Our beloved house kitties are close cousins with desert catsâthis is why they love basking in the sun and seldom take a sip from their water tray. Wildcats get most of their water needs met from fresh prey, which is about 70% water. Itâs not surprising that cats on a dry kibble (5-10% water) often lack hydration! These little beasts evolved to get water with their food, so they arenât inclined to drink water to compensate.
For felines, dry diets can lead to painful urinary issues, such as cystitis (bladder inflammation), urethra obstructions (common in male cats) and urinary tract infections.
Signs of urinary issues
How do you know if your cat has a urinary problem? He or she may strain to urinate, pee frequently, cry while at the litter box, excessively lick âdown thereâ, urinate in places other than the litter box and squat while doing business. This last behaviour can be mistaken as constipation when, in fact, the cat might have a urinary tract problem.
If your cat demonstrates these signs, consult your veterinarian ASAP.
Prevention is key
The good news is that feline urinary problems are preventable. The trick is to provide fresh water for your cat (we recommend a fountain), since bladders are happier when more water flows through them. You should also give your cat moist canned food, especially if he or she doesnât drink much, or add distilled water or pureed veggies to dry kibble at a 1:1 ratio.
A note about urinary pH
The normal pH for cat urine ranges between 6.0 and 6.5, and a higher number points to alkalinityâa risk that comes with plant-based diets for cats. Alkaline urine can lead to the formation of struvite crystals, which in turn cause urethra obstruction.
Thankfully, this issue is preventable. You can opt for a vegan dry kibble (here or here) supplemented with acidifiers such as DL-Methionine. If you prepare your catâs meals at home, make sure to add an acidifier like cranberry powder or VegeYeast. Use acidifiers in moderation, since they can create another kind of crystal called calcium oxalate.
The best way to monitor your catâs urinary pH is to consult your veterinarian. This can be expensive on a regular basis, so you can opt for pH strips afterwards. These solutions are not perfect, but they do provide cat owners with a certain indication of pH.
If youâve tried to measure your catâs urine at home, please post your comments below to share your experiences!
Sources
Top 10 Most Common Dog and Cat Ailments Revealed, PRNewswire, Mar 29, 2016, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/top-10-most-common-dog-and-cat-ailments-revealed-300242164.html Retrieved Oct 18, 2016Â
Feline Urinary Tract Health: Cystitis, Urethral Obstruction, Urinary Tract Infection, Lisa A. Pierson, DVM http://www.catinfo.org/?link=urinarytracthealth RetrievedOct 19, 2016Â
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Bladder and Kidney Stones, http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/health_information/BladderandKidneyStones.cfm Retrieved Oct 23, 2016Â
Disclaimer: The content of this blog post is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian if you have questions about your petâs health.