Diets for FLUTD

Feline lower urinary tract disease, also known as FLUTD, is a serious disease that can cause death if left untreated. FLUTD affects a cat's bladder--and sometimes its urethra--causing problems with its ability to urinate. According to Dr. Holly Nash of Doctors Foster and Smith, cats with FLUTD often strain to urinate, experiencing pain while doing so, and may have blood in their urine. Cats with FLUTD may develop crystals in their urine, which create stones when bonded together. These stones can block male cats from urinating, which leads to severe health issues, including death. Cats with FLUTD are often given medication and placed on special diets. These diets can help prevent crystals from forming, and are recommended for cats with chronic FLUTD.

  1. Royal Canin Urinary SO

    • Many vets who see cats with FLUTD commonly prescribe the use of Royal Canin Urinary SO. This food dilutes the urine, which helps prevents the formation of urinary crystals, including those composed of calcium phosphate, calcium oxalate, and struvite. Preventing buildup of these crystals will ultimately stop stones from forming. In addition, Royal Canin Urinary SO can also reduce the recurrence of cystitis, also known as bladder infections. According to Dr. Nash, cats with FLUTD are encouraged to drink more water, as doing so will flush out the bladder. Feeding the cat wet or moist food may be beneficial in supplying more fluids to the cat. Royal Canin Urinary SO is available in dry, wet, and gravy pouches and is sold at most veterinary offices.

    Hill's C/D Multicare Feline

    • Hill's C/D Multicare Feline is one of the foods prescribed to cats suffering from feline lower urinary tract disease. This food contains controlled amounts of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and oxalate to prevent the formation of crystals and stones in a cat's urine. In addition, Hill's C/D Multicare Feline has added potassium citrate to interrupt bladder stone formation, along with increased levels of vitamin B6 to decrease oxalate formation. Hill's C/D Multicare is available in both wet and dry varieties at veterinary offices.

    Hill's Feline S/D

    • Cats that have struvite crystals in their urine are often prescribed Hill's Feline S/D. According to Long Beach Animal Hospital, this food helps dissolve crystals in the bladder. After about 30 days, cats eating S/D are often switched to a diet designed to be eaten long term, such as Hill's C/D Multicare or Royal Canin Urinary SO. This food is sold at many veterinary offices and is available in wet and dry varieties.