Pronunciation: [njˈuːtəɹɪŋ] (IPA) 
Neutering is the process of preventing an animal from being able to reproduce. The spelling of this word is slightly tricky, as it is spelled with a "u" after the "t". The correct phonetic transcription for "neutering" is /ˈnuːtərɪŋ/. The "u" after the "t" is because the word is derived from the Latin word "neuter", which means neither male nor female, and the "u" helps to maintain the original sound of the Latin word.
Neutering is a surgical procedure performed on animals, typically cats and dogs, to render them infertile by removing their reproductive organs. This procedure is commonly done to control pet overpopulation, prevent unwanted pregnancies, and eliminate certain health issues associated with intact reproductive organs.
For male animals, neutering involves the removal of the testicles, medically known as castration. This procedure is relatively straightforward and is performed under general anesthesia. By removing the testes, the production of testosterone is greatly reduced, leading to a calmer and less aggressive temperament. Additionally, neutering male animals helps prevent reproductive-related conditions such as testicular cancer and prostatic disease.
In female animals, neutering is referred to as spaying. It involves the removal of the ovaries and sometimes the uterus, known as an ovariohysterectomy. Spaying effectively eliminates the heat cycle, preventing unwanted pregnancies and reducing the risk of uterine infections and certain cancers. The procedure is more complex than castration and is performed under general anesthesia.
Neutering is a responsible and widely practiced method to control pet populations and promote their overall health and well-being. It is typically recommended by veterinarians, especially for animals that do not have a breeding purpose or are not intended for future litters. Neutered animals also tend to display more favorable behavior and are less likely to exhibit reproductive-related health problems.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "neutering" comes from the Old French word "neutrer" or "neutre", which means "neuter" or "of neither gender". It is derived from the Latin word "neuter", which also means "neither" or "of neither gender". The term "neuter" was originally used to describe a grammatical category in Latin that referred to nouns without a specific gender (not masculine or feminine). Over time, the word "neuter" expanded to encompass the concept of rendering an animal sexually inactive or sterilizing it, eventually leading to the term "neutering" as it is commonly used today.
