How to feed a cat with urolithiasis

If you decide to feed natural food, the main thing is to observe the following principles:

A cat with urolithiasis and natural food

I took a cat from the street and, apparently, the dry food brought him to the IBC (. I bought some special food and after a while the cat relapsed again. I decided to feed straight food.
Share what anyone feeds and how to get out of the situation with the departure for a couple of days? Dry food can be poured, and here you have to be present twice a day. Right now I'm making a medley of chicken, stomachs, hearts + carrots + grits + some raw beef. It's a bit of a hassle. How to optimize the process? Boil a lot and freeze in portions?

Go back to specialty food, quality food, not mass-market.

Dry food doesn't cause μb.
And with mcb, it's just easier to feed ready-made specialty foods.
Your natural food is not suitable for mcb at all.

Go back to specialty foods, quality foods, not mass-market.

Chicken breast, meat, eat only raw, sometimes fillet of fish, and once a day not dry food veterinary Royal Canin give, if not give, without it the younger may not eat anything, and as he eats a good appetite immediately. Dry food in general, I do not advise giving cats, unless you go when and quality. Whisky, soft drinks and similar cheap food in any form not to give, from them urolithiasis

Dry food does not cause lump disease.
And with mcb just easier to feed ready-made special feeds.
Your natural food is in no way suitable for cystic fibrosis.

It does not in itself cause μb. If the cat is drinking a lot at the same time. Mine, apparently, didn't drink enough. I'll tell you right off the bat: the assumption that he didn't have clean water is as unfounded as the fact that I fed him whiskas.

Chicken breast, meat, eat only raw, sometimes fillet of fish, and once a day not dry food veterinary Royal Canin give, if not give, without it the younger may not eat anything, and as he eats a good appetite immediately. Dry food in general, I do not advise giving cats, unless you go when and quality. Do not give Whiskas, Kitikets and the like cheap food in any form, because they get urolithiasis.

Those. who feed their cats natural food, go to

Go to vet websites and read the causes of ickb.
Your vet seems to have bought a diploma.
The direct link between ibc and dry food is nothing more than a myth.

Of course it is. We take our pets to the best clinic, so don't. Eat dry food yourself all day long, you'll be healthy? I have two cats now, eat what I wrote and everything is great.

The drinking regimen is not important.
Only poor quality food contributes to the development of μb, but the causes of μb are different, look at least on the wiki or on any veterinary site.
And feed the cat a special food from the therapeutic line.
And yes, if you already have μb, there will be relapses, alas.

Well, he's been living on the streets. He ate whatever he could get his hands on. Including the proverbial Vascas, they fed him there. He was fine. He settled at my place. He was on good food for three months and couldn't settle in. He was treated, stayed on therapeutic food and everything went back to normal. I see no other reason other than the food.

Of course not. We take our pets to the best clinic, so don't. You eat breadcrumbs all day long, you'll be healthy? I have two cats now, eating what I wrote and everything is great.

Open the vet handbook and read up on the causes of ickb.
There are over 10 of them.
On what basis did your vet identify the cause of μb? How did he distinguish for example genetic predisposition from nutrition?
That is impossible to do.
Well, now think about what your vet's worth, since he's talking out of his ass without a reason.

Well, he lived on the street. He ate whatever he could get his hands on. Including the notorious Vasquez they fed him there. Everything was normal. He settled with me, immediately on good food – for 3 months and could not fit in. He was treated, stayed on therapeutic food and everything went back to normal. I don't see any other reason other than the food.

Inflammation? Obesity? Lack of exercise? Vitamin A overdose? And a dozen other reasons.
Just because something happened after, doesn't mean it happened as a consequence.
Well, if you want to feed straight food and it's easier for the cat, then by all means.
Just do not cook it.
Roll meat with vegetables in a blender or chopped, divide into portions and put in the fridge. In principle, a couple of days such minced meat even without freezing can be stored.

