Lower urinary tract disease is a common ailment in domestic cats. Though many causes of lower urinary disease exist, including crystalluria, with struvite crystals being the most common. A retrospective study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery investigated the correlation between diet, signalment, and clinical factors and the development of struvite crystalluria.

In univariate models, several factors were associated with an increased risk of crystalluria. These included increasing age, male sex, obesity, number of dogs/cats in the household, a history of cystitis, and being fed a dry diet. 

On multivariate analysis, age, diet, neuter status, body condition, urine protein concentration, urine pH, presence of pyuria or bacteriuria, or a previous diagnosis of cystitis.  Learn more