What is one benefit of spaying or neutering pets?

Spaying or neutering pets offers numerous benefits, one significant advantage being its potential to help reduce certain behavioral issues. This surgical procedure often leads to a decrease in behaviors associated with mating instincts, such as marking territory, aggression, or roaming in search of a mate. For instance, male dogs may become less likely to escape or wander off, while female dogs might experience less anxiety related to heat cycles. Additionally, spaying can also reduce the overall population of unwanted pets, which addresses larger community issues related to animal overpopulation.

Regarding the other options provided, while spaying and neutering can significantly lower health risks associated with certain reproductive cancers, they do not eliminate all health risks entirely. The procedure does not support the idea of more frequent breeding, as the primary purpose of spaying and neutering is to control the pet population. Lastly, although there is some evidence that spayed or neutered pets may be at increased risk of obesity if their diet and exercise are not managed properly, this is not a primary benefit of the procedures themselves, and responsible owners can mitigate this risk through proper care.