Types of food

You can feed the animal as natural food (cooked yourself from approved ingredients), and manufactured feeds. Dry food with the necessary additives, vitamins and mineral elements is selected only by a veterinarian based on the results of laboratory examination of the animal's urine.

This type of feeding cats with IBC is the most convenient for the owner. The composition of such food is developed jointly with nutritionists and veterinarians, taking into account all the nuances of this pathology. Macro- and micronutrients, included in such feeds, prevent the reappearance of stones and contribute to the resorption of existing sediments. Types of dry food:

For feeding pets, the optimal and most appropriate foods are those from the super-premium and holistic categories.

The Best Dry Foods for Sick Animals

Opinions of veterinary experts in this matter are divided, but in general the following brands are considered the best in their category:

1. Royal Canin Urinary S/O LP34 – Prevents accumulation of deposits in the kidneys, activates the process of urine production. Disadvantages – it is not compatible with many drugs prescribed for the treatment of urolithiasis. In cats may provoke hypertension.
2. Hill's – Dissolves stones and prevents the process of excessive calcium accumulation. Contraindications – formation of non-struvite uroliths in the kidneys.
3. Eukanuba Urinary Struvite – Increases the concentration of acid in the urine and has a preventive effect by preventing the formation of struvite stones. Contraindication is the presence of oxalate kidney stones.
4. Purina NF – Contains vitamin D and calcium. Contraindications – weakened pets with critical phosphorus and protein deficiencies.
5. Purina UR Urinary Feline Formula – Increases acidity of urine and resolves formed struvite crystals.

Natural food

Despite the undeniable benefits of specialized ready-made diets, you should not stop giving your pet normal food, because vitamins and minerals should get into the animal's body with natural products.

The basis of the diet is meat products. Vegetables and fruits should be present in the menu, but in limited quantities and only cooked. Products with high calcium and oxalic acid content should not be given. The diet must be balanced.

What foods can make up the pet's diet

The daily diet is built in such a way that it contains both meat products and vegetables, and specialized food. The menu may include:

• lean meat varieties – beef, skinless chicken, lamb and veal, it is recommended to give them to the cat only in boiled form;
• Cereals – oats and rice. They are boiled in water without adding salt;
• Vegetables, with preference given to carrots, cauliflower, beets and legumes;
• specialty food.

Meat is served without broth. It is forbidden to add salt and spices to the dishes.

Forbidden foods

It is forbidden to give the animal dry, non-specialized food. If foods that were previously on the daily menu have become prohibited, the transition to a diet should be made smoothly, to avoid stressing the pet.

Therapeutic food lines

Sick cats can eat dry and wet food: it is important that they are prescribed by a doctor. There are special foods for pets with ICD. They prevent stone formation and help to dissolve existing stones.

1. Royal Canin Urinary S/O LP 34. It has a high quality at a fairly low cost. It has an increased content of fiber and a minimum of protein. It includes vitamins, trace elements and fish oil. It is usually prescribed for mixed stones.
2. Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + Urinary Feline dry. Often prescribed for cats with urolithiasis. It contains chicken, turkey meal, flaxseed, dried tomato residue, maize gluten, coconut oil, vitamins, fish oil. Commonly prescribed for oxalates.
3. Bosch Sanabelle Urinary. Is a complete source of nutrition for pets. Used to treat and prevent the development of urolithiasis. Contains a minimum of phosphorus, magnesium.
4. 1-st Choice Urinary. Used more often to prevent stone formation. Contains a reduced amount of minerals. It contains chicken, flour, rice, legumes, and starch. The price is relatively low.
5. Farmina Vet Life Cat Struvite. Suitable for food for the treatment and prevention of struvite stone formation. The food has a unique set of useful substances, contributing to their dissolution. It includes vitamins, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, folic acid, taurine, zinc, selenium, sulfur, etc. It is usually prescribed for a short time, about a week, then switch to another food.

