My beautiful 4 yo cat has this problem, hes not blocked the vet said to give him soft food only (for more moisture) to encourage water, and gave him a pill to take. Has anyone ever had the same experience? does this treatment work? Also how do you get a cat to eat soft food after eating hard food for 4 years? He turns his nose up at it. ANY suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
2006-10-11 09:44:39 · 9 answers · asked by metallica_rocks0122 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes - crystals in the urine, known as 'uroliths' are formed when the urine is not the correct pH, ie. it's too acidic or too alkaline. The crystals form and can irritate the bladder and urethra, causing bleeding and discomfort, and can form into bladder stones.
There are various types of crystals, in cats, most of them form when the urine is too alkaline, urine with a high pH. They usually consist of struvite crystals. These look like tiny coffins when examined under a microscope.
Medication and special foods help to try to keep the urine at a low pH, to stop formation of the crystals. If your cat is not eating the wet food, you could try asking your vet if you could put the cat onto a diet called Hills S/D, or Royal Canin Walthams urinary support diet - these diets come in a wet or dried form, and should suit your cat. They also come in a combination of tins or foil pouches so your cat is bound to like one of them.
2006-10-11 09:53:17 · answer #1 · answered by myfairladyisasleep 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your vet is right. I have never heard of a pill for the urine crystals.
You can use a couple of jars of human baby food for your cat to eat and make the transition to soft food. Get chicken or turkey without any onion or garlic in it (be sure to check the label). Cats really like it. After he has had one jar, then mix some canned cat food and the baby food and use up a second or third jar, using more of the cat food each time until he is eating the cat food "straight". Natural Balance has good quality cat food with many varieties so I suggest you convert him to that and not some inferior grocery store food.
2006-10-11 10:01:31 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Crystals in urine are the result of a diet that is too high in grain products which creates a urine PH that is too high. Cats should be fed a diet high in meat protein that promotes an acid PH. Premium(pet store)canned food usually is grain free therefore perfect for them. If he wont eat can food try a premium dry and add water to it. The first 2-3 ingredients on the label should be a meat NOT grain(NO wheat, corn or soy!)I've owned a pet supply store for 11 years and have a great knowledge of animal nutrition. DO NOT feed Science Diet! It is very high in grains! Remember, Read the label! Knowledge is power!!
2006-10-11 09:56:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes,I've had 4 cats with this problem.Two of them became blocked and one of them had to have surgery to enlarge his urethral opening.The other one was able to be unblocked with a catheter.The other two have not been blocked,but all are on special diets.They do not have to eat only canned food as there are many urinary health formulas.I feed Purina ONE.Urinary Formula dry, and Friskies special diet canned to the four cats(all neutered males) with the Feline urinary Syndrome,and they are all doing fine.Oh,I also have Valium and Amoxicillin on hand at all times if they start to show signs of distress.The Valium is a smooth muscle relaxant and helps them to urinate when they have bladder spasms.
2006-10-11 14:14:35 · answer #4 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes my cat had them and what i feed my cat is purina one for urinary tract health formula you can buy it at walmart and it is hard food and very good for him ...ever since i have been using it i have no more problems what usually caused crystals is food that is high in magnesium this food is very low in magnesium and if you have other cats they can eat it too...go to purinaone.com and you can take their 30 day challenge and get a free bag...if you want to ask your vet before starting this may be a good idea and like i said it has worked for me for 1 year this coming november is when my cat had the problem good luck
2006-10-11 11:06:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is called Feline Uralogical Syndrome or FUS. It is mainly in male cats. You dont have to use soft foods. Get a food that specifically says it promotes urinary tract health. My cat eats 9 Lives Special Care. I think Science Diet has one too.
2006-10-11 09:49:19 · answer #6 · answered by groomingdiva_pgh 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Any food high in magnesium that makes the urine more acidic. That will help disolve the crystals.
2006-10-11 09:54:44 · answer #7 · answered by p_stanleyrox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my moms cat had the same problem. the vet put him on a medication and it worked. she feeds him cat food with no colors. he hasn't had any reoccurances so far.
2006-10-11 09:53:48 · answer #8 · answered by cowluver1729 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tuna fish it's flakey and soft
2006-10-11 10:48:02 · answer #9 · answered by Samm the Bamf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