One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is what your cat eats. A feline diet that is too high in carbohydrates and magnesium, and low in protein can lead to FLUTD. When their cat is initially diagnosed with FLUTD, feline owners will usually first try to get their kitty to eat the prescription food recommended by their vet.
But what if the cat rejects their offering? As an alternative, there are specific, non-prescription cat foods available to maintain your cat's urine pH balance at 6.6. A high urine pH value indicates struvite crystal formation in your cat's urinary tract. The challenge is to find the right cat food that appeals to kitty, contains the proper amount of protein and magnesium, and has few or no by-products.
If you turn out to be one of those owners who has to find an alternative cat food, then here's five things to evaluate when selecting cat food to prevent future FLUTD occurences in your kitty:
1. What's the Most Common Ingredient?
The first and most common ingredient that should be listed is protein - meat or fish. Read the label carefully - here's some variations you could see:
Canned cat food:
Beef
Chicken Liver
Deboned Chicken
Beef Broth
Dry cat food:
Chicken
Organic Chicken
Herring Meal
Chicken Meal
Some other good ingredients that will help your kitty maintain good urinary tract health are blueberries and cranberries. Vegetables such as carrots are good, and rice is a good grain for your kitty to consume.
2. Are There Any By-Products?
Are by-products listed as one of the ingredients? If so, put that food back on the shelf and keep looking. By-products are filler material, and have limited nutritional value for your kitty. By-products are typically carbohydrates, and since cats are carnivores, they need protein, not carbs, for proper nutrition.
Here are some examples of by-products:
Canned cat food:
Corn gluten meal
Ground yellow corn
Soybean meal
Beef By-Products
Meat By-Products
Dry cat food:
Ground Yellow Corn
Chicken By-Product Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Wheat flour
Corn Meal
Soy flour
3. How Much Moisture Is In the Cat Food?
What's the percentage of moisture in the cat food you're evaluating? The higher the number, the better for your kitty. More moisture means your cat will urinate more. Increased urination will flush out any crystals that may be trying to form in your cat's urinary tract. Canned cat food has a higher moisture content than dry.
4. How Much Magnesium Does the Cat Food Contain?
An excess of magnesium will contribute to struvite crystal formation (FLUTD). Some magnesium is necessary, but generally look for cat food that has a maximum of 0.025% magnesium to prevent struvite crystals.
5. Does the Cat Food Contain DL-Methionine?
DL-Methionine is an amino acid with sulfur, which helps regulate ammonia formation in urine. This amino acid helps maintain your cat's urine pH balance around 6.6, which is normal and does not encourage crystal formation.
And...since cats are cats (which means they are in charge!), be aware that what you select for them may not be what they want to eat, if they don't like the taste. If this happens, you'll need to start over again until you find a wholesome, nutritious cat food that merits two paws up from your feline!
Keep these five factors in mind when shopping for cat food to maintain your kitty's urinary tract and prevent FLUTD.
And remember, when you're considering changing your cat's diet, consult with your vet. She or he will give you expert guidance and information to make the transition easier for you and your kitty.
Nancy has successfully eliminated cat urine odor from her home, and kept the kitty that caused it. The Cat Urine Odor Advisor helps you save money and stop the damage in your household by offering solutions that work together to eliminate cat urine odor from your home.
Subscribe to the Cat Urine Odor Solutions newsletter, and I'll send you my free report "Four Important Litter Box Basics For Your New Kitten." Start your new addition to the family off right, and never have a cat urine odor problem!
http://www.cat-urine-odor-advisor.com
Blog address - http://www.cat-urine-odor-advisor.com
RSS feed - http://www.cat-urine-odor-advisor.com
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carTrying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate... Read More
Brings live to your community tanksMany freshwater fish-keepers have a... Read More
Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More
There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More
There are a number of reasons for choosing natural pet... Read More
Domesticated rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart... Read More
The performing of dog tricks, while not a necessary part... Read More
The West Highland White Terrier or Westie, has it's origin,... Read More
Reading a pet food label, how difficult can it be?... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
How many times have you seen this situation where a... Read More
Mum, dad, can we get a puppy? Its a plea... Read More
West Highland White Terriers began their history as the undesirable... Read More
Witnessing your precious dog or cat having a seizure can... Read More
Teaching your puppy crate training is the first and best... Read More
'Help, my cat is pregnant and I don't know what... Read More
'I named all kittens, although they were all stillborn.' 'My... Read More
House rabbits are a perfect pet for many people, regardless... Read More
Gone are the days of boring bird cages. Today's bird... Read More
When you get a puppy, one of the first things... Read More
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More
Potty Training Your Puppy:Make sure you feed your dog at... Read More
Wondering how to begin crate training your puppy or dog,... Read More
All puppies are small dogs ? some, however, won't be... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn't... Read More
Keeping your dog safe is similar to keeping a child... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
There is a lot of talk going on about what... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
We all know how special interest groups can blow things... Read More
It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence... Read More
Selecting a Kitten It is best to choose your... Read More
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze... Read More
Wether it be on a vacation to your favorite resort,... Read More
Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are... Read More
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More
I have encountered folks who have complained to me about... Read More
Is your dog up to dirty no good again? Did... Read More
Are you considering buying a dog for your child or... Read More
Are cats and children a good mix?So, you had a... Read More
You need a strategy for using or disposing of your... Read More
Owning a dog is a serious responsibility, one that should... Read More
When you take into account that there are over 68,000,000... Read More
For Discus fish, there are 2 consideration in tanks -... Read More
If your kids have been begging you to get a... Read More
Animal lovers come in all shapes and sizes. Undoubtedly if... Read More
There are plenty of reasons why your cat loves you.... Read More
The Discus fish has its habitat in the South American... Read More
Pet |