Friday, March 22, 2024

Friskies Special Diet Urinary Tract Health For Cats

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Urinary Food For Cats

Friskies – Tv commercial- 1995- special diet

Commercially available food for cats is specificallyformulated to suit individual pet health concerns. Since several petssuffer from urinary tract disease, it’s necessary to feed them dietsthat help control the condition. Female cats are more susceptible tourinary tract infections, while male pets are likely to develop felinelower urinary tract diseases. Most commercially available cat foodproducts contain ingredients that alter the acidity present in theurine. Urinary diet food also helps prevent the formation of urinarystones, or uroliths, and hence lowers the risk of developing urinarytract diseases.

Can I Mix Other Food With Prescription Food

If your cat is eating prescription urinary food and doing well with it, dont make the mistake of mixing in other foods. The prescription urinary food depends on a delicate balance of ingredients to produce healthy conditions in your cats bladder. Adding treats, table food, non-prescription cat food or other supplements can change physiological conditions enough that the prescription food wont work.

If your cat doesnt like the prescription food hes supposed to eat, ask your vet to recommend a different brand, form or flavor. There are plenty of choices so you should be able to find something your cat likes.

Purina One Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food Best Value

Purina is known as a budget company. However, its ONE line is exceptionally high-quality while remaining inexpensive. For cats with urinary problems, Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food is a solid option. This food is formulated with low magnesium, which can prevent the creation of bladder stones and similar problems. This brand adds antioxidants, which may help prevent urinary problems. As a pH-reducing food, this can also keep infections at bay.

However, this food does have lower-quality ingredients than other options. This is one of the reasons that Purina can keep the foods cost so low. The first ingredient is corn gluten meal, with the second being whole ground corn. Corn is a starchy vegetable and is often considered a grain. Cats do not need it to thrive, though it does provide a few nutrients. However, cats can have difficulty absorbing and using nutrients from plants like corn, so it likely isnt doing much for your cats nutrition.

Chicken is included as the third ingredient. This is a high-quality option and suitable if your feline is not allergic to chicken. This is the best cat food for urinary tract health for the money.

This does require a veterinary prescription, so it is only available to felines with diagnoses of urinary tract problems.

To conclude, this is our third pick for the best cat food for urinary health available this year.

  • Large amounts of grain included

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Is Tuna Good For Cats With Urinary Problems

Tuna contains high concentrations of unsaturated fats that are quite unhealthy for cats. It can cause a serious vitamin E deficiency, which can lead to a dangerous condition called steatitis. This is a painful disease where the cats body becomes inflamed. Tuna is also high in minerals that can cause bladder stones.

Purina Stopped Making Friskies Special Diet And 9

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EnzosMom said: I have a 16 year old tabby named Enzo who has been on Friskies Special Diet for 14 years after being diagnosed with UTI’s. When I suddenly couldn’t find any in multiple stores, I emailed Purina who has now discontinued this product line. I am on an EXTREMELY tight budget, , and can’t afford the Purina recommended alternative of Purina One Pro or whatever it is called. It costs more, and comes in a smaller can which would lead to my spending 3 times as much money daily on his food. I can’t seem to figure out what to do. Anyone have any suggestions. I love my cat, but I just don’t have the money for more expensive foods when I can’t pay for my own meds and rent. HELP!!!!!

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EnzosMom said: As I understand it, I’m supposed to avoid either magnesium or ash to avoid a repeat of the urinary tract infections he had when he was 2 years old. He had 2 UTIs back to back and the vet bill was over $1500 then. I’m afraid that a UTI at this point would be deadly for him, since he’s 16 and I can’t afford the vet at all right now. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Why Trust The Spruce

This piece was written by Lorraine Wilde who has had at least two cat companions in her home for the past 35 years including some special needs kitties. Two of her cats lived happy and healthily into their early 20s. Her current feline companions have been challenged by digestive and urinary tract health issues. When researching these brands, Lorraine evaluated the type and quality of the ingredients, the companys research and development of the food, and their business ethics.

