[monkeys23]

This is kinda off topic, but I know quite a few people here also have cats. One of my good friend's recently had her cat diagnosed with urine crystals/UT infection and the vet wants to put him on either the Purina or SD prescription food. Has anyone had a cat with this issue?

I've been telling her about the problems of fillers in food with animal health and the only reason she stayed with cheap food was because of her finances. Now she has no choice but to shell out for pricey food, so I was wondering if anyone here had some suggestions on more nutritionally appropriate food for urinary tract health in cats?

She feeds both wet and dry food. And she doesn't want to do a raw diet. I know a lot of the grain free stuff isn't recommended because of the ash levels, but there has got to be something decent that has acceptable levels. The bag of prescription Purina the vet gave her actually didn't say what the ash levels were, so I'm not sure whats a good minimum level.

[Galadriel]

No more wet food!!! Wet food is often established as the cause of urinary tract problems and dental problems. She can give it once in a while as a treat, but NOT as a part of every day diet.

Same issues apply with Purina and Science Diet for cats as they do for dogs. They're crap food. Cats are strictly predatory and a diet made up of mostly grains spells bad news for them.

Innova makes a cat food. If it's an indoor cat, have her go with the reduced fat recipe. Same rules apply here, too. The food may be more expensive, but it will be better utilized and the cat will ultimately eat less because of it that. It will also cut back on vet bills like the one she's dealing with now because he'll be a healthier kitty.
Hope this helps!

[DivineOblivion19]

I've never heard that wet food causes UTI in cats. Actually, it's usually the other way around, the wet food provides more moisture.


Ok, biggest question is, what kind of crystals? They are usually struvite crystals, which is from high urine pH. Does he have stones or just crystals?

Urine pH can be altered by the excess of grains in the diet. Cori had this problem when I got her (she was eating Ol Roy ). I had her on Innova but I quickly changed her to EVO. Also, the cat needs purified water! I don't drink tap water and neither do my dogs. The excess metals/minerals in tap water can also cause the same pH problems. She can just get a Brita pitcher or buy gallons, it's pretty cheap. If she can somehow add a little cranberry (from capsules or juice) to the food, that will also help control the pH of the urine.

[monkeys23]

Originally Posted by DivineOblivion19 I've never heard that wet food causes UTI in cats. Actually, it's usually the other way around, the wet food provides more moisture. Ok, biggest question is, what kind of crystals? They are usually struvite crystals, which is from high urine pH. Does he have stones or just crystals? Urine pH can be altered by the excess of grains in the diet. Cori had this problem when I got her (she was eating Ol Roy ). I had her on Innova but I quickly changed her to EVO. Also, the cat needs purified water! I don't drink tap water and neither do my dogs. The excess metals/minerals in tap water can also cause the same pH problems. She can just get a Brita pitcher or buy gallons, it's pretty cheap. If she can somehow add a little cranberry (from capsules or juice) to the food, that will also help control the pH of the urine.

I've heard the same thing about wet food, that its better because of providing more moisture.

I believe it is just crystals and not stones. I'll check to make sure.

And I had a feeling that the excess grains might be a factor, but the vet was pretty insistent that she watch the amount of ash and magnesium in his diet which kinda made me go 'Huh?' That and when I read the bag of food they gave her it was basically the same as any other mainstream brand, so I don't really see what qualifies it as "prescription" (other than making more money).

Anyway, thanks for the useful info from both your replies!
I'll talk to her about changing him to Evo and/or Innova and filtered water and cranberry.

[DivineOblivion19]

Usually they put the cats on C/D not S/D. S/D (stone diet) is generally prescribed for stones and C/D (crystal diet) is usually for crystals.

Yes, it has to do with ash and magnesium but it's usually from shitty food.

I'm not telling you to have her go against what the vet recommends, I'm just telling you what I know from speaking with a holistic vet about my dog who had the same problem. Honestly, it wouldn't hurt the cat to stay on the prescription stuff while getting everything under control. Then, once he's all clear, try a new diet.

Be very careful because male cats have a tendency to have a urinary blockage. The crystals get so bad that they block the urethra. This requires sedation, flushing of the urethra, hospitalization with a urinary catheter for several days, pain meds, antibiotics, and iv fluids. When a male cat blocks, people usually think the cat is constipated, but he's really blocked and cannot urinate. If that happens, he needs vet care ASAP!

Good luck.

[Maddie's Mom]

Originally Posted by DivineOblivion19 Be very careful because male cats have a tendency to have a urinary blockage. The crystals get so bad that they block the urethra. This requires sedation, flushing of the urethra, hospitalization with a urinary catheter for several days, pain meds, antibiotics, and iv fluids. When a male cat blocks, people usually think the cat is constipated, but he's really blocked and cannot urinate. If that happens, he needs vet care ASAP! Good luck.

This happened to Tom, who is now Tina. It was awful! It was like a two week ordeal.
Anyway the stone was so embedded that our vet had to cut off his unit and make him a new hole to urinate out of. So Tommy is now Tina
Then after he was home, scar tissue built up...
Glad to say he is now almost 17 and a very healthy handsome boy!
He is now on special food which I mix with natures logic

[PNWPBR]

I wouldnt feed wet food either. It is a major cause of tooth decay as well as obesity and unless she feels she HAS to feed wet then it better be a super high quality.

Im not a fan of the perscription diets from vets and ive worked for my fair share. While the special diets serve a purpose, they are still crappy quality and shitty ingredients IMO.

Id go with Nature's Variety for Felines, Innova... ANYTHING grain free and higher quality is better than grocery store food.

[monkeys23]

Thanks for all the input!