Male cats' stomach/intestine growling and burping

I have two neutered 8 year old domestic long haired cats. One has a history of bladder infections/crystals so both cats are now on Urinary SO by MediCal. They have been on the food since July, with no bladder issues. However, I have heard both of their stomachs growl. Or it could be their intestines, not exactly sure. But I'd like to know is it because of the food? And if so, what are my options for an alternative? I was told that once a cat has had crystals, Urinary SO is the only food they can eat to prevent crystals in the future. But, if both cats are constantly hungry or gassy I'd like to switch foods. And they burp a lot too. Thanks!

I couldn't find anything out about your food - is it dried with a lot of grains? I am not a fan of too much dried food, esp with a UTI. Cat's get most of their water from food (it's how they are built) and to me it seems strange to go 100% dry food for a UTI.  So... is there a wet version? Or can you have a look around and see if there is a wet version of decent quality for cats with a history of urinary problems and perhaps mix the two?

Sorry if not too much help..

Sorry. The actual manufacturer of the food they're on is royalcanin. I live in Canada. I'm certain there's grain (threw the bag out), along with a high sodium content that I know is to get them to drink more water but it doesn't sound healthy. I've tried two new holistic foods but the cats eat around them and eat the Urinary SO. Urinary SO is available in wet too, but the cats aren't crazy about it. Do you think their rumbling stomachs are from being unable to digest the dry food? I have noticed the cat who has never had a bladder infection has gained a lot of weight from being on Urinary SO. Even the vet said it was a possible side effect. I just don't think, if its gas I hear, it's a good way for a cat to live. I've been giving them dry Urinary SO and supplementing it with a wet food with limited ingredients.

I guess so, they may be struggling with digestion - If it's a high content of grains, then the results may be like us humans and beans! Cat's do not digest grains so well.  And I am pretty sure the weight gain is due to the high about of carbs in your cat's food - did your vet explain why it was a side-effect?

If your kitties are not keen on the wet version that you've tried, then what about a good quality wet food, not necessarily one for urinary problems? Is it worth talking to the vet about this, see if a 50%-50% diet is still effective or perhaps a different approach completely such as a raw diet?  Personally speaking, I would always question a vet who told me that eating a dried, grainy urinary SO diet is the only way as they can cause problems of their own.  Some vets are on a deal with these companies to push certain foods and drugs - much like our own docs and surely there must be some other approaches to this problem.  At the end of the day, if the food does not agree with your cats then it must be worth trying something else?  Good luck...

The real key to managing urinary health is water. This is written by a vet: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=urinarytracthealth

It doesn't have to be a urinary formula, though it does have to be a food that is VERY LOW CARBOHYDRATE, as the crystals form in an alkaline environment, and carbs raise the urine pH. You need a food that is meat based, with as few starches/carbs/veggies as possible. Fancy Feast "classic" style (pate) is usually quite tasty to cats, and doesn't cost an arm-and-a-leg. Another low-cost option is the Friskies pate style foods. They do have rice, but as the carb content of the foods is so low, they obviously don't contain much.

Here is the dry s/o ingredients:

Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Corn, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavour, Soy Protein Isolate, Powdered Cellulose, Salt, Dried Egg Powder, Dried Brewer’s Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Sodium Bisulphate, Calcium Sulphate, Soybean Oil, Taurine, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Vitamins (DL-Alpha-Tocopherol [Source of Vitamin E], Niacin, Biotin, Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement and Vitamin D3 Supplement), Trace Minerals (Zinc Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulphate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulphate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate and Sodium Selenite) and Marigold Extract (Source of Lutein). Naturally Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract and Citric Acid.

http://www.royalcanin.ca/index.php/...terinary-Therapeutic-Formulas/Urinary-S-O-Dry

Assuming the formula is the same as that sold in the U.S., the food is about 35% carbohydrates, which is very high. Ideally, you want 10% or less (which is basically impossible to get in a dry food).

I don't know what foods you have available to you there (that are affordable), but Dr. Pierson also put together a food list, with everything analyzed on a dry matter basis with the carb content already calculated. There's a link to the list in the article I mention at the beginning of this post.

Yeah, all of Royal Canin's stuff is mostly corn. Corn is hard for most animals to digest, and cats are no exception. But most of the other brands of veterinary prescription diets are the same way. IMO Royal Canin is one of the worst, but they're all pretty bad to use as a regular diet. For short-term use to address an issue such as crystals it's okay, but I wouldn't feed veterinary diets long term at all. The moist food suggested above will do your kitties good, though.