Feline Bladder Disease and Diet

The Right Food Matters but a Cat must Eat it.

Question:
My 14 year old cat has had increased urination. The vet gave antibiotics, ruled out diabetes, and prescribed c/d diet. Cher snubbed her nose at it. Two days without eating I gave her Fancy Feast. Google says dry food causes urinary tract. I need to change foods, but to what?

Dr. Nichol
Cher’s been fussy ever since she and Sonny split up. A great singer, but what a Prima Donna! You were right to be concerned when she skipped her meals. Cats, especially those who are overweight (Cher, of course, has always been svelte), can develop life threatening liver failure if they go longer than 48 hours without eating.

Feline bladder disease is complicated. Only 15% involve bacterial infection-diet is never responsible for these. The majority have inflammatory disease, usually resulting from crystals, mucous, and debris. A urinalysis, culture, and x-rays are essential to an accurate diagnosis.

Most urinary crystals and stones in cats are comprised of a mineral complex called struvite. Prescription diets can reduce the mineral load, making crystals less likely to form. An alternative to c/d, Urinary SO by Royal Canin, may be more appealing to the discriminating feline palate. Google, the all-knowing, is right about canned diets. More moisture is better.

Cher’s bladder, as well as her aging kidneys, will fare even better with at-home subcutaneous fluids.  It’s easy to administer and can add years of great life for feline seniors.

Question:
Do you happen to know how much chondroitin and glucosamine are in each pig ear?

Dr. Nichol:
The nutritional content of ears has never been my bailiwick but I do recall a heavy weight boxer snacking on an opponent’s ear. Rather than disfiguring pigs for canine joint support I advise an oral supplement like Dasuquin or Myristol. A known quantity is usually best.