Sherry’s Corner

It Takes a Village to Knowledgeably Raise Our Pets

The other day my veterinarian told me that spaying my dog would prevent cancer and other diseases.  Research supports her statement.  She neglected to mention, however, that research has also proven that “spayed bitches tend to gain weight”.  And, of course obesity is the number one problem in dogs today.  I wisely remained quiet, knowing that there is a research study somewhere that can be cited to prove almost any argument–and if not research at least an anecdotal belief that fits our notion of what should/could/might be. 

      I have also read studies which concluded that bitches who were not spayed outlived others in that breed.  As for males — many dog owners have their male dogs castrated in order to stop aggression.  However, in a classic study by Hart and Hart the authors concluded that “clinical data shows that when dogs are castrated as adults only 50 to 60% change in behavior can be expected and further the authors believe this is probably the case if the dog is castrated before puberty.”

      Of course the most famous unscientific research, studies based only on myth and magic, is that pet therapy has an effect on the mental health of a group.  According to Drs. Beck and Katcher, pet therapy is unproven and should be considered worthwhile mainly for its RECREATIONAL benefits.  These two authors cite study after study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in an effort to refocus attention on the BOND between pets and people and not the illusive so-called “therapy”.  This led one veterinarian to respond, “the important word is love–not therapy! Love heals disease. Consider the power of spiritual energy and the nature of the human animal that can’t be documented scientifically.”

      One fact is indisputable.  If we spay/neuter all our dogs and cats we soon won’t have any dogs with which to do “pet therapy”, search and rescue, sheep herding, and bird hunting, and which also show us unconditional love.  That is a world I don’t want to live in.  We must not rely only on the veterinarian to make the neuter decision.  Breeders, trainers, judges and experienced behaviorists also have valuable information to share.  It takes a village to knowledgeably raise our pets!