Are you hunting high and low for the best cat food for cats with urinary tract infections? But find what’s the best cat food to prevent urinary tract infections all greek. The surprising truth is you are not alone. The world is full of millions of pet parents who are at sixes and sevens when it’s time to decide what to feed cats with urinary tract infections. Most aged/senior cats suffer from urinary tract issues, because a lion’s share of cats is prone to urinary tract disease.
Before jumping into the best cat foods for urinary health take a look at:
- What is urinary tract disease?
- What are the signs of urinary tract infection in cats?
- How to diagnose urinary tract infection in cats?
- How do cats get urinary tract infections?
- How to treat UTI in cats?
- How to prevent UTI in cats?
- What to feed a cat with urinary problems?
Let’s dive in.
What is urinary tract disease?
The feline lower urinary tract disease primarily affects the urethra and bladder in this situation the cat isn’t able to urinate in full or partially. Under normal circumstances, the toxic substances, struvite stones, or calcium oxalate crystals get dissolved in the urine, and these harmful items flush out of the system with the urine.
With UTIs, it’s highly possible that your cat’s narrow passage gets blocked and it’s difficult for your feline friend to execrate the urine and flush out the toxic materials with the urine. If this ailment is left untreated, you may witness that the urine is tinged with blood and most probably your cat screams since the disease makes the urination process difficult.
7 Signs of urinary tract infection in Cats
Under normal circumstances, the urine is formed and stored in the bladder, and in the course of time, the urine flows out of your feline companion through the urethra. But when the bacteria come into the urethra or bladder, the chances are higher that the bacteria will grow or reproduce in the urethra that in turn will result in the development of struvite stones in the bladder.
When your furry friend suffers from urinary tract infections, here are the most common symptoms:
- The cat urinates at short intervals, but the amount of urine decreases to a degree since it can not urinate each time and the toxic waste products aren’t released through urination.
- The cat urinates here and there. In the majority of the cases they urinate outside the litter box.
- They excrete the urine that is tinged with blood.
- With UTI, your feline friend’s urine is filled with struvite stones. It may experience pain while urinating and your feline friend may scream and have tearful eyes while urinating.
- When your cat is suffering from urinary tract infections, in most of the cases, the urine is filled with waste products and hence the urine has a strong ammonia odor.
- It licks the genital area over and over.
- Your cat’s thirst increases by leaps and bounds and in turn, the water intake will step up.
Once you have witnessed any of the symptoms, schedule an appointment with your vet ASAP. On successfully diagnosing with urinary tract infections, your vet will recommend the best form of treatment that will assist your feline friend to lead a happy life where she thrives.
It’s a tough assignment to clean the urine that your cat excretes here and there. But when you apply Live Pee Free [20% Off] which promotes an odor elimination formula where positive ions crush the negative ions that are the main jailbirds behind the nasty smelling odor with the aim that you won’t find any traces of ill-smelling odors once you finished the cleaning.
How to diagnose urinary tract infection in cats?
When your cat screams with the pain while urinating or urinates here and there frequently in a smaller amount, then this is an alarming signal that you should contact your vet ASAP. It’s highly likely that your vet will collect the sample of your cat’s urine to run a urinalysis to access whether it’s acidic or has struvite stones or calcium oxalate crystals in the urine, and counting. If your vet hasn’t identified whether your cat is suffering from UTIs, your vet will perform multiple tests including radiographs, blood work, and urine culture to access whether your cat is suffering from UTIs or not.
If you’re interested in detecting whether your feline friend is suffering from multiple health hazards or not, then you may be interested in what Pretty Litter is offering. In the situation of the litter’s color is turning red or blue, it’s a clear signal that your feline companion is suffering from urinary tract issues.
What causes urinary tract infections in cats?
Cats that have celebrated their 10th birthday, and are overweight owing to the lack of outdoor activity or eat only dry foods most of the time, are prone to urinary tract issues. However, all the cats are susceptible to urinary tract issues with no exception. As the male cats have longer, thinner urethras when compared to female counterparts, it’s highly likely that struvite stones or calcium oxalate crystals get developed in the cat’s urethra, which blocks the narrower passage resulting in urinary tract issues in cats.
Here are a few common reasons why your cat is suffering from urinary tract problems.
