February is National Prevent a Litter Month. Since it’s such an important topic, I’m very glad we have a month to bring it into the spotlight.
Everyone knows that the absolute best way to prevent a litter is to have your pets spayed or neutered. I’m not going to get into the spay/neuter debate as some animals cannot be fixed and current research suggests waiting until maturity to fix giant breeds. So how else can we prevent unnecessary litters?
- Understand female heat cycles. A heat cycle lasts anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. Learn the signs that your dog is going into heat.
- NEVER allow a female in heat to be unsupervised outside. Never means never. Not even in your fenced backyard. Males are capable of jumping over, digging under, or chewing through fencing to get to a female in heat.
- Check your fencing. People with intact male dogs also need to be vigilant. Can your dog escape your fencing?
For the vast majority of people, fixing your pets is the BEST way to prevent a litter. Having intact pets requires a lot of work, time, and knowledge. If the cost of fixing your pet seems daunting, check your area for a local spay/neuter clinic or talk to your local shelter. Preventing a litter is only one of many benefits to having your pet fixed.
How else do you think we can prevent a litter?
