The Formula

For dogs (there is a separate formula for cats), Royal Canin has a formula titled “Royal Canin Urinary SO”. This formula is only available by obtaining a prescription from a veterinarian. It contains many ingredients that are marketed as being able to help dogs deal with urinary tract problems.

The Ingredients

The first five ingredients in Royal Canin Urinary SO for dogs are: rice, ground corn, chicken fat, chicken meal and natural flavors. Other ingredients include corn gluten meal, dried egg product, salt, powdered cellulose, potassium chloride, fish oil and monocalcium phosphate. The main criticism of this formula is that it contains two carbohydrate ingredients (rice and corn) as its first two ingredients. These make up the bulk of the formula .The third ingredient, chicken fat, can be dangerous in high concentrations, just like any other fat product.

Helping with Urinary Problems

There are several methods that Royal Canin Urinary SO uses to address urinary problems in dogs. One of these methods is called “Relative Super Saturation” (RSS). This method predicts the potential of certain ingredients to cause crystallization of urine. Royal Canin apparently uses this scale to determine what to add to their Urinary SO formula. Urinary SO also contains ingredients to dissolve struvite uroliths, as well as decreasing the saturation of the urine by dilution. According to Royal Canin, their formula helps to prevent three conditions: stiruvite urolithaisis, calcium oxalate urolithiasis and calcium phosphate (brushite) urolithiasis.

Customer Reviews

According to dog owners, opinions on the effectiveness of Royal Canin Urinary SO are mixed. Some dog owners reported that it can be used combined with veterinary-prescribed medications. However, some dog owners also said that it wasn’t completely effective at helping their dogs deal with urinary tract problems.

How to Treat Your Cat

To use Frontline Plus on your cat, you first have to know the proper procedure. Improper application of Frontline Flea for cats could result in it being ineffective at controlling fleas. First, prepare the product by removing it from its package. However, do not open the package until you have your cat ready to be treated. Since some cats can be resistant to being treated, it’s best to first calm your cat in a neutral area. Bring them into your lap, and wait until they are relaxed to apply the product. During the application process, you may need to ask a friend or family member to help hold your cat. Snap off the applicator tip from the Frontline tube, and place it between your cat’s shoulder blades. Squeeze the tube until it’s empty, keeping the product as close to your cat’s skin as possible. It’s not necessary to do two applications, or to apply in a “stripe” down your cat’s back. Frontline works best when applied in a single spot.

Frontline Plus Product Info

The active ingredients in Frontline Plus are fipronil and (S)-methoprene. Fipronil is responsible for killing the fleas through disruption of their central nervous system. S-Methoprene causes the fleas to be stuck in their juvenile life phase, which disrupts their life cycle. The combination of these ingredients is extremely effective at eradicating a flea infestation. Side effects are relatively rare, and are usually related to localized skin irritations at the application site.

Why does Cat Urine Smell?

Many people often ask the question, “Why does cat urine smell so bad?”. Indeed, the aroma of cat urine is very strong, with a distinct ammonia-like smell. This strong smell comes from a special type of protein that is contained in cat urine. When a cat sprays or urinates indoors, this protein is the cause of the strong odor.

Why is Cat Urine Difficult to Get Rid Of?

Part of the reason why cat urine is difficult to get rid of is because of its strong smell. However, when a cat urinates on a specific area, their urine often forms dried crystals. While you can mask the odor of these dried crystals temporarily with air freshener or carpet spray, the crystals may once again emit cat urine odor when they become moist. In order to fully banish this smell, it’s best if you use a high-powered cat urine odor remover that is designed to neutralize the odor of cat urine.

Why do Cats Urinate Indoors?

There are many reasons why your cat may be urinating indoors. Some cats may urinate to mark their territory, especially if they have not been spayed or neutered. Other cats frequently urinate when exposed to unfamiliar people or situations. It may even be possible that your cat is urinating in an attempt to get your attention, or if they feel neglected.

What Can I Do to Get Rid of Cat Urine Odor?

There are many methods that you can use to banish the smell of cat urine from your home. When understanding how to remove cat urine odor, it’s best if you first identify the reason why your cat is urinating. This way, you can prevent future incidents, and lower the chance of repeat cleanups.

To remove cat urine odor, you can use a mixture of common household substances. Some people recommend mixing the following ingredients:

• White Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Dishwashing Detergent
• Hydrogen Peroxide

These ingredients can be combined to make a solution that can help to neutralize the strong odor of cat urine.

You may also choose to purchase a commercial cat urine removal product. These products are formulated to help permanently disperse the distinct smell of cat urine. However, as with any product, it’s essential that you follow the specific directions on the product. Some cat urine removal products need to be left on the urine spot for a designated period of time, in order for them to be able to neutralize the cat urine.

Buying a Cat

1. Positive Aspects
   When you purchase a cat, you will most likely be buying it from a pet store. If you are looking for a specific breed of cat, you may begin your search at a breeder that specializes in the breed you are searching for. When buying from a breeder, you will often get certification stating that your cat is purebred, which may make your cat eligible to participate in cat shows. Many cat shows require proof that a cat is purebred.
2. Negative Aspects
   When purchasing a cat, you are supporting the “pet mills” that produce the animals that you see at many pet stores. In addition to this, thousands of cats are abandoned each year, and are in need of a loving home. Many of the animals in shelters will be euthanized, and by purchasing a cat, you are instead supporting the further breeding of more commercial cats. In addition to this, purchased cats may have genetic defects resulting from inbreeding or poor nutrition, which is common at many pet stores.

Adopting a Cat

1. Positive Aspects
   When you choose to adopt a cat from an animal shelter, you are providing a loving, caring home for an animal that truly needs your love. Many cats in animal shelters are already litter-box trained, and are desperate for human attention. In addition to this, many animal shelters provide spaying/neutering, vaccinations and basic medical care for cats in their care for no extra charge. By adopting a cat from a shelter, you are saving it from being one of the thousands of cats that are euthanized at animal shelters each year.
2. Negative Aspects
   If you do not adopt a cat from a reputable shelter, you may have to deal with improper medical care that occurred during a cat’s shelter care. Some cats from shelters may have been extensively abused, and may require extra care before they are able to interact with humans on a normal level.

Conclusion

In general, there are more benefits associated with adopting a cat from an animal shelter than from purchasing a cat from a breeder or pet store. Due to overcrowding in animal shelters, thousands of cats are killed each year simply because shelters do not have enough room. Adopting a cat from an animal shelter is less expensive as well, since many common medical care procedures are included in the small adoption fee from most shelters.