Best Cat Foods For Urinary Tract Health In 2023
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Urinary tract issues can be a common problem in cats. These problems can range from simple urinary tract infections (UTIs) to more complex conditions like Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). When affected, cats may experience painful urination, blood in the urine, or frequent attempts to urinate with little success, often leading to great discomfort and distress.
I have also encountered cases where urinary crystals or stones form in the bladder, potentially causing blockages and posing a serious threat to the cat’s well-being.
When urinary tract health is compromised, your cat will undoubtedly suffer, and in some cases, these conditions can lead to life-threatening emergencies. Hence, it’s crucial to address urinary tract health proactively.
I deal with urinary tract health in cats regularly and dedicate a significant amount of time researching the best cat foods formulated to support urinary health to recommend to my patients’ owners.
An appropriate diet is one of the ways that you can help prevent or manage urinary tract issues in cats.
It is always essential for your cat to see a vet when you suspect urinary tract problems; other diseases might have similar symptoms to urinary tract issues, or the urinary tract issues might be secondary to other underlying health conditions.
This article will explain or discuss:
What to look for when buying food for a cat with chronic urinary tract issues. The differences between diets and how they aim to alleviate or prevent urinary problems. How specific ingredients and nutrients can promote urinary health. Food options for cats with particular tastes or sensitivities.
Let’s get started.
Our Best Cat Foods For Urinary Tract Health
- Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare
- Royal Canin Urinary SO
- Purina Pro Plan UR Urinary Formula
- Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet WU Weight Management + Urinary Care
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control
- Iams Proactive Health Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food
- Nutro Max Adult Wet Cat Food
- Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care
- Weruva Classic Cat Slide N’ Serve
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary Feline Dry Food
10 Best Cat Foods For Urinary Tract Health Reviewed
Every cat food mentioned on this list adheres to the AAFCO nutrient criteria for cats. Before altering your cat’s food intake, always seek advice from your vet. Here is our list of products that we think can be the best for your cat’s urinary tract health.
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Pork Liver, Corn Starch, Chicken Fat, Wheat Flour.
- Type of Product: Wet Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Urinary Care & Stress Management
This clinically tested formula is designed to support and maintain urinary health, reducing urinary stones and crystals.
This wet food formula is developed to manage and reduce urinary stones and crystals. Rich in antioxidants and balanced with all essential nutrients, it helps break down struvite stones and reduces the recurrence of most common urinary signs. It even has variations formulated with added stress control, which is known to contribute to urinary issues.
Royal Canin Urinary SO
- First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Pork Liver, Chicken Liver, Chicken By-Products.
- Type of Product: Wet Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Dissolving Struvite Stones
Specifically formulated to dissolve pure struvite stones and helps prevent calcium oxalate stones.
A veterinarian-prescribed diet that’s aimed specifically at dissolving pure struvite stones and preventing calcium oxalate stones. This wet food formulation increases urine volume to dilute urinary minerals and helps ensure a urinary environment less likely to form crystals and stones. Its balanced nutrients support overall health.
Purina Pro Plan UR Urinary Formula
- First 5 Ingredients: Water, Chicken, Poultry By-Products, Rice, Artificial and Natural Flavors.
- Type of Product: Wet Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Reducing Urinary pH
Helps maintain urinary tract health by reducing urinary pH and providing low dietary magnesium.
This formula aims to maintain urinary tract health by reducing urinary pH and providing low dietary magnesium. High-quality protein sources and a balanced nutrient profile also promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. The specific ingredients work together to provide an environment that makes it difficult for struvite and oxalate crystals to form.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet WU Weight Management + Urinary Care
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg.
- Type of Product: Wet Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Weight Management & Urinary Care
Supports weight management and urinary health, providing controlled mineral levels to prevent stone formation.
A dual-purpose diet that assists in managing weight and urinary health simultaneously. This wet food is formulated with controlled levels of minerals like magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus to help dissolve urinary stones. The high fiber content also aids in weight management, and it is grain-free to meet some cats’ dietary needs.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat, Powdered Cellulose.
- Type of Product: Dry Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Urinary Health & Hairball Control
Clinically tested to support the health of the whole urinary system and manage hairballs.
This dry food is clinically tested to support the entire urinary system, providing optimal levels of magnesium to prevent stone formation. Additionally, natural fibers help manage hairballs, a common problem in cats. Rich in omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, it promotes a healthy immune system as well.
Iams Proactive Health Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Corn Grits, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat.
- Type of Product: Dry Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Urinary Tract Health
Reduces urinary pH and provides low magnesium for overall urinary tract health.
Designed to reduce urinary pH and provide low magnesium, this dry food supports the overall urinary tract health. The formula features real chicken as the main ingredient, offering high-quality protein. It’s fortified with essential nutrients to support heart health and strong muscles and has an optimal omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio for a shiny coat.
Nutro Max Adult Wet Cat Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Beef Liver, Cod.
- Type of Product: Wet Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: General Urinary Support
Formulated to support overall health, including the urinary tract, with real proteins and limited ingredients.
This wet food offers real proteins and limited ingredients, focusing on overall health, including the urinary tract. Its high moisture content helps to keep the urinary tract functioning smoothly, and it avoids artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. A grain-free option, it’s suitable for cats that might have sensitivities to common fillers.
Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care
- First 5 Ingredients: Pork Liver, Brewers Rice, Corn Starch, Pork Fat, Chicken.
- Type of Product: Wet Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Kidney Health
While targeting kidney care, this diet also helps with overall urinary health by controlling levels of minerals that can cause crystals and stones.