Read more ► Kidney diseases in cats: types, what affects the appearance, symptoms, diagnosis, how to treat

Choosing the right food

It is often difficult to figure out the choice of therapeutic food by yourself. There are many types of therapeutic foods, but they can sometimes worsen the condition of the sick cat.

Therefore, you should not take the risk, it is better to entrust the important matter to a specialist. The doctor will prescribe a suitable type of food based on the diagnosis.

The result of a properly chosen diet is an improvement in the condition of the pet, increased activity, good appetite.

So, dry food or canned food?

The choice of food depends on the type of stones. With oxalates can not be fed dry food, only canned food. In the presence of struvites, dry food containing special additives can be given, as well as canned food.

Economy

This series of food is not intended for feeding cats with IBC, because it does not have a balanced composition.

Moreover, such foods as "Viskas", "Kitikat" can be harmful to the health of the animal.

Premium

Super-premium .

Each food has contraindications, some are prohibited for cats with high blood pressure. Therefore, it is necessary to consult with a veterinarian before using the food.

Peculiarities of a cat's diet in case of urolithiasis

If the veterinarian still diagnosed this disease, do not despair and remember that recovery depends largely on a properly chosen diet for a cat with urolithiasis.

As stated above, the main reason for the development of urolithiasis in cats is an unbalanced and poor quality diet. To the formation of sand and stones lead to the formation of products containing magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. For example, fish contains large amounts of magnesium and phosphorus, which contribute to the formation of struvites in the kidneys. Eggs, dairy products, some vegetables (broccoli, beans) are rich in calcium, which can provoke the formation of oxalates. All these foods are not suitable for a cat in principle, and at the first symptoms of urolithiasis they must be strictly forbidden.

With high probability the veterinarian prescribes a special diet of therapeutic high class food (super-premium or holistic) for the treatment of urolithiasis. Switching to "urinari" food is an excellent option. The composition of such food regulates the acidity of the animal's urine, and also affects the salts formed. Switching to this food will form a slightly acidic pH of the urine, which will contribute to the dissolution of existing stones in the kidney and urinary system of the animal and facilitate the removal of sand.

When choosing a food it is important to study its composition, because food must be balanced and complex, that is why the composition of the range of urinari includes most often such products as dehydrated poultry or beef, fish oil, vegetable fiber, a complex of essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, which help to reduce inflammation, substances that increase thirst (so the pet drinks more and salts are washed from the body).

The "Murkosha" shelter accepts a variety of animals, including those with various ailments. Shelter staff treat each pet with care and, if necessary, select a special diet for cats with urolithiasis. The choice of therapeutic food is determined by the type of stones found in the pet.

Prevention

So, the main reason for the development of urolithiasis in cats is improper nutrition. When the disease is detected, it is necessary to completely revise the diet of the pet. The animal should be switched to high quality specialized food at least for the treatment period, possibly for a longer period (the exact recommendations will be given by the attending veterinarian). But it is better to remember that disease is easier to prevent than to treat, and the following rules should be followed:

Observing all these simple rules, you will let your pet never know what urolithiasis is. But if the trouble does happen, remember that you must immediately contact the veterinarian, follow all his recommendations clearly and provide the pet with the right diet, taking into account the disease.

What foods are appropriate for cats with urinary tract disease

Due to strict dietary restrictions, natural food is difficult to arrange. Exit – specially designed ready-made diets – wet canned food (pouches) or dry cat food. They must be of high quality – premium or, preferably, super-premium. Budget cat foods do not contain the best protein, a lot of salt and chemical additives. They worsen the condition of the animal and can lead to dangerous disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.

Therapeutic food for cats with pathologies of the genitourinary system is selected taking into account the type of concrements. If it is oxalates, you can give natural food and/or wet canned food. For struvite-type urolithiasis, special dry cat food can be chosen.

