Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site opus.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!hplabs!hao!cires!nbires!opus!rcd
From: rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: Neutering male cats
Message-ID: <762@opus.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 30-Aug-84 20:16:50 EDT
Article-I.D.: opus.762
Posted: Thu Aug 30 20:16:50 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Sep-84 14:53:33 EDT
References: <128500001@hpfcls.UUCP> <479@teldata.UUCP> <226@sdchema.UUCP>
Organization: NBI, Boulder
Lines: 20

>Someone mentioned that a neutered male cat is susceptible to urinary
>problems.  This is an important fact to remember for anyone who has
>a male cat.  Male cats in general are prone to this problem but their
>chances of developing it are increased when they are neutered, fed
>dry cat food or both...

Neutering makes males only slightly more susceptible to urinary-tract
problems UNLESS the cat is neutered too young.  I've heard of males being
neutered as young as four months.  That's just asking for trouble--eight
months is more typical.  The cat should be basically full-grown before
neutering.

The problem is not dry food per se; it's related to ash content, which
tends to be a higher proportion of certain brands of dry food.  There are
some dry foods which are quite suitable even for male cats susceptible to
problems.  Dry food is generally a good idea--it's more suited to cats'
nibbling style of eating and it helps keep their teeth clean.
-- 
Dick Dunn	{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd		(303)444-5710 x3086
   ...I'm not cynical - just experienced.