Preventing struvite crystals in British Blue cats

A neutered male British Blue trying to prevent struvite crystals — this is exactly the right thing to be proactive about. Male cats have a narrow urethra, and British Blues are already prone to urinary issues, so getting ahead of this is smart. On the wet versus dry question: wet food wins here, full stop. It dramatically increases water intake, which dilutes urine and makes crystal formation much less likely. Dry food, even urinary-specific dry food, just doesn't hydrate cats the way wet does. So before I make a specific recommendation — is he currently on any food, and has he had any urinary symptoms yet, or are you purely in prevention mode?

Good — your vet is right to flag it, and the fact he's symptom-free means you have real room to make a difference now rather than reacting to a problem. Royal Canin dry is a decent food, but the British Shorthair formula isn't designed for urinary health specifically. The shift I'd make is straightforward: move him onto Royal Canin Urinary S/O wet food as his main diet. It's formulated to create a urine environment that actively discourages struvite crystal formation — it lowers urinary pH and reduces the concentration of minerals that bind into crystals. Wet format matters enormously here because the extra moisture throughput is doing a lot of the protective work. A few questions before I confirm that's the right call: what does he weigh roughly, and is he indoor-only?

6.5kg for a British Blue male is reasonable — they're a chunky breed. Indoor and neutered does mean his calorie needs are lower, so portion control matters alongside the food choice. My clear recommendation is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary S/O wet food in the 85g pouches. It's available on Amazon UK, reasonably priced per pouch, and it's the most evidence-backed wet food specifically for struvite prevention in cats. The S/O formula works on two fronts: it acidifies urine to prevent struvite, and it's low enough in certain minerals to not feed the problem. For a 6.5kg cat you're looking at roughly 3–4 pouches a day depending on activity. I'd cut out the dry entirely if you can — or at least make wet the 80–90% of his diet. The hydration effect is the biggest lever you have here.

Honestly, some cats take to wet food immediately and some are suspicious of it for a week or two — it's not unusual for a lifelong dry-food cat to be a bit snobbish at first. The trick is to transition slowly: mix a small amount of the wet into his current dry food and gradually shift the ratio over 10–14 days. Warming the wet food slightly (just to body temperature) can also help — it releases the smell and makes it more appealing. If he's resistant, try it on a flat plate rather than a bowl; British Blues can be funny about their whiskers touching the sides. Stick with it — most cats come around, and the urinary benefit is significant enough that it's worth the effort.

A few simple things that genuinely help. First, water availability — multiple water bowls in different spots, and many cats prefer a fountain over a still bowl. It sounds minor but it makes a real difference to how much they drink. Second, keep an eye on his litter tray: if you notice him straining, going frequently with little output, or any blood, get him to a vet quickly — don't wait. Third, schedule a urine check with your vet in about 6 months after the diet change; they can check pH and look for crystals early. The food switch is the biggest thing, but those three habits together give him a really solid foundation.