The benefits of sterilization

From February 16th to February 22nd, 2025, the Association des Médecins Vétérinaires du Québec is promoting awareness about animal sterilization. The 13th edition aims to remind people that sterilization is one of the most responsible acts we can make to reduce strays and the euthanasia of unwanted animals. Here are the main benefits of sterilization in canines and felines.

Health benefits

First of all, several veterinary associations, such as the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) recommend that animals that will not be used for reproduction by responsible ethical breeders, be sterilized. The benefits of sterilization are numerous, here are the most important ones.

In males (canines and felines), sterilization mainly reduces unwanted behaviors related to hormones, such as: urine marking, intra-species fights, running away, mounting females, hyperactivity, independence towards humans and aggression towards the veterinarian. In fertile male dogs, physical health problems appear with age (but can appear as early as 4 years old!). Sterilization reduces the risk of prostate hyperplasia (which can cause urinary blockages), prostatitis (inflammation/infection of the prostate) and it eliminates the risk of testicular tumors.

For females, sex hormones represent more of a risk to physical health and less when it comes to unwanted behaviors. Sterilization significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumors in female cats and dogs. In female cats, mammary tumors are the 3rd most frequently diagnosed neoplasia. However, the risk of developing a mammary tumor decreases by 91% if the cat is spayed before the age of 6 months. This same risk decreases by 86% if the spaying is done before the age of one year. In female dogs, mammary tumors are malignant in about 50% of cases. One study claims that if a female dog is spayed before her first heat, the risk of mammary cancer is reduced by 99.5%. Spaying females (canine and feline) also completely eliminates the risk of developing a pyometra (infection of the uterus).

Did you know that fertile cats and dogs are more likely to die from trauma and infectious causes? Accidents can happen quickly when animals are more likely to run away and have conflicts with other animals. Sterilized animals are more at risk of dying from cancers or inflammatory and immune diseases. 

Benefits to society

In their position statement on animal sterilization in Quebec, the Association des médecins vétérinaires du Québec en pratique des petits animaux (AMVQ) came out firmly in favor of sterilizing domestic pets because sterilization has a significant positive impact on overall animal welfare, mainly because it counteracts overpopulation.

After reading the benefits that sterilization can have on undesirable behaviors, we can conclude that it can greatly contribute to improving the bond and cohabitation between animals and their owners. Several studies have also shown that unsterilized animals are at a greater risk of being abandoned. Fertile animals that run away from home will contribute to animal overpopulation and put additional pressure on shelters, which do not always have the capacity to accommodate so many animals. Animals that remain outdoors will have babies that are not properly socialized, which will lead to delays in adoption, which can even lead to the euthanasia of healthy animals.

Therefore, sterilizing your pet not only has a positive impact on their health, but it also has a direct impact on the problem of animal overpopulation in Quebec.

Talk to your veterinarian.

Sterilization is an important topic to discuss with your family veterinarian in order to determine the best time to sterilize your pet. The recommendation should be personalized for your pet, their lifestyle, and the medical team should be able to address any concerns you may have.

For more information on Animal Sterilization Awareness Week, follow the link:

https://www.amvq.quebec/fr/nouvelles/du-16-au-22-fevrier-2025-semaine-de-la-sensibilisation-a-la-sterilisation-animale (french only)

Myriam G., Certified Animal Health Technician

Références pour la rédaction de cet article :

AAHA : American Animal Hospital Association

ACMV : Association Canadienne des Médecins Vétérinaires

AVMA : American Veterinary Medical Association

AMVQ : Association des Médecins Vétérinaire du Québec