8 Best Cat Foods For Urinary Health
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One of the best things about owning a cat over owning a dog is the fact that cats are fairly clean. Not only do they spend most of their time grooming, but they do their business discretely in a box that can be scooped and cleaned.
Unfortunately, cats are prone to urinary health problems that can sometimes lead to accidents in the home outside the litter box. In addition to medical treatments for urinary health problems, changing your cat’s diet might help address these issues.
Keep reading to learn more about what causes urinary problems in cats and how to protect your cat’s urinary health through diet. You’ll also see our top 8 picks for the best cat food for urinary health.
Compare Best Cat Foods For Urinary Health
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Best Wet Cat Food
2. Tiki Cat Hana Grill Ahi Tuna with Crab in Tuna Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food |
Best For Budget
4. Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health Formula Chicken Entree in Gravy Canned Cat Food |
Best Dry Cat Food
5. Wysong Epigen 90 Starch-Free Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog & Cat Food |
Best Grain-Free Cat Food
6. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |
Best Cat Food For Urinary Health and Allergies
7. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Pate Real Turkey Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food |
Most Popular
8. Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entree Canned Cat Food |
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|
Protein
2.3% Min |
Protein
18.4% Min |
Protein
21.2% Min |
Protein
12% Min |
Protein
63% Min |
Protein
38% Min |
Protein
11.5% Min |
Protein
7% Min |
|
Fat
0.1% Min |
Fat
2.3% Min |
Fat
8.05% Min |
Fat
3.5% Min |
Fat
16% Min |
Fat
11% Min |
Fat
7% Min |
Fat
3.5% Min |
|
Fiber
1% Max |
Fiber
0% Max |
Fiber
0.4% Max |
Fiber
30.2% Max |
Fiber
3% Max |
Fiber
13% Max |
Fiber
2% Max |
Fiber
4% Max |
|
Moisture
97% Max |
Moisture
77% Max |
Moisture
66.1% Max |
Moisture
78% Max |
Moisture
10% Max |
Moisture
9% Max |
Moisture
76% Max |
Moisture
|
|
Caloric Content
160 kcal ME/kg, 2.25 kcal ME/tbsp |
Caloric Content
160 kcal/6 oz can |
Caloric Content
550 kcal/package |
Caloric Content
25 kcal/ounce |
Caloric Content
445 kcal/cup |
Caloric Content
352 kcal/cup |
Caloric Content
197 kcal/5.5 ounce can |
Caloric Content
82 kcal/2.9 oz can |
|
Food Type
Fresh |
Food Type
|
Food Type
|
Food Type
|
Food Type
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Food Type
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Food Type
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Food Type
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What Causes Urinary Problems In Cats?
Kittens learn to use the litter box from their mothers at a very young age. Though you should expect the occasional accident to happen from time to time, most cast have no trouble using the litter box consistently.
So, when your cat starts urinating outside the box or exhibits other changes in urinary behavior, it may be a cause for concern. But what causes urinary problems in cats?
Here are some of the most common urinary problems that affect cats:
- Urinary tract infections
- Kidney disease
- Bladder or kidney stones
- Excessive water intake
- Bladder infection
- Stress
- Spinal cord issues
- Congenital abnormalities
If your cat starts to exhibit urinary problems, your first step is to take it to the vet. Your vet will be able to diagnose the problem and suggest a course of treatment.
On top of that treatment, changing your cat’s diet to a food that supports urinary health might help. While keeping these things in mind, you can now start shopping around for the best cat food for urinary health. Here’s what you need to know:
How To Choose The Best Cat Food For Urinary Health?
Different urinary problems require different forms of treatment, so always talk to your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet or starting some kind of medical treatment.
When it comes to urinary issues, one of the best things you can do is encourage your cat to drink more water and to include more moisture in its diet.
On top of that, it is important to choose a recipe made with high-quality, easy-to-digest ingredients so your cat can absorb as much nutrition as possible.
