Best Food For Feline Urinary Tract Health

How To Spot If Your Cat Has A Urinary Tract Infection

Its an unfortunate fact that cats are susceptible to urinary tract disorders often brought on or exaggerated by a poor diet. Specifically, feline lower urinary tract disease is one of the most common cat diseases which can cause severe discomfort while urinating.

As with all medical concerns, its absolutely vital that you seek the advice of a registered veterinarian before trying to solve the problem yourself. Theyll be able to recommend certain foods, and in some cases even prescribe medicines to relieve symptoms.

Inflammation in the bladder is a common symptom of a disorder in feline urine tracts. If your cat is suffering from inflammation, you should be able to notice exaggerated straining while attempting to urinate.

Frequently attempting to urinate is another clear sign that something is wrong. If youve ever experienced a bladder infection yourself, youll be all too familiar with the burning sensation that feels like youre about to pee any second.

Bloody urine is also a sure sign that its time to get your beloved kitty checked up at the vet . This is much less easy to spot if your cat urinates outside, but if you have doubts enough to be checking in the first place you should still be checking up with a professional veterinarian.

Hills Prescription Diet C/d Multicare Feline

The Hills formulation is prescription, as noted in the name, and comes in two flavors: Ocean Fish and Chicken. Hills states that their formulation can be fed long term as a way to reduce the recurrence of urinary stones. And say their food is: Clinically tested to dissolve struvite uroliths in as little as 7 days . As with the other brands, the Hills cat food controls levels of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus to help limit the creation of crystals and stones. Potassium is also added to interrupt bladder stone formation, and vitamin B6 also helps to decrease oxalate formation.

Taste Of The Wild Rocky Mountain Grain

Most Popular Cat Food for Urinary Tract Health: There are many different cat foods out there, so it can be difficult to choose just one for your cat especially if there is not a specific formula your vet recommends. If you want to make a smart choice but youre not sure where to start, consider a popular brand like Taste of the Wild. This brand uses premium-quality roasted meats in grain-free recipes that are loaded with natural flavor. This Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Canned Food is a good option for cats with urinary health issues because it contains animal protein, it is rich in moisture, and it is supplemented with DL-methionine. It contains a fairly short list of main ingredients and has a low concentration of carbohydrates but is still complete and balanced with the use of beneficial supplements like vitamins and chelated minerals.

• Pros: Rich in animal protein, high in moisture, complete and balanced nutrition, very digestible, supplemented with DL-methionine, moderate calorie and fat content
• Cons: Not specifically formulated for urinary health, contains fish ingredients

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Best For Weight Loss: Weruva Nine Liver With Chicken & Chicken Liver In Gravy Grain

• Type: Wet/Canned
• Made In: Thailand

If your cat is prone to urinary tract issues and needs to lose weight, a high-moisture diet like this food from Weruvas Classic Cat line could be an all-purpose solution.

Weruvas Nine Liver with Chicken & Chicken Liver helps to keep urinary issues at bay with a combination of high moisture content, carnivore-appropriate acidity, and relatively low ash content.

With just under 20 calories per ounce, this food is significantly less calorie-dense than any dry food on the market and a bit leaner than many top canned foods. With its satisfying consistency and low calorie content, this food promises to help your cat feel his best while dropping any excess weight.

At just over 10% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis, this food is relatively low-carb and appears to be a species-appropriate choice.

What Ingredient In Cat Food Causes Urinary Crystals

There are different types of crystals and various reasons why a cat might develop them. If the cat is not eating correctly or lacks a balanced diet, those crystals will be forming and growing. The most common crystals are calcium oxalate and Struvite. Any condition that alters the pH of the cats urine, such as kidney disease, causes crystals. Crystals are a clear indication that there are bladder stones or mineral-like formation that develop in the cats bladder.

Whether your cat has crystals or not, only the vet can confirm. The common urinary issues such as not urinating enough, urinating frequently, and having accidents outside are all symptoms of the cat having urinary crystals. The veterinarian then runs a urinary test on the cat to determine if there are crystals present in the cats urine.

Many people think that age is a factor when it comes to when cats develop crystals. Younger cats develop crystals in their urine just as the older cats do. However, not all cats with bladder stones have crystals in their urine, so only ultrasound will determine whether they are crystals.

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Do Not Mix With Other Cat Foods

Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula is designed to be fed exclusively and should not be mixed with any other type of cat food. Thats because Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula is carefully balanced to reduce urinary pH and provide low dietary magnesium. By mixing in other products or switching to other brands, Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula may no longer be effective in reducing urinary pH, which is essential in maintaining urinary tract health.

Best Cat Food For Urinary Tract Health Buying Guide

If your cat is struggling with urinary tract issues, one of these 10 foods could be the perfect solution. With so many options to choose from, were confident that theres something on our list to meet the needs of any feline friend.

Weve also answered some common questions about urinary tract issues in cats, so you can work out whether your kitty needs help, and how you can best support them.

