Meep: No Crystals!

Wohoo! Meeps second urinalysis was clear - no crystals, no blood! So,
currently no cystitis!

That's the good news. The not-quite-so-good news is that her urine is
rather concentrated, which generally means she's not drinking enough
(which is at least one thing that predisposes her to another attack)

So now, I'm looking for suggestions on how to add more H20 to her diet.
This is what I've tried, or am doing now:

She won't eat her dry if it's even slightly damp. But she will eat the
prescription dry, so we'll keep her on that for now.

She's very finicky about her wet food, having trouble finding a brand
that's low ash/magnesium that she likes - won't touch the prescription
wet. Suggestions on canned/moist US or UK catfood that's low
ash/magnesium, that I can try? Senior or Light types preferred, but
we've already tried Science Diet senior, no go.

She has a gravity-fed waterer, which has helped some. Finding a place
for something that requires power is - problematical. Also, since we're
Americans in the UK, and going home relatively soon, I'm a bit reluctant
to fork out the large number of £'s for a UK version, just to sell it in
6 months' time.

Vet has suggested:
- Try setting out different types of water containers. I'd like to know
if anyone has any idea which type of container cats prefer - plastic,
ceramic, metal, whatever?
- Give her access to the bathroom, so she can lick wet tub if she
desires (we do; she doesn't. Not going to allow her access to toilet
water - she licks me too.)
- Try making catfood flavored icecubes (pour warm water over dry
catfood, drain, freeze), drop one in her water. Vet just heard of this
one, wants to know if it works for me. I'll try this modified, and am
just offering her an additional bowl of catfood flavored water. Usually
we give her the water from a tuna can. Maybe I'll freeze that instead
next time, and drop a cube of that into her water.

Any other suggestions?

jmc

"jmc" wrote in message
...
Wohoo! Meeps second urinalysis was clear - no crystals, no blood! So,
currently no cystitis!

That's the good news. The not-quite-so-good news is that her urine is
rather concentrated, which generally means she's not drinking enough
(which is at least one thing that predisposes her to another attack)

So now, I'm looking for suggestions on how to add more H20 to her diet.
This is what I've tried, or am doing now:

She won't eat her dry if it's even slightly damp. But she will eat the
prescription dry, so we'll keep her on that for now.

She's very finicky about her wet food, having trouble finding a brand
that's low ash/magnesium that she likes - won't touch the prescription
wet. Suggestions on canned/moist US or UK catfood that's low
ash/magnesium, that I can try? Senior or Light types preferred, but
we've already tried Science Diet senior, no go.

She has a gravity-fed waterer, which has helped some. Finding a place
for something that requires power is - problematical. Also, since we're
Americans in the UK, and going home relatively soon, I'm a bit reluctant
to fork out the large number of £'s for a UK version, just to sell it in
6 months' time.

Vet has suggested:
- Try setting out different types of water containers. I'd like to know
if anyone has any idea which type of container cats prefer - plastic,
ceramic, metal, whatever?
- Give her access to the bathroom, so she can lick wet tub if she
desires (we do; she doesn't. Not going to allow her access to toilet
water - she licks me too.)
- Try making catfood flavored icecubes (pour warm water over dry
catfood, drain, freeze), drop one in her water. Vet just heard of this
one, wants to know if it works for me. I'll try this modified, and am
just offering her an additional bowl of catfood flavored water. Usually
we give her the water from a tuna can. Maybe I'll freeze that instead
next time, and drop a cube of that into her water.

Any other suggestions?

jmc

All of mine like their DrinkWell fountain - I find they drink a lot more
since I bought it.

Hugs,

CatNipped

jmc wrote:

Vet has suggested:
- Try setting out different types of water containers. I'd like to know
if anyone has any idea which type of container cats prefer - plastic,
ceramic, metal, whatever?

I use a huge metal dog bowl for my 4's water supply - I used to use a
cat-size porcelain bowl, but never saw them drinking from it. With the
dog bowl I see all of them drink from it regularly - maybe they prefer a
larger size, or can see the water better in the shiny metal surface. it
is changed every day and the bowl washed and rinsed. It's about 8 inches
diameter at the top, about 10" below.

It's like the one at the bottom of the page he
http://www.indigopets.co.uk/bowls.php
- the anti-tip one, but I took the rubber base off as it smelt strongly
and I thought it would put them off.

HTH

Deb.

