Low magnesium cat food is one of the most prevalent concerns for pet parents. To help understand the issue and know what foods to feed your pet, read our in-depth article here.
It will explain what it is, how it can lead to problems in pets, and provide tips on how you can prevent issues from happening in your cat’s life.
Low magnesium can be deadly to cats. It limits the flow of oxygen in the blood stream and ultimately causes them to die. Pets supplemented with magnesium can live considerably longer than pets that are not.
This article will explain low magnesium and how you can help your cat by feeding them good quality low magnesium cat food.
Table of Contents
What Is Low Magnesium?
In simple terms, it is a deficiency of magnesium in the body. Low magnesium will cause symptoms such as excessive panting, seizures, vomiting, and lethargy.
What Causes Low Magnesium?
Several factors can lead to low magnesium in cats, such as genetics, food quality, and environment.
A low concentration of magnesium in the diet or a change in diet can cause a deficiency in your cat.
Your pet can also have a low magnesium concentration if they eat too many processed foods loaded with salt and sugar.
Help prevent low magnesium in your pet by switching to a fresh, raw diet rich in fats and proteins.
Illnesses can also cause low magnesium, which includes diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer.
Symptoms of low magnesium include lethargy, lack of appetite, and vomiting.
Your cat will also have tremors and seizures if they are not receiving enough of the mineral.
Additional symptoms that may occur are heart rhythm abnormalities, abnormal cardiac contractions, muscle cramps, and other conditions.
What Is A Good Magnesium Level In Cat Food?
A good level of magnesium for cat food is around 25 mg per 100 grams, as stated by PetFinder.
This amount should be spread over several servings daily, as your pet needs to get a good magnesium balance in their diet.
The right balance can help improve their state of mind and overall health.
What Are Some Foods High In Magnesium?
Some food sources high in this essential mineral include egg shells, spinach, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, yogurt, and bananas.
Milk and tofu are also good sources of this mineral.
How Can I Get My Cat To Eat Low-Magnesium Cat Food?
Introducing a new diet to your cat can be difficult. They are used to eating the same food for years on end, so trying out something new can make them upset.
If you decide on buying them low-magnesium cat food, there are several ways of making it more appealing to your pet’s taste buds.
This includes mixing the new food with their old cat food, so they get used to it gradually.
You can mix small amounts of the new diet with their regular pet food and increase the amount you add over time.
This helps your cat’s stomach get used to this different taste, which makes them more likely to want it in future meals.
5 Best Low Magnesium Cat Food
Here are the best 5 low magnesium cat food:
1. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Cat Food is a great low-magnesium brand for your pet.
This food is formulated to help treat and prevent urinary issues, including urolithiasis, in cats. It can help prevent the blockage and formation of stones.
This diet contains a minimum of 38% protein and balanced nutrition for long-term use.
The exact percentage of low-magnesium cat food in the diet is not provided on the label, which is disappointing as other brands usually provide this information.
The product is made in France and comes in a 4-pound box. Click here to read more reviews and buy on Amazon.
Highlights:
Formulated to help relieve cat urinary issues, such as urolithiasis, through minimum magnesium levels.
2. Nekton Nutrition Vegetarian Protein as a Premium Cat Food
Nekton Nutrition Vegan High Protein Dry Cat Food is made from a combination of protein sources and includes fresh veggies.
This food is hypoallergenic and has been developed for cats with dietary sensitivities, skin allergies, and other health concerns.
It contains no artificial preservatives, flavors, or sweeteners in the formula. This product is made in the USA, which is reassuring.
With a low-magnesium content of less than 0.1%, it is a good option for cat food that doesn’t have a lot of minerals. It does not list the sugar in it, which is disappointing, as some cats are prone to gaining weight from high sugar levels.
This cat food contains pea fiber, sunflower oil, and an antioxidant blend. This cat food is very versatile and suitable for cats and kittens. You can buy Nekton Nutrition Vegetarian Premium Cat Food from the manufacturer.
Highlights:
A low-magnesium diet helps prevent urinary issues in cats and kittens.
3. Tiki Cat – Low-Magnesium Cat Food with Calcium and Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Tiki Cat Only Natural Dry Cat Food is great low-magnesium cat food.
It is made in the USA, which is important to many cat owners. This food contains no grains or plant-based proteins, which are very healthy for cats.
It comes in a 5-pound bag and is formulated to promote the health and wellness of your pet. It is considered a low-magnesium cat food by Veterinarians who practice feline medicine.
This kibble contains 1% magnesium, which makes it easy for you to adjust your pet’s diet according to their requirements.
It is free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
You can buy Tiki Cat Only Natural Low-Magnesium Cat Food on Amazon. Click here to read more reviews and buy on Amazon.
Highlights:
Helps promote the health of your cat with a low-magnesium formula.
4. Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Urinary Tract Health Adult Canned Wet Cat Food
Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Urinary Tract Health Adult Canned Wet Cat Food is low-magnesium cat food. It is made in the USA and contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
It has a high protein level of 27%, which helps support your cat’s immune system. This food is also suitable for diabetic cats or those with kidney problems.
This food uses dehydrated chicken as the sole source of protein and has reduced phosphorus levels. This food has been formulated to help support urinary health for your cat. It is hypoallergenic and contains calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins.
You can buy Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Urinary Tract Health Adult Canned Wet Cat Food on Amazon. Click here to read more reviews and buy on Amazon.
