🐾 Vet Urology 2025: How to Treat and Prevent Struvite Bladder Stones in Cats 🐱💧

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Struvite bladder stones are a common and painful condition in cats. Thankfully, with proper diagnosis and care, they’re often completely reversible through dietary changes. In this 2025 veterinary guide, we’ll cover what struvite stones are, how to detect them, treatment options, and—most importantly—how to prevent them from coming back. 🐾🧬

🧪 What Are Struvite Stones?

Struvite is a urinary mineral made of ammonium, phosphate, and magnesium. These elements are naturally present in urine. When they bind together under certain conditions—such as overly concentrated or alkaline urine—they form struvite crystals. When those crystals cluster with mucus or debris, they can become bladder stones or urethral plugs. 🚫💧

You may also hear them referred to as triple phosphate stones. 🧊

⚠️ Why Do Some Cats Develop Struvite Stones?

While struvite crystals can be found in healthy urine, stone formation happens when:

• 📈 The urine is overly concentrated
• ⚖️ The pH is too alkaline
• 🧪 Proteins in the urine allow crystal formation

In 95% of cats with struvite stones, no infection is present (unlike dogs). 🧫

🩺 Signs Your Cat May Have a Bladder Stone

Symptoms often mimic other urinary conditions, such as:

• 🚽 Straining to urinate
• 🩸 Blood in the urine
• 🏠 Urinating outside the litter box
• 💦 Frequent urination in small amounts

About 25% of cats with lower urinary symptoms will have stones. Diagnosis is confirmed with:

• 🧪 Urinalysis
• 🩻 Radiographs

🥫 How to Dissolve Struvite Stones with Diet

Unlike calcium oxalate stones, struvite stones can be dissolved using prescription diets that alter the bladder environment. 🥣💧

✅ Key Rules for Success:

• 🍽️ Your cat must eat ONLY the urinary diet—no treats or other food
• 🥫 Wet food is preferred for extra hydration
• 📷 X-rays every 3–4 weeks track progress

Most stones dissolve in about 6 weeks, with some disappearing in as little as 7 days. If no change is seen, it may not be a struvite stone or the cat is getting non-prescription food. 😼

✂️ Surgical Treatment: Cystotomy

If diet fails—or if a quick resolution is needed—cystotomy surgery is performed to open the bladder and remove stones. Recovery is usually quick, though some post-op blood in the urine is normal. 🛌

Stones are then sent to a lab for confirmation. 🔬

🔍 Other Removal Techniques

1️⃣ Cystoscopy + Laser Lithotripsy (Females Only)

• 📹 Uses a small camera to retrieve stones via the urethra
• 💥 Larger stones can be broken apart by laser

2️⃣ Voiding Urohydropropulsion (Females Only)

• 💧 Involves flushing out small stones under sedation
• 📦 Stones must be very small and urethra must be wide enough

These techniques are less invasive but limited by stone size and the anatomy of male cats. 🧬

🔄 Preventing Future Struvite Stones

Once the stones are dissolved or removed, the next step is prevention. Here’s how:

1️⃣ Continue with a Prescription Urinary Diet

• 🥣 These diets reduce urinary pH and magnesium levels
• 💧 Wet food adds hydration to dilute urine

2️⃣ Increase Water Intake

• 💦 Use fountains or multiple water bowls
• 🍶 Consider hydration supplements like Purina Hydra Care®

3️⃣ Monitor pH and Urine Concentration

• 🧪 Regular urinalysis helps ensure urine stays dilute and slightly acidic

4️⃣ Consider Urinary Acidifiers (Only if Advised)

These supplements lower urine pH—but should only be used under veterinary supervision. 🧪

📆 Follow-Up Monitoring

Your vet may recommend:

• 📋 Urinalysis every 3–6 months
• 🩻 Periodic X-rays to catch early stone formation

📍 Final Thoughts

Struvite bladder stones are uncomfortable for your cat—but they’re also highly manageable with the right care and nutrition. Early diagnosis, proper treatment, and a strong prevention plan will help your feline friend avoid pain, blockages, and surgery. 🐾💖

Need help selecting a urinary diet or creating a stone prevention plan? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to chat with Dr Duncan Houston and other trusted professionals today. 🩺📱