Welcoming a pet into your home is exciting and rewarding. Sometimes it is so exciting, people forget that there are certain responsibilities and commitments you need to make a priority. One of the things you need to consider as a responsible pet owner is desexing your puppy or kitten.

You should desex your pet as soon as is possible, if you get a kitten or a puppy there is no time to waste. Kittens become mature enough to have babies from about four months old. Pets need to be desexed from a young age, this is very important.

The main reasons to have your pets fixed are:

• Unwanted pregnancies. There are so many stray animals, and animals in shelters looking for homes that some parts of Australia are making it mandatory to desex your pets.
• There are certain health benefits to desexing your pet. Pet’s that have been fixed are less likely to suffer from tumours and cancers of the reproductive system.
• Behavioural issues. Both dogs and cats benefit from desexing when it comes to behavior. Male animals become less territorial and less likely to mark their territory or become aggressive.
• Stops wandering: both male and female animals are less prone to wandering if they have been fixed. Desexed animals are less likely to get into fights which may result in injury.
• Desexing your pet will save you money in the long run. The health benefits and reduced need for surgeries later on, can save you a lot of money in the future.
• Being part of the solution. Your area may not have mandatory desexing for animals, but getting your pet fixed at a young age means you do not contribute to the stray animal problem or the overcrowding at shelters.