Because she has only the highest of standards for what she feeds her pets, Lorraine recently switched to Evangers EVx Restricted Diet Urinary Tract and Evanger Organics Turkey and Butternut Squash canned food to help improve her older cats’ health issues. Lorraines family will consider adding the supplement Under the Weather Urinary Support Soft Chews for the benefits imparted by D-mannose.

Dr. Danielle Bernal is a Global Veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. She holds a Bachelors of Veterinary Science from University of Sydney and is a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the U.K. She has more than 15 years experience in veterinary care, animal nutrition and related communications. She travels across the United States and other countries to educate pet parents on the role that premium, natural nutrition plays in pets health and longevity.

The Best Wet Cat Food Can Help Prevent Urinary Problems But You Shouldnt Rely On Diet Alone

If your cat starts straining in the litter box, having bloody urine, or is unable to urinate at all, he likely has some form of urinary tract disease.

Cystitis , urinary crystals, and urinary tract infections are all painful conditions that necessitate a trip to the veterinarian. A veterinarian can diagnose the type of urinary tract disease and determine which type of treatment is appropriate.

And if your cat has a complete blockagehe cant urinate at alltake him to the veterinarian immediately. Complete blockages can be fatal if not treated quickly. Immediate veterinary care is required to clear the blockage and treat its underlying cause.

Read Also: Walgreens Antibacterial Plus Urinary Pain Relief

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.

How Does Wet Cat Food Help Urinary Tract Health

Hill’s Science Diet for Cats – Discover More with Pet Circle

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.

Read Also: Rabbit Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

Best For Senior Cats: Blue Buffalo W+u Weight Management + Urinary Care Wet Food

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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

  • Manages two problems with one food

  • 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.

Is High Protein Cat Food Good For Urinary Health

Urine crystals and bladder stones form when more magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, or protein exists in your cats urine than its system is able to effectively dissolved. Special diets that prevent the formation of one kind of crystal can actually cause the other, so it is best to avoid such diets for your cat.

Recommended Reading: Urinary Tract Infection Caused By E Coli

Continue Making Friskies Special Diet And Senior Diet Cat Food

Across the country, many cats have special dietary needs due to advancing age, feline diabetes, kidney disease, and urinary tract issues. Humane societies and animal shelters often have a more difficult time placing these cats into their forever homes–some people are intimidated by the idea of taking on an animal that might need some extra help. But! As anyone who cares for a special feline like this can tell you–these cats are able to live long, full, happy lives when given the proper nutrition and care they need.

Until recently, Purina’s Friskies Special Diet and Senior Diet cat foods filled this need wonderfully. They are great foods with low carbohydrates and the right nutrients to keep our furry friends healthy. Not to mention, cats love the flavors! Many pet owners sincerely enjoyed having this product on the market and we fed it to our cats daily.

Lately, Purina decided to discontinue both Special Diet and Senior Diet from the Friskies line up. This leaves Purina customers and their loyal companions in a frustrating and dangerous position. Switch their pet’s diets to a higher cost food? Feed a non-diet specific food and put their cat’s health at risk? These are difficult choices.

Best Wet: Hill’s Prescription Diet C/d Multicare Urinary Care With Chicken Canned Cat Food

Purina Urinary Cat Food

Key Ingredients: Pork Liver, Carrots, Chicken, Tuna, Wheat Gluten, Rice, Spinach, Corn Starch, Chicken Liver Flavor, Fish Oil, Chicken Fat | Calories per Serving: 82 | Balance: Protein min. 6.5%, Fat min. 3.0%, crude fiber max. 2.0% | Life stage: Adult and senior cats | Texture: Rice sized chunks in a light gravy

  • Shown to dissolve struvite crystals and prevents new ones

  • Requires a veterinary prescription

Nutritionists and veterinarians developed Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care wet cat food specifically to support a cat’s urinary health. Hills claims that c/d Multicare was studied and demonstrated to lower the recurrence of most common urinary signs by 89 percent. They also claim that struvite stones have dissolved in some cats in as little as seven days, and on average 27 days, while also reducing the risk of forming struvite and calcium oxalate stones.

