Urinary Cat Food Non-prescription Substitute

How Diet Affects The Urinary Tract

Feeding your cat a balanced diet is essential for their overall health. The wrong foods can easily wreak havoc in their urinary tract system, leading to LUTD .

Often, specific additives and minerals in cat food like phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium can lead to urethra-blocking crystals. You often find high levels of these problem ingredients in the grocery store or bargain brand cat food.

Another way that food can impact your cats urinary tract is through acidity or pH. Cats with moderately acidic urine have a healthy urinary tract. Be aware that less acidic urine can lead to the formation of painful struvite crystals.

Alternatives To A Prescription Diet For My Pet

In general, whole, unprocessed foods will always be better than highly processed foods. While specialized diets are necessary, they can be better obtained using fresh, human-grade products that are species-appropriate.

We can find plenty of foods with identical ingredients but without the exorbitant costs.

For instance, Pet Assistant’s nutritionists can help you put together a high fiber, low-glycemic index diet for a pet with diabetes and our Food FInder can help you find equivalent foods. So, pets prone to urinary stones can also be placed on a low protein, nucleic acids, calcium, phosphorus, sodium diets without prescriptions or unnecessary costs.

We can do the same for other ailments, including heart disease, liver, and digestive problems. Better diets can be created that are still high in nutrients and lower in calories to help your pet achieve optimal health.

Understanding Kidney Problems In Cats

Your cats kidneys perform many important roles in the body. Not only do they help regulate blood pressure, produce hormones, and support immune activity but they also help filter wastes and toxins out of the blood. Unfortunately, many cats develop kidney problems as they age and, left untreated, kidney disease can lead to serious health complications. With prompt diagnosis, proper treatment, and a healthy diet, however, you can improve your cats health and boost his longevity.

There are two primary types of kidney failure in cats: acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease. Acute renal failure develops quickly over a matter of days and weeks. It can affect cats of any age and is typically the result of poison, trauma, infection, blockages, heart failure, or shock from rapid blood or fluid loss. Acute kidney problems can often be reversed if diagnosed and treated in time.

Chronic kidney disease is most common in cats middle-aged and older and it can be more difficult to treat. The exact cause of chronic kidney problems is not always easy to identify but may include kidney infections and blockages as well as other conditions like advanced periodontal disease, thyroid problems, cancer, and hypertension.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of kidney problems in cats:

• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Weakness and lethargy

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Farmina N& d Functional Dry Cat Food

Another great product is this dry cat food for urinary health from Farmina. This food is duck flavored, and 94% of the protein comes from natural animal sources. Overall, the protein content is 33%. This is a perfect balance your cat gets enough protein and all essential amino acids delivered in the diet without putting too much strain on the kidneys.

The analytical mineral content of this food also helps reduce the formation of mineral deposits and urinary crystals. There is only 0.08% magnesium, 0.80% phosphorus, and 1.00% calcium, ensuring your cats mineral needs are met without increasing the risk. Crude ash content is slightly high at 7.90%, but the breakdown of the individual minerals gives me confidence in this food.

My favorite thing about this food from Farmina is its natural origin. The recipe contains limited ingredients, keeping things simple for your cats digestive system. It also uses natural ingredients for balanced nutrition, such as dried cranberry, chamomile, green tea, rosemary, and quinoa. It has no artificial preservatives, no cereals, and is cruelty-free.

The main downside of this cat food is its moisture content. As a dry food, the moisture content is only 8%. You need to ensure your cat is drinking enough water to help compensate! A cat drinking a lot of water and meowing in approval can reap the rewards without the risk of becoming dehydrated.

Pros

Cons

Why Are Cats Recommended Hills Science Diet C/d Royal Canin Urinary So Or Other Urinary Prescription Diets

Cats suffering from FLUTD are commonly recommended Hills C/D but what makes things confusing is that FLUTD is a generic term that describes several different disorders. Some of these disorders are absolute emergencies and others cause discomfort over time but arent immediately life-threatening.

Many of these conditions are also closely related. For example, bladder stones are part of the FLUTD definition and while they may pass or even dissolve on their own they can also cause urethral blockages.

While FLUTD can certainly be confusing, the most common reason for a C/D recommendation are crystals in the urine. Because of a pH imbalance in a cats urines, crystals are able to accumulate and eventually form a stone. There are two commons types of crystals : struvite and calcium oxalate.

VCA Hospitals explains that both of these crystals are normal to find in cat urine but In some pets, however, these struvite crystals come together to form an actual stone within the urinary tract. These stones can irritate the urinary tract and have the potential to cause urinary obstruction.

