Best Cat Food for Urinary Health

Finding the best cat food for urinary health is essential if you want a happy and healthy ‘furmily’.

Like humans, your cat’s urinary tract is at risk of various complications that can result from infections or minerals and stones, mostly from what they eat.

The best cat food for urinary crystals and other solid minerals is wet cat food, as it will hydrate and help to dilute some crystals.

But, if you have to feed your cat with dry food, ensure that you are also providing plenty of clean water after each meal.

However, there are various things to consider before making a purchase, specifically when seeking the best cat foods for urinary tract health.

They include: the type of urinary tract infection, cat breed and age, the nutritional value of the food, etc.

We are now going to look at our top five choices of the best cat food for urinary tract health.

Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best cat food for urinary health:

1. Hill's Science Diet Urinary & Hairball Control Wet Cat Food
2. Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Cat Food
3. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Urinary Tract Health Cat Food
4. IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food
5. Royal Canin Feline Urinary Cat Food

Best Cat Food for Urinary Health – 2022 Top Picks

1. Our Editor’s Top Choice: Hill's Science Diet Urinary & Hairball Control Wet Cat Food

This is a savory chicken recipe for adult cats, formulated to help control their urinary tract health.

It contains all natural ingredients and specifically, the recommended magnesium level to support adult cat’s urinary system.

It also contains real chicken as the main ingredient, without artificial additives, thus giving it a flavorful taste and it’s also easy to digest.

Again, if your cat has any skin issues, this adult cat wet food recipe contains vitamin E and omega 6s to help support a healthy coat and skin, hence why it says that it will help with hairball control.

What we like:

• It’s the number one veterinarian recommended
• No artificial additives
• Contains real chicken as the main ingredient
• It’s also the best for hairball control

What we don’t like:

• Some people might not like its smell, though it’s not too strong and cats love it.

2. Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Cat Food

This is a 3 oz. can of wet beef and liver for adult cats that reduces the urinary pH of your cat to help them maintain a healthy urinary tract.

It contains real beef as the main ingredient and has no fillers, so no corn, soy, or wheat.

This is the best protein-rich food for cats that will not only fill their tummies, but also provide the needed minerals, nutrients, and vitamins for their whole-body health.

What we like:

• Moisture-rich urinary health cat food
• Grain-free cat food
• Fiber rich for hairball control
• Contains real beef without fillers
• Very affordable and cats love it

What we don’t like:

• Some cats don’t like the taste. So, you may prefer to order one or a few cans first to see if your cat will love it.

3. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Urinary Tract Health Cat Food

This salmon wet food formula from Purina is another meal you can offer your adult cats that suffer from urinary tract issues. The food contains real salmon plus other essential protein sources.

The formula is carefully put together to help reduce your cat’s urine pH as it contains a low dietary magnesium thus helping them maintain a healthy urinary tract.  

It is also tasty and well balanced with all the needed nutrition to suit adult cats.

There are so many positive reviews about this formula, so it will probably become your cat’s favorite too.  

What we like:

• Formulated for optimal urinary health
• Improves cat skin and coat
• Contains real chicken
• Includes calcium, phosphorus and other minerals for bone health
• Delicious and loved by most cats
• Improves water take in cats

What we don’t like:

• Expensive than most offers
• The packaging gets depleted quickly

4. IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food

IAMS Proactive Health dry cat food results in overall health improvements in adult cats.

It contains nutrients for heart and urinary system health.

The formula also features quality chicken protein, calcium, potassium and vitamins that can improve the cat’s urinary tract health by reducing urinary ph.

This crunchy dry cat food can also increase your cat’s water intake, helping them clear any deposits in their bladder.

What we like:

• High-quality protein-based urinary health cat food
• Optimized for urinary ph and crystals
• Increased thirst and water intake
• Healthy meal packed with nutrients for heart health
• Highly reputed among cat owners

What we don’t like:

• Taste may be displeasing to some cats but they get used to it after trying for a few times.

5. Royal Canin Feline Urinary Cat Food

Feline Urinary So Dry from Royal Canin is easily the best cat food for urinary health as it is formulated for cats with urinary tract issues.

The protein-rich dry cat food prevents the formation of calcium oxalate, struvite uroliths and other inflammatory crystals that can result in urinary health issues.

The formula also features vitamins and essential minerals to improve the overall health of your pet.

As such, it is a unique addition that suits cats with urinary symptoms.

What we like:

• Loved by most cats
• Formulated to prevent and treat urinary health issues
• Features healthy natural ingredients.
• Increased water intake and absorption in adult cats
• Does not contain any fillers

What we don’t like:

• Expensive than most options
• Poor packaging

What are the symptoms of urinary tract infection in cats?

• Cat starts to pass small amounts of urine or is unable to urinate
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Increased frequency of urination, litter box visits and water consumptions
• Cat licks urinary opening constantly
• Dribbling urine and loss of urinary control
• Prolonged squatting during litter box visits or urination
• Strong odour in cat urine
• Lethargy and vomiting

What causes urinary tract infection in cats?

• Crystals, minerals and stones accumulation in cat bladder or urethra
• Accumulation of debris from urine, also known as urethral plug
• Infection or inflammation of the bladder
•  Injury or tumour of the urinary tract
• Weak bladder and excessive drinking of water, which causes incontinence
• Spinal cord problems and congenital abnormality
• Stress

When should you see a vet?

