Common urinary tract diseases in cats
Urinary stones are one of the most common diseases in cats. They are caused by metabolic breakdown products of the kidneys that do not completely dissolve in the urine and remain in the bladder as small crystals. If several crystals clump together, they become smaller stones that become lodged in the urethra and cause pain. If the stones continue to grow, urinary stones form in the bladder or kidney.
How do urinary stones form?
There are many reasons for urinary stones. Obesity, poor diet and the cat’s naturally modest drinking behaviour are just a few possibilities. Some cats suppress urination because their toilet is not clean enough. And there are also breeds that are particularly susceptible – Persian cats, for example.
Different types of urinary stones
A distinction is made between several types of stones: The best known are struvite stones, which affect up to 60 per cent of all affected cats, and oxalate stones, which affect around 30 per cent of animals. Struvite stones form when the pH value of the urine is too high and consist of ammonium magnesium phosphate. Oxalate stones are caused by excessively acidic urine. Felurit® is a highly efficient alternative to conventional products due to its special properties. It is characterised by the fact that it does not contain methionine, an amino acid that acidifies the urine due to its sulphur content. The absence of this ingredient reduces the risk of hyperacidity and consequently the formation of urinary calculi.
How Felurit® works
Felurit® stimulates the cat to drink through a combination of sodium with an adequate amount of potassium, thus achieving a flushing effect on the kidneys. At the same time, it does not contain any diuretic substances. Cats generally suffer little from thirst anyway and are prone to dehydration. Additional plant-based active ingredients such as soothing winter cherry are specially tailored to the needs of cats. Vanillin, omega fatty acids and vitamins B1 and B6 further reduce the risk of bladder stones. Thanks to many other ingredients, the formula makes Felurit® a tried and tested product for lower urinary tract complaints.
The Felurit® powder can be administered easily and in a cat-friendly way with the delicious NuSnack® Support snack paste. Thanks to its intense salmon flavour, it outwits even those cats that turn away with a sniff when food supplements are mixed into their food. NuSnack® Support is also a tried and tested snack for between meals and is suitable for filling activity toys.
Causes and signs of struvite and oxylate stones
CAUSES:
- The cat drinks too little -> high pH value of the urine (struvite stones)
- The cat avoids urinating (keep the litter tray clean)
- Overweight - caution with neutered cats
- Lack of exercise (indoor cats)
- Incorrect feeding
- Infections and deseases
- Breed-related tendency to oxalate stones
- Stress
SIGNS:
- Urine changes colour and/or odour
- Low urine volume due to pain during urination
- Frequent visits to the litter tray
- The cat presses when urinating, as if it were defecating
- Reddish discolouration due to blood in the urine
