Cystitis on a Budget

Hello,
I am the proud human of 2 amazing cats. My 3 year old cat, Jack, has recurring cystitis. I read that the best diet for him is wet and grain free. Now as any cat owner knows it's nigh impossible to fee your cats two different foods, so both are on a wet food diet.
That's where the trouble starts. I've been feeding blue buffalo basics for 2 weeks now. They are 3 oz cans, which means each cat gets 2 cans daily. I'm going broke. I need a healthy yet cheaper alternative. I'm in a panic trying to understand cat nutrition and give them all they need, without breaking the bank. Please help!

jessedee said:

Hello,
I am the proud human of 2 amazing cats. My 3 year old cat, Jack, has recurring cystitis. I read that the best diet for him is wet and grain free. Now as any cat owner knows it's nigh impossible to fee your cats two different foods, so both are on a wet food diet.
That's where the trouble starts. I've been feeding blue buffalo basics for 2 weeks now. They are 3 oz cans, which means each cat gets 2 cans daily. I'm going broke. I need a healthy yet cheaper alternative. I'm in a panic trying to understand cat nutrition and give them all they need, without breaking the bank. Please help!

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What did your vet say as far as treatment and food?

I had the same panic attack on what to feed the FLUD adult cat that we adopted last Nov from our local shelter. He came with diagnosis. While I was waiting for our first vet appt. I prowled the net and found this site plus www.catinfo.org   The cat info site is done by a vet and she has a whole section on cats with urinary issues. Please take the time to read all of it, it is packed with valuable info. The folks on this site were a huge help with brand of food suggestions, I was going cross eyed reading nutritional values and trying to make the best choices.

Cliff notes from my experience

Do not feed any dry food, at all whatsoever

Canned foods, add 1-2 tbsp. water To each serving

Water, water and more water, encourage your cats to drink any way you can

No Fish or anything with fish and fish by products

Carbs; 3% or less

Low phosphorous and magnesium, values you need are on cat info site

One month after feeding only prescription Royal Canin Feline Urinary SO, clean catch urine sample showed barely trace of blood, no crystals

Still in process of switching him off the RC, this will last another month of feeding half & half. Cans are 5.5 oz 

New Foods: Dave's Pet Food, Restricted Diet, Low magnesium and phosphorous and Natures Variety Instinct Chicken and Rabbit for a treat

Treats; freeze dried Pure Bites, one ingredient Chicken

Recheck on urine in one month, if clear will have this checked every 6 months unless symptoms reappear

I order his food thru www.chewy.com   they have the best prices, excellent customer service, usually 2 day delivery, free shipping over 49.00

There are a couple of other food brands that are good to feed FLUD, I don't remember the names, hopefully someone will chime in

Hope this helps.

I've heard that Blue Buffalo can cause urinary issues in some cats. Not sure if that is true or not but it wouldn't hurt to feed a different brand.

Any canned food can help with urinary issues. The only "magic" ingredient is that canned food has a high water content which helps keep the urinary sysem functioning properly. Here is some info: http://catinfo.org/feline-urinary-tract-diseases/

There are lots of affordable brands of canned foods. I posted some links to TCS threads discussing budget friendly foods here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/332942/...hy-affordable-brands-appreciated#post_4182419