Diet plans for cats with struvite?

Question

My cat was just diagnosed with struvite. The vet will be getting a prescription in, but I am hoping to do this with an over-the-counter (read: less costly!) diet plan.

Don't worry, I am willing to pay for the prescription diet if need be. But, are there any non-prescription cat foods that work for this?

Any other hints on dealing with struvite would be great too. :-)

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Sam...cats diagnosed with struvites as a result of FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disorder) requires a dietary balance to acidify urine in order to eliminate or minimize recurrences of struvite so I'll do my best to explain the how this is best attained in order to avoid future recurrences of FLUTD symptoms.

A little background about causes of FLUTD and struvite. It is caused by several factors, and combinations of these factors, which include obesity, stress, urinary pH, water and fibre intake in the animal's diet. Recurrence is common with FLUTD cats so preventive measures such a canned food diet to keep hydration levels high plus any other ways to encourage more water consumption is a must, easy access to multiple litter boxes in addition to regular check ups as well as supplementation with prescriptions depending on the severity of the condition.

Cats who eat dry cat foods tend to suffer from recurring episodes and this seems to be a common denominator with cats diagnosed with various types of FLUTD. The idea is to acidify the urine because cats with FLUTD have low urine pH so your goal is to reverse this and canned foods have been known to achieve the results.

Additionally, most commercial grade cat foods contain corn, corn meal which are fillers (carbohydrates) that bind the dry food together as a way of keeping foods lasting longer. Try finding cat food products which are devoid of these ingedients. The first ingredients should show chicken, chicken meal, etc. Most show the first ingredients as corn on the ingredient labels. IAMs, Science Diet, Purina, Whiskas, Friskies ...all have corn listed as the main ingredient. Cats who eat these tend to always feel hungry because the carbs don't metabolize fast enough and cats are obligate carnivores so they need a diet devoid of these types of carbs. Products such as Innova EVO, Nature's Variety Prairie, James Wellbeloved (for UK residents), are premium brands. Most cats who eat these find that they do not eat to eat as much because their appetite is better satiated.

Additionally, it's important to schedule feed a cat so you can monitor servings taken in during the day. Each product lists the recommended servings based on a age and weight. Cats who are switched from a free-fed diet should be fed multiple times a day (if permittable) such as once in the morning, mid-day, and then evening before your bedtime this helps lower the urine pH as well unlike free feeding.

When switching to a new brand of cat food it is also important to note that sudden changes can cause sever bowel distress. Cats have very sensitive digestive systems so the quick change will cause bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting. Any vet can confirm this fact. Cat food should be changed gradually by mixing the current brand with the new brand over the course of several weeks. For example you would take 3/4 servings of the old cat food to 1/4 servings with the new for one week...then the next week 1/2 to 1/2...then following 1/4 of the old to 3/4 of the new in the third week before completing the switch in the final week. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?articleid=99

Furthermore, a canned food diet, which is very helpful for cats who suffer from FLUTD. For some reason the hydration in the canned products helps metabolize food better and are also completely devoid of carbohydrates, which is more optimal for the feline's body and while at the same acidifies the urine pH which is perfect for cats who have FLUTD . When cats eat raw meat in the wild they get hydration from the fresh meat juices as well as some roughage from the animals who are natural herbivores. A mixture of canned and dry are always best for cats in the long-term, which many people are unaware of. We are have been exposed to so many commercial ads regarding dry food for cats, but in reality it's the manufacturer's who benefit rather than the cats. Cats are not naturally designed to eat dry--the products were designed for convenience for the owner.

Here's an article about commercial cat food; dry vs. canned, proper nutritional needs, etc: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/cat-food/review.html

Here are some websites that I've researched to help prepare for the long road ahead to minimize the repeat episodes:
FLUTD (also formerly known as FUS):
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/urinary.html
http://www.hdw-inc.com/healthfus.htm
http://www.thensome.com/flutd.htm
http://www.fabcats.org/flutd.html
http://www.vet.uga.edu/sams/courses/urology/lectures/Lecture06_FelineIdiopathicCystitis.pdf
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_feline_lower_urinary_tract_dis.html
http://www.holisticat.com/fusfaq.htm

Answer 2

Your cat will need a prescribed diet, and the first one you try might not work. I've been through this with my cat; he recently blocked for the second time. We were using Feline Control and will now be trying Royal Canin SO. It disolves both struvite and oxilate.

Use the best prescription FTULD diet you can and don't feed treats. Feeding treats changes the chemistry of the diet that you will be paying lot's of money for. (you can keep some of the prescription kibble in a seperate bag and feed it as a treat....you're cat likely won't know the difference).

It is expensive, but not as expensive as repeated blocking incidents...and it could save your cat's life.

Answer 3

I would strongly recommend that you stick with the food that your vet perscribes for your cat, I know it can be costly, however, treating your cat repeatedly for the same problem will cost you more in the long run. Good Luck

Answer 4

I would strongly recommend that you stick with the food that your vet perscribes for your cat, I know it can be costly, however, treating your cat repeatedly for the same problem will cost you more in the long run. Good Luck

Answer 5

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