact males need to be expressed by either the pet owner or a veterinarian.

That’s right. Expressed.

Not only can your dog not do it for himself, but full glands will squirt when your dog is startled.  For pet owners who are unfamiliar with this particular feature, the substance produced by a dog’s anal glands is horrifically pungent, ridiculously oily, and notoriously resistant to cleaning products.

Pet Overpopulation

This has long been a topic of focus for numerous animal welfare organizations with the overabundance of stray animals contributing to the death of millions of pets each year.  Although there is evidence to suggest the North American canine population is beginning to stabilize, the cat population continues to grow and dog overpopulation in the south remains a problem.

In any case, an unplanned litter of kittens or puppies is both irresponsible and expensive, especially in the event of complications which could lead you to some very expensive veterinary bills.

At the end of the day, there are really no good reasons not to spay or neuter.  Not only is it better for the health of your pet, it’s better for the relationship you will have over the years.  If you are concerned about the cost of the procedure, contact your local humane society or SPCA.  Many animal welfare organizations now offer low-cost spay and neuter clinics to help people on a budget.

Adopting a pet is going to be an exciting event for both of you! But all of your best intentions can lead to disaster if you’re not prepared for the unexpected—just one of the good reasons not to adopt impulsively.  Long before you bring your pet home, there are several things you should take into consideration.

Following these home preparation tips before you adopt a pet can make the adjustment period go smoothly for everyone.

Tools of the Trade

It doesn’t matter what type of pet you adopt — they all require some supplies and tools for their basic daily needs. Once you’ve made the choice of what type of pet you want to adopt, make a list of all the supplies you will need to purchase. Items to consider include food and water containers, a cage for small animals or a crate for larger pets, bedding, grooming supplies, leash and collar, toys and treats, and, of course, food.

When choosing a cage or crate, keep in mind that this space is intended to be a safe place, similar to the cave or den your new pet’s wild cousins would return to for rest.  Cat carriers tend to come in standard sizes but there is a huge variety in crate sizes for dogs.  Resist the temptation to purchase your Chihuahua a palatial pooch-pad better suited to a Labrador Retriever.  The ideal crate will allow your dog to lie down comfortably, turn around, and stand with his or her head lowered—aim for something that is a few inches longer and slightly shorter than your dog is, or will be when full grown. Dress it up with some comfy bedding and you're all set!

Also, choose your new pet's food carefully.  Some animals are picky about what they eat so you may need to try a few things first.  However, once you have settled on a healthy, balanced feeding schedule, stick to it.  Changing your pet's regular kibble or canned food can lead to stomach upset and other unpleasant side effects.  Frequently altering your pet's diet is not recommended!

Rules and Training

Before you adopt a pet, decide in advance what the rules will be and discuss those rules with your family.  It is important to set firm ground rules to ensure your new pet will be less confused about what is expected. Setting house rules and following them is also an important part of training.  Don’t get sidetracked by sad eyes, whining, meowing, or other heart-squeezing behaviour—stick to your guns and you’ll both be happier for it!

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Once you have decided what type of pet you will be adopting, learn what is involved with that animal’s training. Dogs require significantly more training than most other pets—you may want to explore training programs and book lessons in advance. Everyone in the home should have some basic understanding of training so the process works when your new pet comes home.

Pet-Proofing

Preparing your home for you newly adopted pet requires a good look at the interior of your home. Consider what could happen should your new pet be allowed to roam freely. Failure to pre-plan could result in the ruin of furniture, carpets, hardwood floors, and other areas of your home.  Pet-proofing your home is much like child-proofing. If you take these precautions now, you may save yourself from heartache and huge vet bills in the future.

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  Furniture: If you don’t want your newly adopted pet destroying your furniture, begin training as soon as possible. Provide an area with a comfortable bed just for your pet to relax and sleep. Consider using old bed sheets or tablecloths to cover car interiors and furniture during the learning period. If you adopt a cat, invest in a scratcher--your furniture will thank you for it.
• Floors: It is difficult to predict how your new pet will react to your home and pets without prior housetraining are going to have accidents. You may want to partition off an uncarpeted area of your home to allow your new pet to acclimate.  If you adopt a puppy, be prepared to spend some quality time training and cleaning up accidents!
• Windows: Open windows are an easy escape route so remember to have all windows closed, even if they are screened. If you adopt a cat that has already spent time outdoors, be aware that your new cat might still be curious about ‘the wild’. Recently adopted pets can be prime candidates for escape before they become comfortable in their new surroundings.
• Décor: If you have a precious object in your home that you cannot replace, you're best to put the item well out of reach. Cords from window blinds and electronics should be secured out of reach to prevent potential choking hazards and tripping.
• Cabinets: All cabinets that can be reached should be secured, especially if that cabinet contains household chemicals, poisons and/or medications.