Primarily targeted at kidney care, this wet food also helps overall urinary health. It is formulated to protect vital kidney and heart function while controlling mineral levels that can cause crystals and stones in the urinary tract. Enhanced with essential vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, it offers balanced nutrition.
Weruva Classic Cat Slide N’ Serve
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Tuna, Xanthan Gum, Locust Bean Gum.
- Type of Product: Wet Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Hydration & Urinary Support
Grain-free and with high moisture content, this food helps maintain proper urinary tract health by keeping cats hydrated.
A grain-free and high moisture content wet food that emphasizes hydration and urinary support. By maintaining proper hydration, it promotes a healthy urinary tract. It features real meats like chicken and tuna, providing essential proteins, and is packaged in convenient pouches, ensuring fresh and easy-to-serve meals.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary Feline Dry Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal.
- Type of Product: Dry Food
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Urinary Crystals and Stones
This prescription diet helps in managing urinary crystals and stones by controlling mineral levels and urinary pH.
This prescription dry food helps manage urinary crystals and stones by controlling mineral levels and urinary pH. Specifically formulated to create an environment unfavorable for the formation of both struvite and calcium oxalate crystals, it also supports bladder health. The kibble encourages increased water intake, further supporting urinary health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How does the best cat food for Urinary Tract Health aid in maintaining a healthy urinary system in cats?
The best cat food for Urinary Tract Health is specifically formulated to promote a balanced urinary pH and lower urinary tract health. It often contains controlled mineral levels to prevent crystal formation, along with other nutrients such as antioxidants and omega fatty acids to support overall urinary health. Moreover, such cat food may also promote increased water intake, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy urinary tract.
Are there particular ingredients to look for in the best cat food for Urinary Tract Health?
Yes, when looking for the best cat food for Urinary Tract Health, it’s essential to seek ingredients that support a healthy urinary system. These may include sources of dietary fiber, controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, and ingredients that promote a healthy urinary pH. Additionally, ingredients that encourage increased water intake, such as wet cat food formulations, can be beneficial. Consulting with a veterinarian can provide personalized advice based on your cat’s specific needs.
Is wet or dry cat food better for promoting Urinary Tract Health?
Wet cat food is often recommended for supporting Urinary Tract Health as it provides additional hydration, which is beneficial for flushing the urinary tract and maintaining a healthy urinary pH balance. However, there are also specially formulated dry cat foods designed to support urinary tract health. It’s advisable to discuss with your veterinarian to determine the most suitable type of cat food for your cat’s urinary health.
How can I transition my cat to the best cat food for Urinary Tract Health if they are used to a different diet?
Transitioning to a new diet should be done gradually to allow your cat’s digestive system to adjust. Start by mixing a small amount of the best cat food for Urinary Tract Health with their current food, gradually increasing the new food’s proportion over a period of 7-10 days. Monitoring your cat for any adverse reactions or changes in urination habits during this transition period is advisable. Consulting with your veterinarian before making dietary changes is always a good practice to ensure the new diet will benefit your cat’s urinary tract health.
What ingredients should cats avoid with urinary problems?
Cats with urinary problems should avoid the following ingredients in their diet:
1. Magnesium: High levels of magnesium can contribute to the formation of crystals and urinary stones in cats.
2. Ash: Excessive ash content in cat food can increase the alkalinity of urine, potentially leading to urinary issues.
3. Unbalanced Minerals: An improper balance of minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, can disrupt urinary health in cats.
4. High Carbohydrates: Diets high in carbohydrates can affect the pH balance of urine and contribute to urinary problems.
5. Low Moisture Content: Dry cat food with low moisture content can lead to inadequate hydration, which may increase the risk of urinary issues.
It’s important to consult with a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and specific dietary recommendations for your cat’s urinary health.
Is wet or dry food better for cats with UTI?
There is no definitive answer to whether wet or dry food is better for cats with urinary tract infections (UTI). However, wet food is generally recommended for cats with UTI as it has a higher moisture content, which can help increase their overall hydration levels. Increased hydration can help flush out the urinary system and promote urinary tract health. It’s important to consult with a veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations tailored to your cat’s condition.
How can I keep my cat’s urinary tract healthy?
To keep your cat’s urinary tract healthy, you can follow these tips:
1. Provide fresh water: Ensure your cat has access to clean and fresh water at all times to encourage regular hydration.
2. Balanced diet: Feed your cat a balanced diet that is appropriate for their age, breed, and health condition. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best diet for your cat’s urinary health.
3. Moisture-rich food: Consider incorporating wet or moist food into your cat’s diet. This can help increase their overall water intake and promote urinary tract health.
4. Avoid excessive dry food: Limit the amount of dry food in your cat’s diet, as it can contribute to dehydration. If you choose to feed dry food, make sure your cat has plenty of water available.
5. Regular exercise: Encourage regular exercise to help maintain your cat’s overall health, including their urinary tract.
6. Provide clean litter box: Keep the litter box clean and accessible to your cat. A dirty litter box may discourage urination and lead to urinary issues.
7. Monitor litter box habits: Watch for any changes in your cat’s litter box habits, such as frequent urination or straining to urinate. These signs may indicate a urinary tract problem, and you should consult your veterinarian.
8. Stress reduction: Minimize stressors in your cat’s environment, as stress can contribute to urinary tract issues. Provide a calm and comfortable space for your cat.
Remember to consult your veterinarian for personalized advice and any specific concerns about your cat’s urinary tract health.
