Background: Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) involves dysregulation of stress-neuroendocrine pathways, leading to recurrent lower urinary tract signs (LUTS). Updated guidelines prioritize moisture intake, stating that acidifying, crystal-prevention-only diets may not be indicated for non-obstructive FIC. Some owners cannot feed moist diets. Urinary diets promoting urine-diluting hydration through targeted electrolyte levels may be beneficial. Long-term data on hydration and/or stress-modulating diets are limited.
Hypothesis/
Objective: A dry multifunction urinary-diluting diet including stress-modulating L-tryptophan(LT) and alpha-casozepine(AC) reduces LUTS in cats with recurrent, nonobstructive FIC.
Animals: Twelve client-owned cats with ≥ 2 veterinarian-diagnosed FIC episodes in the preceding six months.
Methods: Six-month closed-label prospective trial. Dietary history: mineral-controlled acidifying urinary diets (n=8) [non-diluting (n=2), diluting (n=2), non-diluting, therapeutic LT/AC levels (n=4)]; non-urinary diets (n=4). Cats consumed the dry multifunction diet † including LT/AC, with electrolyte levels shown to dilute urine and increase water intake by 50%. Six-month pre‑enrollment provided within‑subject comparisons (Wilcoxon Signed-Rank).
Results: FIC and periuria episodes-per-cat decreased by 93% (mean 2.33 [range 2-5] to 0.17[0,1]; p < 0.01, effect-size r=0.65), and 94% (1.42[0-6] to 0.08[0-1], p < 0.01, r=0.53) respectively, regardless of prior LT/AC exposure. Episode duration, severity, and LUTS incidence also decreased by ≥ 88% (p < 0.01; r > 0.5).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Results support dietary-driven urinary dilution as a mechanism for helping reduce FIC recurrence. Combining hydration-promoting and stress-modulating nutrients appears more effective than acidifying-only ± stress diets, representing the first study supporting significant reduction in periuria through nutritional intervention.
