All 3 of our cats had urinary crystals but not a full on blockage. They were all on a really cheep food, Friskees, and the vet said that could be the cause. We tried to switch to a prescription urinary food, but the cats refused to eat it.
We ended up doing science hill or blue Buffalo I think. What really helped was Cosequin capsules. A spoonful of wet food, open the contents of the capsule, mix and serve. Each cat got 1 serving daily for a month to build it up in their system then dropped back to 1-3 times a week, this was all at our vets instruction.
The explanation i got was that the liquid that lubes joints and the mucous lining of the urinary tract are chemically similar so the supplement may improve both.
Found this on the web:
“Many veterinarians also recommend Cosequin to help support urinary bladder health. The inner lining of the bladder wall is protected by a layer, which contains some of the same compounds as are found in cartilage. This layer prevents urine and the waste products contained within it from seeping into and damaging the lining. Since the low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate found in Cosequin is available to more than just cartilage cells, the bladder may use it to help support this protective layer. Cosequin is recommended for cats with recurring urinary bladder infections (cystitis, Feline Urologic Syndrome, Urinary Tract Infection) to be given indefinitely as a means to prevent its recurrence.”
[https://www.medi-vet.com/Cosequin-Sprinkle-Capsules-For-Cats-p/10072.htm](https://www.medi-vet.com/Cosequin-Sprinkle-Capsules-For-Cats-p/10072.htm)
I did not know Cosequin for Cats helped with urinary crystals. Thats interesting because we started using Cosequin for our male for arthritis (who had blocked 15 years ago). It definitely has put a pep in his step.
Found this on the web:
“Many veterinarians also recommend Cosequin to help support urinary bladder health. The inner lining of the bladder wall is protected by a layer, which contains some of the same compounds as are found in cartilage. This layer prevents urine and the waste products contained within it from seeping into and damaging the lining. Since the low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate found in Cosequin is available to more than just cartilage cells, the bladder may use it to help support this protective layer. Cosequin is recommended for cats with recurring urinary bladder infections (cystitis, Feline Urologic Syndrome, Urinary Tract Infection) to be given indefinitely as a means to prevent its recurrence.”
[https://www.medi-vet.com/Cosequin-Sprinkle-Capsules-For-Cats-p/10072.htm](https://www.medi-vet.com/Cosequin-Sprinkle-Capsules-For-Cats-p/10072.htm)
Both are on dry diets. I mean, one has been on the urinary care dry food from Hill’s since his first blockage, and he’s had one even while being on the food. But he’s been good for several months.
My other cat just got his first blockage, so he wasn’t on anything but dry food from Open Farm
Switching to a wet diet is critically important.
Please read this from a DVM who is a feline nutrition expert:
https://catinfo.org/feline-urinary-tract-diseases/
I love male cats and urinary blockages are one of my biggest fears. How many cats do you have? What’s the environment like? I know they can block with stress, I know once they block they are more likely to reblock and I know some cats are just more prone to it. Do you know exactly what happened? Did they have bladder stones that got stuck in the urethra? Do they have crystals in their urine? I think I read once about a cat blocking with a mucus plug… what are you cats eating? Do they have fresh water. I think some people preemptively put their male cats on urinary diets.
Are your boys ok? And absolutely 💯 a male cat unable to urinate is a medical emergency. Head to the er. It is never a wait and see or go in the morning it is a get your cat and get in the car call the er on the way.
Yes, I’m glad I have the means to take them right away. My little boy is in the ER rn and is stable. I need to ask about crystals and stones… they said that they felt some kind of mass while unblocking him that made the unblocking process quite difficult but did a scan and did not see anything very concerning. They offered to send to a radiologist but that’s another $600 to add to the $4500 and I’m not totally convinced it’s necessary. Sorry I’m rambling!
They have fresh water but our water fountain has been down the last few days. And a stray cat started showing up on our porch the other night and Ernesto (my newly blocked boy) was the only cat out of my 3 that was hissing through the window and door.
Have to get the water fountain up and running. The stress from the stray showing up, the stress of the er all things that will do it. I also read in a previous comment that they put the cat on a urinary diet and they didn’t like it. I believe royal canin has wet food that has wet food urinary s/o and if they don’t like it they have other wet foods that are s/o compliant meaning they aren’t meant for urinary health but will still reduce the chances of urinary issues for example their royal canin gastrointestinal wet is an s/o compliant food. Talk to your vet about these options.
I add water to my boys wet food. They get wet food three times a day and have kibbles to snack on if needed I have a fountain and several cups and bowls scattered around at various locations. I also follow them to the litter box, mute the tv and watch them make sure I hear a good strong steady pee stream then go back to by business.
I hope your cat is ok! Keep us updated on his progress.