• The cat food should be labeled that it is suitable for animals with urolithiasis and for which types of uroliths act;
• Vitamin A and tocopherol are desirable, as they help with cat urolithiasis;
• the composition should contain a minimum of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C – ascorbic acid provokes the accumulation of uroliths;
• The protein content of cat food should be reduced, as this can make them reluctant to eat it, and they should be used to the new food gradually.

Examples of foods for cats with kidney disease

Cat food in pouches, which is recommended for the prevention and therapy of urolithiasis. It slows the accumulation of stones and sand and increases urine production. This cat food is high in fiber. It is effective in eliminating oxalates and helps the pet become more mobile.

Powders with cat food that stimulates the kidneys and urinary tract. It has proven itself in the prevention of recurrence of urolithiasis with the formation of oxalate, cystine and urate, caused by a change in the pH of the urine with MCB. The diet helps to reduce the burden on the kidneys and improves the condition of the animal due to the content of EPA acids, DHA and antioxidants.

The ingredients in this wet cat food help to break down stones better and slow down the formation of new stones. It is suitable for the prevention and therapy of IBC. It acidifies the urine and helps maintain a healthy body weight.

• Dissolves struvite formations and serves as a prevention of reappearance of oxalates;
• Can be used for idiopathic urinary disorders;
• should not be given to animals with renal insufficiency, kittens and pregnant cats.

Salmon flavored powders are recommended for animals with kidney abnormalities. This cat food has increased vitamin A, D and tocopherol content, while the amount of phosphorus is reduced. It is well satiated thanks to quality protein, rice and cornmeal.

Causes of IBC development in the cat

Urolithiasis is quite often diagnosed by veterinarians in clinical practice. According to statistics, about 7% of patients suffer from urolithiasis. Urolithiasis is more dangerous for cats than for humans or other animals. This is due to the peculiarities of the anatomic structure and biochemical processes. According to various studies, the mortality rate of IBC in cats is 9%.

There are many causes of urolithiasis. Many owners believe that the main cause is the dry food diet. Of course, the link between the cat's diet and the development of urolithiasis is enormous. But this applies not only to dry food.

Among the main factors provoking the development of urolithiasis are:

• The predisposition of the animal by genetic type;
• peculiarities of the anatomy of cats – breed and individual;
• hypodynamia and obesity of the animal;
• long-term infections of viral and bacterial etiology;
• Problems in the composition of the diet.

It is the correct diet of the pet that prevents the development of urolithiasis. Urinary stone formation occurs when animals are fed an economy food that is rich in salts, stabilizers, flavorings, and colorings. The cat's body, receiving cheap dry food, works in an increased mode, trying to excrete ballast substances, which leads to malfunctions.

Breeds of cats most prone to developing urolithiasis are European Shorthair, Persian and Himalayan. The tendency to urolithiasis is seen in purebred Egyptian Mau, Siamese and Burmese cats.

Of great importance in the formation of stones and the further development of IBC is the gender of the animal. In females, urolithiasis develops much less frequently than in males. In cats, the percentage of occurrence of the disease – 75%, and in cats only 25%. Most often affected by urolithiasis neutered males. This is primarily due to improper diet and changes in the hormonal background.

The connection between dry food and urolithiasis – is there any

The connection between nutrition and the development of urolithiasis is huge, but the connection between dry food and IBC is questionable. Of course, when an animal eats dry food, urolithiasis can develop. But not all foods provoke such changes in the body.

Consumption of cheap feeds that are full of various colorings and preservatives leads to dangerous changes in the body, including the development of urolithiasis. Statistics say that cats given dry cheap food get urolithiasis in 40% of cases, while the incidence is only 5-6% in cats given full-balanced quality dry food.

It is important to choose food based on such parameters as age, activity and overall health.

For example, a 12-month-old cat that is constantly in the apartment should have a different diet than the exact same cat that has free access to the outdoors. The activity of these animals is completely different, so the consumption of nutrients varies.

