Cats can get urinary tract infections.
As pet parents, our first obligation is to ensure the safety and health of the cats we choose to adopt.
When our feline pal got sick with a urinary tract infection, we were beside ourselves, of course. A urinary tract infection can be serious, even deadly in a cat if left untreated, especially a male.
Our vet recommended that we purchase urinary tract cat food but when we went out to find the best one for our cat there were too many to count, all of them claiming to be the best cat food for cats with urinary tract problems.
A good, wholesome urinary tract food for cats can help your feline pal from developing the infection to start with.
Quick Links
- How to Choose the Best Urinary tract Cat Food
- The Needs of Your Cat
- What is the Best Food for Cats with Urinary Tract Issues
- What Symptoms Should I Look For in a UTI?
- What to Look for in Urinary Tract Cat Food Reviews
- What Makes Cat Food Good for Urinary Health?
- The Best Urinary Tract Health Cat Foods
- Conclusion
Cats can get urinary tract infections.
As pet parents, our first obligation is to ensure the safety and health of the cats we choose to adopt.
When our feline pal got sick with a urinary tract infection, we were beside ourselves, of course. A urinary tract infection can be serious, even deadly in a cat if left untreated, especially a male.
Our vet recommended that we purchase urinary tract cat food but when we went out to find the best one for our cat there were too many to count, all of them claiming to be the best cat food for cats with urinary tract problems.
A good, wholesome urinary tract food for cats can help your feline pal from developing the infection to start with.
Our Top Picks For The Best Urinary Tract Health Cat Food
How to Choose the Best Urinary Tract Cat Food
When trying to decide on the best cat foods for urinary tract health for our cats, we found there were a few things that needed to be considered first and foremost, and a lot of these depend on the cats themselves.
The Needs of Your Cat
The brand of cat urinary tract food you choose depends on the needs of the cat you’re purchasing it for. It is possible that the brand you choose might not have all the nutrients your cat needs to help prevent future infections from occurring.
It’s possible to give your pal urinary tract foods for cats as a snack or a supplement along with their regular brand of cat food. However, if you find a food that meets all the cat’s nutritional needs, then one food is fine.
Is it Affordable?
For us, one of the most important factors had to be affordability. Your choice may come down to budget as well. It’s important to note that a urinary tract health cat food that also meets all your cat’s nutritional needs will be more expensive than one that simply helps prevent the occurrence of an infection.
The ingredients in the cat food will also affect the price, as quality ingredients, of course, cost more.
The downside to this is the cheaper cat foods have low-quality ingredients that might not meet your cat’s needs. What it comes down to is what you can afford.
Does it have Prime Ingredients?
Studies have shown that magnesium and calcium are prime factors of urinary tract infections in cats. This means you want a urinary tract infection cat food that is low in these substances.
Choosing the best urinary tract cat food for our sick cat became our main objective, as we’re sure it is yours.
These tips will help you make the right decision.
What is the Best Food for Cats with Urinary Tract Issues
It’s important to note that just like humans, a cat’s diet needs to contain very specific nutrients and minerals to be in the best of health. Since a cat’s body is acidic, you need to feed that cat a diet that is Ph balanced, which will cut down on the UTI’s and other issues.
What is the Best Ph Balance to Shoot For?
This one can be a slight bit tricky, so you probably need to consult your vet on the best Ph balance to shoot for like we did. This is because if your pet’s Ph balance is too high, he could develop struvite crystals. On the other hand, if his calcium is too low it’s possible he could develop oxalate crystals instead.
In order to achieve the best Ph balance, make sure to follow your cat’s biological guidelines. If you’re not sure what those guidelines are your vet will be happy to help you formulate a treatment plan to help your furry friend.
Is Wet or Dry Food Better for My Cats Urinary Tract Issues?
In general, and many vets recommend urinary tract cat food wet, instead of dry for better prevention. However, it is possible to find a dry cat food that is PH balanced, making it just as good for UTIs as any canned cat food.
Still, even though you have found a high-quality dry food, it’s best to push the water and give canned food instead. However, you can add broth or water to a high-quality dry cat food with the same results. The choice is up to your cat’s preferences in the end.
Do Certain Cat Foods Cause Urinary Issues?
One of the driving questions we wanted answers to was whether certain foods could be responsible for our cat’s urinary tract issues. So, when we took him for his follow up checkup with our local vet we asked. The answer was yes.
We found out that feeding your feline friend grains can lead to alkali urine, which leads quickly to kidney stones. Since they are meat eaters, man-made cat foods can affect them badly.
Removing grains from your pet’s diet is easy, as it has no health benefits for cats to speak of. Even if you’ve never had problems with urinary tract infections in your cat, it’s best to replace grains with proteins for better health all around. There is plenty of protein-based, grain free choices out there for you to choose from.
How does Protein Help UTIs?
