| Home
:: Premium
Cat Foods
Premium
Cat Food and FLUTD
Premium
Cat Food studies have provided new dietary considerations
when feeding a cat that has had FLUTD. The pH of the urine
influences the formation of certain specific crystals.
Struvite crystals rarely form in urine with a pH of less
than 6.4, whereas they often appear when the urine pH rises
to above 7.0. Diet influences urinary pH. For example, when
dry food is available to a cat "free choice," the
cat's urine pH decreases.
Current
feeding recommendations for FLUTD cats are as follows:
Feed
diets that ensure adequate acidification. However, do not
add urine acidifiers to diets that are already acidic. Over
acidification can cause metabolic acidosis, resulting in
impaired kidney function and mineral imbalance that includes
potassium depletion. Also, urine that is too acidic provides
a good environment for another mineral deposit (oxalate
crystals) to form which can also cause urinary obstruction.
Provide
fresh water at all times. The more that a cat drinks, the
less chance crystals and uroliths (small mineral stonelike
deposits) will form. Occasionally an automatic water
fountain may be effective.
Restrict
dietary magnesium and ensure adequate urine pH (6.4 or less)
is maintained.
Feed
small meals on a frequent basis or feed free-choice dry
foods.
For
complete Petcurean information, call us toll free
1-866-864-6112
Or
email us at info@gonaturalctfood.com |
