A prescription urinary diet is a vet-authorized cat food made to help prevent bladder crystals and stones from forming, and it is recommended only after an exam and urine tests. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Ballantyne is a vet in Ballantyne, Charlotte, North Carolina, with an on-site pharmacy for the pets it treats, and its vets match the diet to what your cat's tests show.
Cat straining or visiting the litter box all day? Call (980) 300-6982, book online, or walk in.
What are bladder crystals and stones in cats?
Crystals are tiny mineral particles in the urine, and stones are crystals that have clumped into a larger mass in the bladder. Cornell's Feline Health Center says bladder stones are made of struvite or calcium oxalate, and that early signs include blood in the urine and frequent, painful urination. At Petfolk Ballantyne, the vet looks at a urine sample under the microscope and may add x-rays or an ultrasound to see what is in the bladder.
How does a urinary diet help?
A urinary diet changes the minerals in the food and encourages a cat to drink and urinate more, which keeps the urine dilute and less likely to form crystals. Which formula fits depends on the type of crystal, so the Petfolk Ballantyne vet chooses after testing rather than guessing. Cornell notes that stones are likely to come back without prevention, and that prevention usually combines diet and medicine. It also advises that at least half of a cat's diet be wet food, so canned versions are common.
Watch the litter box
Your cat's litter box habits are the best early warning. Call Petfolk Ballantyne if your cat:
Makes many trips with only a little urine
Strains, cries or licks the area after urinating
Passes urine outside the box
Has pink or bloody urine
Those signs need a visit soon, not a wait-and-see week, and a urine sample can often be collected at the visit.
Why does a stone-prone cat need rechecks?
Urinary problems can return, so the vet rechecks urine at intervals once the diet starts to see whether crystals have cleared. The Petfolk Ballantyne team sets the timing for your cat. Bring notes on water bowl refills, litter clumps and any accidents. Gentle, Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, which helps with cats who dislike carriers and urine collection.
How do I switch my cat to a urinary food?
Switch over about a week or more, adding a little more of the new food each day, since cats can be picky and sudden changes can upset digestion. Feed only the prescribed food and approved treats, because an extra snack can undo the diet. If your cat refuses the food, tell the Petfolk Ballantyne team, as there is often another formula or a canned or dry version. Ask about refills and online-order approvals at the same visit. You can read how our pet pharmacy works for refills.
You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.
Is my male cat straining to pee an emergency?
Yes. A male cat straining in the litter box with little or no urine needs a 24-hour emergency hospital now, because a blocked urethra, the tube that carries urine out, can be life threatening within a short time. Cornell's page says male cats are most at risk since their urethra is narrow. One option is Carolina Veterinary Specialists Charlotte, 2225 Township Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273, whose site lists emergency care as open 24 hours. Petfolk Ballantyne is a primary and urgent care clinic, not an emergency hospital.
Find us on Ballantyne Commons
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Ballantyne is at 5335 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28277, near Ballantyne Village. We are open weekends and offer same-day appointments. Call (980) 300-6982 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Ballantyne, or see all veterinary services in Ballantyne.
Urinary diet questions, answered
Urinary diets on Ballantyne Commons Pkwy