Thursday, March 28, 2024

Iams Urinary Health Cat Food

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Real Animal Protein Is #1

royal canin vs iams cat food

Protein from real poultry and fish provide the building blocks for healthy muscles and the fuel your furry friend needs to thrive. Every IAMS dry cat food recipe features high-quality, natural animal protein from sources like chicken, turkey and salmon that provide excellent nutrition and flavor for your carnivorous cat companion.

Supplements And Nutrients That Support Cat Urinary Tract Health

Many supplements have been recommended for cats prone to developing stones and infections. However, not all of these are backed up by science. Cranberry is often suggested, as it can be helpful for humans. However, we dont know if it affects cats in the same way. There is anecdotal evidence that it may be helpful, but we dont have any definite evidence that makes a significant difference.

Vitamin C may also be helpful, and many foods for urinary tract health have added vitamin C. It is thought to provide an acidifying effect on the cats urine, lowering the number of stones that develop. Often, brands that claim to be changing the cats urine pH are using extra vitamin C.

Cats that are dehydrated are more likely to develop urinary problems, as their urine will be more complicated. Therefore, foods with more moisture can also be helpful. Canned food is often recommended for this reason, as it is naturally higher in moisture than dry food.

Reduced minerals may also be helpful, as these are the things that can cause stones to develop and concentrate the cats urine. Reduced protein may also be suggested, as too much protein can upset the kidneys in some cats.

Is Urinary Cat Food Safe For Sensitive Tummies

If your cat has a milder sensitive stomach, you might be able to get away with feeding him the canned version of his favorite food. Check the list at catinfo.org to find some good options with relatively low levels of carbohydrates and high levels of moisture to benefit the bladder.

For cats with a severe food sensitivity or food allergy, I often recommend feeding a moist/canned version of hypoallergenic food such as Royal Canin Selected Protein .

Ask your vet for help choosing cat food if your cat has a sensitive stomach and urinary troubles.

Read Also: What Is A Cat’s Normal Heart Rate

Some Cats Should Not Eat Urinary Food

As shown in the table above, prescription urinary formula cat food is not safe for certain cats.

  • Cats under a year of age are still growing. Urinary cat food might not have enough protein, fat and minerals for them.
  • Pregnant or nursing cats have increased nutritional needs. The controlled nutrients in urinary food may not be enough to support them during this physiologically stressful time.
  • Cats who are already taking urinary acidifying medications like ammonium chloride may not do well with additional acidification of urine from food. Consult your vet before using both.
  • Avoid feedingcats who form oxalate crystals an acidifying diet since a lower urine pH favors the formation of calcium oxalate crystals.
  • Cats who form struvite crystals should avoid eating prescription urinary foods that aim to increase urine pH.
  • Cats with kidney disease or heart disease might have unwanted side effects from eating urinary formula food due to increased salt present in some formulas.

Provide High Protein Meat Based Food

Iams Proactive Health Adult Urinary Tract Health with ...

Most dry cat food are high in grain proteins, which are alkalizing. Meat based foods are better than grain-based foods! Raw meat diets are best at preventing FLUTD, then followed by wet or canned foods, which contain more meat and fewer grains than dry food.

The first and most common ingredient that should be listed is meat protein. Read the label carefully. Here are variations you could see:

Canned cat food:

  • Soy flour

Also Check: Tastefuls Cat Food

Natures Variety Limited Ingredient Recipe

  • Price on the high side
  • Some complain cats refuse to eat

Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Turkey Recipe provides a moisture-rich recipe for healthy digestion and essential antioxidants. Since it has a limited number of ingredients, this recipe is a good choice for sensitive cats.

This cat food is made with just one animal protein and one vegetable. All Instinct by Natures Variety cat food is made with Non-GMO ingredients and has no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

Popular Prescription Urinary Formula Cat Foods

Cat food manufacturers specify which cats should and should not eat each of their prescriptions foods. Ive made a list of the most popular urinary formula foods for cats with feeding information from the manufacturers. Affiliate links lead to Amazon.com if you want to look at the packaging.