Room to Roam

All pets need exercise—some more than others. For pets that will be enjoying the great outdoors, prepare your yard as you would the inside of your home. Keep toxic products such as anti-freeze and fertilizer well out of reach, secure garden tools and other items, and set ground rules.

Stick to these simple tips and your pet adoption experience is bound to be a memorable one for all the right reasons!

Most cat owners don’t buy a high-priced purebred feline from a breeder, choosing instead to adopt a cat from the local animal shelter or bring one in off the streets. As a result, most owners don't know what breed of cat they have. Are you curious about what kind of cat you might have? Read on for some tips to identify your cat’s breed!

Types of Cat Breeds

The number of recognized cat breeds varies widely depending on which registry or organization you consult. One of the leading associations, the International Progressive Cat Breeders Alliance (IPCBA), currently recognizes 73 different breeds of cats; that's a lot of choices, and also means the number of possible mixes is almost infinite.

Some breeds are easily recognized, thanks to certain defining characteristics. For example, the Siamese is known for her thin, elongated body and pointed color pattern; the Maine Coon for her distinctive bushy tail, shaggy mane, and large build.

Of course, if you’ve rescued or adopted a cat from a shelter, odds are she isn't a purebred but a mix of two or more breeds. When it's too difficult to identify a cat's breed or mix, she (or he!) will probably be referred to as a domestic or house cat. Many shelters and veterinary offices will use abbreviations such as DSH (domestic shorthair), DLH (domestic longhair), or DMH (domestic medium-length hair). You might also hear the term “mixed breed” or “alley cat.” All these names mean much the same thing and the best you can do is try to determine some of the breeds in your cat's lineage.

What to Look For

One of the most important tips for identifying your cat’s breed(s) is color. Common feline color patterns include solid, tabby (striped or streaked), calico (spotted), tortoiseshell (brown, black, and yellow), tuxedo (black and white), bi-color, and pointed markings (color only on the tail, face and feet).

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Understanding your cat's color can often help you determine breed(s), because certain color patterns are more common in particular breeds. For example, Siamese cats typically have pointed markings. At the very least, the color pattern can help to further classify your cat. You might call her a tabby domestic shorthair, for example, if you can't determine her exact mix of breeds.

Other characteristics that may give you a clue to your cat's ancestry are hair length, eye color, facial structure, and build. Certain features such as a stubbed tail or folded ears can provide very distinct clues to your feline’s ancestry.  Some common breeds with unique tails and ears include Manx cats and the Scottish Fold.  Blue eyes could indicate ancestry along the lines of the Birman, Siamese, or Ragdoll, particularly if your cat sports pointed markings.

If you’re not content making an educated guess based on color, hair, and other characteristics, you might want to seek outside help. A veterinarian, breeder, or other animal expert may be able to determine your cat's mix of breeds based on a well-trained eye and years of experience working with different cats.

Now that you know what to look for, take some time to really examine your cat’s features. Organize your thoughts by writing down the features of your cat that stand out.  Then spend some time looking through photos of different breeds, contrast and compare, and make notes where you can.  By the time you’re finished, you should have at least some idea of where your cat may have come from!

Remember, there’s nothing wrong with a mixed-breed cat, so if the best you can come up with is tabby DLH, don't be disappointed. Every cat is distinct and special. Celebrate your cat for his or her unique personality, regardless of pedigree!

Events during your puppy’s developmental stages can shape the way he behaves as an adult. Whether he grows up to be your best friend or haunted by behavioral problems can depend on how you handle your puppy during his developmental stages. Much of his behavioral, cognitive and emotional makeup will be established before adulthood. Understanding your puppy’s developmental stages can free you to raise your new best friend to be a healthy, happy adult. The following time periods approximate the normal stages.

Neonatal (days 1 to 12)

During this period your puppy’s eyesight and hearing are not well developed. He will stay close to his mother and litter mates. Some studies show that mildly stressing your puppy during this period will enable him to better handle stress as an adult. In addition, mild physical stress can increase the size of the brain.

Transitional (days 13 to 20)

In the transitional stage of your puppy’s development his eyesight and hearing have improved and he will begin to walk. Although he will still be most greatly influenced by his mother and litter mates, this period is an ideal time to introduce your puppy to various stimuli such as bones, toys and even friendly cats.

Socialization (weeks 3 to 6)

This is the most important of your puppy’s developmental stages for socialization with other dogs. He will learn dog activities like biting, barking and body posture. His mother will also teach him discipline and he will learn to relate to other dogs by establishing a pack hierarchy created through play.

