Comparison chart: Urolithiasis diets for cats (2024)

When it comes to urolithiasis in cats, nutrition is part of the problem and the solution. Use this chart to find the best therapeutic diet for your stone-prone veterinary patients.

Lightspruch/stock.adobe.comUrolithiasis refers to the presence of rock-like mineral formations (i.e. uroliths or stones) within the urinary tract and falls under the feline lower urinary tract disease umbrella. When large enough, these stones can result in dysuria, hematuria and urethral obstruction.

Nutrition: enemy and ally

Pets urinate what they eat, so while the exact mechanisms behind stone and crystal formation remain unknown, food is a significant factor.1 Diets high in certain minerals and diets that predispose to very high or low urinary acidity are associated with the formation of uroliths in cats.1 But because nutrition is a part of the problem, it can also be part of the treatment plan.

Knowing the type of stone(s) affecting a given patient will help determine the course you take for treatment and prevention. Stones are named according to their mineral makeup, and in cats, the top two most common uroliths are struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) and calcium oxalate. The therapeutic diets in the chart below are formulated to address one or both of these types of stones.

Once you settle on a diet for a particular patient, make sure your client understands that extra food (e.g. rawhides, table scraps, treats, supplements) could thwart the food's effectiveness. Explain what their cat can (and can't) have between meals and why. And don't be shy about revisiting this topic during follow-up appointments as you monitor your patient's response to the diet-especially if the food doesn't have the effect you expected.

(Editor's note: The chart on the next page isn't exhaustive. These manufacturers produce other diets that include sterile struvite and calcium oxalate stone prevention benefits. The diets included on the chart are those that have the urinary tract as their main focus.)

Therapeutic urolithiasis diets for cats

Food

Struvite dissolution?

Struvite prevention?

Calcium oxalate prevention?

Calories

Guaranteed analysis

Link to website and other info

Dry foods

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care

YES

352 per cup

• Crude protein: 38% min

• Crude fat: 11% min

• Crude fiber: 13% max

• Moisture: 9% max

• Magnesium: 0.1% max

• Sodium: 0.25% min, 0.45% max

• Vitamin E: 300 IU/kg min

• Taurine: 0.3% min

• Soluble fiber: 0.5% min

• Omega 3 fatty acids: 0.5% min

• Mmega 6 fatty acids: 2% min

• L-carnitine: 400 mg/kg min

https://bluebuffalo.com/natural-cat-food/blue-natural-veterinary-diet/wu-dry-food-for-cats/

Hill's Prescription Diet Urinary Care c/d Multicare Feline with Chicken

YES

(dissolves in as little as 7 days; average 27 days)

YES

349 per cup

• Crude protein: 30% min

• Crude fat: 13% min

• Crude fiber: 1.6% max

• Calcium: 0.57% min, 0.95% max

• Phosphorus: 0.5% min, 0.9% max

• Magnesium: 0.04% min, 0.09% max

• Omega-3 fatty acids: 0.35% min

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/pd-cd-multicare-feline-with-chicken-dry#accordion-content-054167331-3

Hill's Prescription Diet Kidney Care k/d Feline with Chicken

YES

541 per cup

• Crude protein: 26% min

• Crude fat: 20% min

• Crude fiber: 4% max

• Phosphorus: 0.3% min, 0.75% max

• Sodium: 0.4% max

• Taurine: 0.2% min

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/pd-kd-feline-dry

Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + Urinary Feline

YES

(dissolves in as little as 7 days; average 27 days)

YES

289 per cup

• Crude protein: 34% min

• Crude fat: 1% min

• Crude fiber: 16% max

• Calcium: 0.5% min,

0.9% max

• Phosphorus: 0.4% min, 0.8% max

• Magnesium: 0.05% min, 0.11% max

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/pd-metabolic-plus-urinary-feline-dry

Hill's Prescription Diet Urinary Care s/d Feline

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YES

(dissolves in as little as 6 days; average 13 days)