Urinary Tract Infection – The cat’s bladder, urethra, or urinary tract is infected by bacteria, fungi, parasites, in the worst scenario, the virus.
Urolithiasis or Urolith (urinary stones) – The minerals present in the urine lend a helping hand in forming tiny crystals and even large struvite stones in the cat’s bladder that result in bloody urination, and your cat probably screams owing to pain that it experiences while urinating.
Urethral Obstruction – The cat’s urethra is blocked due to struvite stones or calcium oxalate crystals that are present in the urine and your cat won’t be able to execrate urine from the body.
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis – Any tampering with your cat’s diet can lead to emotional stress and increase the chances of UTIs.
When your cat suffers from other health conditions namely diabetes and hyperthyroidism, they can play havoc with your furry friend’s urinary tract system.
How to treat urinary tract infection in cats?
All aged cats suffer from urinary tract disease, and your cat is not an exception. If left untreated, urinary tract diseases can lead to kidney failure and your cat won’t be able to urinate since the struvite stones or calcium oxalate crystals block the urethra which proves costly and may cost your feline friend’s life.
There’s no instant solution that fits all feline friends who are suffering from urinary tract disease, because the treatment depends on the cat’s health situation and the intensity of the urinary tract infection. However, the proper diet can help your cat to prevent additional UTIs. Your vet will likely recommend you to offer moisture-rich wet cat foods and elevate your cat’s water intake to a degree. The dietary changes will make sure that struvite stones and calcium oxalate crystals get dissolved in the urine and consequently will flush out with the urine. When you see gradual improvements, consult your vet about the diet plan that will keep the urinary tract issues at bay.
As the urinary tract or bladder infections fall in the curable pre-existing conditions, still you can buy a pet insurance plan from multiple insurance providers for instance Embrace, and Eusoh [25% off the first month]. Although the treatment cost of current issues won’t be covered, one thing is sure any of the future illnesses get covered and you won’t need to pay a penny when your feline friend is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and counting.
How to prevent urinary tract infections in cats?
After witnessing the symptoms of urinary tract infection, you must visit the vet without wasting any time. If your cat receives proper treatment, your kitty is deemed free from UTI issues within a week.
Apart from the right diet plan, here are the few preventive measures that you can take to keep the urinary tract infections at bay:
- Offer wet canned cat food in the first place. Wet canned foods are moisture-rich that will keep your cat hydrated. However, you can offer dry kibble or mix dry kibble with wet cat food, but limit that once a day.
- Clean the bowl after it finishes the meal or water. A clean and spotless bowl lets your cat have a happy dining experience and you will witness that the cat finishes the meal or consumes water without any trouble.
- Encourage physical activity by offering interactive toys since the overweight cats are prone to diabetes and in the worst scenario urinary tract issues.
- Keep the litter box spotless and put the litter box in the quiet place of the house.
- As a pet parent, it’s your task to keep the stress level of your four-legged child low. Don’t make an upside-down change in diet or daily routine. It may make your cat anxious.
What to feed a cat with urinary problems?
Alike their wild ancestors, the modern housecats need a moisture-rich diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates and magnesium. A nutritionally balanced moisture-rich diet ensures proper hydration and lends a hand to dilute the urine that allows the urinary tract to operate at full tilt and keep the UTI issues at bay.
The low-magnesium diet lowers the pH of the urine to make the urine slightly acidic thus ensuring that the struvite stones and crystals in the urine get dissolved easily and flushed out with the urine. This in turn reduces the chances of urinary tract infections and further development of crystals or stones in the bladder.
On the flip side when you feed your cat dry cat foods, you should encourage your cat to consume more water simply by placing multiple water bowls or installing a water fountain in your kitty’s favorite places.
Since carbohydrates aren’t necessary for cats, it’s a good idea to pick a grain-free cat food that is low in carbohydrates. When your cat has pre-existing urinary tract issues, then pick a cat food that is low in phosphorus. An added bonus, offer your cat nutritionally balanced cat food that promotes the chicken in the first place, not any chicken by-products, and is free from artificial color, additives, or preservatives.
7 Best Cat Food for Cats with Urinary Tract Infections
It’s as clear as the sky is blue that the diet you are offering to your feline companion will decide his overall wellbeing. A proper nutritionally diet can save your cat’s life especially when your cat is diagnosed with urinary tract infections.
