Spaying and neutering dogs and cats has become routine in the pet world—but should it be?
This isn’t about early spay and neuter; it’s about whether we should do it at all. In some breeding circles, removing reproductive organs is treated like tossing out old furniture. Contracts force puppy buyers to spay or neuter, retired females are sterilized “to avoid pyometra,” and males are neutered to prevent marking or aggression (though that often doesn’t work). My parent club strongly recommends enforcing spay/neuter contracts to prevent unintentional breeding, but I don’t necessarily agree. Especially when those puppies grow up in responsible and loving homes such as most breeders place them into.
Instead, I ask my buyers to be responsible. Puppies are sold on Limited AKC Registration. This restriction means that they can’t have registered offspring, which discourages accidental litters. I realize that there is an overpopulation of unwanted dogs in the world.
This article is focused on dogs who are wanted, live in loving homes, and pet parents struggling with this decision.
Every body part serves a purpose.
As an animal naturopath, I was taught that every organ has a function—the body works as a whole, interconnected system. Veterinary schools often treat the endocrine system as if some parts are disposable, but removing reproductive organs disrupts a delicate communication network between the thyroid, pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary, pancreas, adrenals, and more. These organs don’t just make babies—they regulate metabolism, stress response, immune function, blood pressure, and more.
The naturopathic philosophy is simple: Remove a body part, and the body pays a price. Yes, spaying might prevent pyometra, but it often leads to thyroid dysfunction, immune system imbalances, adrenal miscommunication, and other health issues.
I’ve bred Boxers for over 50 years, and in all that time, I’ve never spayed a single one of my adult females. I have seen exactly one case of pyometra. I recognized it, treated it, and my girl did not die. Since becoming a natural rearing breeder, I’ve also never had a dysfunctional thyroid screen in my dogs—a huge change from when abnormal results were considered normal.
Organs are not disposable.
I hope this makes you reconsider the idea that reproductive organs are only for reproduction. The body operates as a sophisticated system, and those organs play critical roles beyond breeding. While more people are waking up to the dangers of early spay and neuter, the "organs are disposable" mindset needs a rethink.
Pyometra: Prevention and Treatment Without Surgery.
Many pet parents spay because they have heard that spaying prevents pyometra. That is true, but there is more to this than just removing organs to prevent an infection. You must consider all factors if you want your girl's endocrine system to stay intact throughout her life.
So, what is pyometra?
Pyometra is a serious uterine infection that affects about one in four unspayed female dogs before the age of 10. It typically occurs soon after a heat cycle and is more common in middle-aged to older female dogs who have gone through multiple cycles. For those pet parents with intact females, we offer a Homeopathic Pyometra Support Kit based on a protocol developed by Julie Ann Lee of Adored Beast (and produced with her permission). Since it typically occurs 4–6 weeks after a heat cycle, add that four week mark to your calendar and keep an eye on your female. If your girl is acting off around that time, see a vet and start this protocol immediately. It could save her life and her uterus. I have even seen pyometra diagnosed in dogs who were bred but did not conceive. It appears somewhat like an early pregnancy, with lethargy and fatigue. However, if those symptoms appear unusual, or her temperature is above her normal, get that protocol started right away and see your veterinarian for a confirmation. I recommend that everyone with an intact female have a kit of this kind on hand. This can potentially avoid unnecessary surgery, and help your girl continue to have a functioning endocrine system.
Think of this Pyometra Kit like activated charcoal for poisoning or first aid supplies for wounds: Essential to have on hand. It’s affordable, has no expiration date, and lasts forever stored away from strong EMFs and menthol-containing essential oils. We include full instructions.
Avoiding Pregnancy
I have kept intact males and females in my home for many decades without ever having an unwanted breeding. However, I do realize that this takes experience. Males can be altered with a vasectomy just as in human males. Females can have ovary-sparing spays. But that means that they no longer have a uterus. Parsemus Foundation lets you find a veterinarian trained in these procedures.
Pet adopters and shelters should definitely be consulting Parsemus Foundation to maximize health of adopted pets.
Support for animals already spayed or neutered
When you are living with an animal who is altered, many naturopathic practitioners will recommend using "organ therapy" protocols to keep them in homeostasis with the lack of those organs. This basically means feeding organs that are dysfunctional or missing. Finding organs to feed such as uterus, ovaries and testicles can be challenging--though I have found uterus at local ethnic markets. You should have seen me at the checkout counter at H-Mart with a basket loaded to the brim with pig uteruses! (For the pedants: Uteri.) I bought them to put into food for my breeding dogs. Not because they are altered, but because those nutrients help to support my girls throughout their breeding careers. Along those lines, those same organs can support an animal who is missing those organs. I have also found reproductive organs at places such as Raw Feeding Miami online.
For convenience, you can also obtain desiccated reproductive organs from our store. They contain male or female endocrine organs, and those can easily be added into daily food.
Some animals benefit from hormone replacement therapy. You can find more information on this on Dr. Peter Dobias' website.