--
http://www.scientific-art.com

"He looked a fierce and quarrelsome cat, but claw he never would;
He only bit the ones he loved, because they tasted good." S. Greenfield

"jmc" wrote in message
...
Wohoo! Meeps second urinalysis was clear - no crystals, no blood! So,
currently no cystitis!

That's the good news. The not-quite-so-good news is that her urine is
rather concentrated, which generally means she's not drinking enough
(which is at least one thing that predisposes her to another attack)

So now, I'm looking for suggestions on how to add more H20 to her diet.
This is what I've tried, or am doing now:

She won't eat her dry if it's even slightly damp. But she will eat the
prescription dry, so we'll keep her on that for now.

She's very finicky about her wet food, having trouble finding a brand
that's low ash/magnesium that she likes - won't touch the prescription
wet. Suggestions on canned/moist US or UK catfood that's low
ash/magnesium, that I can try? Senior or Light types preferred, but
we've already tried Science Diet senior, no go.

She has a gravity-fed waterer, which has helped some. Finding a place
for something that requires power is - problematical. Also, since we're
Americans in the UK, and going home relatively soon, I'm a bit reluctant
to fork out the large number of £'s for a UK version, just to sell it in
6 months' time.

Vet has suggested:
- Try setting out different types of water containers. I'd like to know
if anyone has any idea which type of container cats prefer - plastic,
ceramic, metal, whatever?

Try a short glass tumbler. Mine really like this. THey also like the two I
have that are raised a bit.

- Give her access to the bathroom, so she can lick wet tub if she
desires (we do; she doesn't. Not going to allow her access to toilet
water - she licks me too.)

The bathroom water bowl (one of the raised ones) is very popular. They come
in and drink while I am doing my business.

- Try making catfood flavored icecubes (pour warm water over dry
catfood, drain, freeze), drop one in her water. Vet just heard of this
one, wants to know if it works for me. I'll try this modified, and am
just offering her an additional bowl of catfood flavored water. Usually
we give her the water from a tuna can. Maybe I'll freeze that instead
next time, and drop a cube of that into her water.

Mine just like a couple regular ice cubes in theres.

Any other suggestions?

jmc

I saw a bottle of gravy for cats at a petco. You pour it over their dry
food. Don't know if its available in the UK.


"jmc" wrote in message
...
Wohoo! Meeps second urinalysis was clear - no crystals, no blood! So,
currently no cystitis!

That's the good news. The not-quite-so-good news is that her urine is
rather concentrated, which generally means she's not drinking enough
(which is at least one thing that predisposes her to another attack)

So now, I'm looking for suggestions on how to add more H20 to her diet.
This is what I've tried, or am doing now:

She won't eat her dry if it's even slightly damp. But she will eat the
prescription dry, so we'll keep her on that for now.

She's very finicky about her wet food, having trouble finding a brand
that's low ash/magnesium that she likes - won't touch the prescription
wet. Suggestions on canned/moist US or UK catfood that's low
ash/magnesium, that I can try? Senior or Light types preferred, but we've
already tried Science Diet senior, no go.

She has a gravity-fed waterer, which has helped some. Finding a place for
something that requires power is - problematical. Also, since we're
Americans in the UK, and going home relatively soon, I'm a bit reluctant
to fork out the large number of £'s for a UK version, just to sell it in 6
months' time.

Vet has suggested:
- Try setting out different types of water containers. I'd like to know if
anyone has any idea which type of container cats prefer - plastic,
ceramic, metal, whatever?
- Give her access to the bathroom, so she can lick wet tub if she desires
(we do; she doesn't. Not going to allow her access to toilet water - she
licks me too.)
- Try making catfood flavored icecubes (pour warm water over dry catfood,
drain, freeze), drop one in her water. Vet just heard of this one, wants
to know if it works for me. I'll try this modified, and am just offering
her an additional bowl of catfood flavored water. Usually we give her the
water from a tuna can. Maybe I'll freeze that instead next time, and drop
a cube of that into her water.

Any other suggestions?

jmc

Suddenly, without warning, Jmagerl exclaimed (25-Jul-05 9:08 PM):
I saw a bottle of gravy for cats at a petco. You pour it over their dry
food. Don't know if its available in the UK.


