Magnesium ion and Ph >6 bad for cats

• Initial Findings: Early studies with high magnesium diets did show a link between magnesium and Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), leading some to propose restricting magnesium in cat food.
• More Important Factor: It was later discovered that urine pH is a more significant factor in struvite stone formation than the amount of magnesium itself.
• How it Works: Struvite crystals (made of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate) are less likely to form in acidic urine. When magnesium is in certain forms (like magnesium oxide) it can raise the urine pH, making stone formation more likely.
• Current Recommendations: Maintaining an acidic urine pH (around 6.0-6.4) and feeding a diet with controlled magnesium levels can help prevent struvite stones.