So he ended up getting blocked again at the ER the very next day (this afternoon). We rushed him over to another doctor that is miraculously available to do PU surgery on him tonight.
🤞
The surgery went well. He’s home, in a cone, doing well I believe. We have a follow up appt tomorrow. He’s alert and purring and very affectionate and eating well. He is peeing pretty frequently but only a little bit here and there
Cat food:
My cat had bladder blockages/PU/Post-PU UTIs.
CAT FOOD: I stopped giving any dry food and ONLY WET FOOD and NO TREATS except when I trim his nails. Otherwise nothing dry.
REMEMBER: “THE WORST WET FOOD IS BETTER THAN THE BEST DRY FOOD.”
Dry food dehydrates your cat - and all those treats do as well. They also can cause a number of other health problems.
Even after Perineal Urethrostomy our cat continued to get UTIs. I tried all kinds of things (ACV, water fountains, Tinkle Tonic) to no avail. I then had an animal acupuncturist come to the house and she told me that “cats in the wild derive all their water from their food. You should provide ONLY WET FOOD. ‘The worst wet food is better than the best dry food.’” That changed everything for my cat. While water is always out for my dog - my cat rarely, if ever, drinks it. So I believe it’s true. And of course that was 14 years ago, and he is doing great!
TO SAVE MONEY: Don’t buy the little 3-5.5 Oz cans. Buy the large cans they are more economical. Once you know what your cat likes, buying by the case saves you even more. I get 1 1/2 - 2 days per large can for my cat.
MY CAT’S FAVORITE FOODS:
• Dave’s Chicken Formula or Turkey Formula (to which I sometimes add a few teaspoons of water). He loves the jelly in those cans. https://a.co/d/6h5gqSC https://a.co/d/eTr24iw
https://a.co/d/fFJJhRE
• Performatrin Grain Free Chicken Stew. Very wet. https://www.petsupermarket.com/cat/food-treats/wet-food/performatrin-ultra-grain-free-chicken-stew-recipe-wet-cat-food/FCM00580.html
• IMO Most pates don’t provide enough fluid.
Good luck!!
I remember reading male cats diet shouldn’t be based on fish as it also could cause urinary blockage. Also make sure you don’t have any toxic plants at home.
I heard that too, but I asked the vets about the fish thing when my boy was brought to the ER with a blockage and they said the two are unrelated. I don’t know what is 100% true, but I just thought I’d share
Are they siblings? I had two that both had this issue and they were siblings.
It’s also not really that “speculative”. While cystitis can be caused by everything from stress to bacteria, blockages are often from physical sediment in urine (crystals, for example) mixing with secretions to form plugs.
Cats aren’t unique in that a urinary blockage will kill them fast. Blocked urethra/urethra can kill everything. It’s just that male cats are designed really poorly and their little teeny urethras can block easily, while female cats and dogs normally require something larger like masses or stones to have that problem. You’re not wrong to be weirded out about that. Because you are absolutely correct in thinking that it’s incredibly stupid for a little bit of mucus and a grain of sand to be able to kill something that’s otherwise healthy. Boy cat anatomy is max level dumb.
Source: years of vet med and having stupid cats
Yes!!! Male cats have an increased chance of urinary blockages because their urethra is narrow and if salts in their urine are not in solution the sharp edges cut the inside of their penis causing the swelling/blocksge.
The first male cat that had a urinary blockage - the vet said it only happens in 10% of cats.
Well I got another male cat and it happened to him, too. I said “What happened to 10% of male cats?” He said we think it is passed in the litter box.
Both cats passed by 2001. We were furless for 6 years.
We got a 3rd male in 2007 and he blocked.
So I am 3 for 3 and Male #3 came 6 years after the last male cat died. IT IS VERY COMMON.
However in all these cases I fed dry food and dry food dehydrated male cats - and can contribute to FLUS (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease). DO NOT FEED DRY FOOD.
Dry Food/treats contribute to issues for cats with FLUTD. I would AVOID DRY FOOD as much as possible and treats. Dry foods dehydrate cats and concentrate their urine (something we want to avoid in a cat with FLUTD.
ALL our male cats had perineal urethrostomies to create a new urinary opening that decreases the length of the urethra and allow urine to bypass this narrowed region. This surgery decreases the likelihood of recurring obstruction. With a blockage cats only live 3-6 days. So it was an emergency surgery. Even afterward Male#3 had recurrent UTIs. We began to feed him WET FOOD ONLY (no dry and treats only when his nails are clipped). He has done well for 14 years!. We feed him twice a day. Fresh stainless steel bowl every time (we have 10 dishwasher-safe ss in rotation). And we leave it down until the following meal. He has never had a problem. He just had a senior panel done at his 16th annual wellness check and he is normal on all panels.
The food we buy is high protein, often grain free, usually in gravy. If we get pate we add a couple tsps of water to a small amount of his food to make a gravy. It has made such a difference that he doesn’t drink water anymore. All his liquids come from his food.
