Symptoms of urate bladder stones in cats include frequent urination and blood in the urine. If you believe your cat may be suffering from a bladder stone, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. However, there are treatments besides medication you can use to help prevent bladder stones or help treat a bladder stone once your cat has been diagnosed. Making minor changes in your cat's diet can make a huge difference in how fast he recovers from a urate bladder stone.
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What to Add to Your Cat's Diet
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If your cat is at risk for developing a bladder stone or if he has ever had one, adding certain supplements and nutrients to his diet may help prevent future bladder stones. Diet is a key element in reducing your cat's risk of developing bladder stones.
The answer to preventing bladder stones and helping your cat lead a longer, healthier life may be as simple as switching the type of food he's fed on a daily basis. A high-meat diet and some types of commercial diets can promote the development of bladder stones. Meat diets are rich in purines, and such diets can lead to bladder stones in some cats because of the way they metabolize certain nutrients. According to ABC Homeopathy, Hills U/D, a food low in purines, can help prevent bladder stones.
Some natural remedies that may help break up already formed bladder stones include gravelroot tincture and Bach Flower Essence. Both of these natural supplements can be found at your local health food store.
The Benefits of Water
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Cats at high risk for developing bladder stones must have access to fresh, clean water at all hours of the day and night. If your cat is at risk, he should also have access to the litter box at all times, so he never has to hold in his urine.
Long Beach Animal Hospital recommends feeding your cat moisture-rich food to "increase the flow of water through the urinary system and minimize crystal formation in the bladder." Moisture can be added to dry or canned cat food simply by pouring in a few tablespoons of water to the food before feeding it to your cat.
Adding salt to a cat's food is a common suggestion for preventing bladder stones, and it will encourage your cat to drink more fluids. However, this course should be taken with extreme caution. Adding too much salt to your cat's diet may increase the formation of calcium in the urine, which creates the ideal environment for bladder stone formation. Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your cat's diet.
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