Best Cat Food for Urinary Health
If your cat has urinary problems then a special urinary diet can probably help relieve his discomfort, manage the condition, and help prevent further issues. Nutrition plays a big part in successfully treating feline urinary tract problems such as cystitis, crystals, and bladder stones.
The right diet will control your cat’s mineral levels and help him maintain a healthy urine pH to dissolve certain types of stones that may have formed and help keep the urinary tract healthy and inflammation-free. Feeding a urinary diet might mean you get to say goodbye to your cat’s urinary problems for good!
We have chosen our top 6 cat foods for urinary health, with each one offering a slightly different approach to restoring balance in your cat’s body. Hopefully, we can help you find the perfect match for your cat to help get his waterworks back to normal. However, we understand that every cat is different and it is important to consult with your veterinarian about which urinary diet would be best suited for your cat.
Our Top Picks:
Dremmel 7300 PT Cat Pedicure
- Trims nails safely and effectively
- Wireless and rechargeable, so no leads getting in the way
- 2 speeds, so you can choose which one is right for your cat
- Compatible with a wide variety of Dremel sanding drums
JW Pet Gripsoft Deluxe Cat Nail Clipper
- Easy to use guillotine style nail trimmer
- Rubber handle with non-slip grips
- Ergonomic handle design fits the natural curve of your hand to optimize comfort
- Cuts quickly and smoothly in one quick motion
JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper
- Suitable for all breeds and sizes
- Curved stainless steel blades
- Gripsoft technology features non-slip grips to optimize comfort and control
- Small size, to safely and efficiently trim your cat’s nails
Pet Republique Cat Nail Clipper
- High-quality product
- Sharp, long-lasting and robust stainless-steel blades
- Perfectly sized design for use in cats (and other small pets)
- Improved ergonomic handles for extra comfort
PetSpy Cat Nail Clipper
- Sharp and long-lasting stainless steel blades
- Safety guard to prevent cutting nails too short
- Safety lock to store the clippers in a closed position
- Discrete built-in nail file
- Comfy, non-slip handle design
Four Paws Ultimate Touch Cat Claw Clipper
- Blades have a stainless steel edge for long-lasting sharpness
- The molded plastic handle is comfy and light
- Recommended by professional groomers
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Cat Food
- Specially formulated for adult cats with urinary health problems
- Dilutes urine and maintains an optimal urine pH
- Helps prevent struvite and calcium oxalate stones
- Can dissolve pure struvite stones
- Controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food
- Delicious meaty chicken and pork loaf in sauce
- Complete and balanced diet for adult cats with urinary problems
- Lowers ion concentration in urine, dilutes urine and adjusts urine
- Dissolves pure struvite stones
- Prevents the formation of struvite and calcium oxalate stones
Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Adult Formula Dry Cat Food
- Promotes a healthy urinary tract: Lowers the urinary pH and contains low levels of magnesium
- Contains real ingredients including chicken, eggs and wholesome whole grains
- Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to support the immune system and digestive system.
- Does not contain artificial flavors, colors or fillers
- Available in 4 sizes: 3.5 lb, 7 lb 16 lb and 22lb bags
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health Chicken Entree Canned Cat Food
Complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats
Reduces urinary pH and provides low dietary magnesium
Delicious real chicken in savory gravy (plus 4 other appetizing flavors)
Contains all the essential vitamins and minerals your cat needs, plus extra taurine for vision and a healthy heart
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Chicken Dry Cat Food
- Prescription diet to support your adult cat’s urinary health long term
- Clinical tests prove that this diet can lower the recurrence of most common urinary signs by 89%
- Dissolves struvite stones in the bladder in as little as 7 days, with an average of 27 days
- Prevents struvite & calcium oxalate stones
- Controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, & phosphorus
- Enriched with antioxidants, potassium citrate & Omega-3 fatty acids
Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Chicken Canned Food
Irresistible chicken pate flavor
Enriched with antioxidants & Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce urinary inflammation
Shown to reduce the common urinary tract disease signs by 89%
Can dissolve pure struvite stones in as little as 7 days (average 27 days)
Reduces the risk of struvite & calcium oxalate stones
Top 6 Cat Foods for Urinary Health
If your cat needs some extra help dealing with recurrent urinary problems, then a change in diet might be just what he needs. All our top cat foods are nutritionally complete and balanced, so you can rest assured that your cat is still going to get all his essential nutrients that he needs to stay healthy. We have included a range of top-quality brands as well as a mixture of dry and canned food. Although most veterinarians and nutritionists will agree that canned food is better for your cat if he has urinary problems (more on that later), we know that some cats just prefer dry food, so we have included a mixture of both.