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are best treated as soon as you notice any symptom of a disease, especially if there are blood strains in your cat’s urine.

If your pet shows any of the UTI signs, you should find an experienced vet to check for possible infection.

It is also essential to take your cat to the vet regularly for optimal health.

Important factors to consider when choosing the best cat food for urinary health

There are several things to consider when purchasing cat food for urinary health. Some of the critical areas include:

a)    Nutritional value

Choose the right mix of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins required for your cat’s urinary tract health. You can ask your vet to examine the cat’s health and recommend specific foods.

b)   Cat food brand reputation

Trustworthy brands that have consistently provided the best cat food for urinary tract health will have a growing reputation in the market.

As such, you should pick cat food from reputable brands with good customer reviews.

c)    Wet vs. dry

If your cat has urinary tract problems, you can get the best wet cat food for urinary tract health since wet food is the best in such a condition.

However, if your cat is healthy, you can give them dry meals occasionally.

Dry meals can result in dehydration and worsen the situation if your cat has crystals in the bladder.

d)   Mineral and vitamin content

You should pick minerals and vitamins carefully to avoid flooding your cat’s bladder with salt accumulation.

Stay away from foods that contain high amounts of phosphorus and magnesium to reduce the chances of bladder crystals.

e)    Ingredient quality

Check ingredients for any fillers, preservatives, sweeteners and other artificial additives.

Many urinary tract issues stem from using low-quality ingredients.

Tips to ensure healthy urinary function in cats

1.    Provide enough water for your cat

Most cats and kittens survive on dry foods mostly, and often times, not enough water to keep them hydrated. Thus, if you feed your cat dry foods, ensure that it is accompanied by a bowl of clean water.

Remember, cats’ natural prey is usually 70% water and that’s why canned meals try to make up for this by providing meals up to 90% water.

On the other hand, dry cat foods contain 5% to 10% percent water, which is too low considering cats do not have the thirst drive to compensate for what they lack from food.

2.    Find the right nutritional value for your cat

Choose cat foods rich in protein and low in carbs as these are the dietary requirements for cats.

Avoid fiber and if your cat has been diagnosed with a urinary tract issue, particularly large crystals in the bladder, you should keep away from high phosphorus foods.

Make sure you go through every ingredient included in the cat food before making a purchase.

The best cat food for urinary problems include meat, poultry, or fish protein, but you can also add non-GMO vegetables and specific minerals for bone development.

Some novel proteins from greens and whole grains have also been shown to improve urinary tract health for cats with sensitive stomachs.

FAQs on Best Cat Food For Urinary Health

1) What is the best food for cats with urinary tract issues?

Urinary tract infection in cats is usually caused by their less water-intake and too much intake of dry foods.

If your cat has this medical emergency, you should give him a water-rich and low-mineral canned food.

Canned food consists of 75% water which is very helpful since cats have a low-thirst level and can only get enough water through their food intake.

That’s why canned food or prepared food is better than dry-food when your pet has a urinary tract problem- because it flushes out their bladder and make it function normally when they get enough moisture on food.

Make sure that your cats also get enough water daily.

2) What ingredient in cat food causes urinary problems?

The high content of magnesium in your cat’s diet has been linked to urinary tract problem in cats.

Also, when their urine ph go beyond 6.5, urinary tract infection can occur.

When there’s a high mount of calcium, protein, magnesium and phosphorus found in your cat’s urine, bladder stones and urine crystals form.

Train your cat to drink plenty of water to avoid urinary problems. Always give them fresh and clean water daily.

3) How can I treat my cats crystals at home?

Struvite crystals are found in cat’s urine but the formation of it into stone to several sizes and shapes can cause urinary blockage.

If you notice that your cat has a very concentrated or blood in the urine, straining to urinate or use his litter box freuently, give him fresh and clean water and switch to wet food.

However, if you feel that his condition is not getting better and shows other symptoms like poor appetite, weak, or stressed, you need to bring him to the Vet to get diagnosed and be treated with antibiotics.

He will monitor your cat to see what kind of treatment must be given so he can recover quickly. It takes about 6 weeks to dissolve bladder stones.

4) How long can a cat live with a urinary blockage?

If not treated right away, your cat can only last for 3-6 days when suffering from urinary obstruction.

The blockage can cause total discomfort and pain, causing them to become weak, lethargic or fully stressed.

Be mindful of the early signs of urinary tract problem so you can treat it as quickly as possible.

Treatment depends on the severity of the case. A surgery is needed if there are lots of stones and cant be flushed out or cured with antibiotics.

Final Words

When looking for the best cat food for urinary health, make sure you consider your cat’s age and preexisting illnesses as well as breed.

Pick food prepared for your cat’s precise requirements.

Again, remember to provide sufficient wet cat food, bowl water, and protein-rich meals.

Regular vet visits can also help catch urinary tract issues early and determine the proper treatment regimen.

Our top pick is the Hill's Science Diet Urinary & Hairball Control Wet Cat Food as it is also the number one veterinarian recommended aside from working as it should and having very many positive feedbacks from cat owners.

Give it a try and let us know if it works for your cat. Good luck!