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Diet For Cats: Top 3 Foods To Feed Your Cat Cats Need To Eat Certain Foods To Stay Healthy
Most cats get all the nutrients they need from their food. However, some foods are especially important for your cats health. Here are the top 3 foods that your cat needs to eat to stay healthy: Fat is essential for cats. It helps provide energy and keeps your cats skin soft. It also helps cats maintain a healthy immune system. Some cats will need to eat more fat to get enough of it. If you have a fat-loving cat, make sure you feed her/him plenty of foods with good fats.
They include fish oils, omega-rich foods, flaxseed and other plant oils, and poultry fat. Meat and poultry contain protein and vitamins and minerals. It is also a good source of fat. However, some cats need to limit their meat and poultry intake. They can be high in cholesterol and unhealthy saturated fats. Fish are an excellent source of omega-rich nutrients. This includes fatty acids like DHA and EPA .
Omega-rich foods have been shown to help the skin, coat, and vision of your cat. There are many types of cat food on the market today. Many are specially formulated to meet the needs of the cats diet. There are also commercial foods that contain a mixture of ingredients. If you want to know more about cat food, here are some facts you should know: Cats love fish. Cats love fish. Fish is packed with essential fatty acids, which can be beneficial for the health of the cat.
Best Affordable: Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain
- Life Stage: All Life Stages
- Type: Wet/Canned
- Made In: United States
Though you could pay less for dry food, it would fail to satisfy the biggest requirement of food for urinary tract healthmoisture content.
This food meets all of our requirements for the best cat food for urinary tract health while also being incredibly affordable. Its primarily made from animal ingredients which makes it easily digestible for most cats. Priced around $0.22 per ounce, its cheaper than most cat foods of similar quality.
Fresh turkey and chicken make up the bulk of this recipe with turkey liver and tuna for supplemental protein. The recipe also contains cranberries which help support urinary tract health.
The only potential downside of this recipe is that its thickened with guar gum. Though generally not regarded as harmful as carrageenan, guar gum is a starchy thickener that has been linked to digestive issues like diarrhea in some cats.
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Protein And Phosphorus Content And Urinary Disease
Although high levels of protein themselves arent a concern for urinary disease, very high levels of protein in a cat that also has renal disease is thought to be a big no-no, as this puts excess strain on the kidneys. The same goes for phosphate levels in cats with renal disease the kidneys become less capable of controlling phosphate levels, so high levels of phosphorus can cause damage.
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Best Urinary Cat Foods
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Note: This article is NOT a substitute for veterinary advice and is for informational purposes only. Diet and nutrition are extremely important, especially if your cat has a pre-existing condition like FLUTD, and you should always follow the advice of your veterinarian.
If youre here, you probably have a cat thats suffering from some kind of urinary issue or youre trying to get ahead of any potential problems by making sure your cat has a crystal-reducing diet.
And youre certainly not the only one.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, or FLUTD, is among one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in our feline friends, and according to Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine FLUTD is the number one reason that cats visit veterinary clinics.
Because FLUTD is really a broad set of conditions, the exact cause can vary between cats. Still, many forms of FLUTD, specifically those caused by crystal and stone formation, can be managed with special and sometimes prescription diets.
These diets reduce the development of crystals by balancing urine pH levels along with reducing minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. Some of the most popular urinary cat foods require a prescription but there are many cat foods that can help despite not being specifically labeled as urinary diets.
Read Also: Prescription Medicine For Urinary Tract Infection
How Does Wet Cat Food Help Urinary Tract Health
Moisture is so incredibly important in a cats diet, especially if they are experiencing discomfort due to inflammation, unnatural pH, and crystal formation.
Cats in the wild survive by eating only the prey they catch. They rarely need to drink. If you stop and consider than animal meat is made up of roughly 70% water, its no surprise that wet cat food is a favorite for tackling UTIs in cats.
Through its superior moisture content, wet cat food can help UTIs by flushing the system through, dissolving any crystals, returning the pH levels to their natural state and allowing urine to take control of any bacteria in the tract.
Although any premium wet cat food will provide adequate nutrition, choosing one thats best equipped to solve the other symptoms of urine disorders can help resolve things a little quicker and easy the discomfort your cat is experiencing.
So wet or dry?
Well, thats up to you and your cat. If you can get your cat to drink, the dry food is fine long-term, especially as its more affordable. But for difficult cases, or those that relapse, wet food might be more effective.
