VET Q&A; : Diet for a Well Cat

Q: Could you please print a list of accepted brands of cat food to help a male cat (who has been altered) keep from getting bladder problems or urethral obstruction?--J.M. A: Feline urological syndrome is a complex disease syndrome in cats that includes cystitis (bladder inflammation) and partial to complete urethral obstruction due to mineral crystallization in the urine. Complete urethral blockage is most apt to occur in neutered males and is a life-threatening situation. Minimizing certain mineral constituents in the diet may help to prevent obstruction in cats who have cystitis. In general, stick to canned foods with 3% or less ash and preferably also less than 0.1% magnesium content.

Some of the commercially available cat foods that are useful in managing the syndrome are: 9-Lives’ Ranch Supper, Beef and Liver Platter, Chicken Dinner, Liver Entree, Chicken and Cheese Dinner, Liver and Chicken Dinner, Country Chicken ‘n Gravy, Liver and Egg Entree, Kidney Entree; Prescription Diet CD (dry or canned); Science Diet Feline (dry or canned); and Friskies Buffet’s Turkey and Giblets, Beef and Liver. Avoid all dry and semi-moist cat foods except Prescription Diet CD and Science Diet Feline.