Owning a pet and making decisions regarding their health is a major responsibility. Most pet parents choose to have their pets fixed by setting up an appointment with local veterinary services, but you might be on the fence. If you're thinking about getting your pet fixed, here are four things to know first.

1. Wait Until They Are Right Age

Your pet has to be a certain age in order to get spayed or neutered. Talk to your vet about when you can have your pet spayed or neutered and make sure you wait until the appropriate age to have the procedure done. Having your pet fixed prematurely can put them at risk for complications.

2. Choose a Reputable Vet

Choosing the right veterinary services is important, but especially so with spaying and neutering. You need to choose a reputable vet that has experience fixing pets in order to avoid having to worry about health complications or an incomplete procedure putting your pet at risk. Be sure to read reviews on their website to learn about what other pet parents have to say about their level of professionalism, the quality of care they provide, and the possible cost of having the procedure performed.

3. Spaying and Neutering Can Offer Health Benefits

Believe it or not, spaying and neutering can offer health benefits for your pet. According to Life Learn, spayed female cats live 39% longer and neutered males live 62% longer than cats who haven't been fixed. Getting your pets fixed can also help prevent other issues such as UTIs. Be sure to ask your vet what other benefits are associated with this procedure.

4. The Process Is Irreversible

If there's a chance you want your dog to have puppies or your cat to have kittens, you might want to think twice about getting them fixed. Spaying and neutering are both irreversible processes, which means there's nothing you can do to allow your pet to have babies again once they've been fixed. Talk to your vet about the birthing process for your pet to decide whether you want your pet to have a litter or you want to have the procedure performed.

Being a pet parent comes with a lot of responsibilities, but it's up to you to make sure you're doing everything you can to keep your pets healthy. Spaying and neutering, along with other veterinary services, can offer several benefits for your pet. If you're thinking about getting your pet fixed, call Animal Medical Of Covington today to schedule an appointment.