I've seen it too, but Meeps a jelly lover, turns her nose up at
gravy-based foods, so I'm not sure if she'd eat it.

jmc

"jmc" wrote in message
...
Wohoo! Meeps second urinalysis was clear - no crystals, no blood! So,
currently no cystitis!

That's the good news. The not-quite-so-good news is that her urine is
rather concentrated, which generally means she's not drinking enough
(which is at least one thing that predisposes her to another attack)

So now, I'm looking for suggestions on how to add more H20 to her diet.
This is what I've tried, or am doing now:

She won't eat her dry if it's even slightly damp. But she will eat the
prescription dry, so we'll keep her on that for now.

She's very finicky about her wet food, having trouble finding a brand
that's low ash/magnesium that she likes - won't touch the prescription
wet. Suggestions on canned/moist US or UK catfood that's low
ash/magnesium, that I can try? Senior or Light types preferred, but
we've already tried Science Diet senior, no go.

She has a gravity-fed waterer, which has helped some. Finding a place
for something that requires power is - problematical. Also, since we're
Americans in the UK, and going home relatively soon, I'm a bit reluctant
to fork out the large number of £'s for a UK version, just to sell it in
6 months' time.

Vet has suggested:
- Try setting out different types of water containers. I'd like to know
if anyone has any idea which type of container cats prefer - plastic,
ceramic, metal, whatever?
- Give her access to the bathroom, so she can lick wet tub if she
desires (we do; she doesn't. Not going to allow her access to toilet
water - she licks me too.)
- Try making catfood flavored icecubes (pour warm water over dry
catfood, drain, freeze), drop one in her water. Vet just heard of this
one, wants to know if it works for me. I'll try this modified, and am
just offering her an additional bowl of catfood flavored water. Usually
we give her the water from a tuna can. Maybe I'll freeze that instead
next time, and drop a cube of that into her water.

Any other suggestions?

jmc

Have you tried leaving the kitchen tap on a very slow drip?

Suddenly, without warning, Trish exclaimed (25-Jul-05 11:21 PM):
"jmc" wrote in message
...

Wohoo! Meeps second urinalysis was clear - no crystals, no blood! So,
currently no cystitis!

That's the good news. The not-quite-so-good news is that her urine is
rather concentrated, which generally means she's not drinking enough
(which is at least one thing that predisposes her to another attack)

So now, I'm looking for suggestions on how to add more H20 to her diet.
This is what I've tried, or am doing now:

She won't eat her dry if it's even slightly damp. But she will eat the
prescription dry, so we'll keep her on that for now.

She's very finicky about her wet food, having trouble finding a brand
that's low ash/magnesium that she likes - won't touch the prescription
wet. Suggestions on canned/moist US or UK catfood that's low
ash/magnesium, that I can try? Senior or Light types preferred, but
we've already tried Science Diet senior, no go.

She has a gravity-fed waterer, which has helped some. Finding a place
for something that requires power is - problematical. Also, since we're
Americans in the UK, and going home relatively soon, I'm a bit reluctant
to fork out the large number of £'s for a UK version, just to sell it in
6 months' time.

Vet has suggested:
- Try setting out different types of water containers. I'd like to know
if anyone has any idea which type of container cats prefer - plastic,
ceramic, metal, whatever?
- Give her access to the bathroom, so she can lick wet tub if she
desires (we do; she doesn't. Not going to allow her access to toilet
water - she licks me too.)
- Try making catfood flavored icecubes (pour warm water over dry
catfood, drain, freeze), drop one in her water. Vet just heard of this
one, wants to know if it works for me. I'll try this modified, and am
just offering her an additional bowl of catfood flavored water. Usually
we give her the water from a tuna can. Maybe I'll freeze that instead
next time, and drop a cube of that into her water.

Any other suggestions?

jmc


Have you tried leaving the kitchen tap on a very slow drip?


no, she's not allowed up on the counter, and I don't want to encourage
that. Also, with the very low amount of rain here, it'd be a waste of
water.

jmc

jmc wrote:
Wohoo! Meeps second urinalysis was clear - no crystals, no blood! So,
currently no cystitis!

That's the good news. The not-quite-so-good news is that her urine is
rather concentrated, which generally means she's not drinking enough
(which is at least one thing that predisposes her to another attack)

So now, I'm looking for suggestions on how to add more H20 to her diet.

Make chicken broth with dark meat and a little garlic. Freeze it in
ice cube trays and give it to her, warmed, as a treat.

-L.