Human Socialization (weeks 7 to 12)

At this point your puppy has the same brain waves as a fully developed adult, allowing for the most rapid learning he will ever experience. The way your puppy interacts with humans will depend on this stage of his life. This is also the near the end of the time when you can easily introduce him to and make him comfortable with new people and places.

Fear Imprint (weeks 8 to 11)

As the name suggests, in this period any trauma your puppy experiences can create fears. These will have a more lasting effect and may become generalized fears later in life. Be especially positive and gentle during this period.

Ranking (weeks 10 to 16)

Social dominance is tested in the ranking period by learning to compete and cope. This is your puppy’s developmental stage that requires the most leadership, control and structure. He will be more likely to challenge your authority during this stage.

Flight Instinct (weeks 16 to 32)

Your puppy will seem to have forgotten anything he has learned, such as to play fetch or come when he is called. Be ready with chew toys to help with the need to chew, because his adult teeth will be growing in. Obedience schools get most of their calls during this time.

Second Fear Imprint (months 6 to 14)

A heightened level of aggression is common for puppies during this period. Your puppy may become shy, timid and apprehensive of new things. His fears should be treated with patience during this stage, which usually occurs during growth spurts.

Adulthood (years 1 to 4)

Now your puppy has grown into an adult. Any behavioral or socialization problems will become evident during this stage. However, if you have successfully navigated your puppy’s developmental stages he should be a loyal companion and best friend.

Pet insurance can save pet owners money and provide essential peace of mind. Every pet care insurance provider and plan is different, however, so it is important to do your research before purchasing insurance for your pet. Outlined below are five things you should know about pet insurance to help ensure that you get the best coverage for your investment.

What Does the Policy Cover?

The first and most important of the five things you should know about pet insurance is what is covered by a given policy. Most pet insurance providers offer several different plans, which range from limited accident coverage to full coverage of chronic illnesses.

Generally speaking, the more a plan covers, the more it is likely to cost you per month. However, some plans are a better value than others, so shop around for the level of coverage that your pet requires. Some young and healthy pets may be fine with a more basic plan that covers accidents and routine care, but even young cats can develop chronic conditions. Age restrictions are also common, so waiting until your pet is older to purchase or increase coverage may backfire in some cases.

What Are the Policy Limits?

Pets are living longer these days thanks to advances in veterinary care, but these added years and advanced treatment options also mean that veterinary care typically costs more today than it has in the past. Compare both lifetime limits and per-incident limits of any plan you consider to ensure that the one you choose actually covers the majority of veterinary care, including unexpected accidents and illness. Discussed above, age limitations and other exclusions should also be considered.

Can You Choose Your Veterinarian?

Just like health insurance plans for humans, pet insurance plans often designate which veterinarians are covered. A good plan allows you to take your pet to any licensed veterinarian, including specialists and emergency care providers, rather than selecting from a list.

How Will You Be Reimbursed?

When your pet requires veterinary care, whether it’s a routine examination or a major surgery, your reimbursement is generally calculated in one of two ways.

Ideally, the reimbursement is a simple percentage of the overall veterinary bill. This is typically the method that is the most fair and easy for pet owners to understand. If your plan operates on a benefits schedule, the amount of reimbursement may be limited according to what the insurance company is willing to pay at that time.

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Does the Policy Offer Lifetime Coverage?

Some pet insurance companies reevaluate your application every year (or whatever the policy term) and many reserve the right to drop your pet or increase rates if the animal develops a chronic condition, which of course is when pet insurance often becomes most important. Read carefully any information regarding preexisting conditions and long term care before selecting a pet insurance company to be sure that you get the best deal.

Other Things to Consider

The five things you should know about pet insurance outlined above are some of the most important factors to understand when selecting a pet insurance plan. However, there are several other things to consider, such as deductibles, fee schedules, and multiple-pet plan options. You might start by asking your veterinarian to recommend an insurance company or coverage plan for your pet. Also remember that customer service and the overall experience can also be important when dealing with insurance companies. If your friends or family have insurance for their pets, you might ask them about their customer service experience with the company they chose.

Now that you have read these five things you should know about pet insurance, you are well equipped to start comparison shopping for the best insurance for your pet. The best plan for your dog or cat depends upon their age, breed, and current medical condition, so what is best for one pet may not be right for another. Remember that certain breeds of cats and dogs are predisposed to certain medical conditions. Educating yourself about your specific pet breed can help you select the coverage that may best suit their future needs.

Pet Insurance Links

ShelterCare (US)

24PetWatch (US)

OSPCA Insurance (Canada)

PetCare (Canada)