🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <343@hropus.UUCP>, jbs@hropus.UUCP (JBS) writes:
> I and my wife recently purchased a siamese kitten.
> After talking to the breeder, we  were advised that MOST supermarket cat
> foods especially  the dry cat foods have an unacceptable amount of ash
> in them. We were told that a diet of foods with a high  ash content  could
> lead to serious kidney problems for the cat. The breeder stated that an
> acceptable level of ash is Less than 3 Percent. She also mentioned that, if
> they don't list it in the cat food's breakdown of contents, it most likey
> has a very high ash content.
> 
> 1) First of all, Does the breeder have a valid point? IS >3% too much ash?

	Greater than 3% ash content is too much ash content for a CAT.  This
is a VERY important critereon for selecting cat food.

> 2) How does the ash content effect the kidneys?

	Cats, especially those which are neutered, have a proclivity for
developing urolithiasis (bladder stones).  While there is similarity between
urolithiasis in cats and in man, cats often form a unique type of urolith
called a "spruvite".  While the mechanisms of spruvite urolith formation in
cats are complex and not fully understood, it is believed by most veterinary
authorities that high ash content in cat food is a primary factor.  Indoor
cats are generally not great drinkers of water, resulting in concentrated
urinary output which further favors urolith formation.
	While both sexes of cats develop uroliths, the situation is FAR more
serious in the MALE CAT.  The female cat has a short, relatively straight
urethra which allows uroliths to easily pass.  However, the male has a rather
long, convoluted urethra which tends to collect small spruvite particles, and
which will often plug up solid.  This is a life-threatening situation requiring
emergency veterinary treatment!

> 3) Has anyone found cat foods in the moist, dried or canned form that has
> less than 3% ash in it? If so please pass on the name.

	We presently have eight cats, and have had good luck with "Iams"
dry cat food, which has < 3% ash content, and have not experienced any
further episodes of urolithiasis in our neutered male cats in the three
years following the exclusive use of Iams.  Please bear in mind that the
absence of urolithiasis may be coincidental or the result of other factors
(e.g., we are careful to always keep their water dish filled so that the
cats will drink as much water as possible), and I AM NOT CLAIMING "Iams" CAT
FOOD BY ITSELF WILL PREVENT UROLITHIASIS.

==>  Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York        <==
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