Some men wince and cross their legs at the thought of neutering their male pet. OK … we get it, but putting off the surgery may have undesirable consequences.

Intact males tend to roam in search of females, often leading to injury from fights and car accidents. Other bad habits include urine marking and sometimes aggression. Medically, intact males can get testicular cancer and are at higher risk of prostate disease.

Most dogs and cats should be neutered around six months, when the risks of surgery are minimal. Giant breeds may have to wait slightly longer, so as not to interfere with normal bone growth.

Neutering does not change your pet’s personality, but he may seem more relaxed and less likely to wander. So do the right thing for your pet’s health and behavior, and schedule that neuter.