Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTDs) are a common concern for cat owners, with struvite crystals being a significant contributor. This article provides a detailed overview of struvite crystals, their formation, and the crucial role of diet in their prevention and management. It also touches on calcium oxalate stones, another common type of bladder stone in cats.
Understanding Struvite Crystals
Struvite, also known as magnesium ammonium phosphate, is a mineral composed of ammonium, phosphate, and magnesium. These substances are normally present in a cat's urine. Struvite crystals, even in microscopic sizes, can be found in the urine of healthy cats. However, problems arise when the kidneys lack sufficient fluid to flush out the struvite, leading to mineral accumulation.
Factors Contributing to Struvite Crystal Formation
Several factors contribute to the formation of struvite crystals:
- Alkaline Urine: The ideal pH of a cat's urine is slightly acidic, ranging from 6.0 to 6.5. When the urine becomes alkaline, it promotes the formation of struvite crystals.
- Concentrated Urine: Dehydration leads to heavily concentrated urine, increasing the likelihood of crystal formation. A cat's Urine Specific Gravity (USG) should ideally range between 1.008 and 1.012.
- Mineral Imbalance: While mineral deficiencies can cause health problems, a surplus of minerals can also stress the kidneys and contribute to crystal formation.
- Lack of Water Intake: Cats on a moisture-deficient, dry-food-only diet are more prone to bladder stones, according to the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS).
The Role of Diet in Preventing Struvite Crystals
Preventing struvite stones is possible with the right nutrition. The lack of fluids is the most common contributor to bladder stones, especially for indoor cats dependent on dry food. The water content in food helps kidneys filter out the waste matter.
The Importance of Animal Protein
Cats are obligate carnivores, requiring a diet rich in animal proteins for optimal health. Some believe that protein is the culprit in crystal formation, with meat containing minerals that contribute to the problem. However, eliminating protein, whether temporarily or permanently, is primarily beneficial for cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who struggle to process minerals.
Read also: Kidney-Friendly Cat Food Explained
Avoiding Excessive Carbohydrates
Cats do not require carbohydrates to survive. Many renal-friendly foods are low in proteins and high in carbs and fiber, which is not ideal for feline biology.
The Downside of Vegetable Proteins
Vegetable proteins are not a suitable alternative for cats with kidney issues. Cats struggle to digest vegetable proteins, which also lack taurine, an essential amino acid found in animal-based proteins.
Hydration is Key
A cat needs approximately 60ml of water daily for every kilogramme of their weight. Wet food, with its 60%-80% moisture content, aids digestion and helps prevent stone formation.
Practical Tips for Increasing Water Intake
- Place water bowls in your cat's favorite spots around the house.
- Experiment with different types of water bowls (e.g., ceramic, stainless steel).
- Consider using a pet water fountain to encourage drinking.
- Add flavor to the water with a small amount of tuna juice or chicken broth (ensure it's low sodium).
- Hydrate your cat’s food with chicken bone broth (no sodium) as a nutritious and enticing way to add moisture and flavor. Hydrate your cat’s food with kefir, which contains probiotics, beneficial enzymes, and vitamins B & K.
Treatment Options for Struvite Crystals
- Dietary Changes: Mild cases of struvite crystals may resolve with a proper diet.
- Medication: Moderate cases may require medication alongside dietary changes, especially if a UTI is present.
- Surgery: In critical cases where urination is impossible due to obstruction, surgery may be necessary. A urinary blockage typically requires several days of hospitalization to stabilize your cat, and one-to-two weeks for a full recovery. If a stone is blocking the flow of urine, your vet will insert a catheter to flush the stone back to the bladder.
- Prescription Diets: Vets often recommend tailor-made medical-grade diets during stone dissolution or post-surgery recovery.
Untamed: A Diet Option for Crystal Prevention
Some cat food products use cheap, fattening carbs and hold back on animal proteins. Such food may prevent mineral deposits but will not contribute to your cat's health in the long run. Untamed offers cat food with animal-sourced protein to their meals. They also preserve the nutritional content of their food by steam-cooking to keep all the nutrients and the aroma.
Calcium Oxalate Stones: An Overview
While struvite stones were historically the most common type of bladder stone in cats, calcium oxalate stones are now equally prevalent. These stones cannot be dissolved with diet and typically require surgical removal or other procedures like lithotripsy.
Read also: Guide to Raw Feeding for Cats
Management of Calcium Oxalate Stones
- Monitoring: Cats with calcium oxalate stones should be monitored with radiographs every 2-3 months to assess for recurrence.
- Dietary Adjustments: Recommendations include avoiding foods and supplements high in calcium and oxalates, and promoting a urinary pH of higher than 6.2.
- Increased Water Intake: Encouraging water intake by feeding canned food only and even mixing a little extra water in to bring the cat’s urine specific gravity to 1.030 or below is also very helpful.
Additional Considerations
- Underlying UTIs: Struvite stones can sometimes be associated with urease-producing urinary tract infections. In such cases, urine cultures and antibiotics are necessary.
- Breed Predisposition: Certain breeds, like Siamese cats, are more prone to bladder stones.
- Individualized Approach: Management strategies should be tailored to each cat, considering factors like age, sex, overall health, and stone composition.
The Importance of Veterinary Guidance
It is crucial to consult with a veterinarian for diagnosis, treatment, and dietary recommendations. A veterinarian can perform a urinalysis, radiographs, and other diagnostic tests to determine the type and size of the stones, as well as any underlying health issues. They can also recommend the most appropriate diet and treatment plan for your cat. Do not feed them any other foods-discuss any changes to your cat’s diet with your veterinarian first. Diluting your cat’s prescription food with other diets, treats, or snacks can lead to a recurrence of the problem. A recheck urinalysis will also help you to know if a problem is developing before symptoms start.
Medicus Veterinary Diets
Medicus Veterinary Diets offer freeze-dried pasteurized therapeutic diets. The gentle freeze-drying process makes the food safe for immunocompromised pets as well as shelf-stable for easier feeding.
Key Features of Medicus Diets
- Whole Food Ingredients: They use only high-quality, digestible animal proteins-wholesome cuts of meats from healthy USDA-Inspected animals being used for human consumption.
- No Fillers: They don't use Corn, which is commonly used as a filler for commercial kibble companies, as it is inexpensive and easily accessible.
- Nutrient Preservation: Utilizing a gentle process like freeze-drying preserves all of the benefits food offers - from the macro and micronutrients, including high levels of antioxidants that are vulnerable to heat processes.
- Locally Sourced Ingredients: They use locally-sourced ingredients for the freshest and highest-quality possible.
- Therapeutic Focus: These therapeutic diets address the nutritional needs of sick pets, so you can give your pet exactly what they need when they need it most.
Palatability Enticers and Transitioning
Following our transitioning guide can also help pets gradually adapt to their new food before fully feeding Medicus. It is extremely recommended that you add some kind of moisture to your pet’s meal, whether that be from warm water, bone broth, or kefir. Moisture aids overall digestion and helps move any harmful substances out of the body.
Read also: Is Hill's Science Diet Oral Care Worth It?
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