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In article <343@hropus.UUCP> jbs@hropus.UUCP (JBS) writes:
>
>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.

>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.
>
Well not quite, but Dad's Gourmet Blend guarantees an ash content not greater
than 5.0%  Dad's is manufactured by Dad's Dog Foods, Inc. of Meadville, Pa.
(No, Gourmet Blend is NOT dog food but dry CAT food.)

j.r.

.
	High-ash cat foods increase the possibility of a cat's developing
cystitis (urinary tract infection), also known as Feline Urological Syndrome.
This can produce a blockage which is painful in female cats and often fatal
in males.  There are several brands of low-ash dried cat food which can be
bought from pet stores, veteranarians, and even health-food stores:

	Hill's CD Dry
	Hill's Science Diet
	Cornucopia Super-stars
	Iams Cat Food

	Although these brands are very expensive compared to grocery-store
cat food, i have found that my cats eat only about half as much of the pricey
stuff (presumably it must be more nutritious) than Friskies etc.  Also, CD Dry
(and i believe Iams) are acidified with L-methionine which helps in preventing
crystallization in the urinary tract.

	I'm not sure about the ash content of canned foods.  I do avoid
feeding my cats anything containing fish, as the high magnesium level in
fish will also aggravate cystitis.  (Shellfish is ok for some reason.)

- Jim (and Pepper and Cinnamon)
-- 
Jim Ericksen
UNC Chapel Hill

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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In article <9450@ritcv.UUCP> jrc@ritcv.UUCP (James R. Carbin) writes:
>In article <343@hropus.UUCP> jbs@hropus.UUCP (JBS) writes:
>>
>>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.
>
>>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.
>>

According to the numbers on the can, Friskies Buffet cat food is generally
around 3 % ash ... it varies between different flavors.

                                        andy

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with whoever it is that makes Friskies...
        (I'm not sure about my cat, though)