2006-12-09 11:47:51 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes! Cats never drink enough water to compensate for the dehyration of a dry food diet. The urine becomes concentrated with a buildup of bacteria and an alkalinity causing the pH of the urine to get out of balance.
Go to www.littlebigcat.com and read Dr. Jean Hovfe's article titled "Why Cats Need Canned Food". It is at the end of about sixty articles on cat health, diet and behavior.
2006-12-09 11:53:29 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They say that there are dry cat food now available that minimizes the risk of the cat developing kidney krystals and UTI and FUS. But I am always skeptical. I lost my beloved Pezza through chronic UTI and FUS. This was back in 1993 when very little was yet known on the connection between dry cat food and these diseases. I fed Pezza mostly dry food but he had half a bowl or less of wet food nearly everyday too.
Then a year ago, my sister-in-law's 10 year old cat succumbed to kidney failure after a long and expensive battle. Again, this cat was fed on an almost exclusive diet of dry cat food - and water was ALWAYS available to her.
After Pezza died years ago, I already suspected the dry kibbles had something to do with it and ever since then, I REFUSE to feed any of my cats on an exclusive diet of dry. I give them canned wet food and give them a handful (just a handful) of dry kibble at the end of the day (night) just for their teeth.
So far... neither cat has shown any problems peeing (God make it so always). Both cats are neutered males... one is 8 yrs old and th other just a year old.
2006-12-09 14:20:19 · answer #2 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said - some dry food may cause urinary problems.
Most on the market these days are a lot better and are all in foods. Your cat must have fresh water available all the time, that will help as well.
Are you also feeding your cat tuna in brine? This is far too salty for cats and can cause problems as well. Human tuna (in springwater only) should be just a treat and not a constant.
I have fed my cats on dry food in previous years and only started adding wet food because one needs medication that needs to be mixed with food.
None have suffered from urinary problems ... I have had both (desexed) males and females.
2006-12-09 12:47:04 · answer #3 · answered by Feline Female 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some cases, yes. I was told by a vet that a high ash content (above 3% ) can cause urninary problems such as kidney stones in male cats. I suggest looking at cornell university's website for veterinary medicine. They have great info and links to animal ailments. Also a visit to the vet would be a good thing :)
2006-12-09 11:53:08 · answer #4 · answered by Shellie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are dry cat foods that are low in ash..Hill's Science Diet, Nutro Natural Choice, and Eukanuba are a few...but also ask your vet if they can give your cat Hill's Prescription Diet C/D which is a prescription dry food that does not cause FUS, especially chronic FUS to flare up...and cats actually like it. My first cat, Sylvester, was put on C/D because of chronic FUS and it kept the problems to a minimum.
2006-12-09 12:30:27 · answer #5 · answered by carledwards99andtonystewart20fan 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For my cats, i take advantage of the two. Male cats are very suceptible to bladder and kidney themes with dry ingredients that incorporate Magnesuim. For dry foodstuff i take advantage of "the good existence" cat foodstuff or the different it incredibly is all organic and does no longer incorporate those chemical components. I leave a bowl of dry yet feed them moist foodstuff the different day. My men are all fixed and so a ways (arms crossed) with the foodstuff plan I provide them have not got any issues. I discovered plenty approximately those themes with my cat that I had as slightly woman. He died to boot from Kidney failure. wish that enables
2016-10-05 02:43:56 · answer #6 · answered by boland 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutley, my cat gets a urinary track infection if I use anything really cheap for some reason, now I stick with a special catfood made to contol urinary track. I get it at wal-mart or target. It is Purina One Special Care
2006-12-09 13:31:37 · answer #7 · answered by Maizy * 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Purchase the best dry you can. If you can get science diet at Petsmart for urinary problems that would help. Is that your Kitty's diet....just dry? That is o.k. just wondering....if you use we occasionally then again buy the best you can. Always read the labels for by-products and sodium content.
2006-12-09 11:56:48 · answer #8 · answered by rural diva 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Cheap catfood can cause problems, stay away from the bargin stuff like Special Kitty.
2006-12-09 11:51:30 · answer #9 · answered by coppersmith 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES........The ash content needs to be very low...Is it a male or female? and has it been fixed? Let me know and I will help you futher....mfroeh@yahoo.com
2006-12-09 11:53:40 · answer #10 · answered by mfroeh 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