Rhodesian Ridgeback dog mother with single litter of newborn puppies
(Photo Credit: Hanna Dymytrova-Kaihila / Getty Images)

Is it Wrong To Let My Dog Have a Single Litter Before Spay Surgery?

Question:

I know I should have my dog spayed to help control the pet population. That said, would it be so bad to let her have just one single litter of puppies before I do that?

I’m sure I could find homes for all the puppies, and my dog is just so amazingly beautiful! They’d all turn out to be adorable pups.

Some of my friends say that there are enough dogs in shelters who need homes already. I mean, it’s not my fault that there are so many homeless dogs! I would definitely make sure that all the puppies go to loving families.

So why would it be wrong to let my dog have just one single litter?

Answer:

Like a true dog mom, you believe that you have the most beautiful pup in the world.

You just want to spread that beauty and share it with everyone. All dog lovers can relate to that. It’s why we post pictures of our fur babies all over social media. It’s also why we pull out our phones mid-conversation to show our friends our pooch’s latest videos.

You see, every pet parent believes that they have the most stunning dog in the world. However, a pup sitting in a shelter will be the most beautiful dog in the world to someone if they are given a chance.

Shelter dogs are already here and they deserve a chance

Each puppy you allow your dog to give birth to takes away the chance that one shelter dog had to find a family. And now, that shelter pup has to sit and wait. That means they will be taking up resources that could go to another dog in need.

Some dogs wait so long that they are euthanized because they can’t find a home. In fact, over 390,000 dogs are euthanized every year in the United States because no one wants them.

Is your adoration of your dog and your insistence on her having a litter worth letting another animal die without a loving home?

If you’re so confident you know people who would take the puppies, you could probably find homes for shelter dogs instead. You could save lives with your resources. Just imaging giving people the chance to find their own “most beautiful dog in the world.”

You wouldn’t just be saving one dog, you’d be saving the next dog who is able to stay at the shelter in their place.

Spaying is good for your dog’s health, too

And if you truly can’t get over your selfishness (and that’s what it is), think of your own dog’s health. Your dog having a single litter can cause multiple issues for her.

Spaying greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer. What’s more, it completely eliminates the risk of ovarian or uterine cancer.

And when your dog isn’t spayed and is in heat, she can attract unwanted or aggressive male dogs to her. Do you really want every boy dog in the area barking at your door trying to impregnate your precious girl?

Hopefully, that gives you some perspective. We encourage you to use your connections to bring shelter dogs together with people looking for a loving pooch.

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