Preventing UTI/Crystals in cats (xpost)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2003
Preventing UTI/Crystals in cats (xpost)
5
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 10:49am
Hi all:

I am looking for some advice on prevention of UTI and crystals in cats. I have 2 - 21 month old cats (M & F, siblings) and on the suggestion of our pet sitter, who also works in a veterinary hospital, I have been feeding the 'kids' Hills C/D dry food for about 9 months now. They get wet food as well with their dry food. I did this because I've heard how painful UTI's are and I wanted to do all I can to prevent them.

Anyway, today I did some surfing on the internet and read in a couple of places that feeding this highly acidic food to healthy cats can induce the creation of calcium oxalate crystals which are just as bad as the struvite crystals which the Hills C/D is made to prevent. My cats do not have UTIs and I'm wondering if I should continue with the Hills or go to a regular food and only use the Hill's if they get an infection.?

I am definitely an over-protective mommy when it comes to my furbabies and I just want to do all I can to prevent them from getting sick, however, I don't want to cause one problem when trying to prevent another. They are totally indoor cats who are fed twice per day with lots of fresh water bowls throughout the house and lots of litter boxes too.

CAn anyone offer any advice or suggestions?

Thanks bunches. Sol and Luna thank you as well!

Debbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 10:59am

I've never heard that about Hill's c/d diet.

Cat =^..^=
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 11:13am
Seven months ago, when Tasha was dealing with her own Struvite crystals, I did a lot of reading on the internet. One veterinary website had a whole article on the link between FLUTD and low-quality dry food (like a generic store brand, for example). It was a very interesting article, and I've kind of heard before that dry food with high ash content can increase the likelihood of FLUTD. I wish I could find that article again.

I see nothing wrong with keeping your kitties on a preventative diet. My Tasha will have to be on one for the rest of her life.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2003
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 1:39pm
Thanks for the information.

The articles I read did did not specifically mention Hills c/d but that is the dry food that I am currently feeding my cats which is supposed to help prevent the struvite crystals. I just figured since it was one of those types of foods it might cause these particular calcium oxalate crystals as well.

Deb

Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 2:58pm

I don't think it's completely possible to prevent UTIs in cats. I have read where low ash and magnesium in the diet helps, but probably not 100%. I think the best way to prevent them is to make sure you always have fresh, good water out for your cats so they will drink as much as possible.


Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 4:02pm
I fed Tiger and Dusty both Hills their whole life. Dusty developed crystals late in life and then I switched him to the c/d that is fro the crystals