YES

523 per cup

• Crude protein: 3% min

• Crude fat: 23% min

• Crude fiber: 1% max

• Calcium: 0.65% min,

1.3% max

• Phosphorus: 0.5% min, 0.9% max

• Magnesium: 0.08% max

• Taurine: 0.1% min

• Vitamin E: 550 IU/kg min

• Intended for intermittent feeding only; not recommended for over 6 months

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/pd-sd-feline-dry

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary St/Ox Feline Formula

YES

398 per cup

• Crude protein: 40% min

• Crude fat: 11% min

• Crude fiber: 4% max

• Moisture: 12% max

• Ash: 9.5% max

• Calcium: 0.9% min

• Phosphorus: 0.8% min

• Magnesium: 0.09% max

https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.com/products/ur-stox-urinary-cat-food/

Royal Canin Feline Urinary SO Dry Cat Food

YES

315 per cup

• Crude protein: 32.5% min

• Crude fat: 13.5% min

• Crude fiber: 4.5% max

• Moisture: 9.5% max

• Magnesium: 0.08% max

https://www.royalcanin.com/us/cats/products/vet-products/feline-urinary-so-dry-cat-food

Wet foods

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care

YES

136 per 5.5-oz can

• Crude protein: 8.5% min

• Crude fat: 2.5% min

• Crude fiber: 4% max

• Moisture: 78% max

• Vitamin E: 50 IU/kg min

• Taurine: 0.1% min

• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C): 20 mg/kg min

• L-carnitine: 100 mg/kg min

https://bluebuffalo.com/natural-cat-food/blue-natural-veterinary-diet/wu-wet-food-for-cats/

Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Feline with Chicken

YES

177 per 5.5-oz can

• Crude protein: 6% min

• Crude fat: 4% min

• Crude fiber: 1.5% max

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/pd-kd-feline-with-chicken-canned

Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + Urinary Vegetable & Chicken Stew

YES

(dissolves in as little as 7 days; average 27 days)

YES

60 per 2.9-oz can

• Crude protein: 5.5% min

• Crude fat: 1.8% min

• Crude fiber: 3.4% max

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/pd-metabolic-plus-urinary-feline-vegetable-and-chicken-stew-canned

Hill's Prescription Diet Urinary Care s/d Chicken Flavor

YES

(dissolves in as little as 6 days; average 13 days)

YES

203 per 5.5-oz can

• Crude protein: 8.5% min

• Crude fat: 7.5% min

• Crude fiber: 1% max

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/pd-sd-feline-canned

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary St/Ox Feline Formula (original canned)

YES

189 per 5.5-oz can

• Crude protein: 10% min

• Crude fat: 5% min

• Crude fiber: 1.5% max

• Moisture: 78% max

• Magnesium: 0.03% max

https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.com/products/ur-stox-urinary-cat-food/

Royal Canin Feline Urinary SO Morsels in Gravy

YES

65 per 5.8-oz can

• Crude protein: 6% min

• Crude fat: 3.5% min

• Crude fiber: 2% max

• Moisture: 82% max

https://www.royalcanin.com/us/cats/products/vet-products/feline-urinary-so-morsels-in-gravy-canned-cat-food

Source: Manufacturers' packaging and marketing materials

Reference

1. Little S, Kornya M. Non-Obstructive Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Available at: https://www.winnfelinefoundation.org/docs/default-source/cat-health-library-educational-articles/non-obstructive-feline-lower-urinary-tract-disease.pdf?sfvrsn=2. Accessed Aug 30, 2019.

Sarah Mouton Dowdy, a former associate content specialist for dvm360.com, is a freelance writer and editor in Kansas City, Missouri.

Comparison chart: Urolithiasis diets for cats (2024)

FAQs

What is the best diet for cats with struvite crystals? ›

The Hill's Pet Prescription Diet s/d can feel like a lifesaver for cats with bladder stones or struvite crystals in their urinary tract. This food's formula is clinically proven to dissolve struvite stones within as little as six days, though the average is about 13.

