Increasing water intake, regulating urine pH, and encouraging frequent urination can all play a role in decreasing crystalluria in affected cats. Your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet and/or medications to change the chemical composition of your cat’s urine and discourage crystal formation.
Can My Cats Food Cause Crystals?
Urinary crystal formation can result from a variety of factors, so it’s critical to provide your cat with a complete and balanced diet appropriate for their life stage. Verify that the food your cat eats is designed to produce the ideal pH levels in their urine by contacting the manufacturer.
Causes of Cat Urine Crystals
There are several root causes believed to contribute to the buildup of urine crystals and struvite stones in cats. According to Veterinary Centers of America, struvite stones can be caused by the bacteria associated with a urinary tract infection. These bacteria produce a chemical called urease, which can alter the urines acidity, leading to the accumulation of crystals and the formation of struvite stones.
If there is no infection present, as Dr. Goldstein says, veterinarians dont always know why a cat develops urinary crystals or stones. Its thought that decreased water intake can lead to a higher concentration of minerals in urine, causing crystals to form. Cats have evolved as a species to get the majority of their water from live prey, but this is unrealistic for domestic cats, especially if theyre indoor-only and prefer dry food. If a cat is less inclined to drink water alongside their dry food, theres less water present in the body to flush out waste, leading to a buildup of toxins and potential health issues.
Symptoms of Crystals in Cat Urine
At low levels, urine crystals and stones are fairly common in cats because the minerals that make them up are naturally occurring. They can grow to a size that causes pain and obstructs the flow of urine, even though they can also be microscopic and easily pass through the urinary tract. If left untreated, the incapacity to remove toxic waste can be fatal. If your cat exhibits any of these signs, call your veterinarian right away.
if your cat:
- Uses the litter box with increasing frequency
- Strains to urinate
- Urinates outside of the litter box
- Experiences painful urination (listen for crying meows)
- Licks genitals excessively
- Has bloody urine
- Has a poor appetite
- Seems lethargic and depressed
Its been noted that urine crystals and struvite stones occur more often in male cats, since their urethras are narrower than female cats. Siamese, Himalayan and Persian cats also seem more likely to develop struvite stones, which leads some animal health experts to believe the cause can be genetic.
FAQ
How do you dissolve cat urinary crystals?
Do crystals in cat urine go away?
What breaks down urine crystals in cats?
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