Do high levels of ash in cat food cause feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
Why is there ash in cat food? Because meat that is prepared for cat food is cooked at a high temperature, it leaves a residue of ash. Within the ash, there is calcium, magnesium, calcium, potassium and other trace minerals. Therefore; food with a higher proportion of meat content will contain more ash. However, better quality meat will produce less ash. Cats require a certain amount of ash in their diets so it cannot be eliminated completely.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Over the years, cat owners were told to avoid buying cat food with high ash content because it was one of the major causes of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Ash was responsible for the cultivation of crystals in cat urine, thus blocking the urinary tract.
Recent studies have proved that high amounts of ash do not necessarily cause FLUTD.
According to Holly Nash, DVM, MS at Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
"There is no evidence that diet directly causes feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD; It does appear, however, that diet may increase the risk of a cat developing urinary crystals, stones, and urethral plugs. Struvite crystals are made up of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate."
How can we help prevent the development of struvite crystals?
- Keep a constant supply of water for your cat. This will help flush its system
- Feed your cat a balanced diet. Some vets recommend a combination diet of both wet and dry food. The wet food is to help provide water.
- Look for foods that claim to maintain a lower PH in urine. Many of them have reduced levels of magnesium.
- Allow your cat to have free access to food (dry food only, wet food can go bad quickly). It has been proven that cats experience an increase in PH in the urine after eating and then it lowers after a few hours. If cats are allowed to nibble at their own will, they will eat less at each session and the PH in the urine will not rise as much.
There are other factors that cause FLUTD (such as genetics), but at least we can help prevent it through the way we feed our cats.
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