Protein works to break down the stones in the bladder, resulting in a healthy, happy cat. Some of the best foods to prevent or reverse urinary tract infections in your cat are filled with real chicken and fish.
Should I Call My Vet?
When to call in your vet is up to you, as you know your cat better than anyone else. However, if your problem persists after you have switched to one of the cat foods under review, it’s best to make an appointment with your vet right away.
What Symptoms Should I Look For in a UTI?
One of the main questions we had before and after we started searching for the right urinary tract health cat food is what symptoms we should look out for to prevent it from happening again. Those symptoms are listed below.
- The cat urinates more frequently or has problems going
- His urine is bloody or cloudy
- He has a loss of bladder control or is dribbling urine
- Squatting in the litter box for a longer period of time than normal
- And more
The symptoms for a male and a female cat can vary slightly, so if you notice anything strange about your cat’s litter box habits, it’s best to get them to a vet right away for a checkup to determine what the problem might be.
Changing their food is a great idea, or course, but if the infection is already there it needs to be treated before prevention methods can be started.
However, if you do just switch up the cat’s food, don’t forget there could be an underlying problem that needs to be attended to. If your pet doesn’t get better once you switch his food from grain to a protein-based blend, it’s time to take him in for an appointment.
What to Look for in Urinary Tract Cat Food Reviews
If you’re like us you went through a ton of reviews before you decided on the right food for your pet, and even then you were worried that it might not be the right choice. We found in our search that there were a few questions we wanted to have answered about each food.
What Makes Cat Food Good for Urinary Health?
There are a few minerals that contribute to increased urinary tract issues when they are consumed in high amounts. These are magnesium, sodium, calcium, chloride, fiber, and phosphorus.
What we didn’t know, and found out through reading reviews of urinary tract food for cats, is these minerals are contained in bone matter, so it’s best to avoid foods that have bone matter in them.
While it’s impossible to find a food that has none of these minerals in it, look for the foods that have the lowest amount.
Should I Feed This To My Cat Every Day?
The exact amount you should feed your cat is going to vary by the cat. If you’re unsure, it’s best to talk to your vet about the food and the amount to give.
We had a ton of questions when searching for the right cat urinary tract food for our cats because once we knew everything there was to know about urinary tract infections in felines, we started to worry about our other pets as well.
We contacted our vet and read every review with a fine tooth comb when searching for the right food.
That’s why we decided to create this blog of the five best urinary tract health cat foods to help you choose the right one for your pet. Join us as we look into the best of the best together.
The Best Urinary Tract Health Cat Foods
- Purina Pro Plan FOCUS
- Purina One
- Hill’s Science Diet
- IAMs Proactive Health
- Hills C/D Multicare
Purina Pro Plan FOCUS
Essential Vitamins
Purina Pro plan FOCUS is a wet urinary tract cat food that works to reduce urinary Ph levels with a food that has a low magnesium content. This product is made with real meat so it is a food your cats will love. It’s one of the most popular foods on the market today. Purina makes this in five flavors, including chicken in gravy, beef and chicken, classic salmon, ocean whitefish, and turkey and giblets.
The fact that the product is affordable and comes in a pack of 24 is only topped by the real meat bits that add flavor and natural vitamins and minerals to an already tasty treat. Our cat gobbled this one up and it quickly became our urinary tract health cat food of choice.
Pros.
- Made with real bits of meat
- Features extra care nutrition and low dietary magnesium
- Cats love the taste
- Is a great source of protein
- Works well for older cats because of the texture
- Works efficiently to maintain urinary tract health
- Is affordable
- Comes in five appetizing flavors to tempt your cat's appetite
- Helps to promote a healthy immune system
- Fast and reliable delivery
Cons.
- Some customers reported the price is steadily climbing on the product
- Cans are small
- Some cats had smelly poos for a while after eating the food
- Some consumers said that the food made their cats sicker
Purina One
No Fillers
Purina One is a dry cat food, which is good for cats who either don’t like or can’t stomach wet urinary tract health cat food. The product is made with real chicken, which is a great benefit for those of us whose cats turn their noses up at fake meat. The product has no fillers, making it easily digestible. It helps that Purina is trusted far and wide.
This product even made the cat’s coat shiner and his skin healthier, as it features Omega 6 fatty acids. The food comes in 3.5, 16, and 22 pound bags, so it’s easier to try for the first time to see if it agrees with your feline pal. Like the wet Purina option, this one also reduces Ph levels and has a low magnesium content. The kibbles are small, making this a good choice for older cats.
Pros.
- Comes in three sizes
- Gives cats a healthier skin and shinier coat
- Is much cheaper than prescription food
- 0% filler
- Affordable
- Small kibbles are easy to chew
- Prevents UTIs and blockages
- Works great for male cats
- Made with real chicken
- Is easy to digest
Cons.
