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
shuttle from O'Hare Orland Park .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareAs our horses enjoy a longer life and many live... Read More
Every day we are looking for ways to make our... Read More
Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing... Read More
Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More
The American Humane Society estimated that last year alone; fifteen... Read More
Because it is imperative that discus fish have optimal water... Read More
The proper selection of a training collar can have a... Read More
1) Why should I crate train my dog? ... Read More
A breed of dog called a Boxer is very family-oriented... Read More
My dog has fleas. That one statement is enough to... Read More
Some people are so attached to their pets that they... Read More
The greatest fear of most pet owners is that there... Read More
At some time or another even the sweetest cat "misbehaves."... Read More
Is your dog one of those that pulls at his... Read More
Moving is about as stressful a time as any in... Read More
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More
So you're thinking about trying cichlids. A good choice. In... Read More
Dogs, especially young dogs are very playful by nature.Play provides... Read More
Caring for your dogs teeth is a vital part of... Read More
If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More
If you are thinking of adding a feline to your... Read More
Most parrot people are aware of some of the basic... Read More
Does the idea of trimming your dog's nails send chills... Read More
There are three important litter box considerations to account for... Read More
When goldfish swim up to the glass of the tank,... Read More
Lincoln Town Car rentals Addison ..In the purebred West Highland Terrier puppy market, there are... Read More
So you want to keep discus fish or are already... Read More
If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
How do you build a goldfish pond outdoors?The tools you... Read More
Boxer dogs are an all around great breed, especially skilled... Read More
Dogs are a fantastic edition to any family but like... Read More
Vitamins for Pets - How Essential Are They?A vitamin supplement... Read More
Natural preventative pet care isn't a new thing but it... Read More
Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company... Read More
Like most dog owners, you probably take your dog with... Read More
Puppies are a bundle of newfound joy. You've prepared the... Read More
All dogs bark, it's their way to communicate a message.... Read More
Anyone can put two dogs together and let them breed,... Read More
One we must regrettably share with our children for they... Read More
Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More
The term applehead Chihuahua refers to the shape of a... Read More
If your dog could talk, these are some of most... Read More
Picture this. You're late for work one day. You look... Read More
Some sources seem to indicate that living with a serval... Read More
I'm a dog lover who believes that every dog owners... Read More
Animal welfare organizations and humane societies have been very successful... Read More
Throughout the course of my life, I've encountered my own... Read More
Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn't... Read More
Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of... Read More
Pet |