does anyone here have a 14 year old cat or older that has been fed on dry food only?

Question

i have a prejudice against dry cat food because i once lost a cat to UTI and i suspect that it was becuase i fed him mostly dry cat food... he was 8 years old when he died... Now i have another 8 year old and my vet tells me that i should feed him some dry cat food, and not all moist food all the time - for his teeth (he had dental work recently)
So, if anyone has a cat fed on dry food and lived till 14 without UTI - then I just mught be convinced

Answer 1

My cat lived to 17 on a dry food diet. (he didn't care for wet food!). It's not a UTI that was the issue; it's actually a buildup of chrystals in the cat's urethra caused by high ash content in the food (very common in overweight, neutered male cats). Buy a higher quality dry food low in ash. It's worth the little bit of extra $$ to ensure kitty's health!

Answer 2

If a cat has plenty of access to fresh water, even on a diet of just dry food, then dry cat food doesn't increase the risk of a UTI. Your veterinarian's advice should certainly be enough. You should either feed some dry mixed with the moist food or just dry food, because cats do need the dry food to keep their teeth clean and healthy. If there is still a chance for your cat to eat the dry food, I would recommend these and tartar control treats, because once a cat develops unhealthy teeth they can develop many other problems (including UTIs).

Answer 3

I lost a male cat at age 4 to UTI (he ate dry food), and the vet told me to get a female next time, as they can't get the problem. I'd stay with moist food if he is doing well on it and give him lots of tartar-control treats. Even if he has to have the vet clean his teeth once in a while, it's better than losing him to UTI. And not all vets give good advice - they have their prejudices based on their experiences like anyone else. I had one vet who was really adament that cats should never have anything fresh, just dry food all the time, but my cat did better after I started giving her some fresh meat.

Answer 4

I also have a prejudice with dry cat food, since my siamese cost me close to $1000 so far in vet bills due to a UTI and crystals in his urine. My vet perscrived Royal Canin Urinary SO in wet to start, and now I have a huge bag of dry - I do 1/2 his diet in dry food and 1/2 with canned. I'd say talk to your vet, if your cat currently has a UTI or has just gotten over one they'll probably be willing to perscribe a good UTI food like this.

Oh, and you probably already know this, but: (in light of a comment I read above) fresh water is no substitute for the hydration cats absorb from their food. They are desert animals, and were made to get most of their nutritional needs and water from whatever they ate. I thought my cats were so healthy because they always drank a ton of water, but the vet informed me that this is a sign that they aren't getting enough.

Answer 5

I've always fed my cats dry food. It's made to scrape the tarter off their teeth when they chew. Wet food can rot a cats teeth really easily. No matter what food you feed you should be brushing your cats teeth at least once a day. 3 times if possible. They make special tooth past for cats, they don't usually mind it to much because they like the taste, you will have to let your cat get used to it though being that it is not a kitten.

Answer 6

It will be interesting to see what comments you get here. I am definitely of your opinion that a solely dry food diet is bad for cats overall.

I had one male with urinary problems. I changed to a raw meat diet for my cats(that's very high moisture content) and he never had any further problems.

I feel very strongly that dry foods leave cats severly dehydrated (they cannot drink enough water to compensate for the lack of moisture in their food). The lack of moisture is a constant stress for their kidneys, renal failure being the most common cause of death in older cats, barring cancer. Would you eat corn flakes all day, every day without some milk?

So I have my cats' teeth cleaned by the vet when they need it. Go to www.littlebigcat.com and read Dr. Jean Hovfe's article, "Does Dry Food Clean the Teeth?"

Answer 7

Hi,,, I have 3 cats that are 20 yrs old,, they eat mainly dry food,, and once in a while I treat them to canned cat food.....

good luck

Answer 8

actually i fed my cat dry cat food and she lived to be about 17, and non dry cat food can actually cause cat's some dental problems.

Answer 9

i fed my cat dry food and wet food.