- Not for cats with sensitive stomachs
- Some customers reported bugs being inside the food on delivery
- May not work as well as wet food does for some cats
- Some consumers reported food allergies
- Some cats didn't like the taste
- Has a strong chemical smell
- Made some cats sick
Hill's Science Diet
Supports Overall Health
Hill’s Science Diet is not only a urinary tract cat food, but it also aids in weight loss and contains natural fiber to help with hairball control. This is a feature that would have come in handy for us when we were looking for a food for our pet’s UTI. It is said that 70% of cats lose weight with this formula. This product is made in the USA with only quality ingredients and is made with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, which is important to most cat owners.
Hills comes in three sizes, 3.5, 7, and 15.5-pound bags. It’s dry cat food, which is perfect for cats who have sensitive stomachs and is affordable. We highly recommend this one, if you have problems with weight control, UTI’s, and hairballs. When it comes to a dry food brand, this is our choices hands down.
Pros.
- Affordable
- Cats love the taste
- Supports overall health
- Helps with hairball control
- Has no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
- It's best to set this on an automatic feeding timer
- Eliminates UTIs
- Doesn't add a ton of calories
Cons.
- Kibble is huge, so some cats have a problem chewing it
- Doesn't have as much protein as other kibbles on the list
- May not work well for older cats or cats with dental issues
- Some consumers reported their cats vomiting after eating
- Made some cats sicker
IAMs Proactive Health
Contains Vitamin E
IAMs Proactive Health formulas main benefit is the vitamin E it contains to help your cat maintain a healthy immune system, something that is important for a healthy and happy pet. This product comes in three sizes, 3.5, 7, and 16-pound options. Chicken is the number one ingredient in this dry kibble formula, for a great taste and to promote strong muscles. The best thing about this formula is that it promotes the health of your pet’s urinary system, as well as reducing urinary Ph to help prevent UTI’s.
One of the things that we liked the most about this product is that it contains potassium and calcium, which helps protect your pet’s heart. The kibble is crunchy so as to reduce plaque buildup and help with your pet’s dental health.
All in all, the pros for IAMs Proactive Health outweigh the cons. The fact that it does more than help with urinary tract issues is a plus that can’t be denied.
Pros.
- Very affordable
- Eliminates urinary problems
- The first ingredient is meat so cats love it
- Cats love the taste
- Leaves cats with a nice shiny coat
- Protects immunity
- Protects the heart
- Crunchy texture for plaque reduction
Cons.
- Leaves cats gassy
- Poop has a very strong smell
- Only 2% fiber, so might not be for good indoor cats
- Some cats developed urinary tract infections after eating food
Hills C/D Multicare
Bladder Health
One of the more expensive items on our list, Hills C/D Multicare formula features controlled levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and oxalate that is designed to help reduce and limit the build-up of crystals and bladder stones that lead to urinary tract issues. The best feature of the product is the fish oil that is full of omega 3 fatty acids, which is great for your pet’s coat and skin. This product comes in one size, 4.5-pounds, making it perfect for someone who wants to try it on their cat before committing to a larger bag.
The product also contains sodium, which helps your cat to maintain normal blood pressure. This product is more expensive than many on our list, but it is a multi-care product with nutritious value.
Pros.
- Comes in a 4.5-pound bag for ease of purchase
- Is a multi-care formula
- Cats love the taste
- Prevents urinary tract issues
- A great alternative to medication
- Can get without a prescription
Cons.
- Pricey
- Made some cats sicker
- Prescription is cheaper from the vet
- Causes vomiting and diarrhea in some cats
Conclusion
All in all, in our opinion is Hills C/D Multicare, works well for some cats, not so well for others. It is pretty pricey but it does prevent urinary tract issues and helps cats to become leaner and have healthier skin and coats.
When it comes to our cats, we want only the very best, whether it’s the best vet or the best urinary tract health cat food.
In our opinion, the clear winner in our review comes down to two options, the Purina Pro Plan FOCUS wet food, and the Hills Science Dry food. Both have more pros than cons in their corner and each is affordable and pets love the taste.
When deciding which of these two was the clear cut winner, we came down on the side of Hills Science Dry for these reasons. Not only does it help to prevent urinary tract issues in our babies, but it also helps with immune support, hairball control, and helps to control our pet’s weight at the same time.
The cons associated with Hills Science Dry are minor compared to others on the list, and the ingredients are high-quality.
It has everything that we discussed in the second section of our blog from affordability to the right high-quality ingredients and from protein to hairball control. As with any other food you put your cats on, it is always best to consult your cat’s vet if a problem arises.
Urinary tract issues can be painful and dangerous to cats, especially males, and need to be treated right away. In conclusion, to us, the Hill’s Science Dry was the best choice for our cat’s needs, with Pro Plan FOCUS wet food coming in a close second.
If you want, try buying both and mixing them together for food your cat will love and give them the good health they deserve.