Wet Cat Food Vs Dry Cat Food
Should you feed your cat wet cat food or dry cat food? There are certainly pros and cons to each, and it can be hard to decide. As a veterinarian, and in the absence of any medical conditions, I would advise that you feed your cats a mixture of both wet and dry: around 75% of the diet calories should be from wet cat food, whilst the other 25% can be from dry food.
Also Check: How To Keep Cats Off Outdoor Furniture
Also Check: Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection In Females
Urethral Obstruction Opies Story
The urethra is the tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside. It can be partially or completely blocked with mucus, stones, inflammatory cells, or crystals. This is a life-threatening and very painful condition which can result in the bladder rupturing within 24 hours of a complete urethral obstruction leading to death soon after.
Any cat that is repeatedly entering the litter box but not voiding any urine is in need of IMMEDIATE medical attention! This is one reason why it is so important to use a clumping litter. Clumping litter allows you to see just how much, if any, urine is being voided.
Males are much more prone to blocking than females because the male urethra is much longer and more narrow than a females.
The following pictorial shows what Opie had to go through when he blocked. It is highly unlikely that he would have had to suffer like this if he had been fed a proper, species-appropriate diet of water-rich cannedfood instead of dry food. Opie was found lying in a backyard crying minutes away from rupturing his bladder due to a urethral obstruction.
A one week stay in the emergency clinic resulted in a $4,000 vet bill. Another $350 bill was incurred 3 weeks later when Opie had to have a stricture broken down in his urethra. Catheterization of the delicate urethra can damage the tissues and result in a stricture which will obstruct urine flow. Repeated catheterizations can set your cat up for serious problems.
Best Budget: Iams Proactive Health Adult Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food
Prescription cat food can be a strain on the budget, but there are some affordable options you can turn to when you want to support your cats urinary health through a proper diet. IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food is both reasonably priced and formulated to reduce urinary pH to an optimal level. Made with chicken and without artificial preservatives, no synthetic dyes, or wheat, this dry food is nutritionally complete and will meet your cats dietary needs. Additionally, DL-methionine will make the urine more acidic and less prone to forming crystals in the long run. Not to mention that the chicken flavor is a sure bet with most cats!
Also Check: How To Check For Urinary Tract Infection
What Human Food Can Kittens Eat
Growing kittens should eat kitten food or food labeled for all feline life stages. Even if you introduce other foods, this should be their primary source of nutrients as too many changes in the diet can lead to digestive upset.
On the other hand, if your kitten grows up eating only one food, theyll become accustomed, and changing it later will be difficult. For that reason, you can try offering foods like scrambled eggs, cooked meat and fish, salad greens, and pumpkin.
Remember to introduce any new foods slowly and always feed them in small amounts. Keep in mind that these foods should not make up more than 10% of your kittens daily calorie intake Any more than 10% could upset the nutritional balance of their food. In addition, offer one new food item at a time to give your pet a chance to taste and get to know that food.
How Do Nutritional Requirements Differ For Cats With Ckd
Water. Diseased kidneys are not as effective at excreting waste products from the body through the urine. One consequence of CKD is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. In order to continue to rid the body of its toxins despite more dilute urine, the body compensates by stimulating greater thirst. This makes it critical for you to provide your cat with an unlimited supply of fresh water. Canned food can help increase your cat’s intake of moisture. To encourage more water intake, change your pets water several times a day, clean your pets water bowl daily, and consider the use of a running water fountain to increase water interest.
Protein. Decreased dietary protein may slow the progression of CKD by decreasing the workload on the kidneys to excrete protein waste products. Less protein also means less need for the excretion of protein itself through the filtration mechanism of the kidney, which helps preserve kidney function. The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35%. If protein intake is too low however, CKD will start to break down muscle mass.
Sodium. Dietary sodium levels are mildly restricted to reduce the workload on the kidneys. This in turn helps to maintain a reasonable blood pressure.
Recommended Reading: Yeast Vs Urinary Tract Infection
Blue Buffalo Dry Cat Food Best For Weight Loss And Uti In Senior Cats
If you are searching for cat food formulated only for adult cats, the blue Buffalo Dry cat food is here to end your search. The food is both recommended for weight management and ensuring a healthy urinary system of cats. Weight management is particularly important for senior cats as they are more prone to diabetics and other health-related risks.
The food features only 11% fat to control the cat from gaining extra pounds. Moreover, it contains a high fiber amount to make cats fuller and avoids constipation.
Supplements And Nutrients That Support Cat Urinary Tract Health
Many supplements have been recommended for cats prone to developing stones and infections. However, not all of these are backed up by science. Cranberry is often suggested, as it can be helpful for humans. However, we dont know if it affects cats in the same way. There is anecdotal evidence that it may be helpful, but we dont have any definite evidence that makes a significant difference.
