Association between dietary factors and calcium oxalate and magnesium ammonium phosphate urolithiasis in cats

Objective-To identify dietary factors associated with the increase in occur rence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths and the decrease in occurrence of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) uroliths in cats. Design-Case-control study. Animals-173 cats with CaOx uroliths, 290 cats with MAP uroliths, and 827 ca ts without any urinary tract diseases. Procedure-Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Results-Cats fed diets low in sodium or potassium or formulated to maximize urine acidity had an increased risk of developing CaOx uroliths but a decr eased risk of developing MAP uroliths. Additionally, compared with the lowe st contents, diets with the highest moisture or protein contents and with m oderate magnesium, phosphorus, or calcium contents were associated with dec reased risk of CaOx urolith formation, In contrast, diets with moderate fat or carbohydrate contents were associated with increased risk of CaOx uroli th formation. Diets with the highest magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, chlori de, or fiber contents and moderate protein content were associated with inc reased risk of MAP urolith formation. On the other hand, diets with the hig hest fat content were associated with decreased risk of MAP urolith formati on. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggest that diets formulated to contain higher protein, sodium, potassium, moisture, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium contents and with decreased urine acidifying potential may mi nimize formation of CaOx uroliths in cats. Diets formulated to contain high er fat content and lower protein and potassium contents and with increased urine acidifying potential may minimize formation of MAP uroliths.