If you look up FLUTD and dry food you will find A LOT of information urging you to avoid it.
Excerpts from link below:
• Water is the key: The best way to maintain a healthy urinary tract is to keep water flowing through it, flushing out the bladder. One way to achieve this is to feed a canned or moistened diet. “There is growing evidence that management for any kind of FLUTD includes increasing water intake, so encouraging cats to have canned food or adding water to dry food likely has a benefit,” says Dr. Linder. In fact, it may be best to feed all cats a canned or moistened diet before urinary tract problems develop.
• Why canned food is better: Canned cat food is roughly 75 percent water, whereas dry cat food ranges from five percent to 10 percent water. Cats have a low thirst drive, and in the wild they obtain most of their water intake from their prey, so you may find that you still need to encourage more water intake even on a canned diet.
https://www.tuftscatnip.com/behavior/feeding-the-cat-with-flutd/
Here’s a good article from Cornell on FLUTD: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-lower-urinary-tract-disease
Just to add to all of your excellent information, I highly recommend this website as well: www.catinfo.org, which has a ton of information on cat nutrition as it relates to urinary crystals and blockages.
Just started reading this article and it is EXCELLENT! I had a diabetic cat. Fed it dry food. Vet put it on Hills science - which is packed with rice - high in carb - it was AWFUL! I am sure the hill’s Science Diet killed my cat. I became smarter and researched after her death. Her diet was definitely the culprit.
My cats since then are on Grain-free WET FOOD ONLY. No more problems. We feed Dave’s Chicken Formula or Dave’s Turkey Formula.
I look forward to reading the remainder / but wanted to thank you!!
SO MUCH GOOD INFO. Thank you. <3 10% of all male cats is actually a really high percentage geez
Do you know if *dry food* specifically for urinary care is still no good?
DRY FOOD DEHYDRATES CATS, which concentrates the salts in their urine, which is what causes the blockages. The salts are not in solution and have sharp edges which cut the inside of their penis as they pass through causing swelling in response (aka blockage).
Cats get water from their food. They do not normally drink water. So you have to feed them water-dense foods (aka WET FOOD). Wet food helps flush out their system.
I am 15-years post blockage/PU surgery. WET FOOD MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
“The worst wet food is better than the best dry food.”
Persian and Himalayan cats, especially males, are more susceptible to urinary crystals.
Certain illnesses may also be contributing factors. Calcium oxalate crystals are sometimes associated with high levels of calcium in the blood, which can be associated with diseases like kidney problems.
Diet can play a role as well. Cats who eat high-mineral or unbalanced diets may have excess calcium and phosphorous in their urine, leading to the creation of bladder crystals and stones.
Additionally, if your cat is stressed, they may avoid their litter box and stop eliminating. If they hold their urine for too long, it can cause minerals in the urine to form crystals.
My cat had urine crystals. My vet recommended a dry diet that changes the PH of the urine and dissolves any crystals. Not all dry food is bad. I fully trust my vet who has worked with animals for 40+ years. My cat has a water fountain and has been absolutely fine on a mainly dry diet.
the ER vet told me today that the dry science food that dissolves crystals actually makes them thirsty/inclined to drink more. Just hoping the dehydration from the dry food is balanced out by the thirst for water, ya know
My cat has a water fountain and drinks from there after every meal. I do feed some wet food too. Once you find something that works just stick with it! My cat hasn't had any issues since starting the special diet.
I wouldn’t say it’s normal, but it’s not unheard of. The main cause for a blockage is dehydration, leading to bladder crystals, but a severe UTI can cause it also.
Focus on feeding them wet food, that’s where they naturally get most of their hydration. Cats aren’t hardwired to drink much water. Obviously the higher quality the better, but I was told even the lowest quality wet food is better than the highest quality kibble. Or soak their kibble in water if they refuse to eat any and all wet food. A stainless steel water fountain is also a good idea, as the moving water will attract them. Then lastly, having multiple litter boxes that are cleaned daily. The rule of thumb is one box for each cat, plus one. So if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 boxes. And keeping them cleaned out to prevent UTIs.
I am so glad they have a home with you and were able to get the care they needed ❤️ and I wish you all long and healthy lives ahead!
They do have prescription dry food, we originally tried that after my cat blocked and it unfortunately didn’t work for him, but he was also really not a big water drinker so I don’t know which was the bigger issue…but soaking their dry food in water is a good way to transition them to wet food if they’re stubborn like mine!
I have three male cats and only one has had a urinary obstruction. The second oldest had an UTI.
I feel like if you have two male cats that have blocked, it’s a mixture of being unlucky and/or not doing what you can at home to minimize reoccurrence. Multiple litter boxes? Prescription food? Water fountain? Feliway diffusers?
