Neutering has become a topic which generates interest among the cat and dog lovers community.

Thanks to continuous education from organisations, private companies and the media in general, it has become a normal practice for a dog or cat owner to neuter their own pet. Some of the benefits in question are: less urine making around the house, a decrease of aggression between males and they become calmer companions. Neutering your dog can also be a wise choice because it reduces the risk of several diseases such as tumours, false pregnancies and mammary tumours. 

Despite all the benefits, however, one should take into consideration other risks after sterilisation - the animal will automatically increase their appetite for food and the energy requirement decreases.  Furthermore, neutered cats are more prone to urine calculi (crystals that form urinary stones) than non-neutered cats. Small dogs are also pre-disposed to urinary crystals. For those who are not aware, stones consist of aggregated urinary crystals (usually struvite or calcium oxalate) found in the bladder of our pets.

A seminar was held by Borg Cardona & Co. Ltd and Royal Canin S. A. France for local veterinarians and veterinarian nurses to highlight the importance of nutrition in order to prevent the risk of struvite and calcium oxalate bladder stones.

During the seminar Dr Philip Baralon presented a lecture about how adapted health nutrition has great impact on the pets' health such as its contribution to preventative medicine and how therapeutic food is an essential part of disease control.

The S/O index Promise by Royal Canin was also launched during the seminar. The whole concept explains how Royal Canin has developed a scientific approach that can prevent the risks related to obesity and urinary stones within one bag of food for our pets. The Royal Canin Veterinary Nutrition Range for neutered cats and dogs which is available solely from veterinarian clinics and animal pharmacies guarantee that by feeding exclusively Royal Canin health nutrition for neutered dogs and cats, pet owners reduce the risk of such diseases. Royal Canin is so confident that they are also offering a re-imbursement of up to €125 on surgical expenses if such incident occurs. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information, one may consult with their vets for more information, contact Borg Cardona & Co. Ltd on Facebook / Royal Canin Malta or call on 2141 4753.