Highlights:
A low-magnesium formula is a great option for cat food, as it promotes the urinary health of cats with no kidney problems or diabetes.
5. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Feline Urinary Tract Multicare with Chicken
This Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Feline Urinary Tract Multicare with Chicken is formulated to help control the formation of struvite crystals in cats.
You can buy Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Feline Urinary Tract Multicare with Chicken on Amazon. Click here for current pricing and more reviews.
Highlights:
Controls struvite crystals that form in cats without any underlying medical problems, such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Dry Or Canned Low-Magnesium Cat Food Will Help?
There are many options when feeding your cat low-magnesium foods, including dry or canned foods. Canned food is easier for you to prepare, but the risk of your cat choking can be higher.
You should also ensure that the canned food you plan to buy has been produced with low-magnesium ingredients.
You can choose between dry and kibble-type foods if you buy dry options. You can then decide on what type of food your cat prefers. Some cats will only eat kibble, while others will eat both types of diet in different meals.
How Much Magnesium Should Cat Food Have?
The exact amount of magnesium in cat food depends on the content of the diet, so manufacturers do not provide this information.
Canned food contains less magnesium than dry food but has trace amounts. The amount of magnesium in each type of food will depend on the content of your cat’s diet.
Low-magnesium cat foods generally contain less than 0.1% magnesium for your kitty’s healthy urinary tract and kidney function. It is important to monitor your cat’s urinary health and check the label carefully when buying its food.
In addition, you should also check their weight regularly, as cats will gain weight if their diet has high levels of magnesium. In general, canned food contains less magnesium than dry low-magnesium cat food.
Low Magnesium Wet Cat Food
Low magnesium wet cat food can benefit cats with certain medical conditions such as urinary tract disease, kidney disease, and bladder stones.
These conditions can be aggravated by high levels of magnesium in the cat’s diet, so a low magnesium diet can help manage these issues.
When choosing a low-magnesium wet cat food, it’s important to read the label carefully and look for a food that meets your cat’s nutritional requirements.
It’s also recommended to consult with a veterinarian before making any dietary changes for your cat.
Some popular low magnesium wet cat food brands include Hill’s Prescription Diet, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet, and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets.
These brands are formulated to be nutritionally complete and balanced while also being low in magnesium.
Ultimately, the best food for your cat will depend on its needs and medical history, so it’s important to work closely with your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate diet for your feline friend.
What Is Considered Low Magnesium In Cat Food?
The ideal magnesium level in cat food will depend on the cat’s needs and health condition. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) generally recommends a minimum of 0.04% magnesium on a dry matter basis for adult cat maintenance.
However, a low magnesium diet may be recommended for cats with certain medical conditions such as urinary tract disease, kidney disease, and bladder stones.
The specific magnesium levels in a low-magnesium cat food will vary depending on the brand and formulation. Still, generally, a low magnesium cat food will have a magnesium content of less than 0.1% on a dry matter basis.
It is important to note that while a low magnesium diet can benefit some cats with medical conditions, it should only be implemented under the guidance of a veterinarian.
What Is Considered Low Ash or Low Magnesium?
The amount of ash and magnesium in food is also not mandatory, so it will also vary based on the type of food you buy.
Ash is a protein component, and this content can be derived from animal, fish, or vegetable products. For example, a diet with less than 1% magnesium is considered a low-ash diet.
Other fish with low magnesium levels include salmon, trout, sardines, and tuna. Cats who suffer from urinary problems may be prone to kidney problems over time. A cat with a urinary tract infection may have to be on a low-magnesium diet for life.
Dietary changes will help reduce urinary issues’ symptoms and prevent your cat from re-acquiring urinary problems.
Low Magnesium Cat Food Reviews
Most cats prefer to eat canned food. Those who only eat dry food will often face more dental issues.
Dry cat food is also cheaper than canned food, making it a popular choice among cat owners. However, dry cat food has higher levels of ash and magnesium than canned foods.
Therefore, you should choose foods with low ash content and low magnesium options to follow a feline diet created by your veterinarian or specialist in feline medicine.
Conclusion
While you may need to limit your cat’s dry food intake, feeding them a low-magnesium diet is a good idea.
Low-magnesium foods are easily found on the market, but you should always check their labels carefully before feeding them to your pet. A healthy urinary tract and kidneys ensure your cat feels great!
I hope this pet food review has been useful for you. If you think I have missed any low-magnesium cat food to add to the list, let me know in the comment section below.
FAQs
How useful is low magnesium cat food canned?
Canned food is the best option for cats with kidney problems. It also provides more moisture, which helps older cats feel more comfortable.
Is low magnesium cat food wet good?
Low-magnesium wet food is an appropriate alternative for cats with urinary tract problems. It also helps promote the health of your cat’s urinary tract.
Is dry low magnesium cat food good?
Dry low-magnesium food can be an appropriate alternative if you have no problem processing regular dry cat food.
Is low magnesium cat food better than regular cat food?
Many cat owners use low-magnesium foods instead of their regular diet. This may help to improve their health and prevent urinary tract symptoms in their pets.
What is the best low magnesium dry cat food?
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Feline Urinary Tract Multicare with Chicken is a great option for your cat.
Is low ash low magnesium cat food different from other brands?
A low-ash diet contains less than 0.1% magnesium for your cat’s healthy urinary tract and kidney function.
Is Fancy Feast low in magnesium?
Fancy Feast is not a low magnesium cat food. It has moderate levels of magnesium and high levels of ash.
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.