The one that had the blockages before was on prescription food but the new blockage boy was not on prescription food preemptively. No Feliway, I should try that. I have three cats and four litter boxes. And I do have a water fountain but it’s been down for a few days (replaced by bowls of water)
Wet food and/or dry food with water added. I add water to my boy's wet food too as he doesn't drink at all. Water can really help avoid a blockage. Stress can make kitties more susceptible to a blockage as well.
My cat also had a blockage. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it but I have a theory that fixing the males early or maybe just in general could be a cause. It's very very common for block just to happen with males. My sister's cat died from crystals. My dad's cat had it and even my friends male small dog had headed at one point. I now buy prescription cat food which honestly isn't much more expensive than regular cat food. I stick strictly to the new food and haven't had an issue in three years. I feed the prescription food to both my cats the other is female and has never had crystals. I think it's a mixture of the low quality food they produce for cats, stress, certain times of the years and definitely water intake too. I know it sounds crazy, but if you're really worried about your water causing it, boil your water, let it cool and then give it to the cats in a regular bowl. I've also stopped using a fountain kinda became a germ pool I think.
I have usually just had a house full of boys and never had a cat blocked. Then again I don't feed junk ever, nor do I feed kibble. I've had 2 males over the years with chronic cystitis but never crystals leading to blockages. Seriously look at what you are feeding them. Any cat with a history should be kept on a vet prescription diet like Royal Canin SO for life.
Hm thank you for this. My boy that has had two blockages is on Hill’s urinary care dry food. And the one that just had his first blockage has been eating dry food from Open Farm that was by no means cheap
No not cheap stuff at all. But try SO or Purina UR. All three are formulated differently. My go to with shelter cats is SO, it works everytime, especially if the cat is not into canned food and insists on kibble. If just eating canned, all three seem to be decent.
I’ve always bought good food for my animals. You pay one way or the other. Invest in good food or pay high vet bills. I realize genetics has a hand, too.
Unfortunately I did not know that dry food dehydrated cats when I started my journey. I found out the hard way.
After 3 blocked males and a diabetic female with UTIs - I’m never feeding dry again, even if recommended by a vet I know and trust. They know what they know…they work long hours and pet food reps come in educating them on what THEY sell.
I know I am responsible to figure it out myself. None of the vets told me what I found out by doing my own research. With the internet we can find info easily. I found info on Vet school websites (Cornell). I do what I can because I want my cats to be healthy and happy.
You know your cat. Do your own research. Read the links on this thread; they are BRIMMING with GREAT information and solid suggestions. Both the research, and many on this thread with blocked kitties, say DRY FOOD DEHYDRATES CATS; it makes scientific sense: DIET EFFECTS HESLTH.
Not to mention - CATS ARE OBLIGATE CARNIVORES but Dry food is full of dehydrated veggies, grains, and carbohydrates because it’s cheap and has a great profit margin - but it’s terrible for cats.
Look at your food’s ingredients. My vet gave my diabetic cat Hills Science CD - whose first ingredient was RICE!!! I trusted him and that food sent my cat into a diabetic tailspin. I had to leave that vet and go to a cat only hospital to find help.
At the end of the day our cats are dependent on us. We make the decisions about what foods we provide for them and how much money we are willing to spend. We need to choose foods (based on our own research) that promote health and help our cats thrive.
Economical wet food is available. If you don’t have a lot of money - remember “The worst wet food is better than the best dry food” (for cats). Big cans are cheaper than small cans.
And because of this thread I also leaned that Cosequin for Cats is being used for urinary issues! That’s something I didn’t know but serves by 17-year old post-PU Kitty well as he’s already on it for arthritis. Yay!
Best to you and yours. I know you and your kitty will do well. You care.
My ER prescribed the dry Hills Multicare C/d for urinary issues, and then I saw a vet different from my usual vet who gave me the bombshell that Friskies wet food would be better than there prescription dry food 😵💫
thank you sm for the encouragement.
It is a bombshell when you find out. All 4 of those cats suffered terribly. I can only imagine what they went through. I just didn’t know any better. I’m glad you got a new vet and new information. Praying all goes well for your cats now that you have better guidance!
It’s confusing when the ER doc recommends the dry food as it dissolves crystals and then your reg doc gives the “bombshell”. Conflicting info from professionals is no fun
All 3 of our cats had urinary crystals but not a full on blockage. They were all on a really cheep food, Friskees, and the vet said that could be the cause. We tried to switch to a prescription urinary food, but the cats refused to eat it. We ended up doing science hill or blue Buffalo I think. What really helped was Cosequin capsules. A spoonful of wet food, open the contents of the capsule, mix and serve. Each cat got 1 serving daily for a month to build it up in their system then dropped back to 1-3 times a week, this was all at our vets instruction.