Brand
Increases urine volume, controlled mineral levels, omega-3 fatty acids & antioxidants, hydrolyzed milk protein & L-tryptophan for stress, helps control weight. Growing kittens, pregnant or nursing cats.

Recommended Reading: How Long Does Wet Cat Food Last

Is It Ok To Moisten Dry Food

Adding water will not change the nutritional value of dry cat food. However, once moisture is added the food should be eaten relatively soon, and any uneaten portion should be discarded to avoid spoilage. Feeding your cat dry food is usually encouraged because of the benefit to your cats dental health.

My Cat Wont Eat Urinary Prescription Food

Iams Cat Food & Cat Treats | Chewy

If your cat refuses to eat the urinary prescription food prescribed by your vet, ask for a different formula. There are many, many options for dry food, moist food and even pate or chunky moist foods.

If you still cant find a food your cat likes, ask your vet if it would be safe for your cat to try a non-prescription food, preferably a moist version.

There are some cool tricks of the trade to get your wet-food-hating cat to see the light. Do a little reading about how to persuade your cat to eat wet food before you give up. Check out this amazing article on Canned Food Transition for Cats Addicted to Dry Food from Dr. Lisa Peirson.

Prescription urinary food for cats is only one of the tools we have for preventing bladder inflammation. Remember that multimodal environmental enrichment can help your cats chronic bladder symptoms as much or more than any particular diet .

If your cat is stuck on eating non-prescription cat food, refuses to eat moist food or whatever other stubborn food habits she has You can still make a big difference by changing your home and activities to support her mental health.

The folks at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine have a brilliant web site telling you how to make your cats world much more welcoming.

Recommended Reading: How To Keep Cats Off Your Car At Night

How Much Does Iams Cat Food Cost

It would cost about $0.30 per day to feed a 10-lb cat one of the Iams dry foods reviewed above.

The Iams canned food reviewed above costs roughly $1.62 each day. If you prefer a food packed in a tray, Iams Perfect Portions food is more expensive at about $2.76 per day.

Most Iams foods have prices comparable to mid-level brands like Purina Beyond or Rachael Ray Nutrish, with some of their wet foods entering premium price territory. Even their most expensive foods contain low-cost or unnecessary ingredients that you might not find in similarly-priced foods.

What To Consider In A Cat Food For Urinary Tract Health

Plan to carefully read labels when deciding which brand is right for your cat. First, pet parents should work with their veterinarian on what their cat specifically needs, says Dr. Bernal. A veterinarian will be able to provide the key attributes that the cat parent should look for to support their cats urinary tract health.

Read Also: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Kitten Wet Food

Is Wet Food Better For Cats With Bladder Inflammation

Wet food seems to help most cats with FIC/bladder inflammation. At least one study supported the use of canned food over wet food but the study was small and had some design flaws so its not clear if this applies to all cats.

Vets recommend feeding an all wet food diet because it increases urine volume. More urine keeps the bladder flushed out so the mineral, protein and mucus content of urine is more diluted. Keeping the bladder flushed decreases the chance of urethral obstruction.

Cats as a species are very sensitive to change. That includes the type of food they prefer. Some cats simply refuse to eat wet food. This may be due to habit, preference for the texture of dry cat food or because of flavor enhancers added to dry food that are missing from moist cat food.

Another drawback to feeding an entirely wet food diet to your cat is that moist cat food is more expensive than dry food. Wet food is more likely to go to waste if not eaten right away and its not as convenient as dry cat food.

Considering that there are millions of cats who eat dry food who dont have any urinary problems, its reasonable to conclude that wet/moist cat food is not necessary for a cat to have a healthy bladder. But if your cat has a history of bladder problems, wet food is definitely worth trying.

Pdp: Accordion: Detail: Block447 Product Description

IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Urinary Tract Healthy Dry Cat ...

