Crystal-containing urine is not common in cats, but it can be a sign of a more serious medical condition when it does occur. If your cat has crystals in their urine, many foods can be eaten to help clear the urine and improve its health.

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What Are Crystals In The Urine, And What Does It Mean For Cats?

Crystals in a cat’s urine may indicate some underlying health issues. Crystals in the urine indicate kidney, bladder, or even urinary tract problems. If your cat has trouble passing urine, crystals might be one of the first signs you should check into. Crystals in a cat’s urine can also be a sign of illness or injury, so it’s essential to take your cat to the veterinarian if they start having these issues.

Causes Of Crystals In The Urine

Dehydration

Crystal formation in the urine of cats can be caused by dehydration, urinary tract infection (UTI), and certain medications. Dehydration is the most frequent cause of crystal formation in cats, as their kidneys cannot remove enough water from their bodies. Urine that contains crystals is a sign that your cat is dehydrated and needs to drink more fluids. UTIs are another common cause of crystal formation in cats’ urine. When bacteria enter the bladder through the urethra, they can create crystals as they thrive in an acidic environment. Medications can also cause crystal formation in cats’ urine, most commonly with diuretics like furosemide or bumetanide. When these medications are discontinued, the crystals may slowly dissolve over time.

Kidney Disease

There are many potential causes of crystals in urine in cats with kidney disease, including bladder stones. However, the underlying cause is usually not straightforward. Some things that might increase your cat’s risk of developing a bladder stone include: having a low urinary pH (lower than 6.5), having an increased level of calcium and magnesium in the urine, having a diet high in animal protein, and being overweight or obese. Some genetic factors may predispose cats to develop bladder stones, but the specific cause remains unknown. If you notice any changes in your pet’s urination pattern or if there is blood or gravel in the urine, you must schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a checkup.

Diabetes

There are many reasons why crystals can form in the urine of cats with diabetes. One common cause is too much blood sugar, which can lead to excessive urination. Other factors include a lack of water or a high protein level in the diet. These crystals can lead to health problems such as kidney failure or blindness.

High Urinary Calcium Levels

Crystal formation in the urine of cats is a common problem caused by high urinary calcium levels. Cats are particularly prone to struvite stones composed of magnesium, potassium, and calcium oxalate. These crystals can form when the urinary tract is chronically infected with bacteria or when the calcium concentration in the urine exceeds what is normal for a cat’s body.

Should You Look For A Non-Prescription Diet?

While a non-prescription diet may be less expensive, if it does not improve your cat’s condition, you will end up with another sizeable medical cost and a lot of agony for your cat—or worse.

That’s not a healthy situation for either your cat or your wallet.

However, prescription diets are a challenging subject, and the ambiguity of FDA rules does not help. These diets also do not contain prescription pharmaceuticals, which can be perplexing for the average customer who might (reasonably) equate a prescription diet with a prescription pill.

So, what are these diets for in the first place?

While it is not a perfect system, most therapeutic diets have scientific research to support their usefulness. One such study that supports Hills C/D Multicare can be found here. Most alternatives will lack a clinical trial unless they are a prescription diet.

Any decision should be discussed with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will know that these diets do not contain prescription medicines, and you want what is best for your cat.

With that in mind, let’s consider why you might choose an alternative.

Price

Price is perhaps the most important consideration for most people looking for a C/D or other urinary prescription diet solution.

However, it is vital to consider your cat’s long-term health and treatment costs. Saving money on cat food isn’t worth it if it jeopardises your cat’s health. You’ll pay the difference with the veterinarian’s cost in many circumstances.

That doesn’t mean you and your veterinarian can’t discover a viable alternative, but you should consider the nutritional worth of the food rather than price alone! Numerous methods exist to discover cheap cat foods without sacrificing quality, and urinary diets are no exception.

Quality of Ingredients

While some may be surprised, Hills Science Diet C/D has substances that some cat parents may prefer to avoid. While there is much dispute in feline nutrition, others consider some of these components fillers.

Let’s go over the first seven ingredients quickly:

Brewers Rice, Corn Starch, Soybean Meal, Pork By-Products, Water, Pork Liver, Chicken,

Not only do we observe by-products, but we also see two obvious carbs (brewers rice and corn starch) and an often unwanted soy product. As I’ve stated numerous times, this list does not imply that the food is terrible, but it is worth discussing all of your alternatives with your veterinarian.

Preference for Cats

At this point, I’ve published many food reviews, which means I’ve read thousands and thousands of cat food reviews from various companies.

I’ve read over 100,000 cat food reviews, and the most common reason cat parents post negative comment is that their cats don’t like the food! That’s why I wrote an entire guide on selecting the best-tasting cat food for picky eaters, but cats, like any other creature, have likes and dislikes, and for whatever reason, they don’t like certain foods.

This does not necessarily imply that the food is terrible. Still, if your cat refuses to eat Hills C/D or any other urinary prescription diet, you may need to find an alternative.

