Ash percentage and a question on kcal

H

hobo08

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 1, 2012
Messages
408
Purraise
14
Location
South Central, Iowa
Hi ok my first question is what % of ASH do we want to keep our kitties under?

Second question the kcal/can in the two wellness core foods are 192 and 213. I read Hobo needs about 230 per day respectively so I should feed him one can and 1/4 for the higher calorie can?
 
mrsgreenjeens

mrsgreenjeens

Every Life Should Have Nine Cats
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
16,452
Purraise
7,238
Location
Arizona
Gosh, I believe it's different in wet vs dry, but I think since you're feeding wet, that's what you're interested in, right?   I THINK I read somewhere that it shouldn't be any higher than 3%, but I'll be darned if I can find where I read that. 

As far as the calories, how did you figure out the number of calories?  It all depends on your cat's weight and how active they are, etc., so it's never an exact science
.  Also, do you feed any treats, because if so, you need to factor those in.  But, if you are strictly feeding wet, and no treats or anything else, and you want to feed exactly 230 calories, then, yes, you would need to feed 1 + cans
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3
H

hobo08

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 1, 2012
Messages
408
Purraise
14
Location
South Central, Iowa
Yep I want to feed all wet. 

I got the calories from thecat info website. I took 13.6*12 the plus 100. Or something like that.

I do not feed many treats ever, just randomly once in awhile.
 
Last edited:
just mike

just mike

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
2,083
Purraise
38
Location
Saint Louis, MO
Here is a fairly decent explanation of ASH content and urinary health issues http://cats.about.com/od/lowerurinarytractdisease/qt/catsurinpH.htm

This is also from the Nutro files which may help with some explanation

ON URINARY TRACT HEALTH IN CATS

Urolithiasis, or urinary stones, is one cause of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Urine acidity and urine volume both influence urinary tract health. Maintaining acidic urine within an optimal pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 has a beneficial effect on feline urinary tract health. A higher pH can lead to the growth of struvites (magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals), whereas a lower pH can cause the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. Over time, both of these types of crystals can form painful urinary stones which can block the passage of urine and require emergency veterinary intervention.

How does diet influence urinary tract health?

The dietary nutrients known to play a role in urine pH and feline urinary tract health are magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Of these minerals, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus should be controlled under a maximum level to promote urinary tract health. Conversely, potassium and sodium need to be supplied above adequate levels to support overall wellbeing as well as promote urinary tract health. Therefore, a diet with the appropriate balance of these essential minerals is important to supporting urinary tract health, not the overall restriction of these minerals.

Urine volume is also an important factor in urinary tract health. Increased urine volume results in less concentrated urine to help prevent the formation of crystals, and increased frequency of urination to help flush extra minerals out of the body. To increase urine volume, it is recommended to have moderate inclusions of dietary salt to encourage drinking, feed wet foods to increase water intake through food, and feed highly digestible foods to help minimize fecal water loss through loose stools.

I hope some of this helps to answer your question.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
H

hobo08

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 1, 2012
Messages
408
Purraise
14
Location
South Central, Iowa
NutroMike said:
Here is a fairly decent explanation of ASH content and urinary health issues http://cats.about.com/od/lowerurinarytractdisease/qt/catsurinpH.htm



This is also from the Nutro files which may help with some explanation



ON URINARY TRACT HEALTH IN CATS

Urolithiasis, or urinary stones, is one cause of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Urine acidity and urine volume both influence urinary tract health. Maintaining acidic urine within an optimal pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 has a beneficial effect on feline urinary tract health. A higher pH can lead to the growth of struvites (magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals), whereas a lower pH can cause the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. Over time, both of these types of crystals can form painful urinary stones which can block the passage of urine and require emergency veterinary intervention.


How does diet influence urinary tract health?



The dietary nutrients known to play a role in urine pH and feline urinary tract health are magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Of these minerals, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus should be controlled under a maximum level to promote urinary tract health. Conversely, potassium and sodium need to be supplied above adequate levels to support overall wellbeing as well as promote urinary tract health. Therefore, a diet with the appropriate balance of these essential minerals is important to supporting urinary tract health, not the overall restriction of these minerals.



Urine volume is also an important factor in urinary tract health. Increased urine volume results in less concentrated urine to help prevent the formation of crystals, and increased frequency of urination to help flush extra minerals out of the body. To increase urine volume, it is recommended to have moderate inclusions of dietary salt to encourage drinking, feed wet foods to increase water intake through food, and feed highly digestible foods to help minimize fecal water loss through loose stools.



I hope some of this helps to answer your question.
Click to expand...
Thank you Mike that does help. How do I know what the levels are or do you think most wet cat foods are already adequate?
Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top