Keep your cats at their best with IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Healthy Adult Dry Cat Food with Chicken, a recipe designed to support healthy bodies and provide healthy energy for play. Chicken is the #1 ingredient in this high-quality poultry-based cat kibble, made for outdoor or indoor cat diets. It helps maintain digestive health by providing a unique, tailored fiber blend that delivers prebiotics and beet pulp, which helps support your cats ability to absorb nutrients. Plus, the crunchy cat kibble texture helps reduce plaque buildup. If youre looking for the chicken flavor cats love, get your paws on this and keep your feline happy, healthy, and ready to pounce with the 100% complete and balanced nutrition of IAMS.

  • Strong muscles: Real chicken as the 1st ingredient helps maintain strong muscles.
  • Healthy heart: Essential nutrients, including calcium & potassium, help nourish a healthy heart.
  • Healthy digestion: Unique fiber blend with prebiotics & beet pulp support your cat’s ability to absorb nutrients.
  • Healthy teeth: Crunchy kibble helps reduce plaque build-up.
  • Healthy skin & coat: Optimal Omega 6:3 ratio for a soft & shiny coat.
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    What Causes Urinary Tract Disease

    There is no single cause of feline urinary tract disease. Veterinarians have determined that there are components that may contribute to the prevalence of the disease. For more information or diagnosis, you should contact your veterinarian.Causes may include the following:

    • Cats more than 1 year of age are most susceptible.
    • Overweight cats
    • Lack of exercise
    • History of chronic kidney disease or urinary tract procedures
    • Both male and females cats suffer from the disease equally, but neutered male cats have a greater risk of life-threatening urethral obstruction from the crystals or stones

    Home Environment Risks:

    • Inside-only cat
    • Multiple pet households
    • Stress: This could include house guests, conflict with other pets, or a lack of places to rest or hide
    • Not drinking enough water can increase the risk of urinary tract disease in cats
    • Cats can internalize stress in their urinary tract, which can lead to painful inflammation
    • Cats can associate painful urination with the litter box and stop using it

    Nutritional Risks:

    Feeding the wrong food can contribute to the development of a urinary tract disease . With FLUTD, crystals or stones form within the urinary tract and cause irritation, pain and possibly blockage. In severe cases, this can lead to kidney damage or may even be fatal if not properly treated.

    Best Wet: Hill’s Prescription Diet C/d Multicare Urinary Care With Chicken Canned Cat Food

    Key Ingredients: Pork Liver, Carrots, Chicken, Tuna, Wheat Gluten, Rice, Spinach, Corn Starch, Chicken Liver Flavor, Fish Oil, Chicken Fat | Calories per Serving: 82 | Balance: Protein min. 6.5%, Fat min. 3.0%, crude fiber max. 2.0% | Life stage: Adult and senior cats | Texture: Rice sized chunks in a light gravy

    • Shown to dissolve struvite crystals and prevents new ones

    • Not grain-free

    • Requires a veterinary prescription

    Nutritionists and veterinarians developed Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care wet cat food specifically to support a cat’s urinary health. Hills claims that c/d Multicare was studied and demonstrated to lower the recurrence of most common urinary signs by 89 percent. They also claim that struvite stones have dissolved in some cats in as little as seven days, and on average 27 days, while also reducing the risk of forming struvite and calcium oxalate stones.

    The ingredients are recognizable on the label and in the food. Top ingredients include pork liver, carrots, chicken, tuna, rice, spinach, chicken fat and fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Also containing important vitamins and minerals, the amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium are controlled to prevent crystal formation. This brand is also available in chicken and vegetable stew flavor.

    • Long history developing the formula

    • Science-based nutrition

    • Not a fit for some cats with sensitive digestive systems

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    Why Trust The Spruce

    This piece was written by Lorraine Wilde who has had at least two cat companions in her home for the past 35 years including some special needs kitties. Two of her cats lived happy and healthily into their early 20s. Her current feline companions have been challenged by digestive and urinary tract health issues. When researching these brands, Lorraine evaluated the type and quality of the ingredients, the companys research and development of the food, and their business ethics.

