Magnesium Oxide
Our ingredient score: 3 / 5 · Mineral · How We Score
Magnesium oxide is a mineral compound used to add magnesium to cat food. Magnesium is needed for muscles and nerves to work, for bone structure and for energy production. It contains a lot of magnesium for its weight, but cats absorb it less well than some other forms. Too much magnesium in the food can raise the risk of struvite urinary stones, especially in cats whose urine is alkaline.
Common Questions
Is magnesium oxide well absorbed by cats?
Less well than some other forms. It contains a lot of magnesium for its weight, but cats absorb a smaller share of it.
Is magnesium oxide safe for cats?
Magnesium oxide is a mineral compound used to add magnesium to food. Cats need magnesium for muscle and nerve function. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that excess magnesium is excreted in the urine. If your cat has a history of urinary crystals or stones, ask your veterinarian about the magnesium content of its food.
Source: merckvetmanual.com
Why is magnesium oxide in cat food?
Magnesium oxide is added to supply magnesium. It contains a high share of magnesium by weight, so only a small amount is needed. It is rare in dry cat foods; most of the magnesium in cat food comes from meat and bone.
Does magnesium cause struvite crystals in cats?
Magnesium is one of the building blocks of struvite, which is magnesium ammonium phosphate. Urine pH and the amount of magnesium and phosphate in the urine affect whether struvite forms. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that excess magnesium is excreted in the urine. Urinary diets are prescribed by a veterinarian.
Source: merckvetmanual.com
Is magnesium oxide the same as milk of magnesia?
No. Milk of magnesia is magnesium hydroxide in water, used as a laxative in people. Magnesium oxide is a dry mineral powder. They are related compounds, but do not give a cat any human laxative or antacid without a veterinarian's advice.
How does Pettings score magnesium oxide?
Pettings gives magnesium oxide 3 out of 5 and lists it as a mineral. It appears on 3 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Our How We Score page explains how ingredient scores are set. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.
How Foods With Magnesium Oxide Compare
Magnesium Oxide is on the label of 3 of the 149 dry cat foods we list.