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail, and find out why they pulled the top spots…
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin is a well-known and respected brand that is popular with veterinarians. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that they have produced a great selection of urinary cat food. The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Food has been specially formulated to support your cat’s urinary tract and bladder health. It uses something called the “Relative Super Saturation (RSS) method” to dilute your cat’s urine and prevent calcium oxalate and struvite stones from forming in your cat’s bladder. It can also help dissolve struvite stones already in your cat’s bladder, which is a much better option than an expensive surgery to remove them. This food is completely balanced for all your adult cat’s needs and has controlled levels of phosphorus and calcium with a reduced level of magnesium, plus it helps to keep your cat’s urine pH at an optimal acidity level to promote good urinary tract healthy. The bag is also easy to open and close and has a zip system to keep the food fresher for longer. As this cat food is potentially powerful you will need veterinary authorization before you can purchase it, so just contact your veterinarian to check if it is suitable for your kitty.
Key Benefits
- Specially formulated for adult cats with urinary health problems
- Dilutes urine and maintains an optimal urine pH
- Helps prevent struvite and calcium oxalate stones
- Can dissolve pure struvite stones
- Controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food
The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO canned food offers delicious pork and chicken meaty loaf in sauce. It is specially formulated to help adult cats with urinary problems. It works similarly to the Royal Canin SO dry food, in that it lowers the ion concentration in the urine, makes it more dilute, and adjusts the urine pH, making the bladder environment unfavorable for crystal formation. This special formula can help prevent calcium oxalate and struvite stones from forming, as well as dissolve any struvite stones already in the bladder. The meaty loaf has a pate texture and combined with the thick sauce most cats will find this cat food irresistible. This canned food can be fed alone as a complete diet, or combined with the Royal Canin Urinary SO dry food if your cat likes to eat a mixture of both dry and wet. As this is a veterinary diet you will need to get your veterinarian’s authorization to purchase it.
Key Benefits
Delicious meaty chicken and pork loaf in sauce
Complete and balanced diet for adult cats with urinary problems
Lowers ion concentration in urine, dilutes urine and adjusts urine
Dissolves pure struvite stones
Prevents the formation of struvite and calcium oxalate stones
Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Adult Formula Dry Cat Food
Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula dry food is made with real chicken and eggs to fuel all your cat’s adventures and support healthy muscle development, plus real wholesome grains provide nutrients and long-lasting energy. This diet only contains high-quality real ingredients, with no nasty surprises such as fillers, artificial flavors, or artificial colors, that’s why it is so easily-digestible which is extra important if your cat has a sensitive tummy. It helps to look after your cat’s urinary health by reducing the urinary pH and providing low levels of magnesium. Plus, it contains omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system and digestive system. This dry diet offers great quality food at a great price and doesn’t require veterinary authorization. We like that it is available in four sizes; 3.5 lb, 7 lb, 16 lb, and 22lb bags, so you just need to choose which one is more convenient for you.
Key Benefits
- Promotes a healthy urinary tract: Lowers the urinary pH and contains low levels of magnesium
- Contains real ingredients including chicken, eggs and wholesome whole grains
- Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to support the immune system and digestive system.
- Does not contain artificial flavors, colors or fillers
- Available in 4 sizes: 3.5 lb, 7 lb 16 lb and 22lb bags
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health Chicken Entree Canned Cat Food
ProPlan Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health canned cat food is another great offering from the well-known brand Purina. This ProPlan range is veterinarian recommended and complies with the strict World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) nutritional guidelines. This canned food is formulated for adult cats with urinary tract issues, and although you don’t need vet authorization to buy it, it is still a good idea to check with your veterinarian that it is suitable for your cat. It helps to keep your cat’s urinary tract healthy by reducing the urinary pH and providing low levels of dietary magnesium. This cat food is one of the more reasonably priced options on our list, and you can rest easy that as well as helping to keep urinary problems at bay it will also provide your cat with all the nutrients she requires. It is fortified with all the essential vitamins and minerals your cat needs, plus taurine which is necessary for good vision and a healthy heart. We like that it comes in five delectable flavors ( chicken, turkey&giblets, ocean whitefish, beef&chicken, and salmon) which is helpful for fussy cats and those who like variety.
