Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Plant-based diet use and limits for cat with urinary tract disease
By Sarah A. S. Dodd et al.·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2021·Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Case Report: Application and Limitations of a Plant-Based Diet Formulated for a Cat With Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was having trouble with urinary issues, including a history of urethral blockage and frequent inappropriate urination. His owner wanted to try a plant-based diet to help manage these problems. Although the cat refused to eat commercial plant-based foods, a homemade version was created to encourage more water intake and help make his urine more acidic. While the cat's urine became less concentrated and the struvite crystals disappeared, it remained more alkaline than desired. Overall, the cat showed improvement and did not have any more urinary episodes after the diet change.
People also search for: cat urinary problems diet · plant-based diet for cat FLUTD · homemade diet for cat struvite crystals
Abstract
A 2-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented for recommendations for dietary management of chronic FLUTD using a strictly plant-based diet as per the stipulations of the cat's owner. The cat had a history of urethral obstruction of unknown etiology, persistent marked struvite crystalluria, and persistent inappropriate elimination. Commercial plant-based products meeting the nutritional recommendations for maintenance of adult cats with the lowest concentration of struvite precursors were identified, but the cat would not eat them. At the request of the client, a homemade plant-based diet was formulated with the intention of increasing water intake and promoting acidic, dilute urine. Urine concentration was able to be decreased somewhat and struvite crystalluria resolved, but the urine remained more alkaline than intended. The cat clinically improved and no further FLUTD episodes were reported by the client.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.658265