Vitamin C may also be helpful, and many cat foods for urinary health have added vitamin C. It is thought to provide an acidifying effect on the cats urine, lowering the number of stones that develop. Often, brands that claim to be changing the cats urine pH are using extra vitamin C.
Cats that are dehydrated are more likely to develop urinary problems, as their urine will be more complicated. Therefore, foods with more moisture can also be helpful. Canned food is often recommended for this reason, as it is naturally higher in moisture than dry food.
Reduced minerals may also be helpful, as these are the things that can cause stones to develop and concentrate the cats urine. Reduced protein may also be suggested, as too much protein can upset the kidneys in some cats.
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Here Are The Benefits:
It helps to reduce the risk of kidney disease since it has good levels of phosphorus and potassium
It is cheaper than other diets
Cats are quite sensitive when it comes to their health, and they need to avoid food that is harmful to their healthWhen it comes to feeding your cat, it is recommended to use urinary diets since it is healthier and safer than other options
The urine of a cat is a natural cleaner that can easily be used to clean and disinfect surfaces. It also has a unique scent that makes it a great deterrent against rodents. When you give your cat urinary diet, you are not only helping him/her feel better but also reducing the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart problems, kidney disease, etc. Urinary diets for cats are more convenient and cost-effective than other diets.
What Is Urinary Cat Food
Certain minerals can be found in cat food that can lead to urinary tract issues. For example, diets high in magnesium may lead to the formation of crystals in the urine. To keep your cats urinary tract healthy, specially formulated diets can be purchased to avoid these minerals.
Urinary tract health starts with the pH of your cats urine. If their pH is more alkaline, theyre likely to form struvite stones. If their urine is more acidic, theres a higher likelihood that calcium oxalate crystals will form.
Depending on which issue your cat struggles with, urinary health cat food can reduce health issues by making it harder for your cats body to create these crystals.
Urinary cat food can work for your cats health in a variety of ways. Many formulas have a higher moisture percentage which helps the body to break down and move crystal formations.
If your cat has a specific stone already, some formulas will break down already formed struvite or calcium oxalate crystals.
Urinary cat food can benefit your cats overall health and ensure urinary balance as long as youre getting the right type of formula. Since urinary issues can vary greatly, its essential to evaluate your cats needs before switching to new cat food.
Also Check: How Can You Treat Urinary Tract Infection
Keep Your Cat’s Urinary Issues At Bay
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The Spruce Pets / Peter Ardito
Many house cats struggle with a variety of conditions that affect their bladder and/or urethra, broadly known as urinary tract health. This can present as difficulty and pain when urinating, increased frequency of urination and/or blood in the urine. Cats may urinate outside the litter box, in corners, a sink, or a bathtub. While these issues can occur at any age, it is often seen in middle-aged, overweight cats that dont get enough exercise.
A cats diet can contribute to urinary pH imbalance or help improve it. Diets can vary in how they support urinary tract health, but its important to look for restricted amounts of minerals, such as magnesium and phosphorus, which can contribute to the development of urinary crystal and stone formation, explains Dr. Danielle Bernal, Global Veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. The crystals cause painful urination and the stones are painful to pass. They may cause urinary tract infections, blockages, or kidney problems.
Below are a few of the best urinary tract health cat foods available today.
Best For Senior Cats: Blue Buffalo W+u Weight Management + Urinary Care Wet Food
Amazon
Key Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth and liver, pea protein, potatoes, whitefish, carrots, cranberries | Calories per Serving: 68 | Balance: Crude Protein min. 8.5%, Crude Fat min. 2.5%, Crude Fiber max. 4%, Moisture max. 78% | Life Stage: Adult, senior | Texture: Paté
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Manages two problems with one food
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Prescription required
Obesity can be a problem for senior kitties who become less active as they age, especially for indoor only cats and those with health problems that sap their energy or reduce their mobility. Since some urinary problems are more common in senior, overweight and/or obese cats, it makes sense to consider a food that provides ideal levels of fat, calories, and fiber to help your cat manage its weight as well as controlled mineral levels to keep urine pH lower to prevent crystal and stone formation.
Blue Buffalo W+U Weight Management and Urinary Care canned wet food is an excellent choice carried by many veterinarians. With chicken as the first ingredient, this food also has added plant fiber in the form of powdered cellulose so your cat will feel fuller despite being a lower calorie food. Levels of magnesium and sodium are controlled to promote balanced urinary pH.
Blue Buffalo reports that its science-based formulas are developed by a team of PhD animal nutritionists, food scientists, and veterinarians.
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