13 yrs ago, male cat was hospitalized (2x) for urinary blockage - diagnosed as struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) crystals. Blew thru 10 cats' lifetime vet allowance.
Came from feeding dry food. That vet wanted to put him on dry Hills' prescription. By then, we'd researched - said no.
Now, looking for suggestions of possible other "more affordable," non-Rx foods, reasonably low in carbs, magnesium & phosphorous, AND comments on the carb, phosphorous, magnesium values listed for the one Friskies flavor below.
I'm disabled - our budget is tight, So for 13 yrs, fed him Friskies pate - Turkey & Giblets dinner, occasional supplementing w/ meat (no fish). Sometimes buy higher price brands - wellness, etc. Research showed typical nutritional composition of that * one * Friskies flavor/ style was low in carbs & in phosphorous (P) & magnesium (Mg). Based on typical analysis - direct from Purina & Dr. Lisa Pierson's canned food analysis chart. Much better than most other Purina flavors or other Purina brands. And actually lower than many high priced brands.
He did great 99.9% of time - adding extra water each meal - maybe 2 tsp. Another vet was more forthcoming & mentioned using methionine & cranberry extract.
Which we have & the rare flareups - usually some stress event - quickly stopped by increasing water + methionine + cranberry for 1 - 2 days (not increasing the latter two by much).
Now, he's having more frequent problems. Could be age - 15, more perceived stress, Friskies changing ingredients (even high $ foods don't list ALL ingredients - not required).
Purina / Friskies recently sent me "typical nutritional composition" on Turkey & Giblets dinner.
It has some fish (5th ingred.) - generally a no-no, but ** typical nutritional composition ** they sent:
On a ** % of calories basis: **
Protein 36.5%, Fat 58.0% , Carbs 5.5%. Not much carbs compared to expensive foods - less than many.
On as fed, typical nutritional composition, Magnesium (Mg) = 0.02%; Phos (P) = 0.40%
Purina swears (2x) these are the typical nutritional values for Mg & P - which aren't high.
UNLESS I made mistakes, @ 78% moisture - max, My dry matter calculation gives
Came from feeding dry food. That vet wanted to put him on dry Hills' prescription. By then, we'd researched - said no.
Now, looking for suggestions of possible other "more affordable," non-Rx foods, reasonably low in carbs, magnesium & phosphorous, AND comments on the carb, phosphorous, magnesium values listed for the one Friskies flavor below.
I'm disabled - our budget is tight, So for 13 yrs, fed him Friskies pate - Turkey & Giblets dinner, occasional supplementing w/ meat (no fish). Sometimes buy higher price brands - wellness, etc. Research showed typical nutritional composition of that * one * Friskies flavor/ style was low in carbs & in phosphorous (P) & magnesium (Mg). Based on typical analysis - direct from Purina & Dr. Lisa Pierson's canned food analysis chart. Much better than most other Purina flavors or other Purina brands. And actually lower than many high priced brands.
He did great 99.9% of time - adding extra water each meal - maybe 2 tsp. Another vet was more forthcoming & mentioned using methionine & cranberry extract.
Which we have & the rare flareups - usually some stress event - quickly stopped by increasing water + methionine + cranberry for 1 - 2 days (not increasing the latter two by much).
Now, he's having more frequent problems. Could be age - 15, more perceived stress, Friskies changing ingredients (even high $ foods don't list ALL ingredients - not required).
Purina / Friskies recently sent me "typical nutritional composition" on Turkey & Giblets dinner.
It has some fish (5th ingred.) - generally a no-no, but ** typical nutritional composition ** they sent:
On a ** % of calories basis: **
Protein 36.5%, Fat 58.0% , Carbs 5.5%. Not much carbs compared to expensive foods - less than many.
On as fed, typical nutritional composition, Magnesium (Mg) = 0.02%; Phos (P) = 0.40%
Purina swears (2x) these are the typical nutritional values for Mg & P - which aren't high.
UNLESS I made mistakes, @ 78% moisture - max, My dry matter calculation gives
