Bladder infections and crystals are common in cats. Male cats have the highest incidence, but females can and do get bladder issues. Because the female urethra is shorter and has a larger diameter than the males, crystals can pass easier, so it is rarely blocked and the flushing action of urinating deters infection. Male anatomy is just below the rectum so contamination with bacteria is common. The male urethra is smaller and longer and has an S-shaped route that makes flushing of infection and crystals less likely. This smaller, S-shaped urethra makes blocking or plugging common in males.

What Causes Crystals in Cats Urine?

The most common cause of crystals is alkaline or basic urine and minerals in the diet and water. The excess minerals not needed by the body are eliminated in the urine, where under alkaline conditions, they can crystallize. Dogs tend to form large stones, but cats form crystal sand that is sharp-edged. This sharp sand irritates the urinary tract, making it more prone to bacteria, and sometimes causes some blood in the urine. Infection plus these crystals make a plug.

Cat UTI Prevention

It is logical to assume that because alkaline urine is conducive to stone formation, then acidic urine should be conducive to prevent and even eliminate stones. That is exactly what we try to do in cats prone to infection. If we can keep urine acidic, we inhibit bacteria from growing and prevent the crystals from reoccurring. Put another way, we keep the urine acidic for urinary tract health.

How to Accomplish Acid Urine

So what do you give a cat for urinary tract health? Since mammals constantly make urine, urine acidification has to be accomplished daily through the diet. Potassium citrate and cranberry are both natural acidifiers of the urine. Cranberry has been used for years to help eliminate infections of the bladder. Although it works well in humans, cranberry by itself will not acidify enough to prevent crystals in the cat. Potassium citrate is tolerated well by the cat, and when stacked with cranberry daily, it does a good job of preventing bacteria and stones. Doc Roy’s^®­ Potassium Citrate + Cranberry is the product we recommend to support healthy bladders.

There are prescription diets available that contain acidifying agents. They are only available with a prescription through your veterinarian as they have a special use claim. Some cats won’t eat these prescription diets as they like their own diet and do not want to change. These finicky guys can be managed by adding Doc Roy’s^® Potassium Citrate + Cranberry to the food they like. If you have a cat prone to bladder issues, Doc Roy’s^® Potassium Citrate + Cranberry is the product you have been looking for!

If you need help with cat uti treatment and prevention, call us at 800.786.4751.