What Types of Food Should Cats With FLUTD Eat?

By Missy Zane

Instructions

All-Wet Food

Step 1:
Cats' bodies are designed to get most of the moisture they need from their food. An all-wet food diet prevents dehydration, helps keep the urine dilute and destroys the environment that encourages the formation of crystals and stones.

Add Water

Step 1:
The higher your cat's water consumption, the better. Most cats happily lap up food that's a bit soupy.

Avoid Prescription Food

Step 1:
Many veterinarians recommend prescription food for cats with FLUTD. While your cat may need the food for a short time to dissolve stones or crystals, it should not eat this food for life. Most prescription foods, both wet and dry, do not provide an adequate diet for cats.

Feed Small Meals Often

Step 1:
In the wild, cats eat about 15 small meals every day. So forcing a cat to eat on a human schedule can be very stressful for cats, and stress can cause FLUTD. You can free-feed canned food the same way you do dry, or set up timed feeders so your cat will find a small meal waiting every few hours.

Encourage Drinking

Step 1:
Encourage your cat to drink by providing filtered water, which tastes better than tap water; add a small amount of chicken broth to the water and place water bowls in several places throughout your house. Many cats prefer glass bowls to stainless steel or plastic. Fountains designed especially for pets also encourage cats to drink.

Be Careful of Treats

Step 1:
Freeze-dried chicken or salmon treats, bonito flakes and deli turkey or chicken with no added flavorings or preservatives, are healthiest for your cat and the least likely to cause flare-ups of FLUTD.

Resources

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