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"These diets were low in magnesium and cats eating them produced an acidic (low pH) urine. As more cats were fed these diets, both for treatment and prevention of struvite, the percentage of cats with struvite stones decreased, but the incidence of calcium oxalate crystals and stones increased.....The research on diet and struvite formation performed in the 1970's demonstrated that high levels of magnesium oxide in the diet could contribute to the formation of stones. This is not true if the magnesium is in the form of magnesium chloride. The difference appears to be that magnesium oxide causes alkaline urine, and magnesium chloride results in the formation of acidic urine....It appears that some cats are genetically predisposed to develop oxalate crystals if they are fed diets that result in acidic urine and are low in magnesium. To reduce the risk in these cats, diets formulated to contain moderate calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels, and with decreased urine acidifying potential should be fed....http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2142&aid=214"