Read The Full Story ›

What cat food is good for kidney stones? ›

Hills c/d multicare diet, Royal Canin S/O, and Purina UR st/ox are all appropriate foods as are most diets made for managing kidney or liver disease. Canned diet is preferred over dry food due to the high water content of canned foods.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the prescription diet for cats with bladder stones? ›

Hill's nutritionists & veterinarians developed Prescription Diet s/d clinical nutrition especially formulated to support a cat's urinary health. In fact, s/d is clinically proven nutrition to dissolve struvite stones in as little as 6 days (average 13 days).

Discover More Details ›

What not to feed a cat with bladder stones? ›

Recommendations include avoiding foods and supplements that are high in calcium and oxalates, and promoting a urinary pH of higher than 6.2.

What foods to avoid with struvite? ›

To prevent the formation of struvite stones, avoid excessive sodium intake. Reduce intake of Processed snacks, canned soups and vegetables, fast food, frozen meals, and deli meats. Focus on incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and fresh meats, and season with herbs and spices.

Know More ›

What ingredient in cat food causes crystals? ›

Struvite crystals and stones are extremely common, especially in cats that eat primarily dry food. Magnesium ammonium phospahate causes these (commonly known as “ash” in pet foods).

Show Me More ›

What not to feed a cat with kidney disease? ›

In addition to feeding a lower protein diet, you also need to avoid giving high protein treats such as meat, jerky treats, cheese, rawhides, pig ears, etc. High salt (sodium) diets may increase blood pressure and may worsen kidney damage, so diets designed for pets with kidney disease are low in sodium.

Learn More Now ›

What is the best cat food for cats with oxalates? ›

Hill's PRESCRIPTION DIET c/d Multicare Cat Food with Chicken is a complete dietetic pet food for reduction of struvite stone recurrence (cause of feline lower urinary tract disease, FLUTD), for dissolution of struvite stones and for reduction of oxalate stones formation in adult cats.

Get More Info Here ›

What dissolves crystals in cats? ›

Prescription diet: Your vet will prescribe a specially formulated food that alters the chemical composition of your cat's urine and causes the stones to gradually dissolve within 1-2 months. Routine X-rays will allow your vet to monitor the stones' progress.

Read On ›

Is wet food better for cats with bladder stones? ›

She can always revert to the acidic diet should the bladder stones or the urinary tract infection recur. Because of the higher water content in canned meals – instead of dry – your cat will recover faster if she is fed soft food. More water prevents dehydration and promotes urine production, particularly in older cats.

Learn More ›

Does wet food cause bladder stones in cats? ›

Water intake plays a key role in reducing the likelihood of all types of crystal formation. When the cat drinks water, the urine is diluted. Wet food plays an important role in keeping your cat hydrated and can help prevent the formation of urinary crystals.

Explore More ›

How do you dissolve struvite crystals in cats naturally? ›

Struvite stones can often be completely dissolved in both dogs and cats using special diets. These diets encourage greater water consumption, contain controlled amounts of protein and certain minerals, and also alter the acidity of the urine.

Find Out More ›

How do you break down struvite crystals in cats? ›

Diet has played an important role in struvite dissolution and prevention for over 35 years. Dry and canned therapeutic foods are 100% effective in dissolving feline struvite uroliths in about 1 to 3 weeks.

Learn More ›

Why does my cat keep getting struvite crystals? ›

Several different factors have been found to contribute to these stones, including the formation of concentrated urine, increased urine pH (alkaline urine), and increased levels of magnesium and phosphorus within the urine. Struvite stones have been shown to be more common in female cats than males.

View Details ›

Comparison chart: Urolithiasis diets for cats (2024)

FAQs

What is the best diet for cats with struvite crystals? ›

Does wet food cause bladder stones in cats? ›

References