Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Urinary Crystal Prevention

Urinary crystals and stones cause significant pain in cats - dietary management and hydration support are the foundations of prevention.

Key Facts

Struvite and calcium oxalate are the most common crystal types in cats
High moisture content diets significantly reduce crystal formation risk
Urethral obstruction from crystals is a life-threatening emergency in male cats
Multiple water sources including fountains increase water intake reliably
Prescription dissolution diets dissolve struvite but not calcium oxalate crystals

Welfare Considerations

Urinary crystal disease causes painful urination, and obstruction causes acute suffering and death without emergency treatment. Preventive dietary management that increases water intake and provides appropriate mineral balance is achievable and highly effective.

What You Can Do

Feed wet food as the primary diet component to maximise hydration in cats
Provide multiple water sources including pet fountains to encourage drinking
Seek immediate emergency veterinary care for any cat straining to urinate