Could someone suggest a high quality food, preferably one that has human-grade ingredients that is low in ash and phosphorus and that does not have turkey in it. I have a couple of cats (one is high positive to turkey by allergy testing) that I have had an on going problem with sturvite crystals and white and red blood cells in their urine. I have changed foods that have not helped. They are peeing and pooping outside the litter box. They are now on methigel (for acidifying the urine) and Amoxicillin (antibiotic) and Buspar (for anxiety).
I have several cats and they had been on California Natural Chicken and Rice (dry) and Old Mother Hubbards Wellness. One of the cats also tested low positive to all meats except lamb which is hard to find in a cat food. She also tested high positive to yeast. I changed them over to (because of the allergy test) Solid Gold's hard food and California Natural Venison
and brown rice. Through all of the food changes they have had a problem with peeing and pooping outside the litter box.
The boxes are kept clean and I have a fenced area that they go out to through the day.
I feed a combination of dry/canned food.
The vet said I need to get them on a low ash/phosphorus food, and he suggested Science Diet, which I don't want to feed to my cats. I prefer the human grade quality foods.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Need food low in ash and phosphorus
Re: Need food low in ash and phosphorus
Your vet is recommending the premium diet (i.e, Science Diet) because he knows what works and what has been proven to reduce the occurance of struvites. You've stated your cats have histories of struvites and infections, the most effective treatment includes veterinary management diets for this purpose....you won't find any other foods that will serve that purpose. If your cats truly have a diagnosed FLUTD condition, the most appropriate diet is one geared to alter the pH, and to help prevent further crystal formation (or to help dissolution of crystals during initial treatment)
I strongly caution:
1) DO NOT add acidifiers to an already acidifying diet, and DO NOT add acidfiers to a prescription diet your vet has recommended and/or prescribed. This will lead to potential formation of oxalate crystals in addition to struvites.
2) Constantly switching foods can lead to food averisions, GI tract upset, and various other consequences.
3) Cats with a history of FLUTD ideally should be kept on an appropriate (prescription if possible) diet intended for that purpose, to treat, and prevent future occurances. Anything fed outside of the diet, or new diets approached will defeat the purpose of treatment, entirely.
It sounds like there is also a great deal of stress in the environment. What tactics and methods have you done thus far to reduce the stresses? Why are they on Buspar? Have you tried various behavioral modification approaches? Used enzymatic cleaners to clean up spots, urine markings, etc? Provided ample litterboxes per the number of cats in your home? Are the litterboxes strategically placed out of high traffic areas? Have you consulted with a feline behaviorist? Is one or more cats suffering from other health problems?
FLUTD and other Veterinary Management Diets .....some of which contain limited ingredients your vet will be happy to discuss with you. If you want to solve these problems, it is best left up to your vet and you, thorough discussions with him about your dietary options, changing the stress factors, and not taking this into your own hands. Your vet has treated hundreds of cases such as yours, please listen to /apply his recommendations on diet, etc.
I strongly caution:
1) DO NOT add acidifiers to an already acidifying diet, and DO NOT add acidfiers to a prescription diet your vet has recommended and/or prescribed. This will lead to potential formation of oxalate crystals in addition to struvites.
2) Constantly switching foods can lead to food averisions, GI tract upset, and various other consequences.
3) Cats with a history of FLUTD ideally should be kept on an appropriate (prescription if possible) diet intended for that purpose, to treat, and prevent future occurances. Anything fed outside of the diet, or new diets approached will defeat the purpose of treatment, entirely.
It sounds like there is also a great deal of stress in the environment. What tactics and methods have you done thus far to reduce the stresses? Why are they on Buspar? Have you tried various behavioral modification approaches? Used enzymatic cleaners to clean up spots, urine markings, etc? Provided ample litterboxes per the number of cats in your home? Are the litterboxes strategically placed out of high traffic areas? Have you consulted with a feline behaviorist? Is one or more cats suffering from other health problems?
FLUTD and other Veterinary Management Diets .....some of which contain limited ingredients your vet will be happy to discuss with you. If you want to solve these problems, it is best left up to your vet and you, thorough discussions with him about your dietary options, changing the stress factors, and not taking this into your own hands. Your vet has treated hundreds of cases such as yours, please listen to /apply his recommendations on diet, etc.
..........Traci