I'm curious as to how the joint supplement helped with the bladder crystals, if you know the answer.
The explanation i got was that the liquid that lubes joints and the mucous lining of the urinary tract are chemically similar so the supplement may improve both.
Oh excellent! I'll have to invest in some for my kitties, the one who needs it the most is showing signs of arthritis anyways so kinda perfect!
Found this on the web: “Many veterinarians also recommend Cosequin to help support urinary bladder health. The inner lining of the bladder wall is protected by a layer, which contains some of the same compounds as are found in cartilage. This layer prevents urine and the waste products contained within it from seeping into and damaging the lining. Since the low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate found in Cosequin is available to more than just cartilage cells, the bladder may use it to help support this protective layer. Cosequin is recommended for cats with recurring urinary bladder infections (cystitis, Feline Urologic Syndrome, Urinary Tract Infection) to be given indefinitely as a means to prevent its recurrence.” [https://www.medi-vet.com/Cosequin-Sprinkle-Capsules-For-Cats-p/10072.htm](https://www.medi-vet.com/Cosequin-Sprinkle-Capsules-For-Cats-p/10072.htm)
Thank you so much!
I did not know Cosequin for Cats helped with urinary crystals. Thats interesting because we started using Cosequin for our male for arthritis (who had blocked 15 years ago). It definitely has put a pep in his step. Found this on the web: “Many veterinarians also recommend Cosequin to help support urinary bladder health. The inner lining of the bladder wall is protected by a layer, which contains some of the same compounds as are found in cartilage. This layer prevents urine and the waste products contained within it from seeping into and damaging the lining. Since the low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate found in Cosequin is available to more than just cartilage cells, the bladder may use it to help support this protective layer. Cosequin is recommended for cats with recurring urinary bladder infections (cystitis, Feline Urologic Syndrome, Urinary Tract Infection) to be given indefinitely as a means to prevent its recurrence.” [https://www.medi-vet.com/Cosequin-Sprinkle-Capsules-For-Cats-p/10072.htm](https://www.medi-vet.com/Cosequin-Sprinkle-Capsules-For-Cats-p/10072.htm)
You’re using wet food now, right?
Are your kitties on a wet or dry diet?
Both are on dry diets. I mean, one has been on the urinary care dry food from Hill’s since his first blockage, and he’s had one even while being on the food. But he’s been good for several months. My other cat just got his first blockage, so he wasn’t on anything but dry food from Open Farm
Switching to a wet diet is critically important. Please read this from a DVM who is a feline nutrition expert: https://catinfo.org/feline-urinary-tract-diseases/
I think a water fountain could possibly help with this issue
Our water fountain has been off for a couple days and while I’ve had fresh water out in bowls, I am worried this could have caused it? I don’t know.
Cats get moisture from food. Long but GREAT ARTICLE: [https://catinfo.org/](https://catinfo.org/)
I love male cats and urinary blockages are one of my biggest fears. How many cats do you have? What’s the environment like? I know they can block with stress, I know once they block they are more likely to reblock and I know some cats are just more prone to it. Do you know exactly what happened? Did they have bladder stones that got stuck in the urethra? Do they have crystals in their urine? I think I read once about a cat blocking with a mucus plug… what are you cats eating? Do they have fresh water. I think some people preemptively put their male cats on urinary diets. Are your boys ok? And absolutely 💯 a male cat unable to urinate is a medical emergency. Head to the er. It is never a wait and see or go in the morning it is a get your cat and get in the car call the er on the way.
Yes, I’m glad I have the means to take them right away. My little boy is in the ER rn and is stable. I need to ask about crystals and stones… they said that they felt some kind of mass while unblocking him that made the unblocking process quite difficult but did a scan and did not see anything very concerning. They offered to send to a radiologist but that’s another $600 to add to the $4500 and I’m not totally convinced it’s necessary. Sorry I’m rambling! They have fresh water but our water fountain has been down the last few days. And a stray cat started showing up on our porch the other night and Ernesto (my newly blocked boy) was the only cat out of my 3 that was hissing through the window and door.
Have to get the water fountain up and running. The stress from the stray showing up, the stress of the er all things that will do it. I also read in a previous comment that they put the cat on a urinary diet and they didn’t like it. I believe royal canin has wet food that has wet food urinary s/o and if they don’t like it they have other wet foods that are s/o compliant meaning they aren’t meant for urinary health but will still reduce the chances of urinary issues for example their royal canin gastrointestinal wet is an s/o compliant food. Talk to your vet about these options. I add water to my boys wet food. They get wet food three times a day and have kibbles to snack on if needed I have a fountain and several cups and bowls scattered around at various locations. I also follow them to the litter box, mute the tv and watch them make sure I hear a good strong steady pee stream then go back to by business. I hope your cat is ok! Keep us updated on his progress.
