FLUTD in the Diet
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a common problem among cats, and can cause serious health concerns if improperly managed. The condition is caused by the buildup of minerals in the bladder, facilitated by an unbalanced urine pH and in some cases, unusually high urine concentration. FLUTD can involve struvite, calcium oxalate or urate crystals, and the crystal type determines the appropriate treatment. Dietary adjustment is necessary to return the bladder and urine to normal, and is helpful in preventing recurrence.
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Struvite Crystals
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Struvite crystals form in urine that is too alkaline, so a slightly elevated ash content will work to acidify the urine. The proper diet will also contain low levels of the minerals like magnesium and phosphorus that make up the crystals, and may even help dissolve stones.
Calcium Oxalate Crystals
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Calcium oxalate crystals form in urine that is too acidic. Added potassium citrate will work to raise the pH of the urine, while limited amounts of calcium and oxalate and increased levels of vitamin B6 will prevent crystals from forming. Calcium oxalate stones cannot be dissolved and must be surgically removed.
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Urate Crystals
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Urate crystals also form in acidic urine, so a food that raises the urine pH would be beneficial. Lower protein levels also help prevent the crystals from aggregating and forming stones by lowering the amount of nitrogen that must be filtered by the kidneys. There is no diet that will dissolve urate stones, so they must be removed surgically or through urohydropropulsion. Cats with urate stones generally have an underlying liver disease, so that must be addressed nutritionally as well.
Moisture Content
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No matter what type of crystal is plaguing your cat, adequate hydration is vital to dilute the urine and prevent crystal formation. Dry kibble contains almost no moisture, and must be avoided because most cats do not drink enough water to compensate for the lack of water. Many veterinarians recommend raw food diets for cats with urine problems, as these tend to be closer to a cat's natural diet, but many pet owners find raw food diets to be expensive and time consuming to prepare. A high-quality canned food will provide enough moisture and will most likely contain a higher quality protein and less grain than dry foods.
Feeding Method
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A cat's normal urine should be slightly acidic, but it becomes alkaline for a short time following a meal. This is called post-prandial alkalosis, and can be detrimental to cats suffering from struvite crystals. Allowing the cat to free-feed throughout the day helps the urine maintain a lower pH, as the meals are much smaller and more frequent. Cats with calcium oxalate or urate crystals, however, may reap a slight benefit from this process, and should be maintained on twice-daily feedings.
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References
- Photo Credit Cat"s food image by Alexey Stiop from Fotolia.com