Proactive

In other cats, you may want to be proactive and ensure that your cat’s urine pH is within a healthy range before any issues arise. The proactive approach does not always justify acquiring a prescription or choosing substances you would rather avoid.

Instead, think of urinary benefits as part of your approach to your cat’s diet.

The Top 5 Foods For Cats With Urine Crystals

1. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control Wet Cat Food – Best Overall Urinary Cat Food

If you are seeking the best-canned cat food for urinary tract health that will perform well in all categories – quality ingredients, encourage cat urinary health, and help avoid hair build-up- I would strongly recommend Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food. The pack is available in two sizes: 2.9 oz and 5.5 oz. Try the smaller size initially because cats as we all probably know,occasionally reject items for no apparent reason. My cat will be the only cat in the world who dislikes tuna!

This adult cat chow contains the right balance of proteins, omega fatty acids, and vitamin E to keep your senior cats healthy. There is a suitable Magnesium dosage to assist your feline’s urinary system, which is the first item to suffer as they age.

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According to the manufacturer, fibre has been added to this urinary wet cat food so that hair in your cat’s digestive system passes readily and no hairballs form. I like that the first ingredient listed on the label is actual chicken rather than by-products.

Several customers have expressed confidence in the brand’s ability to provide the ideal diet. It’s worth noting that some folks switched to this as the best urinary cat food as soon as their cat reached adulthood.

The only thing that makes me nervous is that maise starch, soybean meal, and pork by-products have been included. As a result, it may not be suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs.

2. Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula – Urinary Cat Food with the Highest Moisture Content

Purina has created a 28-day challenge in which participants are said to enjoy favourable health symptoms such as bright eyes, healthy energy, strong teeth, and healthy gums. They back up their claims that this urinary tract cat chow is made entirely of real meat and contains no fillers.

Because this moist formulation has no grains, it is excellent for cats with sensitive digestive systems. There are two meat sources to choose from: fish or chicken. This age-appropriate composition delivers a balanced balance of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for urinary health, weight maintenance, and hairball control.

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And here comes the point when I am pretty doubtful. The label claims there are no fillers. However, the first two ingredients are Corn Gluten Meal and Ground Yellow Corn. Cats with sensitive stomachs may be unhappy as a result.

The moisture content is 10%, which is a plus. Some cat parents initially expressed anxiety about the corn and gluten contents, but the product worked well for their cats.

Some even claimed that it performed similarly to veterinarian-recommended cat chow but at a considerably lower cost.

3. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food – Best Dry Cat Food for Urinary Health

We’re always looking for dry food with the right size kibble. It is easier to store and is ideal if you frequently travel with your cat. Hill’s Science Diet successfully attracts cats with this dry food, and while my cat won’t admit it, I can tell you she adores the smell. I know it’s strange!

Even if your adult cat doesn’t have urinary tract issues, it’s a good idea to switch her to cat food with optimum magnesium levels to be safe. Cats are great at masking their pain and would never meow at you to let you know she has a problem.

You can give the 3.5-pound pack a try and see whether she loves it. The kibble is triangular and will easily fit into your pet’s mouth. These contain vitamin E and omega fatty acids to keep your lovely feline’s coat glossy.

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Aside from a well-balanced magnesium content, there is fibre to avoid hairballs and high-quality protein to guarantee your cat’s muscular mass is maintained. Muscle mass loss is frequently the first symptom of ageing. Because the first component is actual chicken, you may rest easy about the quality.

However, like many other cat parents, I wish there was no corn gluten meal and wheat gluten. If your cat has a maise or wheat allergy, it may be difficult for them to keep its food down.

4. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Cat Food – Best Non-Prescription Cat Food for Urinary Crystals

My vet always recommended this as the best urinary cat food option whenever my fur baby became ill due to UTI. As a result, my evaluation is based on my personal experience. This dry food for urinary tract health works excellently. However, the price keeps me from using it long-term.

Veterinarians and skilled nutritionists created this Hills Multicare formulation to help your cat’s urinary wellness. The most prevalent urinary problem in cats is the production of stones due to an excess of minerals. And this cuisine has been produced to improve most urinary health concerns without requiring surgical procedures.

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The firm says that this best cat food for urinary blockage contains clinically tested nutrition that can prevent urinary problems from recurring by up to 89%. It increases optimum urine pH levels to aid in the dissolution of struvite stones within seven days, minimising the likelihood of struvite and calcium oxalate stones.

It is perfect for picky eaters because it is available in dry and wet forms. The magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus amounts are adjusted to achieve an appropriate equilibrium. To further improve health, there are omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and potassium citrate.

If money isn’t an issue, I recommend you keep giving your mature cat this urinary tract cat food.

5. Best Prescription Urinary Cat Food: Hill’s Prescription Diet C/D Multicare Feline Bladder Health

I would never have realised the significance of purchasing the best urinary cat food if I hadn’t observed the benefits for myself. One of my rescue cats had bladder problems that lasted till her death. She was given this cat chow three times, which always helped her.

