Urinary Care Cat Food
Urinary issues is one of the most common reasons a pet parent brings their cat to the vet clinic. Apart from treating any symptoms, nutrition is one of the cornerstones of managing and preventing urinary problems in our feline friends.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
FLUTD doesn't refer to a particular disease per se but it is a complex of conditions that affect the urethra and the urinary bladder. Common signs include the following:
- Pain or straining to urinate
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Blood in urine
- Frequent or prolonged urination
- Excessive licking of genitals
It is important if you see any of these symptoms that you have your cat come in for a full physical exam and a urinalysis. Imaging like x-ray or ultrasound may also be recommended. In severe cases, cats may experience a blockage where they are unable to pee and this is considered a medical emergency.
Stress can be a major contributing factor to urinary issues in cats. Stress increases stimulus to the bladder, causing inflammation, making urinary issues more likely to reoccur.
The management of urinary issues requires a multimodal approach, and nutrition helps to optimise the composition of the urine to reduce the risk of urinary problems, dissolve urinary crystals, and support overall health and well-being.
Nutritional Solutions for Urinary Issues
Urinary diets are complete and balanced diets geared towards supporting urinary tract health.These diets have controlled mineral levels to support optimal urine conditions that make crystals and stones less likely to form.
Some diets contain ingredients like potassium citrate which binds to calcium, one of the building blocks of a specific type of urinary stone, making it soluble in the urine. Antioxidants and omega fatty acids also help to reduce pain and inflammation.
Non-prescription urinary diets are great for healthy cats to help promote urinary health and prevent issues in the future but for cats that have a history of urinary problems, prescription or veterinary diets may be more suitable, especially for long term use.
As FLUTD is commonly associated with obesity, there are diets that combine both weight loss and urinary health features. For cats that are particularly sensitive to stress, there are also options that incorporate anti-stress ingredients like L-tryptophan and hydrolysed milk protein to help manage stress and anxiety.
Does dry food cause urinary problems in cats?
Dry food by itself doesn't cause urinary problems in cats and many cats can and do well just being on dry food. However, as moisture content is low in dry food, keeping on top of your cat's water intake is vital. Using a water fountain can entice them to drink and having multiple water bowls especially in multilevel households can ensure ready access to drinking water.
Is wet or dry food better for cats with urinary problems?
Hydration is an important part of managing urinary problems. Feeding wet food or even just increasing the proportion of wet to dry, or putting kibble in a bowl where your cat can simultaneously drink every time they come in for a bite, can make a big difference in improving water intake and hydration status.
Author info: Dr Antonella Virina Pet Circle Inhouse Veterinarian.
