My 3 year old cat, Ivy

Question
QUESTION: I adopted Ivy two months ago from the Cat Rescue Group that I volunteer with.  Ivy will eat only dry food. Because I don't think that is good for her, I have tried adding some wet food of all flavours (also tuna and sardines#, but she won't eat it if the wet food is present and will not even look at wet food on its own.  Any suggestions?  Also, this morning her litter box #urine) smelled so strongly of amonia that it caused me to wince.

Thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Dry food is only bad for a cat if it's bad food. What are you feeding her? That is more important then what form it comes in.Tuna and sardines are good for people but not cats.
They have too much protein and minerals (in the sardines) for a healthy urinary tract in cats. Too much protein can cause kidney issues long term, so it's not advisable either.

You need to get her on a HIGH quality diet such as Science Diet Adult formula or Indoor formula. This food is made of only the highest quality ingredients but better yet it has over 50 yrs of veterinary research behind it. It is formulated for optimal nutrition with Urinary tract health being paramount with that line of research.

Cats on SD have smaller stools because the food is more digested and they barely smell. Their urine is clear and normal.

Some cats just don't like wet food like some of us don't like to eat liver and onions. So instead of trying to force her (always a losing proposition) then get her a food that is known for it's years of keeping pets healthy and high quality.

We have been feeding it and recommending it for over 30 yrs and it has helped hundreds of pets live longer, healthier lives. You cat will thank you. :-)

Try it for one month and if you don't like it, take it back. It is 100% guaranteed.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Good to know that dry food is okay.  Royal Canin is the brand that I currently feed her.  Should I be concerned about the strong odor of amonia in her urine (noticed for first time this morning)?

Answer
Most of the time urine smells that way from sitting for a bit. Urine coming right out of a cat rarely smells that way unless it's an intact tom cat.

I would watch it. It is known that cats for some reason will drink out of a cat fountain much more often then a bowl, so you might want to get her something of that nature to encourage water drinking.

But once again, my cat is on Science Diet and her litter box rarely ever smells at all. I don't know if it's the Royal Canin but really concentrated urine will smell more than more diluted.

Usually urine is that concentrated first thing in the morning unless the cat goes at night. Some will sleep all night like us and then void first thing in the morning and their urine will be stronger.