how to get rid of crystals in cat urine

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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 Cat’s 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 urine’s acidity, leading to the accumulation of crystals and the formation of struvite stones.

If there is no infection present, as Dr. Goldstein says, veterinarians don’t always know why a cat develops urinary crystals or stones. It’s 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 they’re indoor-only and prefer dry food. If a cat is less inclined to drink water alongside their dry food, there’s 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

It’s 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?

Medical dissolution (dissolving) is accomplished by feeding a specially formulated prescription diet. These diets are intended to alter the pH and chemical composition of the urine in a way that causes the stone to gradually dissolve.

Do crystals in cat urine go away?

Feeding a proven therapeutic diet for urinary tract care may help reduce crystals in cats who are prone to developing them. Also, if struvite urolith stones are present, your veterinarian may use a therapeutic diet that nutritionally manages and dissolves stones, while preventing formation of calcium oxalate uroliths.

What breaks down urine crystals in cats?

Prescription diet: Your vet will prescribe a specially formulated food that alters the chemical composition of your cat’s urine and causes the stones to gradually dissolve within 1-2 months. Routine X-rays will allow your vet to monitor the stones’ progress.

How long does it take for crystals to dissolve in cats?

If the stone does not completely dissolve, it may not be composed entirely of struvite (calcium oxalate stones will not dissolve with diet) or there may be some other reason why the stone is not dissolving (cat is sneaking food elsewhere etc.). On the average, it takes about 6 weeks for a stone to dissolve.