The marketplace is full of cat foods where each manufacturer claims itself to be the best in town, so naturally it’s a tuff call for the majority of the pet parents to decide the best canned cat food for urinary health. For your convenience, after upside-down independent research, here a list has been prepared for you about the best cat food for urinary health.
Let’s jump into it.
Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food
No matter what is the age of your kitty, or how severe the urinary tract issues are, it’s a good idea to offer a diet that contains high-quality protein, a natural blend of minerals with optimal magnesium level that supports the urinary health from kidneys to bladder and lowers the risk of hairballs.
Made in the USA from the global ingredients, developed by nutritionists and veterinarians, Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food accommodates chicken as the primary source of high-quality protein that will assist your senior companion to maintain lean muscle and maintain the energy level at the fullest that allows your cat to thrive. This cat food contributes to maintaining beautiful skin and a shiny coat as it’s a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid, and vitamin E.
When you’re on a fishing expedition for the best food for cats with urinary tract issues that will reduce the hairball formation or restore the pH levels of your cat’s urine, you should offer a diet that comes with high-fiber, high-minerals with a restricted amount of magnesium to your four-legged friend.
Fortunately, this wet cat food is high in fiber [both soluble and insoluble fiber], with an optimal balance of minerals, magnesium, that will lower the formation of hairballs, and normalize the pH level by far and large. This highly digestible recipe is free from artificial color, flavors, or preservatives. On top of that, to strengthen the immune system, it’s equipped with vitamins, antioxidants [β-carotene], and essential amino acids.
Above all, this cat food offers a 100% money-back guarantee that is a lifesaver when you have a picky eater. A 100% money-back guarantee ensures if your cat doesn’t like it and refuses to consume. No matter what is the reason, you can return the unused portion of this cat food and the company will credit the amount to your bank account without asking any question. It shows that the company is confident enough that they have offered the best wet cat food for urinary health that won’t disappoint the buyer.
Royal Canin Feline Urinary SO Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food
It’s as clear as the sky is blue that when your feline is suffering from the lower urinary tract disease, the chances are higher that it often refuses the diet whatever nutritionally balanced diet you offer. Here’s the role of Royal Canin Feline Urinary SO Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food that comes into play. This cat food is designed for senior cats. It will lessen your cat’s pain by far and large during bladder movement.
If the crystal formation in the bladder is the prime concern, then this cat food is a lifesaver. This cat food creates an environment unfavorable in the bladder that ensures there’s no struvite and calcium oxalate crystals formation. Because of its lower percentage of magnesium, this cat food gives a helping hand to the dissolving of pure struvite stones that have already been produced in the cat’s urine and prevent the formation of struvite stones to a degree, as magnesium is a natural component of struvite stones.
Since Relative Super Saturation Methodology predicts the crystalization potential of urine, this cat food is quite successful in lowering the ion concentration in urine that gives assistance to struvite and calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Plus, this cat food steps up the amount of urine that your cat produces, making the urine diluted, which ensures that the excess minerals flush out during urination since the minerals can potentially stir up the formation of crystals and stones.
On a negative note, this cat food contains a few low-quality ingredients, like wheat flour, wheat gluten, that are not really necessary for a nutritionally balanced diet for your kitty.
Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Health, High Protein Adult Wet Cat Food
When you are hunting high and low for the best non-prescribed urinary foods for your picky eater then Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Health, High Protein Adult Wet Cat Food will bring a breath of fresh air. Thanks to its chicken entree recipe, this cat food lures the picky eaters and you will witness that your feline friend consumes the meal at full tilt.
With the Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Health, High Protein Adult Wet Cat Food, you won’t have to worry about digestibility and hydration since alike other wet cat foods, this cat food’s moisture stands at 78% that will strengthen urinary health. This nutritious dish contains prebiotic fiber that eases digestion and promotes your kitty’s overall well-being. Its restricted magnesium content assists in lowering the pH in the cat’s urine that in turn minimizes the development of stone formation and keeps the urinary tract infections at bay since magnesium is the main culprit behind the bladder stones.