The main thing to think about when choosing a cat's diet is the right balance of nutrients.

What can the treatment be?

Treatment of urolithiasis can be conservative or surgical. Since we often cannot affect the true cause of IBC development, this disease is prone to recurrence. An attack can occur without obstruction of the urinary tract or with complete obstruction. The first thing to do if the outflow of urine is impaired is to evacuate it from the bladder. This is done with a catheter or, if the catheter cannot be placed, by puncturing the bladder. The urethral catheter is sometimes left in place for several days and the owner is given clear instructions on how to care for it.

In severe cases, such a patient needs to be hospitalized, since without complete fluid therapy it is impossible to correct renal and electrolyte parameters. However, more often after appointments from the doctor, the cat is released with the owner to go home for outpatient treatment.

As a remedy, relaxing the smooth muscles of the urinary tractCornam (terazosin) can be used. However, cats with a high risk of urethral obstruction should be treated with caution.

DiureticsAs a rule, are not used. This is because in this disease there is no problem with the formation of urine and there is no need for stimulation. Diuretics, on the contrary, can worsen the condition of the pet, accelerating the process of dehydration and intoxication.

Antibiotics in the treatment are not used in the first place, as this disease is rarely complicated by bacterial infection. The basis for antibiotics in therapy is usually the results of a urine culture. The laboratory analyzes the sample to isolate the bacteria that caused the disease and selects the antibacterial medications to which these bacteria are sensitive. This can be sinulox, furagin, furadonin, or other medications in pills or injections. Dexamethasone and similar hormonal drugs are not used in the treatment of urolithiasis in cats.

What to do if the treatment does not bring results?

If conservative treatment in cats with recurrent urethral blockage is ineffective, the operation is performed – urethrostomy. The essence of the operation is that the cat's urethra is made straight and wide, as in a cat. As a result, sand and small stones no longer get stuck in the narrow S-shaped section of the urinary tract of the male, and are washed out with the flow of urine.

Taking care of a cat after surgery implies treating the sutures and preventing them from licking. A cat's rough tongue can prevent the stitches from adhering and inflammation from the delicate skin in the area where they are placed. Therefore, the cat should walk around in a special protective collar for the entire healing period, and the sutures should be treated with water-based antiseptic solutions as recommended by the doctor.

Why cats with urolithiasis need a diet

Cats more often than other pets suffer from urolithiasis. Crystals in the form of sediment, consisting of part organic and part mineral matter. Forming crystals as solid particles of sand and then stones. When concrements accumulate, the urinary ducts can become blocked. In addition to severe pain during urination, there may be trauma to the mucosa, infection, and inflammation.

Concrements in urinary stone disease, and in particular stones, are formed from a variety of substances. In this regard, they are subdivided into:

• Urates are formed mainly from salts of uric acid. They are hard and have sharp excrescences on their surface.
• Oxalates are uroliths of dense consistency. They have a rounded shape and are formed from salts of oxalic acid. They are formed mainly in an acidic environment.
• Cystines – formed from cystine and sulfur. Observed in cats with ICD less often than other uroliths.
• Struvites are frequently found concrements. They are formed from ammonium, phosphate, and magnesium particles, that is, in an alkaline environment. They have a loose and hard consistency.

According to statistics, more than 55% of all detected concrements in IBC in cats are of the struvite type of formation. Animals under 6 years of age fall into the category. In older pets, oxalate-type uroliths predominate.

Among the factors provoking the formation of concrements and the development of IBC in cats are:

• violation of the organization of the correct diet (an overabundance of salts in the diet);
• low percentage of fluids in the body;
• poor quality of feed;
• inflammatory processes in the body, in particular in the genitourinary system (urethritis, cystitis);
• low mobility of the animal;
• The wrong diet of the animal, which leads to obesity;
• predisposition to urolithiasis at a genetic level (observed in breeds of cats such as Siamese, Russian blue, Persian).

