Here are some examples of by-products:

Canned cat food:

Corn gluten meal Ground yellow corn Soybean meal Beef By-Products Meat By-Products

Dry cat food:

Ground Yellow Corn Chicken By-Product Meal Corn Gluten Meal Wheat flour Corn Meal Soy flour

3. How Much Moisture Is In Cat Food?

What's percentage of moisture in cat food you're evaluating? The higher number, better for your kitty. More moisture means your cat will urinate more. Increased urination will flush out any crystals that may be trying to form in your cat's urinary tract. Canned cat food has a higher moisture content than dry.

4. How Much Magnesium Does Cat Food Contain?

An excess of magnesium will contribute to struvite crystal formation (FLUTD). Some magnesium is necessary, but generally look for cat food that has a maximum of 0.025% magnesium to prevent struvite crystals.

5. Does Cat Food Contain DL-Methionine?

DL-Methionine is an amino acid with sulfur, which helps regulate ammonia formation in urine. This amino acid helps maintain your cat's urine pH balance around 6.6, which is normal and does not encourage crystal formation.

And...since cats are cats (which means they are in charge!), be aware that what you select for them may not be what they want to eat, if they don't like taste. If this happens, you'll need to start over again until you find a wholesome, nutritious cat food that merits two paws up from your feline!

Keep these five factors in mind when shopping for cat food to maintain your kitty's urinary tract and prevent FLUTD.

And remember, when you're considering changing your cat's diet, consult with your vet. She or he will give you expert guidance and information to make transition easier for your and your kitty.

Nancy has successfully eliminated cat urine odor from her home, and kept the kitty that caused it. The Cat Urine Odor Advisor helps you save money and stop the damage in your household by offering solutions that work together to eliminate cat urine odor from your home.

Another important factor to consider when providing scratching surfaces is their location. If you watch your cat, you'll notice she will tend to look for a scratching spot wherever you spend a lot of time. That is why so many cats ruin their owner's easy chair or couch. She is marking your spot as part of her territory, claiming ownership over you just in case some other cat comes in and gets wrong idea. Putting a scratching post beside your favorite relaxing place will let her do her job without annoying you.

Remember, too, that your entire home is her territory. For that reason, it is a good idea to place scratching surfaces throughout house, in places where you tend to linger. Bedrooms, kitchens, home offices are all places that are important to your cat because that is where you are likely to be.

If your cat persists in scratching furniture instead of appropriate surface, you will have to retrain her. When you catch her about to scratch inappropriately, say "no" in a loud voice. Pick her up and carry her to her scratching surface. Some experts suggest gently taking her paw and simulating scratching to give her right idea. If your cat only attacks furniture when you are out of sight, it might be best to confine her to one room when you can't supervise her. Be sure to put food, water, a litter box and, of course, a scratching surface in room with her. Once she seems to have gotten hang of only using her scratching posts, she can have free run of house again.