    Because she has only the highest of standards for what she feeds her pets, Lorraine recently switched to Evangers EVx Restricted Diet Urinary Tract and Evanger Organics Turkey and Butternut Squash canned food to help improve her older cats’ health issues. Lorraines family will consider adding the supplement Under the Weather Urinary Support Soft Chews for the benefits imparted by D-mannose.

    Dr. Danielle Bernal is a Global Veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. She holds a Bachelors of Veterinary Science from University of Sydney and is a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the U.K. She has more than 15 years experience in veterinary care, animal nutrition and related communications. She travels across the United States and other countries to educate pet parents on the role that premium, natural nutrition plays in pets health and longevity.

    How To Get A Cat To Drink More Water

    My cats trying Purina Beyond Dry Food and Iams Treats

    All is not lost even if your cat absolutely refuses to eat canned food despite your efforts. There are other ways to increase your cats water intake besides feeding wet cat food.

    Try different kinds of water dishestry plastic, metal, and ceramic. Use differently shaped dishesshallow, deep, large, small. Try locating water dishes in various areas around your home so theres always one convenient when your cat feels thirsty.

    A lot of cats love drinking from a flowing fountain and there are many products available to choose from these days. The cute flower fountain shown below is a favorite amongst the cats I know. Just be sure to disassemble and thoroughly wash the entire fountain every few days or your cat might not want to drink from it.

    You might try adding a flavored liquid to your cats food or as a side dish. Tuna water, chicken broth, beef broth or clam juice are popular flavors. You can try diluting the flavoring ingredient with water. Freeze the extra flavored water in ice cube trays and thaw when youre ready to use them.

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    Iams Proactive Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food

    • Contains grains
    • Contains by products

    IAMS Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Kibble for adult cats is designed to support a healthy urinary tract. For outdoor or indoor cats, this formula helps reduce the pH in cat urine to promote urinary tract health.

    Made with high-quality protein to help support strong muscles. Includes vitamin E to maintain a healthy immune system and essential nutrients, like calcium and potassium, for a healthy heart.

    The crunchy kibble has an optimal omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio for a soft, shiny coat. Keep your cat happy and healthy with IAMS Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food.

    Buyers Guide: Tips For Choosing The Best Cat Food For Urinary Health

    Choosing a cat food for a feline can be difficult, especially if your feline has an underlying health problem that needs to be offset by diet, such as chronic urinary tract infections or stones. Many cats with common urinary tract problems are diagnosed with FLUTD, which stands for feline lower urinary tract disease. Felines with this problem have reoccurring bacterial bladder infections, develop bladder crystals, and have inflammation in their urinary tract.

    This problem is more severe in males, as it can cause urinary blockage and be life-threatening. Females are more prone to bacterial infections, but they dont suffer blockages as often.

    Diet can often be used to manage these problems, though it isnt the end-all to treatment. Often, different medications and supplements are needed as well.

    Read Also: Wild Blue Cat Food

    Pdp: Accordion: Detail: Block447 Feeding Guidelines

    These guideline amounts are a starting point and your cat may need more food depending upon age, activity and temperament. In order to reach optimal body condition, you may need to adjust food intake. This represents the total recommended volume of food per day. You should divide the total recommended feeding amount by the number of times you feed your cat per day to get the actual portion size per feeding.

  • If you have a kitten, pregnant or nursing cat, we recommend feeding IAMS kitten food.
  • Remember to have clean, fresh water available for your cat at all times.
  • Because IAMS HEALTHY ADULT with chicken cat food is complete and balanced for maintenance, you do not need to add vitamin or mineral supplements.
  • When introducing IAMS cat food, gradually mix it with your cat’s current food over the course of 4 days
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