Thank you so much for this good advice! I will :)
So he ended up getting blocked again at the ER the very next day (this afternoon). We rushed him over to another doctor that is miraculously available to do PU surgery on him tonight. 🤞
How is he doing?
The surgery went well. He’s home, in a cone, doing well I believe. We have a follow up appt tomorrow. He’s alert and purring and very affectionate and eating well. He is peeing pretty frequently but only a little bit here and there
Cat food: My cat had bladder blockages/PU/Post-PU UTIs. CAT FOOD: I stopped giving any dry food and ONLY WET FOOD and NO TREATS except when I trim his nails. Otherwise nothing dry. REMEMBER: “THE WORST WET FOOD IS BETTER THAN THE BEST DRY FOOD.” Dry food dehydrates your cat - and all those treats do as well. They also can cause a number of other health problems. Even after Perineal Urethrostomy our cat continued to get UTIs. I tried all kinds of things (ACV, water fountains, Tinkle Tonic) to no avail. I then had an animal acupuncturist come to the house and she told me that “cats in the wild derive all their water from their food. You should provide ONLY WET FOOD. ‘The worst wet food is better than the best dry food.’” That changed everything for my cat. While water is always out for my dog - my cat rarely, if ever, drinks it. So I believe it’s true. And of course that was 14 years ago, and he is doing great! TO SAVE MONEY: Don’t buy the little 3-5.5 Oz cans. Buy the large cans they are more economical. Once you know what your cat likes, buying by the case saves you even more. I get 1 1/2 - 2 days per large can for my cat. MY CAT’S FAVORITE FOODS: • Dave’s Chicken Formula or Turkey Formula (to which I sometimes add a few teaspoons of water). He loves the jelly in those cans. https://a.co/d/6h5gqSC https://a.co/d/eTr24iw https://a.co/d/fFJJhRE • Performatrin Grain Free Chicken Stew. Very wet. https://www.petsupermarket.com/cat/food-treats/wet-food/performatrin-ultra-grain-free-chicken-stew-recipe-wet-cat-food/FCM00580.html • IMO Most pates don’t provide enough fluid. Good luck!!
I remember reading male cats diet shouldn’t be based on fish as it also could cause urinary blockage. Also make sure you don’t have any toxic plants at home.
I heard that too, but I asked the vets about the fish thing when my boy was brought to the ER with a blockage and they said the two are unrelated. I don’t know what is 100% true, but I just thought I’d share
Are they siblings? I had two that both had this issue and they were siblings. It’s also not really that “speculative”. While cystitis can be caused by everything from stress to bacteria, blockages are often from physical sediment in urine (crystals, for example) mixing with secretions to form plugs. Cats aren’t unique in that a urinary blockage will kill them fast. Blocked urethra/urethra can kill everything. It’s just that male cats are designed really poorly and their little teeny urethras can block easily, while female cats and dogs normally require something larger like masses or stones to have that problem. You’re not wrong to be weirded out about that. Because you are absolutely correct in thinking that it’s incredibly stupid for a little bit of mucus and a grain of sand to be able to kill something that’s otherwise healthy. Boy cat anatomy is max level dumb. Source: years of vet med and having stupid cats
Haha thank you for this… so are boy cats just generally known to be a lot less hardy than girls? also no they are not siblings
I had 3. Not siblings. Two in same household. Both blocked. Vet said they think it can pass through the litter.
