What Are the Causes of Struvite Crystals in Cats?

Struvite crystals in a cat's urinary tract aren't just uncomfortable, they can be fatal in male cats if they block the urethra and make it impossible for the cat to pass urine. Struvite crystals consist of microscopic pieces of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate. They're like tiny grains of fine sand and irritate the walls of the bladder, causing discomfort and pain when the cat tries to urinate.
  1. Alkaline Urine

    • Struvite crystals in cats are most likely to form in alkaline urine. However, a diet that attempts to cure struvite crystals by lowering the pH and acidifying the urine can lead to oxalate crystals, which are just as troublesome.

    Dry Food

    • Most dry cat foods are high in carbohydrates, which create concentrated, alkaline urine. Cats who are prone to struvite crystals should not eat dry food.

    Not Enough Wet Food

    • An all- or mostly-wet food diet discourages the formation of struvite crystals by creating dilute urine and maintaining the cat's urine at the proper pH. Adding about 1/8 teaspoon of wet food to about 1/4 cup of dry food, and gradually increasing the amount of wet food and lowering the amount of dry can help the cat make the transition to wet food.

    Inadequate Water Consumption

    • Water, too, produces dilute urine and can keep struvite crystals from forming. Placing water bowls in several locations in your house, giving your cat a pet fountain, flavoring the water with a couple of drops of chicken broth and using filtered water, which tastes better than plain tap water, can all encourage your cat to drink more.

    Stress

    • Stress can trigger the formation of struvite crystals in cats. In a multi-cat household, putting litter boxes and food and water in several locations throughout your house and increasing the cats' usable space by providing high places for perching and cartons and tunnels for hiding can reduce stress. Giving a strictly indoor cat access to the outside, even on a harness and leash, can also reduce stress.