Here are some things to look for in a cat food for urinary health:
- Moisture – Increasing the moisture content of your cat’s diet is important for urinary health because it helps dilute the urine and flushes out excess crystals that might form bladder or kidney stones. Look for a semi-moist or wet food or use a meal topper.
- Quality Ingredients – All cats require a healthy diet made from high-quality ingredients, so look for a recipe that features premium animal proteins, healthy animal fats, and limited carbs.
- Healthy Fats – Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for healthy skin and coat, but also provide your cat with energy. Animal-based fats like chicken fat and salmon oil are best.
- Beneficial Supplements – A balanced diet is essential for your cat’s health as a whole, not just for its urinary health. Synthetic vitamins and chelated minerals help to ensure nutritional balance for cat food, though fresh fruits and veggies can provide natural sources for key nutrients as well.
The Top 8 Best Cat Foods For Urinary Health
When it comes to cat food designed specifically for urinary health, it is difficult to find options made only with natural ingredients.
Many prescription diets contain grains and by-products, so it is up to you to decide whether you want to feed your cat that kind of food.
One option is to feed a prescription diet until your cat’s urinary health issues are resolved and then switch back to a higher quality food. Another option is to switch to wet food or find a urinary health cat food made with natural ingredients.
Open Farm Harvest Chicken Bone Broth
Product Info
- Protein: 2.3% Min
- Fat: 0.1% Min
- Fiber: 1% Max
- Moisture: 97% Max
- Caloric Content: 160 kcal ME/kg, 2.25 kcal ME/tbsp
- Food Type: Fresh
- Moisture-rich
- Human grade food
- High meat content
- Low ash
- Price is above market average
Though it’s not a plant-free food, fruits and vegetables constitute a small percentage of each meal and carbohydrates represent about 10% of the food’s calorie content. Like other meat-based, low-carbohydrate foods, it has a carnivore-appropriate pH value and, in comparison to alkaline plant-based foods, is unlikely to promote urinary tract crystals.
Open Farm is more than a moisture-rich, low-ash, meat-heavy food. It’s a cat food subscription service that provides a personalized customer experience. When you place your first order, you’ll tell Open Farm about your cat’s health and unique needs. Though Open Farm doesn’t customize the formulations, they’ll portion out each bag for your cat’s weight needs and can help you to choose the right food for your cat. After you select your delivery schedule and meal plan, Open Farm will send you regular shipments of fresh food.
Tiki Cat Hana Grill Ahi Tuna with Crab in Tuna Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 18.4% Min
- Fat: 2.3% Min
- Fiber: 0% Max
- Moisture: 77% Max
- Caloric Content: 160 kcal/6 oz can
- Made with 100% all-natural, high-quality ingredients
- Contains 18% protein and 2.3% fat
- Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics
- Some kittens may be sensitive to sea food ingredients
They are complete and balanced for all life stages. And they are hand-packed. For example, Hana Grill Ahi Tuna with Crab In Tuna Consommé has 16 percent protein, three percent fat, and two percent carbohydrates.
The first three ingredients are tuna, tuna broth, and crab. This food has 75 kcal per 2.8 ounce can. It’s typical of Tiki Cat foods.
They have lots of other fish-based canned foods as well as a line of similar chicken-based foods.
Smalls Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 21.2% Min
- Fat: 8.05% Min
- Fiber: 0.4% Max
- Moisture: 66.1% Max
- Caloric Content: 550 kcal/package
- Fresh chicken (thigh and breast) as first two ingredients
- High in moisture for digestion and hydration
- Free from grains and fillers
- Low carbohydrate content (estimated under 2%)
- Doesn’t come proportioned in daily meals
- Some cats may be sensitive to chicken ingredients
Choose from a variety of wet food formulas including minced foods and pates, made with real animal proteins like chicken, turkey, and beef. Smalls also offers a selection of freeze-dried food and treats, all of which can be delivered right to your door in convenient monthly shipments.
