Cat pee problem? Read this... A.K.A. My cats have issues..*UPDATE*

[Emeraldgreen]

Glad to hear that Jack finally provided you with a sample!
Ah yes,... the muzzle. My cat Stinky once had one strapped on by the vet when she went 'crazy' during a visit a few years back. It looked like a tiny Hannibal Lector mask. Yikes! LOL
It stressed her out so much that since then I just do everything possible under the sun to avoid taking her in if I can because I hate to put her through that. (and the vet and me for that matter!) Thankfully the muzzle was only brought out once but it certainly was a memorable experience.

[Freedom]

If you can frame your water questions, give a call to your town or city's water dept. and speak with a manager / supervisor. They are water experts and may be able to give some guidance.

I called them when I was having trouble adjusting the Ph and chlorine levels in my aquarium. I learned that they have to use different additives and supplement at different times of year to meet potable water guidelines. Once he gave the me time frames -- which are approximate -- I was better able to control my tank.

Questions which may help you include --

is the water from my tap TODAY high Ph, balanced or low?
does my boiling it change the level?
is there something I can do to change the level? (if what comes from the tap is not balanced)

If you give it some thought, you may get a few more questions.

Just DON'T start off telling him this is due to cat urine levels. I was advised by someone on a fish forum not to tell them I was calling about a tank. They will get all defensive, "I don't know a THING about cats, never owned one." or something like that.

In the course of the conversation, you can mention it is a feline health issue which you are trying to correct on multiple levels, but don't get into specifics. You want them to talk about THEIR area of expertise, not listen to yours.

Maybe this will give some ideas.

[Catlady711]

If you can frame your water questions, give a call to your town or city's water dept. and speak with a manager / supervisor. They are water experts and may be able to give some guidance.

I called them when I was having trouble adjusting the Ph and chlorine levels in my aquarium. I learned that they have to use different additives and supplement at different times of year to meet potable water guidelines. Once he gave the me time frames -- which are approximate -- I was better able to control my tank.

Questions which may help you include --

is the water from my tap TODAY high Ph, balanced or low?
does my boiling it change the level?
is there something I can do to change the level? (if what comes from the tap is not balanced)

If you give it some thought, you may get a few more questions.

Just DON'T start off telling him this is due to cat urine levels. I was advised by someone on a fish forum not to tell them I was calling about a tank. They will get all defensive, "I don't know a THING about cats, never owned one." or something like that.

In the course of the conversation, you can mention it is a feline health issue which you are trying to correct on multiple levels, but don't get into specifics. You want them to talk about THEIR area of expertise, not listen to yours.

Maybe this will give some ideas.

Thank you for the tips. Is there an inexpensive kit or something so I can test my water, both before and after boiling? I don't know what the normal Ph of the stuff is, never did.

[Catlady711]

Just did some looking online about the specifics on the food I feed my kitties.

This is straight from the company's website...

The diet has been specifically designed to help address the major risk factors that affect young neutered male and female cats: struvite urolithiasis and weight gain associated with neutering.

Increases urine volume to simultaneously reduce the saturation of urine with calcium oxalate and struvite, helping to prevent the two major types of urolithiasis

Recommended for:

Neutered male and female cats from operation to 7 years of age
To help prevent struvite and calcium oxalate urolithiasis
To help reduce the risk of obesity associated with neutering
Multi-cat households from operation to 7 years of age

Ok so NOW I know why the vet said it probably wasn't the food. He didn't explain why he didn't think it was the food but he already knows which food I'm feeding. I'm already feeding something to help prevent urinary problems and stones. Somehow I didn't remember seeing that part when I did the research before giving this food. Apparently I have to remember I'm not the one with the veterinary degree, he is. lol