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

As a pet owner, there are many instances when you might question whether your pet’s condition warrants veterinary care. Unfortunately, if you’re not a vet yourself, it is often impossible to know what to do in these situations. On the one hand, racing your pet to the vet every time something appears wrong could cause you unnecessary stress and costly vet bills. However, in some cases, hesitating could mean the difference between life and death for your beloved pet. While every situation and type of pet is different, outlined below are several suggestions for deciding when to call the vet.

Having a good relationship with your vet is key. You want to be assured that when you do make that call, your concerns will be taken seriously and you’ll be given sound advice from a

Heartworms are a parasite most often found in dogs. Although cats are more resistant to the disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, they are also more at risk and vulnerable when they develop heartworm. Parasitic heartworm is also known as Dirofilaria immigrant. A look at heartworm symptoms in cats also reveals that the disease is sometimes difficult for veterinarians to diagnose.

Heartworm symptoms

According to the American Heartworm Society, www.heartwormsociety.org, heartworm symptoms are often mistaken for feline asthma, allergic bronchitis or other respiratory diseases. The society concluded that, "Diagnosis by clinical signs alone is nearly impossible, but a cat may exhibit generic signs of illness such as ... "

• Difficulty breathing – Abnormal panting,

Many pet owners have questions regarding how often their dog should be fed. Loving pet owners want their canine friends to be well fed and happy, but overfeeding your dog can lead to weight gain and subsequent health issues. Some dogs eat whatever you put in front of them, which can easily lead to overfeeding. Time of day is also a consideration. Is it better to feed your dog in the morning or at night -- or both? If you are a pet owner questioning when to feed your dog, read on for some helpful feeding tips.

When to feed your dog: Things to consider

Age. The age of your dog is one of the most important factors in deciding feeding frequency. Puppies should be fed between two and four times per day, depending on their age and size. Ask your veterinarian for guidelines