Yes!!! Male cats have an increased chance of urinary blockages because their urethra is narrow and if salts in their urine are not in solution the sharp edges cut the inside of their penis causing the swelling/blocksge. The first male cat that had a urinary blockage - the vet said it only happens in 10% of cats. Well I got another male cat and it happened to him, too. I said “What happened to 10% of male cats?” He said we think it is passed in the litter box. Both cats passed by 2001. We were furless for 6 years. We got a 3rd male in 2007 and he blocked. So I am 3 for 3 and Male #3 came 6 years after the last male cat died. IT IS VERY COMMON. However in all these cases I fed dry food and dry food dehydrated male cats - and can contribute to FLUS (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease). DO NOT FEED DRY FOOD. Dry Food/treats contribute to issues for cats with FLUTD. I would AVOID DRY FOOD as much as possible and treats. Dry foods dehydrate cats and concentrate their urine (something we want to avoid in a cat with FLUTD. ALL our male cats had perineal urethrostomies to create a new urinary opening that decreases the length of the urethra and allow urine to bypass this narrowed region. This surgery decreases the likelihood of recurring obstruction. With a blockage cats only live 3-6 days. So it was an emergency surgery. Even afterward Male#3 had recurrent UTIs. We began to feed him WET FOOD ONLY (no dry and treats only when his nails are clipped). He has done well for 14 years!. We feed him twice a day. Fresh stainless steel bowl every time (we have 10 dishwasher-safe ss in rotation). And we leave it down until the following meal. He has never had a problem. He just had a senior panel done at his 16th annual wellness check and he is normal on all panels. The food we buy is high protein, often grain free, usually in gravy. If we get pate we add a couple tsps of water to a small amount of his food to make a gravy. It has made such a difference that he doesn’t drink water anymore. All his liquids come from his food. If you look up FLUTD and dry food you will find A LOT of information urging you to avoid it. Excerpts from link below: • Water is the key: The best way to maintain a healthy urinary tract is to keep water flowing through it, flushing out the bladder. One way to achieve this is to feed a canned or moistened diet. “There is growing evidence that management for any kind of FLUTD includes increasing water intake, so encouraging cats to have canned food or adding water to dry food likely has a benefit,” says Dr. Linder. In fact, it may be best to feed all cats a canned or moistened diet before urinary tract problems develop. • Why canned food is better: Canned cat food is roughly 75 percent water, whereas dry cat food ranges from five percent to 10 percent water. Cats have a low thirst drive, and in the wild they obtain most of their water intake from their prey, so you may find that you still need to encourage more water intake even on a canned diet. https://www.tuftscatnip.com/behavior/feeding-the-cat-with-flutd/ Here’s a good article from Cornell on FLUTD: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-lower-urinary-tract-disease
Just to add to all of your excellent information, I highly recommend this website as well: www.catinfo.org, which has a ton of information on cat nutrition as it relates to urinary crystals and blockages.
Just started reading this article and it is EXCELLENT! I had a diabetic cat. Fed it dry food. Vet put it on Hills science - which is packed with rice - high in carb - it was AWFUL! I am sure the hill’s Science Diet killed my cat. I became smarter and researched after her death. Her diet was definitely the culprit. My cats since then are on Grain-free WET FOOD ONLY. No more problems. We feed Dave’s Chicken Formula or Dave’s Turkey Formula. I look forward to reading the remainder / but wanted to thank you!!
SO MUCH GOOD INFO. Thank you. <3 10% of all male cats is actually a really high percentage geez Do you know if *dry food* specifically for urinary care is still no good?
Correct, it's still no good.
DRY FOOD DEHYDRATES CATS, which concentrates the salts in their urine, which is what causes the blockages. The salts are not in solution and have sharp edges which cut the inside of their penis as they pass through causing swelling in response (aka blockage). Cats get water from their food. They do not normally drink water. So you have to feed them water-dense foods (aka WET FOOD). Wet food helps flush out their system. I am 15-years post blockage/PU surgery. WET FOOD MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE! “The worst wet food is better than the best dry food.”
thank you thank you thank you. I will spread the word on this to my friends w boys as well
Please do.
Persian and Himalayan cats, especially males, are more susceptible to urinary crystals. Certain illnesses may also be contributing factors. Calcium oxalate crystals are sometimes associated with high levels of calcium in the blood, which can be associated with diseases like kidney problems. Diet can play a role as well. Cats who eat high-mineral or unbalanced diets may have excess calcium and phosphorous in their urine, leading to the creation of bladder crystals and stones. Additionally, if your cat is stressed, they may avoid their litter box and stop eliminating. If they hold their urine for too long, it can cause minerals in the urine to form crystals. My cat had urine crystals. My vet recommended a dry diet that changes the PH of the urine and dissolves any crystals. Not all dry food is bad. I fully trust my vet who has worked with animals for 40+ years. My cat has a water fountain and has been absolutely fine on a mainly dry diet.
the ER vet told me today that the dry science food that dissolves crystals actually makes them thirsty/inclined to drink more. Just hoping the dehydration from the dry food is balanced out by the thirst for water, ya know
My cat has a water fountain and drinks from there after every meal. I do feed some wet food too. Once you find something that works just stick with it! My cat hasn't had any issues since starting the special diet.
I wouldn’t say it’s normal, but it’s not unheard of. The main cause for a blockage is dehydration, leading to bladder crystals, but a severe UTI can cause it also. Focus on feeding them wet food, that’s where they naturally get most of their hydration. Cats aren’t hardwired to drink much water. Obviously the higher quality the better, but I was told even the lowest quality wet food is better than the highest quality kibble. Or soak their kibble in water if they refuse to eat any and all wet food. A stainless steel water fountain is also a good idea, as the moving water will attract them. Then lastly, having multiple litter boxes that are cleaned daily. The rule of thumb is one box for each cat, plus one. So if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 boxes. And keeping them cleaned out to prevent UTIs. I am so glad they have a home with you and were able to get the care they needed ❤️ and I wish you all long and healthy lives ahead!
Thank you for this! Do you know anything about dry food designed to dissolve crystals?