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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary So

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet SO is the next canned food to make it onto our list. Royal Canin is also a well-known name when it comes to special diets, and the Urinary SO is one of their best offerings.

This particular formula helps your darling cat tackle a range of health issues, including cystitis. According to Royal Canin, it promotes a urinary environment that is unfavorable to the development of urine crystals and kidney stones.

Thanks to its low magnesium content, your kittys kidneys arent taxed since they dont filter excessive amounts of minerals. Also, the high moisture content of the food helps dilute urine and increase urine volume, making it easier to flush out wastes.

Moreover, this canned food is quite appealing to cats because it primarily consists of chicken, with pork as its second protein source. Adding to that is a selection of safe and high-quality fish oils that supply your kitty with omega fatty acids to help its skin and coat flourish even more.

Since an impaired kidney function cant properly produce hemoglobin, I appreciate that Royal Canin also fortified this recipe with iron. As such, your cat is a step ahead of anemia and maintain high energy levels.

However, you will need your vets prescription to buy the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO even when purchasing online.

How To Know If Your Cat Needs A Best Urinary Tract Cat Food

If your cat is like mine and is very shy to go in front of you, spotting the first few signs of urinary tract infection can be a challenge. But as parents, we do need to find ways to keep an eye on them. Some of the visible symptoms of UTI are:

Straining to go to urinate

Your cat might find it difficult to urinate. She could be passing too little urine and it feels like she is struggling hard to relieve herself.

Bladder inflammation

If the urine is cloudy, bloody, or dribbling, chances are high she has inflammation. Bloody urine can also be a sign of internal injury or blockage. If you notice blood in the urine, seek an appointment with the vet immediately.

Frequently attempting to urinate

If your cat has no problem using the litter box but all of a sudden she is urinating outside it, then it surely is an alarm. This is a sign your kitty is facing some discomfort.

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Wellness Core Simply Shred Grain

If youre simply trying to increase the moisture content of your cats food, you might consider something like this Wellness CORE Simply Shred Grain-Free Boneless Chicken Wet Cat Food Topper. This food topper contains just three ingredients: chicken, chicken broth, and water. It is not a complete and balanced recipe, so it can only be used as a food topper, but it will increase the moisture and protein content of whatever cat food you are currently feeding your cat. Simply tear open the pouch and pour it over your cats food then watch him enjoy it!

The Role Stress Plays

It is well documented in both laboratory studies and client-owned cats that exacerbations of lower urinary tract signs occur with external environmental stressors. It is known that cats with idiopathic cystitis have increased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase within the locus coeruleus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus . In addition, it has been shown there is greater activity in the locus coeruleus, an area of the brain that not only deals with vigilance and arousal, but in which the highest number of noradrenergic neurons are found. It is also an important source of noradrenaline within the central nervous system . In addition, chronic external stress is known to escalate the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase with accompanying increases in autonomic outflow . Cumulatively, these alterations lead to an altered response to stress.

Normal cats respond to stress with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This is seen as increased activity in the locus coeruleus, higher plasma catecholamine concentrations, enhanced adrenal sensitivity to adrenocorticotropic hormone , greater secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex, and increased urine cortisol concentrations. The role of glucocorticoids and other alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists is complex. However, one of their essential functions is to provide negative feedback to control the stress response, which they do by inhibiting further transmission of noxious signals to the brain.

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What Is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

FLUTD stands for Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and is a term used to describe any group of disorders or diseases that affects the lower urinary tract in cats. The most common disorder of the group is feline idiopathic cystitis . FIC involves inflammation by an unknown cause, but stress is thought to be a significant factor. FLUTD is also associated with the formation of crystals/stones in the urinary tract that can cause numerous and painful ailments for your cat. The two most common types of crystals/stones are struvite and calcium oxalate. FLUTD is serious and requires medical attention. Fortunately, you can help your cat recover with treatment from your veterinarian and the right nutrition.

Best Wet: Hill’s Prescription Diet C/d Multicare Urinary Care With Chicken Canned Cat Food

Key Ingredients: Pork Liver, Carrots, Chicken, Tuna, Wheat Gluten, Rice, Spinach, Corn Starch, Chicken Liver Flavor, Fish Oil, Chicken Fat | Calories per Serving: 82 | Balance: Protein min. 6.5%, Fat min. 3.0%, crude fiber max. 2.0% | Life stage: Adult and senior cats | Texture: Rice sized chunks in a light gravy

• Shown to dissolve struvite crystals and prevents new ones

• Not grain-free

• Requires a veterinary prescription

Nutritionists and veterinarians developed Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care wet cat food specifically to support a cat’s urinary health. Hills claims that c/d Multicare was studied and demonstrated to lower the recurrence of most common urinary signs by 89 percent. They also claim that struvite stones have dissolved in some cats in as little as seven days, and on average 27 days, while also reducing the risk of forming struvite and calcium oxalate stones.

The ingredients are recognizable on the label and in the food. Top ingredients include pork liver, carrots, chicken, tuna, rice, spinach, chicken fat and fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Also containing important vitamins and minerals, the amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium are controlled to prevent crystal formation. This brand is also available in chicken and vegetable stew flavor.