Key Benefits
Complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats
Reduces urinary pH and provides low dietary magnesium
Delicious real chicken in savory gravy (plus 4 other appetizing flavors)
Contains all the essential vitamins and minerals your cat needs, plus extra taurine for vision and a healthy heart
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Chicken Dry Cat Food
Hill’s is the #1 vet-recommended brand in the United States, and it is easy to understand why. Their prescription diets are formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists and backed up by clinical research. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare dry food supports your cat’s urinary tract by promoting a desirable urine pH and providing controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. It is formulated to prevent struvite and calcium oxalate crystals from forming in your cat’s bladder. It is also enriched with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which help to promote healthy skin and coat, and a strong immune system. These extra ingredients might also help reduce inflammation in the urinary tract too! We love that the claims are backed up by scientific research and clinical trials. Clinical studies have shown that feeding Hill’s c/d Multicare can lower the reoccurrence rate of the most common urinary signs by 89%. Plus, this diet can dissolve struvite stones in as little as 7 days, although the average is 27 days! Hill’s c/d Multicare does require authorization from your veterinarian as it is a prescription diet.
Key Benefits
Prescription diet to support your adult cat’s urinary health long term
Clinical tests prove that this diet can lower the recurrence of most common urinary signs by 89%
Dissolves struvite stones in the bladder in as little as 7 days, with an average of 27 days.
Prevents struvite & calcium oxalate stones
Controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, & phosphorus
Enriched with antioxidants, potassium citrate & Omega-3 fatty acids
Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Chicken Canned Food
The Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare canned cat food offers you the same great benefits of the c/d Multicare dry food, but with lots of extra moisture. The additional moisture helps to keep your cat hydrated which is extra important for good urinary health! We received great feedback about the taste and palatability, even fussy cats found the pate consistency of this canned food irresistible. It helps keep your cat’s urinary tract healthy and crystal-free by controlling the levels of minerals (calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium) and adjusting the pH of your cat’s urine. Therefore, preventing struvite and calcium oxalate stones from forming in the bladder. This food also contains omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which may help to reduce urinary inflammation, pain, and even help reduce the stress associated with urinary conditions. The amazing thing about Hill’s C/d Multicare is that it can dissolve struvite stones already in your cat’s bladder in as quickly as 7 days, although the average time is 27 days. This is really good news if your cat has been diagnosed with struvite stones, as feeding this diet might be a much more welcome treatment option than a potentially risky surgery to remove the stones. This might seem like an expensive canned food for your cat, but we think this diet is well worth the money as it offers top quality nutrition and great long term results. This cat food range includes three delicious flavors: chicken, chicken &vegetable, and ocean fish, so you are bound to find one to tempt your cat. Hill’s c/d Multicare does require authorization from your veterinarian as it is a prescription diet.
Key Benefits
Irresistible chicken pate flavor
Enriched with antioxidants & Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce urinary inflammation
Shown to reduce the common urinary tract disease signs by 89%
Can dissolve pure struvite stones in as little as 7 days (average 27 days)
Reduces the risk of struvite & calcium oxalate stones
Does My Cat Have a Urinary Tract Infection?
Urinary problems are a common condition for cats to suffer from. One study suggests that an indoor lifestyle, being overweight cats, and males cats are at a higher risk.
Many owners often refer to their cats having a urinary tract infection, or UTI, if their cat has a problem with their waterworks. However, a urinary tract infection is one of the less common causes of urinary problems in cats. Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a more accurate medical term that describes a variety of different conditions that can affect the bladder and urethra (the tube which delivers urine out of the bladder) of cats.
The most common signs of feline lower urinary tract disease include:
- Frequently going to the litter box
- Straining to urinate
- Crying while urinating
- Urinating small amounts or nothing at all
- Blood in the urine
- Excessive licking of genitals
- Urinating outside the litter box
If your cat is showing any of these signs, then you should schedule a visit to your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you think your cat is straining to urinate but passing little or no urine, then he could have a urinary tract obstruction which is an emergency situation and needs veterinary attention immediately!
What Causes Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)?
FLUTD is more likely to affect middle-aged, overweight cats that have a low activity level and don’t have outdoor access.
However, stress can also play a big role in the development of this disease, with environmental or emotional stress, multi-cat households, and sudden changes in daily routine also increasing a cat’s risk.
Let’s take a look at some causes of FLUTD in more detail:
Urolithiasis (urinary stones)
Urinary stones, also called uroliths, can form in your cat’s bladder or urethra. These stones are composed of minerals, like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Your cat will usually need an x-ray or ultrasound to diagnose urinary stones. The most common uroliths in cats are calcium oxalate and struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate). Some urinary prescription diets can dissolve struvite stones, while calcium oxalate stones need to be removed surgically.
Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections in cats are usually caused by bacteria. Although, they aren’t that common, and if your cat is getting recurrent infections then your veterinarian should check for other underlying problems that might be causing them in the first place. For example, bladder stones, diabetes, or stress cystitis will all increase your cat’s risk of getting a urinary tract infection.
Urethral obstruction
The urethra is the tube that transports urine from the bladder out of the body. This tube can become partially or fully blocked by urethral stones or mucus plugs. The body can’t get rid of the urine which causes a build-up of toxins and an imbalance of electrolytes in the body which can quickly lead to collapse, heart problems, and even death. This is a serious and life-threatening condition that needs immediate veterinary care. Cats will strain to urinate and produce little or no urine, which can sometimes be confused with straining to pass feces.
- Feline idiopathic cystitis
Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is a very common cause of lower urinary tract disease. The lining of the bladder becomes inflamed, and most cats will strain to urinate and may urinate blood. Veterinarians don’t fully understand yet what causes this condition, but it has been linked to stress, and many cats will have recurrent episodes. Treatment for cystitis in cats may include pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication, a urinary diet, and measures to reduce stress.
Can Dry Food Promote Good Urinary Health?
Dry cat foods have many benefits such as being cost-effective, convenient, easy to measure out, have a longer shelf life, and are best for free feeding. Plus, many special urinary dry diets have been specially formulated to support your cat’s urinary health by adjusting your cat’s urinary pH and restricting certain dietary minerals.
However, the main concern is that when dry food is compared to canned cat food it contains significantly less moisture. Keeping your cat hydrated is a very important part of promoting good urinary health. Most cat owners worry their cat isn’t drinking enough water, and if they aren’t consuming enough water it could put them at higher risk of kidney disease and urinary tract disease.
Most owners like to mix dry and wet urinary cat foods, so you get the best of both worlds. However, if your cat prefers dry food don’t fret, you can try to increase his water intake by offering multiple bowls of water throughout the home, using a water fountain, or adding a broth or water to his dry diet.
Therefore, we think that if your cat is drinking enough water there is no reason why you can’t offer your cat a urinary dry food.
How Does Wet Cat Food Help Urinary Tract Health?
Many cats prefer the taste and smell of wet food, but the number one benefit is its high moisture content. Canned cat food contains a very higher level of water, sometimes up to 85% moisture, while feline dry diets contain a maximum of 10% moisture.
Premium urinary cat wet food usually offers similar urinary health benefits to a premium urinary dry food, in that they will both promote an optimum urinary pH and control the amounts of minerals to help prevent and/or dissolve certain bladder stones.
However, research has shown that cats eating dry food only will consume approximately half the amount of water, compared with cats eating wet food.
Therefore, feeding a wet diet to your cat will increase his water intake and the amount of urine he is producing, which will then decrease the concentration of crystals and urolith-forming minerals in the bladder. With your cat taking in more moisture it could also help with UTIs and cystitis by flushing out the bladder.
Therefore, wet food might support urinary health more than dry food, especially if your cat doesn’t tend to drink much water. This is why most veterinarians will recommend a canned food diet for your cat if he has urinary tract issues, to help keep him hydrated.
Urinary Dry Food vs. Wet Food?
There is no easy answer to whether dry or wet food is better for your cat, and this question continues to divide veterinarians and cat owners worldwide.
We think that feeding a wet diet or a combination of dry and wet food is best for your cat if he has urinary issues. However, it is up to you and your cat and we understand that every cat is different, with some having a strong preference for one type of food over the other.
As long as your cat is drinking enough water, then there is no reason why dry food can’t be fed long term, especially as it is often more affordable. However, for cats with recurrent or serious urinary problems then a wet urinary diet might be more effective.
Final Thoughts
We understand that feline urinary problems can be very frustrating to deal with, as it is a painful and stressful condition for your cat, often involves lots of vet visits and you don’t know when he will have his next episode. The good news is that by feeding your cat a premium urinary diet you can help improve his urinary tract health and improve his quality of life. Some special urinary diets can even dissolve struvite stones already formed in the bladder and prevent calcium oxalate stones, so you can avoid an expensive and potentially risky surgery to remove them. It is important to talk to your veterinarian to check which diet would be suitable for your cat. Nutrition plays a very important role in successfully dealing with urinary problems, so investing in a great urinary diet makes sense for your cat’s long-term health.