S+OXSHIELDTM has been included in Hill’s prescription foods. This component was explicitly created to lower the risk of struvite and calcium oxalate crystals.

Many cat parents said this product relieved their kitty’s suffering caused by bladder stones. The flavour is very well-liked, and even picky cats frequently finish the whole bowl in one sitting. It is excellent for cats who dislike or are bored of the same version’s chicken flavour. Cats generally adore fish flavours, and this ocean-fresh variety is no exception.

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The texture is pate, so cats who enjoy chewing on chunks would enjoy it. There’s also a version for stew fans. If all else fails, you can always crush chunks with the back of a spoon.

This most acceptable urinary cat food product contains the appropriate blend of vitamins and minerals to meet the energy needs of an aged cat while also resolving bladder difficulties.

Why Are Hills Science Diet C/D, Royal Canin Urinary SO, And Other Urinary Prescription Diets Recommended For Cats?

Hills C/D is widely advised for cats suffering from FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease). However, this is complicated because FLUTD is a generic name that encompasses multiple illnesses. Some of these illnesses are life-threatening situations (such as urethral blockage), whereas others produce pain over time but are not immediately fatal.

Many of these illnesses are also linked. Bladder stones, for example, are included in the FLUTD definition, and while they may pass or dissolve on their own, they can also induce urethral obstructions.

While FLUTD can be perplexing, crystals in the urine are the most typical cause for a C/D referral. Crystals can build and eventually form a stone in a cat’s urine due to a pH imbalance. There are two forms of crystals (and consequent stones) commonly found: struvite and calcium oxalate.

According to VCA Hospitals, these crystals are common in cat pee, but “in certain cases, these struvite crystals join together to form a real stone within the urinary tract.” These stones can irritate the urinary tract and may induce urinary blockage.”

While this may appear to be excessive detail, understanding why cats are offered Hills C/D is crucial before we can work out how to discover an acceptable urinary diet.

What Is the Process of Urinary Prescription Diets?

According to the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, the most significant considerations for stone prevention are:

The substances that make up the stones can also affect the pH of your cat’s urine, and we know that stones form when the urine pH is outside of a healthy range. Hills C/D works by adjusting the pH of your cat’s urine, but it also reduces elements like magnesium and phosphorous, which have been linked to stone formation.

While these minerals aren’t often directly specified on the cat label, they frequently appear in some form. They are frequently included in the total ash content. Ash refers to minerals left over in your cat’s food, including phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and others.

It’s also worth noting that diluting the pee (meaning keeping your cat hydrated) is vital. Wet food is one of the best methods to keep cats hydrated, but cats can drink much more than just water, so think of other innovative ways to keep your cat hydrated. Cats would obtain much hydration in the wild by eating mice and rats, but that is not an option for most of our feline pals.

On this list, we’ll look at wet and dry food, but it’s vital to emphasize how much-wet food may assist the general health of your cat’s urinary system.

Are Prescription Diets the Only Sources of Magnesium?

Certainly not! Magnesium is an important part of a cat’s diet for the secretion of hormones, however, it should be given in small levelled doses. Scientists and veterinarians “discovered a link between urinary tract disease in male cats and too high an ash level in cat food” in the 1970s. Later, it was found that only magnesium—a specific mineral in that ash content—was to blame.”

Since then, many firms have hopped on the low mineral bandwagon, aiding cats. When selecting low-magnesium meals, prescription diets are far from the sole option. Various non-prescription foods will contain low magnesium levels anyway, as it is a well-known preconception that high levels of magnesium can be dangerous.

How Do I Know How Much Magnesium Is in My Food?

Some cat food brands list the magnesium content right on the label, while others do not. In some circumstances, you’ll need to check the ash content, which isn’t always available. We’ll provide the ash content, magnesium content, or both for the alternatives on this list.

What Constitutes a Low Magnesium or Low Ash Diet?

According to the Tufts guidelines, the best solutions are to increase hydration and reduce the stone-causing chemicals in the diet. We also know that magnesium is a significant contributor.

Conclusion:

The best food for cats with crystals in their urine is one that is high in moisture content and low in ash. Foods such as canned wet foods, dry food mixed with water added, and fresh fruits and vegetables are all excellent choices.

FAQs

How do you dissolve struvite crystals in cats naturally?

Struvite crystals can cause urinary problems in cats. Some causes of struvite crystals are excessive ammonium in the urine and a diet rich in magnesium. Struvite crystals are also soluble in acid, which is why some veterinarians use hydrochloric acid or potassium citrate to dissolve the crystals.

Is Blue Buffalo good for cats with urinary problems?

Blue Buffalo is a well-known brand in the pet food industry. They are known for their high-quality wet and dry cat food. However, not all Blue Buffalo products are created equal.

The following table summarizes the pros and cons of Blue Buffalo products for cats with urinary problems:

Pros:

• High-quality ingredients

• Grain free

• Variety of flavors

Cons:

• Expensive

• Too many carbohydrates in some recipes