| Why do cats get bladder stones is a question many | | | | Foods containing high magnesium levels: Magnesium is |
| pet owners will need answers to at some point. Cats, | | | | the primary culprit in struvite formation and high |
| dogs, and people all fall prey to bladder stones and in | | | | magnesium foods and/or dietary supplements should |
| this informational article we will give you an overview | | | | be avoided. Examples are table scraps, fish, shellfish, |
| of the types of stones, what might have been the | | | | and cheese. |
| underlying cause, and what can be done to avoid | | | | Too much protein: Excessive amounts of protein can |
| their formation. | | | | be a contributing factor and opting for a more |
| Stones can range in size from tiny crystals, which | | | | balanced diet comprised of 60 percentage fiber is a |
| pass harmlessly out the body, to very large stones | | | | good preventative step. |
| which can be two inches in diameter. They are more | | | | Fluid intake: For tiny mineral deposits known as |
| likely to form in cats which suffer from chronic | | | | crystals to turn into stones they must have an |
| bladder infections or those who may have a partial | | | | environment which allows them to bind with other |
| obstruction. The two most common types of bladder | | | | crystals. Also, bladder infections are a contributing |
| stones in cats are struvite and calcium oxalate. We | | | | factor in stone formation. Both of these causes can |
| will not cover uric acid stones in this article even | | | | dramatically reduced if the urinary tract is flushed |
| though they comprise about 8 percent of cases. | | | | regularly. Adding either cranberry or blueberry juice to |
| Struvite: Struvite stones are a combination of | | | | your pets water can help prevent infection. |
| magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate and often go | | | | Additionally, opting for wet food instead of dry or |
| hand in hand with urinary tract infection. This may | | | | adding water or chicken broth to their food will |
| have something to do with the fact that female cats | | | | increase hydration and reduce the chances of stone |
| are the most likely to develop a struvite stone. High | | | | formation. |
| pH levels in the urine over 6.8 also seem to play a | | | | Lack of exercise: When asking why do cats get |
| role in their formation. Struvite stones have no | | | | bladder stones lack of exercise certainly can't be left |
| particular age demographic having been found in cats | | | | out. Felines who are inactive are twice as likely to fall |
| under one year of age as well as advanced senior | | | | victim to a stone. Exercise achieves two goals, it |
| citizen felines as old as 20. About 50 percent of all | | | | boosts immune system function, increases fluid |
| feline stones fall into this category as well as 85 | | | | intake, and reduces stress. All three are contributing |
| percent of all urethral plugs. | | | | factors. |
| Calcium oxalate: Calcium oxalate stones are a | | | | In summary, when asking why do cats get bladder |
| combination of calcium an phosphate and tend to be | | | | stones there certainly are many broad ranging causes |
| found more often in aging males. Male cats over the | | | | some of which we haven't mentioned such as |
| age of 10 are at increased risk with 12 to 15 year | | | | bacterial infection from dirty litter boxes, birth |
| nurtured males being in the highest risk category. | | | | defects, distended bladder, and bladder thickening. |
| Acidic urine is one of the major contributing factors. | | | | Because of the broad range of causes it is difficult to |
| This type of stone is the culprit 40 percent of the | | | | come up with one simple step to avoid feline bladder |
| time with Persians, Himalayans, and Burmese being at | | | | stones. |
| the highest risk. | | | | Nevertheless, many pet owners have found success |
| As to why do cats get bladder stones there are a | | | | by implementing a three step approach including |
| number of common causes. Let's take a few | | | | increased fluid intake, diet modification, and a |
| moments to explore a few of these. | | | | homeopathic remedy containing the herb uva ursi. |