One of the most common causes of feline urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is what your cat eats. A feline diet that is too high in carbohydrates and magnesium and low in protein can lead to FLUTD. When their cat is initially diagnosed with FLUTD, feline owners will usually first try to get their kitten to eat the prescription foods recommended by their veterinarian.

But what if the cat rejects his offer? Alternatively, there are specific over-the-counter cat foods available to maintain your cat’s urine pH balance at 6.6. A high urine pH value indicates the formation of struvite crystals in your cat’s urinary tract. The challenge is finding the right cat food that will appeal to kitty, contain the right amount of protein and magnesium, and have little to no by-products.

If you happen to be one of those owners who has to find an alternative cat food, here are five things to consider when selecting cat food to prevent future occurrences of FLUTD in your kitty:

1. What is the most common ingredient?

The first and most common ingredient to include on the list is protein: meat or fish. Read the label carefully; here are some variations you might see:

Canned cat food:

Cow meat

Chicken’s liver

Boneless chicken

Meat broth

Dry cat food:

Chicken

organic chicken

herring flour

chicken food

Some other good ingredients that will help your kitty maintain good urinary tract health are blueberries and cranberries. Vegetables like carrots are good, and rice is a good grain.
for your kitten to consume.

2. Are there by-products?

Are by-products listed as one of the ingredients? If so, put that food back on the shelf and keep looking. By-products are filler material and have limited nutritional value for use.
little cat. The byproducts are usually carbohydrates, and since cats are carnivores, they need protein, not carbohydrates, for proper nutrition.

Here are some examples of by-products:

Canned cat food:

corn gluten meal

ground yellow corn

Soybean flour

Beef by-products

meat by-products

Dry cat food:

Ground Yellow Corn

Chicken by-product meal

corn gluten meal

wheat flour

cornmeal

Soybean flour

3. How much moisture is in cat food?

What is the percentage of moisture in the cat food you are testing? The higher the number, the better for your kitty. More humidity means your cat will urinate more. Raised
urination will remove any crystals that may be trying to form in your cat’s urinary tract. Canned cat food has a higher moisture content than dry cat food.

4. How much magnesium does cat food contain?

An excess of magnesium will contribute to the formation of struvite crystals (FLUTD). Some magnesium is necessary, but generally look for cat food that has a maximum of 0.025% magnesium for
prevent struvite crystals.

5. Does cat food contain DL-methionine?

DL-Methionine is a sulfur-containing amino acid, which helps regulate the formation of ammonia in the urine. This amino acid helps maintain the pH balance of your cat’s urine around 6.6, which is normal and does not encourage crystal formation.

And…since cats are cats (meaning they’re in charge!), keep in mind that what you select for them may not be what they want to eat, if they don’t like the taste. If this happens, you’ll need to start over until you find a healthy and nutritious cat food that’s worth two paws up from your feline.

Keep these five factors in mind when shopping for cat food to support your kitty’s urinary tract and prevent FLUTD.

And remember, when you’re considering changing your cat’s diet, consult your veterinarian. He or she will provide you with expert guidance and information to make the transition easier for you and your kitten.