Made in the US facilities, this cat food is free from artificial color, additives, or preservatives that can stir up urinary upset. Made up of cage-free chicken, this cat food is stuffed with 25 essential vitamins and minerals that are responsible for healthy metabolism, shiny coat, beautiful skin, and counting. Overall, this cat food will play a supportive role from strengthening the immune system to the prevention of bladder stones in the urinary tract and counting.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Urinary & Hairball Control, Chicken Recipe
When you have an outdoor cat and you are a frequent traveler who travels with his kitty nearby, then you can offer it to your feline friend. When your cat is diagnosed with urinary tract problems or hairballs issues, you should replace your regular diet with this one since it takes care of the entire urinary system from reducing the pH in the urine to dissolving the pure struvite stones in the urine and execrate them with urine and counting.
It’s an open secret that when a food accommodates a significant amount of fiber, it will reduce the hairballs notably. The good news is that Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food features chicken which is a rich source of high-quality protein, fibers that will support your fussy friend to stay clear from messy hairballs. This diet also houses vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid that will help your feline companion to retain her shiny coat and beautiful skin.
It’s clinically proven that a blend of vitamins and antioxidants boost overall immunity. Keeping in mind, this cat food has board essential vitamins and antioxidants that will strengthen the immunity system. To skip the digestive problems, this cat food won’t include any red ingredients including artificial color, additives, or preservatives that can stir up digestive issues.
On the downside, to add some carbohydrate content this cat food is equipped with whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal that doesn’t add any nutritional value. Sometimes it can stir up food allergies or sensitivities in cats and your cat probably refuses to consume it.
Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula Adult Cat Food
When you are on a witch hunt for the best dry cat food for urinary health with a budget-friendly price tag, it’s hard to resist including this dry palatable recipe in your feline’s diet. To provide high-quality protein this cat food’s ingredient list includes chicken as the protein content working day in day out in strengthening the muscles that will support your kitty’s daily adventures. To make this dry cat food budget-friendly, Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula Adult Cat Food includes corn gluten meal, ground yellow corn, brewer rice, wheat flour, etc.
This tasty dry kibble quite efficiently supports urinary tract health thanks to its low magnesium content. This cat food will reduce the urinary pH so that the stones that have been developed till now get dissolved in the cat’s urine and flushed out during urination. Though it makes the urine more acidic, it brings into being an unfavorable condition where it’s difficult to form the crystals further. Plus, it accommodates omega-3 fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid to support a shiny coat and beautiful skin, while vitamins and antioxidants keep the immune system up and running.
If your cat has a sensitive stomach, then you may offer this cat food to your kitty since you won’t find any traces of artificial color, additives, or preservatives that will keep the stomach upset or digestive issues at bay. Unlike other food brands, Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula Adult Cat Food comes up with a 28-day challenge where the company gives assurance when you offer this cat food for 28 days, your feline friend will have bright eyes, a shiny coat, and the immune system will get elevated.
IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food
IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food works exceptionally well when you offer it to your aged senior cat in terms of reducing the pH of the urine and dissolving the existing crystals into the urine so that they can be flushed out during urination. No matter whether you have an indoor or outdoor aged feline friend, you can offer this palatable food with no exception.
When you have a picky eater to feed a nutritionally balanced diet, offer your kitty this cat food since it’s harder for your kitty to refuse the dry kibbles thanks to its aromatic flavor. It is made with irresistible chicken that will support strong muscles.
The size of the dry kibble is designed in such a way that it can fit comfortably within your kitty’s mouth. It results in a decrease in plaque build-up within the mouth and your cat has strong teeth. To boost immunity this cat food accommodates the ingredients that are rich sources of vitamin E, and calcium & potassium to keep the cardiovascular issues at bay. A lion’s share of the pet owners finds this dry cat food a suitable one to support urinary tract health for overall wellbeing.
On the downside, IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food contains several non-meat products that won’t treat as necessary in a cat’s diet including ground whole grain corn, corn grits, brewer rice.
Wysong Uretic Dry Cat Food
Wysong is known for a budget-friendly nutrient-dense diet that can empower multiple generations with satisfactory results. This highly palatable dish’s first three ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat. The fresh/frozen chicken will give the essential high-quality protein that will support the muscles. Since excess minerals can lead to crystal formation in the bladder and lead to a painful situation, Wysong Uretic Dry Cat Food eliminates the excess minerals. While naturally sourced, urinary-important methionine is added in order to increase the acidity of the urine, which prevents the formation of struvite crystal further and winds down the odor that comes from the feline urine.