While this may seem like too much detail, its critical to understand why cats are recommended Hills C/D before we can figure out how to find an appropriate urinary diet.

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What Role Does Nutrition Play In Managing Chronic Kidney Disease

The goal of this article is to help you figure out what kind of food you should be giving your kitty if she has been diagnosed with CKD. Before we get into the nutritional science of it, though, let’s make sure we all have a decent understanding about what CKD is.

To that end, here’s feline CKD in a nutshell:

• Normally, healthy feline kidneys produce urine to flush out metabolic waste and protein by-products from the blood . Kidneys also help control blood pressure, make hormones, and balance electrolytes, salts, and acids in the body.

• Chronic kidney disease, also called CKD or chronic renal failure, occurs when the kidneys undergo progressive damage and are unable to perform their normal functions. This means waste products start to build up in the blood, which makes your cat sick.
• CKD tends to progress slowly, and symptoms can worsen as the disease does. Symptoms include loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination , weight loss, vomiting, pale gums, low body temperature, and a dull coat.
• Researchers and vets don’t always know what causes CKD. Risk factors for CKD include advancing age, certain breeds, and other underlying health conditions like cancer, kidney infections or blockages, thyroid problems, and high blood pressure.

Now, the conventional model of veterinary help for CKD involves lifelong use of various medications that support renal health and manage the symptoms of the disease.

What Kind Of Grain

As carnivores, cats need nutrients found only in animal products to sustain their daily activities. Their best diet contains plenty of protein, some fat and minimal carbohydrates as they eat mostly meat. By understanding what your feline friend needs in terms of nutrition, youll be able to make an informed decision when choosing a product that meets the needs of both you and your cat.

Grain-free cat food is divided into two main types dry food and wet food. Depending on preference, cats can be fed with exclusively dry food or wet food, or they can be fed a combination of both dry and wet food. As long as the amount of food meets your kittys and both cat and owner are happy, any proportion of cat food will do.

Besides the usual dry and wet food, grain-free cat food is also available in high protein and limited ingredient varieties, like Blue Buffalos high protein and grain-free Wilderness range and Natural Balances Limited Ingredient Diets grain-free range. High protein and limited ingredient grain-free cat food is great for cats with special dietary needs as there is more protein and less added ingredients for your kitty to digest.

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Best Cat Food For Kidney Health Buying Guide

Until now, the write-up has been informative on different brands selling cat food to support good kidney health in cats. Readers learnt about low phosphorus and low protein cat food for kidney disease that a feline should consume for better renal health. Detailed descriptions, as mentioned above, have certainly answered most questions about products and their effects on your cats. However, all such information is specific to those brands themselves. Few more questions might linger that might require common answers researched. We will make that job easy for you. Upcoming sections will describe generic questions with apt answers.

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 cat foods for urinary 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.

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Wysong Uretic Dry Natural Food For Cats Runner Up

If you have multiple cats in the house, you need to get this dry food. The formula contains whole fresh ingredients and complemented with healthy enzymes, vitamins, and probiotics that keep your cat in perfect health.

This formula contains 42% and 15% fat to promote healthy digestion with a mixture of frozen, fresh, and dry meat and healthy fatty acids to keep the coat and skin in excellent condition. Unlike other formulas, this one doesnt contain any additives, fillers, or artificial ingredients that add no value.

Excess minerals are removed to protect your kitty from stones. At the same time, the natural sourced urinary-important methionine is added to prevent the formation of crystals and the growth of certain types of bacteria that worsen the symptoms of FLUTD.

Whether you have a kitten or a senior cat, you can depend on this dry food because its suitable for all cat breeds and all life stages. Some cats might not be fond of the texture of the crumbs.

What We Like

Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Cat Food

If your cat is a fussy eater, Purinas Pro Plan cat food is a fantastic option. You can choose from eight different flavors, so there is bound to be one your cat finds delicious. Your options are chicken, beef and chicken, grilled seafood, ocean whitefish, whitefish and tuna, salmon, seafood, and turkey. You can also choose between pate or meaty morsels what more could a cat want?

Flavors aside, this is a brilliant cat food for supporting the urinary system. It provides low levels of dietary magnesium to reduce crystal formation. At the same time, it also actively lowers urinary pH to make it more acidic. Urinary crystals form more easily in alkaline conditions, so this also plays its part in preventing urinary blockages.

