Types of crystals in cats and how to prevent them

Urinary crystals in cats are small mineral formations that can form in the urine and, in some cases, can aggregate to form uroliths or "stones" in the bladder. There are different types of urinary crystals which arise for different reasons and have different treatments. 

The most common crystals in cats are:

Struvite. These are crystals formed by ammonium and magnesium phosphate. Alkaline urine favours their formation. Although it is uncommon in cats, sometimes due to bacterial infection of the urinary tract the urinary pH increases and struvite crystals are formed. But its formation is usually caused by genetic predisposition, dehydration, inadequate nutrition or stress factors that end up causing damage to the bladder mucosa.

Calcium oxalate. Its formation occurs in an acidic environment and is not usually associated with urinary tract infections. Its formation may have a genetic basis or be related to other health factors.

Uracil or uric acid. These are less common and are usually associated with disorders of purine metabolism in certain breeds of cats, such as Persians.

Cystine. Cystine crystals form in acidic urine and may be the result of an inherited metabolic disorder affecting amino acid transport.

There are several strategies to prevent crystals in cats: 

Increase water intake. Encourage your cat to drink more water with fresh water fountains, different types of drinking bowls of different materials and sizes or by including more wet food in their diet.

Proper feeding. Use foods specially formulated to prevent urinary crystal formation such as VeggieAnimals. A food formulated to maintain optimal pH and limit minerals that contribute to crystal formation.

Maintain a healthy weight. This reduces the risk of crystal formation and urinary tract disease.

Annual veterinary check-ups. We always recommend annual check-ups, which can help us detect early that something is wrong. And if you notice urinary problems, go immediately, as a blockage can be extremely painful and life-threatening.

Reduce stress. In cats there is a mechanism that causes damage to the bladder mucosa when they are subjected to high stress or suffer chronic stress due to an uncomfortable situation, this mechanism increases the risk of crystal formation, especially struvite, and bladder stones.

How can we detect crystals in cats?

It is important to know that when we see symptoms it means that the problem is advanced.

Straining to urinate. The cat may show signs of difficulty or pain when urinating, often straining without passing more than a few drops of urine.

Frequent urination. The cat may try to urinate more than usual, but only passing small amounts at a time.

Blood in the urine. Haematuria, or blood in the urine, is a common sign of urinary problems, including crystals.

Licking of the area. Cats may lick the genital area more frequently due to irritation or pain.

Urinating outside their litter box. Affected cats may urinate in unusual places as a sign that something is wrong.

Change in urine appearance. Urine may appear cloudy or a different colour than usual.

Alterations in behaviour. A cat in pain or discomfort may be more withdrawn, show aggression or have other changes in normal behaviour.

Vomiting or listlessness. In severe cases, where crystals may have led to an obstruction, the cat may vomit, be lethargic or show a lack of interest in food and water.

It is very important not to ignore these symptoms and to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. The doctor can make a diagnosis through urinalysis, ultrasound or x-rays to detect the presence of crystals and/or blockages in the urinary tract.

Treatment varies depending on the type of crystals and the level of severity of the problem and may include dietary changes, medications to dissolve the crystals and, in more severe situations, surgery to remove the uroliths and prevent blockages. Early care is crucial to avoid serious complications.

It is very important that treatment and diagnosis is made by your vet, and may involve blood tests, urine sampling, x-rays and ultrasound scans. They will also ask you a lot of questions to detect the origin of the disease and to prescribe an appropriate treatment.

The most common causes for the formation of urinary crystals are an inadequate diet, hence the importance of giving a quality food such as VeggieAnimals, and stress. To control stress it is very important that we know our felines and thus detect possible stress factors as well as being able to help them to manage it and lower those stress levels so that they feel better.