• Long history developing the formula

• Science-based nutrition

• Not a fit for some cats with sensitive digestive systems

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Best Variety: Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Health Variety Pack Canned Cat Food

Key Ingredients: Varies by flavor | Calories per Serving: 82 to 107 depending on flavor | Texture: Wet, varies | Balance: Varies but most are Crude Protein min. 10.0%, Crude Fat min. 6.5%, Crude Fiber max 0.5%, Moisture max. 78.0% | Life Stage: Adult

• Nutritional and flavor diversity for your cat

• No prescription needed

• Meat by-products are the first ingredient

• Added color

If your cats digestive system can tolerate more than one type of food, a variety pack is a wonderful way to give them a broader range of flavors and nutrients at the same time.

Purina Pro Plan Focus Classic Urinary Tract Health Formula Adult Wet Cat Food Variety Pack comes as a case of 12, 24, or 36 cans. It can be purchased as four, eight or twelve cans each of three flavorsOcean Whitefish or Beef & Chicken, Chicken, and Turkey and Gibletsor as twelve cans each of two flavorsOcean Whitefish and Salmon.

Each recipe has low dietary magnesium and has been designed to reducing urinary pH. Purina products are also manufactured in the U.S. and are widely available and among the more affordable brands on shelves today.

Key Ingredients: N-Acetyl Glucosamine from shrimp and crab, D-mannose, cranberry extract | Calories per Serving: Not listed| Balance: Not listed | Life Stage: Adult | Texture: Soft chews

• Incorporates D-mannose ingredient known to decrease urinary tract infections

• Several inactive ingredients

Premium Pick: Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine Cat Food

• Type: Fresh
• Made In: United States

This recipe from Nom Nom ticks all of our urinary health boxes and does a few things that other foods cant. For starters, its moisture-rich, meat-based, and it doesnt have too much ash.

The recipe features chicken muscle meat and organs as its primary ingredients. While its not a prescription diet, its meat-centric recipe and relatively low carbohydrate content should promote a healthy urinary pH.

In addition to nutritionally meeting our basic requirements, this Nom Nom food offers a level of service that you wont get from many other brands.

The Nom Nom team includes feline nutrition experts ready to help you ensure that your cats diet meets his needs.

If youre not sure whether or not the food is the right choice for you, the team is ready to give personalized advice, even offering to review your cats latest bloodwork and communicate with your veterinarian.

Between its custom-portioned pouches and attentive customer support, this brand is a good choice for those who make personalization a priority.

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Best For Overweight Cats: Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Urinary Care For Cats

Obese cats are at a higher risk for a myriad of health issues, including those connected with urinary health. But in addition to treating their urinary problems, you should also try to help them get the weight off. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Urinary Care for Cats is formulated to do both: this prescription diet promotes healthy weight and optimal pH urine levels. The low-kcal kibble has low levels of fat and is also enriched with L-carnitine which supports weight loss, and at the same time, it has controlled mineral levels and the addition of DL-methionine to acidify your pets urine and prevent crystals and stones from forming. Grain-free and protein-packed it is made with deboned chicken as the first ingredient and has a savory flavor that your chubby kitty will like. The trick is that the formula also has increased fiber levels so your pet will feel fuller for a longer time, which essentially puts a stop to overeating, even though it tastes great.

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Make Sure Your Cat Drinks Enough Water

Dilution of the urine is a frequently overlooked factor in urinary problems. Cats who only eat dry food may be chronically dehydrated, due to lack of sufficient fluids in their systems to flush the kidneys. In the wild, cats get most of their fluids from their prey and do not have an instinct for water drinking. The easiest solution in preventing dehydration is to feed a wet food diet or provide a water fountain that encourages cats to drink.

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Approach To A Cat With Hematuria/dysuria/stranguria

When presented with a cat with clinical signs consistent with lower urinary tract disease, it is important to gain an accurate history. Is the cat at increased risk of UTI? This condition accounts for about two percent of cases of cystitis in cats under 10 years of age, and is rare in concentrated urine . To rule out UTI, a urine sample should be obtained, and urine specific gravity and culture of the urine performed.

The second big rule out is whether uroliths are suspected. Consider first the cats diet. Could the food predispose the patient to urolith formation? Does the cat have a history of uroliths or is it a breed known to be predisposed to urolith formation such as the ragdoll or British short-haired breeds? . If a cat is thought to be at risk of calcium oxalate uroliths, blood calcium should be obtained to rule out systemic hypercalcemia as the cause of urinary supersaturation and secondary stone formation. Where possible, diagnostic imaging should also be performed to rule in/out urolith formation. If uroliths are identified, examining the urine for crystals and assessing the pH might be suggestive of the type of urolith. This, however, does not definitely prove the type of stone. If a suspected struvite urolith doesnt respond appropriately to medical management, surgery and stone analysis may be indicated. Any cat with uroliths should have a urinary culture performed to rule out primary or secondary infection.