Crude ash content is low as well, sitting at a maximum of 2.8% . Besides, it contains a good amount of crude protein from natural animal sources and a healthy dose of fats and fiber. As a wet food, up to 78% of the cat food comes from moisture. This makes it an incredible urinary wet cat food non-prescription substitute!

Additionally, the recipe is infused with 25 essential vitamins and minerals, plus the essential amino acid taurine. These all contribute to overall good health, including healthy skin and digestion. There arent any artificial colors or preservatives either!

Pros

Cons

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Overall Is Purina One A Good Choice

Purina ONE has some great recipesthink the canned chicken paté reviewed aboveand some that are little better than the colorful kibble on the grocery store shelf.

If you want to get the best Purina ONE has to offer, opt for their canned food and skip the True Instinct lineTrue Instinct canned recipes use wheat gluten to plump up the protein content. Not exactly true to the cats instinct to eat meat.

Royal Canin Urinary Is The Best Dog Food

Royal Canin is a leading pet food company manufacturing its food for dogs and cats since 1968. They use the best ingredients to create diets for animals with different dietary requirements, from puppies and kittens to older pets at risk of kidney disease.

The best part is that Royal Canin canine food comes in every size and shape. The quality of Royal Canin dog food is remarkable with its excellent ingredients, quality of food, and high protein count.

It has been helping dogs as long-term care companions for more than 5 decades, which shows how well it serves them. Now it has evolved and improved, providing nutritious food for all sizes, ages, health statuses, and breeds of dogs.

All dog foods are not created equal. Some have poor ingredients that may cause your pet health problems. Dog owners should be aware of this because dogs are prone to kidney problems like most animals.

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Paw Healer Cat Bladder Remedy For Urinary Stones And Crystals

This product is not only a food supplement but a literal healer. It is made with a special formula to break down urinary crystals and stones. It is made of natural herbal ingredients under the prescription of a veterinarian.

Pros

• It May be difficult to eat and digest sick cats

Why buy it?

• High animal protein is good for an immunity boost.
• Carbohydrates free thus d not ad weight.
• All ages can consume it, thus a one fit for all.

Why not buy?

• Dry food may be difficult to eat by sick cats.

Royal Canin Feline Health Aging 12+ Canned Cat Food

• Loaded with nutrients for kidney and joints care
• Thin slices in gravy for easy digestion
• Arrives in canned packaging type
• Best for cats of 12 years or older
• 5 pounds can in one purchase
• Wet food for cats

When food for cats with kidney disease came into question, we decided to try this one to see if it did help our cats to have safe and healthy kidneys for good years. And it totally did prove its worth to a great level. Royal Canin nutrition cat food takes a spot in this coveted list as it arrives made with sufficient nutrients that will keep their joints healthy. If joints remain healthy, pets will be active and not keep laying down all day long. In addition, phosphorus levels in Royal Canin cat food were optimally controlled and helped us keep all sorts of liver diseases in cats at bay. With Omega-3 fatty acids present in its combination, all vets suggest it treat several health improvements.

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Purina One Indoor Urinary Tract Health Cat Food

This is a cat food designed for indoor cats from Purina. Their ONE formula reduces urinary pH and is low in magnesium, two things that help cats with urinary tract concerns.

The crunchy kibble doubles up as being good for teeth and digestive systems, along with the urinary tract formula to reduce the risk of stones and crystals.

Choosing between brands is difficult. If you have a fussy cat that likes his food, one of the selling points from Purina is the flavor .

Made with real chicken they say its a winner in the taste tests. It has a good all-around balance of nutrition, one of the best offerings on the market and worth considering.

Keep Your Cat’s Urinary Issues At Bay

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The Spruce Pets / Peter Ardito

Many house cats struggle with a variety of conditions that affect their bladder and/or urethra, broadly known as urinary tract health. This can present as difficulty and pain when urinating, increased frequency of urination and/or blood in the urine. Cats may urinate outside the litter box, in corners, a sink, or a bathtub. While these issues can occur at any age, it is often seen in middle-aged, overweight cats that dont get enough exercise.

A cats diet can contribute to urinary pH imbalance or help improve it. Diets can vary in how they support urinary tract health, but its important to look for restricted amounts of minerals, such as magnesium and phosphorus, which can contribute to the development of urinary crystal and stone formation, explains Dr. Danielle Bernal, Global Veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. The crystals cause painful urination and the stones are painful to pass. They may cause urinary tract infections, blockages, or kidney problems.

Below are a few of the best urinary tract health cat foods available today.

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