This cat food includes fresh wholesome fruits and vegetables to provide the micronutrients that your feline friend needs to lead an active and healthy life where she thrives. To ease digestibility and make sure the intestine absorbs the nutrients from the food that you have offered, this cat food has high levels of enzymes. Meanwhile, antioxidants make sure that the immune system is up and running.
Free from artificial color, additives, or preservatives Wysong Uretic Dry Cat Food won’t stir any food sensitivities and promote better digestion that will satisfy your feline friend’s taste. Consequently, it will finish the meal without any complaint. When you have multiple cats across various breeds, you can offer this cat food without worry since the manufacturer claims that it’s a suitable one for all cat breeds and life stages.
Final Thoughts
To promote urinary health a grain-free high moisture low magnesium and low carbs cat food is a sweet spot. The palatable canned cat foods keep your cat hydrated and the easy-to-digest food formula rules out the digestive issues and lets your cat lead a happy life where your feline thrives.
- Read also: 7 Best High Protein Low Carb Canned Cat Food
- Read also: 7 Best High Protein Low Phosphorus Cat Food
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to treat a cat’s UTI?
Depending on the intensity of the infection and the effectiveness of health supplements, you will witness an improvement within 7 days of treatment, if the UTI isn’t severe.
How to know if your cat has urinary tract infection?
When your cat has UTI issues then it’s likely your cat’s amount of urine decreases to a degree, it may scream or cry, since cats experience pain while urinating and urinates here and there, or your feline’s urine is tinged with blood.
What to do when a cat has UTI?
It’s a good idea to visit the vet ASAP once you witness any of the signs that are mentioned earlier. Your vet will recommend health supplements that will lessen the pH of the urine so that the struvite stones and calcium oxalate crystals get dissolved and execrated with the urine, which in turn, will prevent the development of crystals or stones further.
What causes urinary tract infections in male cats?
When the bacteria successfully infiltrate in the urethra and into the bladder, they continue to grow which lends a helping hand in the formation of struvite stones and calcium oxalate crystals that block the narrow passage and cats aren’t able to execrate the urine in full and this blockage causes the urinary tract infections.
How can I prevent my cat from getting a UTI?
Offer your cat moisture-rich cat food that will reduce the chances of urinary tract issues. When you are offering dry cat foods to your feline friend then you need to find multiple ways to increase water consumption. Place the water bowls in your cat’s favorite places to encourage her to consume a higher amount of water to keep her hydrated day in and day out.
How to help my cat with a urinary tract infection?
A lion’s share of vets recommends moisture-rich cat food that can lower the pH of the urine so that the waste substances get dissolved in the urine and the crystals or stones flush out with urine.
What ingredient in cat food causes urinary problems?
When the cat food contains certain minerals including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in excess, they can potentially assist in the formation of stones or crystals in the urine which leads to urinary problems.
How can I naturally treat my cat’s UTI?
Depending on the UTI’s severity, for a speedy recovery, here is the list of natural ingredients that you can offer to your feline friend along with the vet recommended cat food formula:
Bone Broth – To keep your cat hydrated to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria that can play havoc with urinary health, you should offer bone broth since it’s packed with helpful nutrients to fight any existing infections.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin – They have anti-inflammatory properties that in turn help to reduce the inflammation and will heal the urinary tract issues at full tilt.
Cranberry – That potentially lowers the pH of the urine.
Juniper Berry – Assists the kidney to filter the waste substances and flush them out from the system preventing the harmful bacteria to cause UTIs.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Alike cranberry, it also lowers the pH in your cat’s urine to a degree and creates an unfavorable environment where the bacteria won’t grow.
Parsley Leaf – It increases the thirst by leaps and bounds, increasing your cat’s water intake that will rule out dehydration issues.
Marshmallow root – When your cat is crying owing to the pain it experiences, the marshmallow root kills the bacteria, strengthens the immune system, and reduces the inflammation that in turn lessens the pain.
- Read also: 7 Best Wet Cat Food for Kidney Disease
- Read also: 7 Best Canned Cat Food for Hyperthyroidism
Hope this article has helped you to find the best cat food for cats with urinary tract problems.
Have I missed any best food for cats with urinary tract infections? Make a comment so that I can add it to the list of best cat food for urinary issues.
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