Struvite in Cats: Why Diet and Environment Matter Most)

Struvite crystals are a common urinary issue in cats, especially males. But instead of treating them as a simple “urinary problem”, we need to zoom out and ask: what’s really going on in the cat’s body, environment, and emotional world?

Let’s explore this step by step, answering the key questions often raised by concerned cat guardians.

Is this a pre-condition?

Not exactly. Struvite crystals aren’t usually a fixed or inherited condition – they’re more like a sign that the cat’s internal and external environment is out of balance.

For these crystals to form, three things need to happen at once:

• There must be enough magnesium, ammonium and phosphate in the urine
• The urine must be alkaline
• The urine must be concentrated (low volume)

This happens more easily when a cat is chronically stressed, dehydrated, or eating a diet that doesn’t match their physiology. And here’s where it gets interesting: stress itself can increase the amount of magnesium excreted in the urine, which contributes directly to crystal formation.

So no. Struvite isn’t a condition the cat simply “has”. It’s a consequence of multiple imbalances, and the good news is, many of them are preventable or reversible.

The Stress-Magnesium Connection

When cats feel unsafe, overstimulated, bored, or disempowered in their environment, their nervous system goes into overdrive. One result? They start excreting more magnesium through their urine. Combine that with a dry diet (low in moisture), an alkaline pH, and a sedentary lifestyle – and crystals begin to form.

This is especially common in:

• Indoor cats with limited control over their territory
• Overweight cats (often due to emotional overeating or boredom)
• Cats exposed to environmental conflict (e.g. other pets, lack of safe spaces)
• Neutered males, due to anatomy and lifestyle

What type of diet would be best – and why?

Let’s make something clear first: when struvite crystals are already present, a specific therapeutic diet might be necessary short term to help dissolve them. These diets are usually acidifying and low in magnesium and phosphorus – and can work well in a controlled, short intervention.

However, these diets (especially the dry versions) are not designed to be lifelong. Magnesium is essential for nerve function, muscle contraction, bone health and more. Long-term restriction can cause more harm than good.

For long-term prevention and holistic support, a better approach is a moisture-rich, balanced, species-appropriate diet – such as raw or high-quality wet food. These diets:

• Support hydration through natural water content
• Tend to maintain a healthy, slightly acidic urine pH without synthetic acidifiers
• Contain natural levels of magnesium, without pushing the body into deficiency
• Often avoid ultra-processed additives that may burden the kidneys or alter urine chemistry

This isn’t about being “raw vs. not raw” – it’s about respecting the feline physiology, which evolved to process moisture-rich, animal-based diets.

Can a high-moisture diet help?

Yes. In fact, hydration is one of the most powerful tools in preventing urinary problems.

Cats are desert animals. They’re not wired to drink large amounts of water separately from their food. If they’re on a dry diet, they often live in a state of chronic, low-level dehydration, which concentrates the urine and increases the risk of crystal formation.

A high-moisture diet:

• Increases urine output
• Dilutes mineral concentration
• Reduces the chances of urine becoming alkaline or stagnant
• Encourages more regular bladder emptying

Whether it’s raw, lightly cooked or a high-quality wet food – what matters is hydration through food, not just access to a water bowl.

Any other tips?

Yes – and they’re just as crucial as food:

Environment matters

The location of the food bowl, the litter tray, the access to quiet resting spots – all of this impacts the cat’s sense of safety and therefore, their stress levels. A nervous cat may avoid drinking or urinating, leading to stagnation.

The relationship with food

A cat who eats compulsively, hoards food, or is very anxious around meals may be using food to self-soothe. This isn’t just about what they eat – it’s about how and where. Making mealtimes peaceful and empowering can reduce emotional stress that fuels physical symptoms.

Weight is not just a number

Obesity in cats is not only a metabolic issue – it often reflects a loss of autonomy, boredom, or emotional distress. And it increases the risk of urinary issues significantly.

Final Thoughts: Look at the Whole Cat

If your cat is forming struvite crystals, don’t just treat the urine – look at the whole picture. Ask:

• Are they hydrated through their food?
• Do they feel safe and in control of their environment?
• Is their body weight healthy?
• Do they eat in peace and on their own terms?
• Is their nervous system supported, not overactivated?

This is why a full assessment is key – not just bloodwork and urine tests, but behavioural, nutritional and emotional history too.

Scientific References

• Stella JL, Lord LK, Buffington CAT. Environmental enrichment for cats with lower urinary tract disease. J Feline Med Surg. 2011;13(10): 904–912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfms.2011.09.008
• Westropp JL, Buffington CAT. Feline idiopathic cystitis: current understanding of pathophysiology and management. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2004;34(4):1043–1055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2004.03.006
• Geddes RF et al. The role of diet in feline lower urinary tract disease. Vet J. 2010;183(2):137–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.11.012
• Hutchinson D et al. Magnesium homeostasis and clinical disorders in small animals: a review. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2020;50(1):153–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2019.09.007
• Cave NJ et al. Changes in urinary parameters in overweight cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2012;14(5):317–326. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X11432929
• Freeman LM et al. Risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;243(11):1549–1558. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.243.11.1549
• Hall JA et al. Diet and chronic kidney disease in cats. PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0151802. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0151802
• Zoran DL. The carnivore connection to nutrition in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002;221(11):1559–1567. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2002.221.1559
• Case LP et al. (2011). Canine and Feline Nutrition (3rd ed). Elsevier.
• Little S. (2012). The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management. Elsevier.