The ingredients are recognizable on the label and in the food. Top ingredients include pork liver, carrots, chicken, tuna, rice, spinach, chicken fat and fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Also containing important vitamins and minerals, the amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium are controlled to prevent crystal formation. This brand is also available in chicken and vegetable stew flavor.

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S For Maintaining Your Cats Urinary Health

Cats are notoriously plagued by urinary problems. Kidney disease, chronic bladder inflammation, and urethral obstruction are common feline medical conditions, and many owners want to know how they can maintain their cats urinary health and keep these problems at bay. Whether your cat has a history of urinary trouble, or you hope to prevent disease development, use these five tips:

#1: Increase Your Cats Water Intake

A higher urine water content dilutes the toxins, minerals, and urinary irritants that can lead to problems. Concentrated urine is more likely to form crystals and urinary stones, and irritants can contribute to chronic bladder inflammation. Increasing your cats water intake is one of the most important steps toward keeping her urinary tract healthy. More water also means your cat will stay hydrated and urinate more frequently, which will flush out toxins and maintain kidney function.

Try incorporating these ideas into your cats daily routine to increase her water intake:

#2: Reevaluate Your Cats Diet

Before changing your cats diet, consult your family veterinarian. Many urinary diets are available, and she can help you choose one that is appropriate for your cats needs. She can also counsel you about gradually changing your cat to a new food so she will accept it. Cats are creatures of habit and may not do well with a sudden switch.

#3: Reduce Your Cats Environmental Stress
#4: Provide Environmental Enrichment for Your Cat

Best For Weight Loss: Weruva Nine Liver With Chicken & Chicken Liver In Gravy Grain

  • Type: Wet/Canned
  • Made In: Thailand

If your cat is prone to urinary tract issues and needs to lose weight, a high-moisture diet like this food from Weruvas Classic Cat line could be an all-purpose solution.

Weruvas Nine Liver with Chicken & Chicken Liver helps keep urinary issues at bay with a combination of high moisture content, carnivore-appropriate acidity, and relatively low ash content.

With just under 20 calories per ounce, this food is significantly less calorie-dense than any dry food on the market and a bit leaner than many top canned foods. With its satisfying consistency and low-calorie content, this food promises to help your cat feel his best while dropping any excess weight.

At just over 10% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis, this food is relatively low-carb and appears to be a species-appropriate choice.

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Overall Is Friskies A Good Choice

Friskies isnt a brand wed recommend. Its selling points are not ingredient quality or nutritional integrity. It is, however, one of the most affordable brands available.

If you choose to buy Friskies, avoid their dry recipes. Friskies dry cat food is packed with low-value plant ingredients like corn gluten meal and soybean meal and rely on vaguely-named animal by-products instead of named meats.

Instead, opt for Friskies wet cat food. Their wet recipes contain some undesirable additives, including carrageenan, artificial colors, and artificial flavors, but are meat-rich with minimal carbohydrate content.

Stick to the patés to avoid starchy thickeners. Read the ingredient lists carefully to minimize harmful additivessome Friskies foods contain artificial colors and others dont.

Urinary Formula Vs Renal Formula Cat Food

Feline Urinary Health

I find some of my clients get confused when talking about urinary and renal prescription diets for cats.

Urinary foods are formulated to help with bladder problems. Renal formula foods are geared toward supporting cats with compromised kidney problems.

These are generally two different problems, although occasionally they occur in the same cat.

Cats with bladder problems tend to be younger while cats with kidney problems tend to be older.

Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease include increased drinking, increased volume of urination, weight loss and decreased appetite.

Symptoms of Feline Idiopathic Cystitis are increased frequency and urgency of urination, straining to urinate, blood and crystals in the urine. Cats with FIC dont usually drink a lot more or lose weight.

Ask your vet to clarify whether your cat has a bladder problem, a kidney problem or both. That will help you and your vet choose the best diet option for your cat.

Many renal/kidney diets arent good maintenance food for growing young cats since they have a lower protein level. Make sure you ask your vet before you let young cats share prescription kidney diets!

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