Curbing Feline Urinary Troubles with the Right Nosh
Vet-Recommended Urinary Cat Food: Top 5 Approved Formulas
Whether it's peeing too much or developing crystals and stones, a cat's urinary health can face numerous challenges. But fear not! Veterinary-prescribed diets can help manage these issues effectively.
These specialized cats' meals, known as urinary cat food, are designed to resolve frequent, painful urination, prevent blockages, and tackle various urinary problems head-on.
What's the Deal with Urinary Cat Food?
The main goal of urinary cat food formulas is to acidify the cat's urine, creating a hostile environment for harmful bacteria while dissolving bladder stones. Dr. Victoria Guillen, a veterinarian at Pleasant Ridge Pet Hospital and Cat Care Clinic in Cincinnati, explains, "Prescription diets for cats recommended by veterinarians usually help prevent urinary stone development, lower irritation to the bladder, and dissolve bladder stones."
Urinary diets can also manage certain minerals, like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which can stymie infections and battle broader feline urinary syndrome (FUS), explains Dr. Byron De La Navarre, the chief of staff at Animal House of Chicago.
Top Prescription Urinary Cat Food
Best Wet Urinary Cat Food:
Royal Canin® Urinary SO Canned Cat Food
This prescription wet food from Royal Canin controls magnesium levels for stone dissolution and prevention, while also pleasing your cat's taste buds.
Best For Urinary Care and Weight Management:
Royal Canin® Urinary SO Moderate Calorie Dry Cat Food
This modified Dry formula provides robust stone and crystal protection and helps manage weight. It's lower in calories than the regular Royal Canin Urinary SO formula.
Best Dry Urinary Cat Food:
Hill's® Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Stress Dry Cat Food
Hill's offers a variety of urinary formulas tailored to specific conditions, including k/d (for kidney health) and s/d (for urinary stones). The multicare formula, c/d, supports a wide range of urinary symptoms and conditions while simultaneously reducing stress, which is known to exacerbate urinary health problems.
Best for Management of Stones:
Purina® Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Cat UR Urinary St/Ox
If your cat is prone to stones, this diet from Purina helps dissolve struvite stones and prevents the formation of both struvite and calcium oxalate stones. It's available in both dry and wet versions.
Best Grain-Free Urinary Cat Food:
Blue Buffalo® Natural Veterinary Diet Cat W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care Dry
This veterinary diet from Blue Buffalo supports weight management and urinary care in a grain-free formula. It promotes a urinary environment to dissolve and prevent stones while keeping your cat feeling fuller longer.
How We Chose Our Picks
These dietary recommendations are based on consultations with practicing veterinarians who see feline patients with urinary problems regularly. The advice is supported by scientific studies and tailored to individual cats' needs. Remember, your veterinarian will determine the best diet for your cat based on your cat's specific risk factors.
Transforming Your Cat's Dining Routine
Cats typically don't need diets designed for urinary health unless a vet recommends them for specific problems. Increasing their water intake by adding more wet food to their regular diet can help dilute urine and flush out unwanted bacteria, promoting bladder health. However, dry food can still be part of a cat's diet, especially if your cat prefers it. It's essential to consult your vet before transitioning your cat to a urinary diet, as these diets sometimes reduce certain nutrients that could impact cats with underlying health issues.
References:
- https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/240/5/javma.240.5.570.xml
coordinating scientific research with practical advice, veterinarians often recommend dietary changes for managing feline medical-conditions, such as urinary syndrome. A lifestyle modification that offers health-and-wellness benefits for cats is switching to a urinary cat food, which can aid in resolving frequent urination issues, preventing blockages, and tackling various urinary problems. These specialized diets, with their low mineral content and acidified formulation, also help manage certain minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium that contribute to urinary conditions, promoting pet's overall health and wellness.
