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THERAPEUTIC NUTRITION
Useful information about the needs of cats and dogs with nutritionally sensitive health conditions.
Renal & Urinary Disorders
Feline Struvite Urolithiasis
Studies report that between 3-5% of cats presented to veterinary clinics have feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTDs). FLUTDs are a group of diseases affecting the bladder and urethra with many contributing factors, including stress, low water consumption, excess body weight, low levels of exercise, and confinement. Urolithiasis (urinary crystals and stones) accounts for 7-22% of FLUTD cases, and struvite is one of the two most common uroliths. Similar to other FLUTDs, struvite urolithiasis is prone to recurrence. Nutrition can be used as part of a multimodal strategy to manage and lower the risk of recurrence of struvite urolithiasis. Since findings of struvite crystalluria can occur incidentally, especially when urinalysis is delayed after collection of urine, these findings should be considered in the context of whether clinical and radiographic signs are present.
Key Messages
- Therapeutic urinary diets can be used to help manage struvite urolithiasis and lower the risk of recurrence in cats.
- They increase water intake and urine volume, promoting a more dilute urine. A more dilute urine contains a lower concentration of urolith precursors. A higher urine volume may also increase frequency of urination, helping eliminate precursors before they can form uroliths.
- Promotion of a more dilute urine is recommended for the management of any FLUTD.
- They create an acidic urine in the pH range of 6.0-6.4. A urine pH within this range does not support struvite urolith formation, so can aid dissolution.
- As measured by RSS (relative super-saturation) technology, a measure of the likelihood of urolith formation, urine undersaturated for struvite is produced. Existing struvite uroliths will dissolve and new uroliths will not form.
- They increase water intake and urine volume, promoting a more dilute urine. A more dilute urine contains a lower concentration of urolith precursors. A higher urine volume may also increase frequency of urination, helping eliminate precursors before they can form uroliths.
- Resources that reduce stress and associated risk factors for FLUTDs should be provided, such as:
- Activity with toys and play sessions, including providing food in puzzle feeders, which can also help maintain ideal body condition and, possibly, decrease other risk factors.
- An adequate number of resources (e.g., food and water bowls, clean litter boxes, toys, space) in multi-pet households and easily accessible resources (e.g., a senior cat can comfortably climb into and out of the litter box).
"Your cat has struvite uroliths, a type of lower urinary tract disease. Feeding a therapeutic diet can help dissolve the uroliths and prevent recurrence. Environmental modifications may help reduce other risk factors, such as stress."
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Nutrition and Urinary Tract Health in Cats
Feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTDs) have a multi-factorial etiology. Diet can play an important role as part of the overall management.
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Additional Resources
Lulich, J. P., Berent, A. C., Adams, L. G., Westropp, J. L., Bartges, J. W., & Osborne, C. A. (2016). ACVIM small animal consensus recommendations on the treatment and prevention of uroliths in dogs and cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 30(5), 1564–1574. doi: 10.1111/jvim.14559
Queau, Y. (2019). Nutritional management of urolithiasis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 49, 175–186. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2018.10.004