How to choose a cat food with diagnosed urolithiasis

A therapeutic diet should be chosen carefully after consultation with a specialist.

You can transfer the cat to natural food or choose a high-quality, special food.

Before transferring the cat to a special diet, you should always visit the veterinarian. The specialist will prescribe a number of tests to make an accurate diagnosis. Among the important indicators is a general urinalysis. It allows you to identify the type of concrements and further determine the types of foods that are allowed or prohibited for the pet.

If there is a high percentage of struvite (alkaline) concrements in the urine, foods or feeds that can acidify the urine should be selected. This will neutralize the alkaline environment. At the same time there is a decrease in the caloric content of the diet. The fact that urolithiasis with large amounts of struvite in the urine is more likely to provoke severe obesity. When fed naturally, preference is given to foods such as meat, fish, egg whites and beef liver.

If oxalates (concrements formed in an acidic environment) are found in the urine, foods with an alkalizing effect should be selected. In this case, boiled types of low-fat meat, cereal porridge, rice, and various steamed vegetables are useful.

Regardless of the type of diet, veterinarians recommend dividing the number of meals into 5-6 meals per day. Portions should not be large. These can be cauliflower, carrots, meat broths, beets, potatoes, lean fish and meat.

Under the ban are such products as milk and cream with a high percentage of fat. It is not recommended to give smoked foods, egg yolks and baked goods to animals. From the diet should be excluded spicy, salty and all kinds of legumes.

Experts point out that it is difficult to make up a proper diet on your own, as well as to stick to it all the time. And this, in the case of urolithiasis, can be dangerous for the animal.

Question 2 from a reader Sophia Telesh. : "Are there any good, or at least not bad, domestic foods? So that you could not rush from one company to another, and then, when it is gone, change to the next, but just go to something and understand that it is something normal. "

Sophia, the important thing here is to have foods that are right for your pet.

The feeds are "Blitz. For example, stated as a quality, there is a line for sterilized animals. But the food contains dried beet pulp, which makes white, gray and pale animals "reddish.

The feeds have " Lapico." has a choice for animals with allergies, but no line for spayed animals. Overall, the food is decent.

Petdiet's food has food for adult cats, kittens, and spayed animals. But they are not suitable for animals with IBC.

The food is "Best Dinner's Vet Pro line makes it possible to feed animals with digestive problems, with kidney failure. La spayed. There is a food for the prevention (not the treatment!) of IBC.

Feed "Akari Kiar." It is a holistic pet, so you can find your own option for a pet with allergies. But for animals with IBC is not suitable.

Not bad food began to produce domestic brand "Bud Zdorov." . Production is young (since 2021). There is food for adult cats and adult dogs. And the cat food got into the category "Elite in a bowl", and the dog food got a solid "B+". There are no specialty foods, but you can pick one up for an allergic person by studying the ingredients.

Question 3 from svet munchak : And what to feed a diabetic cat, how to prepare natural food for such a client. Is it possible to buy ready-made natural foods.

Well, first of all, you need to understand the basic principles of nutrition of a diabetic cat.

Since the insulin level is maximal about 3 hours after the injection, the main feeding is exactly 3 hours after the injection. And the snack is before the administration of insulin to the animal.

• Always feed the cat at the same time of the day!
• you can't mix ready-made food and natural food. Either one or the other.
• Do not mix wet and dry food
• Do not change brands unless absolutely necessary.
• A cat should be given a low-carbohydrate diet. Foods marked "high protein" are absolutely inappropriate for you, as they are also high in fat.
• Occasionally, pets who are obese may have to take a day off. Not starvation! Be sure to check with your vet! I can go over the basics of a pet's fasting days later if you are interested.
• Your pet must have access to clean, fresh water EVERYWHERE! A water fountain, auto-drinker will help. Be guided by how exactly the cat likes to drink.