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I have an extra Your Cat book. Brand new. If you don't have one and want one, MC, I can send it to you.
I would like that very much, thank you!
As for the pH vs moisture, I've read a lot about both, too. I think it depends on the cat and the situation.
For instance my Mazy cat is on a high moisture diet (all canned and raw) and yet her pH is still high, according to her last UA at the vet. It was 8.0. This was a home catch and the phinex strip said that same urine was 6.75. Granted some bacteria was detected also and she did go on a course of antibiotics. I don't think it's been tested since then, I can't seem to get her to the vet with a full enough bladder for the cystocentesis, but she is asymptomatic.
I have a friend whose cat has idiopathic cystitis. He is on an all canned partial raw diet. His pH is always normal (6.5) but he periodically has bouts of showing urinary tract disease symptoms. Stress induced inflammation is the hypothesis.
I also know of another cat on an all raw diet who still has urinary tract issues, a female. I can't remember the details of hers, if it is pH related or what, but she was on a dry diet for many years before going raw. Just as Mazy was, and my friend with the boy cat was.
So I think moisture is the most important thing. Then, if the problems continue, pH has to be considered.