What Do Cat Urine Crystals Look Like?

Cat urine crystals may appear as small, microscopic stones in your cat’s litter box. But this may not necessarily mean your cat has bladder problems. Crystals can also be larger or more toothpaste-like than microscopic, and your cat may also be urinating in places that aren’t normal. The best way to identify crystals in your cat’s urine is to look for them in the litter box.

Struvite crystals

If your cat has struvite crystals, you may wonder what they look like in their urine. These crystals are most common in urine that is too alkaline. Your veterinarian may recommend a special diet designed to alter the pH of the urine and dissolve these crystals. You may also wish to consider feeding your cat a wet food diet. Wet food is also better for your cat’s urinary tract because it has more moisture than dry food, which helps flush out excess minerals in the urine. Also, cat water fountains will encourage your feline to drink more water.

Calcium oxalate crystals

If you find calcium oxalate crystals in cat or dog urine, they may be caused by ethylene glycol intoxication. However, these crystals are not limited to ethylene glycol intoxication. They can also appear in the urine of animals with hypercalciuria due to other causes. This article will explore the common symptoms and causes of calcium oxalate crystals in cat or dog urine.

Ammonium urate crystals

Ammonium urate crystals in a cat’s urine are a symptom of liver disease. They can be monohydrate or dihydrate, and are found in the urine of both male and female cats. A cat’s urinary tract contains large amounts of ammonia and urea, so an abundance of this compound can signal a liver problem. Although cat urine is normally neutral, a cat’s urinary tract may become overly acidic or even have stones.

Mucus crystals

When your cat develops mucus crystals in its urine, the first thing to do is to seek veterinary attention. While this is a common symptom of a number of urinary problems, it is important to distinguish between it and another symptom. This condition can lead to urinary blockage, a painful urinary tract infection, or even bladder stones. Mucus crystals in your cat’s urine are an emergency. If your cat doesn’t defecate for more than a few hours, you should seek veterinary care immediately.

Artifacts of handling

Often, crystals found in cat urine are not indicative of a medical problem. In fact, these particles are artifacts of handling the urine sample. They may have been refrigerated before analysis or have been left at room temperature. They may also be the result of precipitation of a substance. Although not medically significant, crystalluria should be investigated by your veterinarian to determine if there are any complications. If a medical problem is found, your veterinarian can formulate a treatment regimen.

Symptoms of crystalluria

When your cat has crystals in its urine, it could be a sign of urinary tract infection. Some research indicates that the crystals are caused by mineral deposits that become super-saturated in urine, forming sand-like particles. There are several possible causes, including certain food ingredients, genetic makeup, and medications. You should consult your veterinarian for further information. Symptoms of cat urine crystalluria vary between breeds, but you should be aware of common causes.