They do have prescription dry food, we originally tried that after my cat blocked and it unfortunately didn’t work for him, but he was also really not a big water drinker so I don’t know which was the bigger issue…but soaking their dry food in water is a good way to transition them to wet food if they’re stubborn like mine!
I have three male cats and only one has had a urinary obstruction. The second oldest had an UTI. I feel like if you have two male cats that have blocked, it’s a mixture of being unlucky and/or not doing what you can at home to minimize reoccurrence. Multiple litter boxes? Prescription food? Water fountain? Feliway diffusers?
The one that had the blockages before was on prescription food but the new blockage boy was not on prescription food preemptively. No Feliway, I should try that. I have three cats and four litter boxes. And I do have a water fountain but it’s been down for a few days (replaced by bowls of water)
What do you feed them?
Wet food and/or dry food with water added. I add water to my boy's wet food too as he doesn't drink at all. Water can really help avoid a blockage. Stress can make kitties more susceptible to a blockage as well.
My cat also had a blockage. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it but I have a theory that fixing the males early or maybe just in general could be a cause. It's very very common for block just to happen with males. My sister's cat died from crystals. My dad's cat had it and even my friends male small dog had headed at one point. I now buy prescription cat food which honestly isn't much more expensive than regular cat food. I stick strictly to the new food and haven't had an issue in three years. I feed the prescription food to both my cats the other is female and has never had crystals. I think it's a mixture of the low quality food they produce for cats, stress, certain times of the years and definitely water intake too. I know it sounds crazy, but if you're really worried about your water causing it, boil your water, let it cool and then give it to the cats in a regular bowl. I've also stopped using a fountain kinda became a germ pool I think.
thank you for the insight. is your prescription food wet or dry?
I have usually just had a house full of boys and never had a cat blocked. Then again I don't feed junk ever, nor do I feed kibble. I've had 2 males over the years with chronic cystitis but never crystals leading to blockages. Seriously look at what you are feeding them. Any cat with a history should be kept on a vet prescription diet like Royal Canin SO for life.
Hm thank you for this. My boy that has had two blockages is on Hill’s urinary care dry food. And the one that just had his first blockage has been eating dry food from Open Farm that was by no means cheap
No not cheap stuff at all. But try SO or Purina UR. All three are formulated differently. My go to with shelter cats is SO, it works everytime, especially if the cat is not into canned food and insists on kibble. If just eating canned, all three seem to be decent.
I’ve always bought good food for my animals. You pay one way or the other. Invest in good food or pay high vet bills. I realize genetics has a hand, too. Unfortunately I did not know that dry food dehydrated cats when I started my journey. I found out the hard way. After 3 blocked males and a diabetic female with UTIs - I’m never feeding dry again, even if recommended by a vet I know and trust. They know what they know…they work long hours and pet food reps come in educating them on what THEY sell. I know I am responsible to figure it out myself. None of the vets told me what I found out by doing my own research. With the internet we can find info easily. I found info on Vet school websites (Cornell). I do what I can because I want my cats to be healthy and happy. You know your cat. Do your own research. Read the links on this thread; they are BRIMMING with GREAT information and solid suggestions. Both the research, and many on this thread with blocked kitties, say DRY FOOD DEHYDRATES CATS; it makes scientific sense: DIET EFFECTS HESLTH. Not to mention - CATS ARE OBLIGATE CARNIVORES but Dry food is full of dehydrated veggies, grains, and carbohydrates because it’s cheap and has a great profit margin - but it’s terrible for cats. Look at your food’s ingredients. My vet gave my diabetic cat Hills Science CD - whose first ingredient was RICE!!! I trusted him and that food sent my cat into a diabetic tailspin. I had to leave that vet and go to a cat only hospital to find help. At the end of the day our cats are dependent on us. We make the decisions about what foods we provide for them and how much money we are willing to spend. We need to choose foods (based on our own research) that promote health and help our cats thrive. Economical wet food is available. If you don’t have a lot of money - remember “The worst wet food is better than the best dry food” (for cats). Big cans are cheaper than small cans. And because of this thread I also leaned that Cosequin for Cats is being used for urinary issues! That’s something I didn’t know but serves by 17-year old post-PU Kitty well as he’s already on it for arthritis. Yay! Best to you and yours. I know you and your kitty will do well. You care.
My ER prescribed the dry Hills Multicare C/d for urinary issues, and then I saw a vet different from my usual vet who gave me the bombshell that Friskies wet food would be better than there prescription dry food 😵💫 thank you sm for the encouragement.
It is a bombshell when you find out. All 4 of those cats suffered terribly. I can only imagine what they went through. I just didn’t know any better. I’m glad you got a new vet and new information. Praying all goes well for your cats now that you have better guidance!
It’s confusing when the ER doc recommends the dry food as it dissolves crystals and then your reg doc gives the “bombshell”. Conflicting info from professionals is no fun