If you’re looking for a nutritious, highly digestible cat food made with ingredients you can feel good about, Smalls is a brand worth considering.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health Formula Chicken Entree in Gravy Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 12% Min
- Fat: 3.5% Min
- Fiber: 30.2% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 25 kcal/ounce
- Designed specifically to support urinary health in cats
- Made with real chicken
- Reduced dietary magnesium and balanced pH
- Contains by-products and artificial ingredients
- Real chicken is not the first ingredient
This cat food is conspired as one of the best urinary care cat food on the market today. It is rich in natural chicken flavor and supports urinary health by ensuring pH balance, reducing dietary magnesium, and boosting moisture intake. It also supports your cat’s immune system for overall health and wellness.
Wysong Epigen 90 Starch-Free Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog & Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 63% Min
- Fat: 16% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 445 kcal/cup
- Formulated specifically for urinary health support
- Made with premium animal proteins and healthy animal fats
- Supplemented with vitamins, chelated minerals, and probiotics
- Contains some unnamed ingredients (like meat protein isolate)
- Not a grain-free formula, some cats may be sensitive or allergic
This recipe is supplemented with dried fruits and vegetables for nutritional support as well as chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption and probiotics for healthy and regular digestion.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 38% Min
- Fat: 11% Min
- Fiber: 13% Max
- Moisture: 9% Max
- Caloric Content: 352 kcal/cup
- Real animal protein as the first ingredient (deboned chicken)
- Made with digestible grain-free carbohydrates
- Free from by-products, fillers, and artificial additives
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet
Not only is it made by a trusted brand, but it features premium ingredients like deboned chicken, sweet potatoes, carrots, and flaxseed.
This recipe is supplemented with vitamins, chelated minerals, and probiotics, plus it contains plenty of fiber for healthy and regular digestion. You’ll also be glad to know that it is very rich in protein (38% crude protein) with ample fat for healthy skin and coat.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Pate Real Turkey Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 11.5% Min
- Fat: 7% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Moisture: 76% Max
- Caloric Content: 197 kcal/5.5 ounce can
- Limited number of ingredients to reduce food allergy risk
- High in moisture and protein-rich
- Made with premium animal proteins and other natural ingredients
- Not specifically designed for urinary health
- Contains some plant-based protein (pea protein)
This recipe is moisture-rich and packed with premium animal proteins. It also contains vitamin supplements and chelated minerals as well as fiber for healthy digestion.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entree Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 7% Min
- Fat: 3.5% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Caloric Content: 82 kcal/2.9 oz can
- Chicken and turkey as the main ingredients (after water)
- Specifically designed for urinary health
- Supplemented with vitamins and minerals for nutritional balance
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet
- Doesn’t contain chelated minerals or probiotics
In addition to natural ingredients, this recipe is supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to ensure complete and balanced nutrition – plus it is free from artificial flavors and preservatives.
How Much Should You Feed Your Cat?
The amount you need to feed your cat depends on its age, weight, and activity level.
Kittens need more calories than adult cats to fuel their growth and development while adult cats need to maintain a healthy body weight.
Generally speaking, kittens need several small meals a day while adult cats do well with two daily meals. To determine exactly how much to feed at each meal, start with a high-quality cat food and refer to the feeding recommendations according to your cat’s age and weight.
How Can You Get Your Cat To Drink More Water?
Hydration is essential for treating and preventing urinary health problems but, unfortunately, many cats tend not to drink a lot of water.
One way to make water more appealing to your cat is to start using a cat fountain instead of a simple water dish.
Moving water is fresher and more appealing to cats. You can also try switching to wet food or supplementing your cat’s dry food diet with some canned food or wet food toppers. If all else fails, moisten your cat’s food with some water or chicken broth.
Final Remarks
All cats have the same basic nutritional needs, but if your cat is prone to urinary health problems you might need to pay a little extra attention to its diet.
Talk to your veterinarian about specific treatment options and then ask what kind of dietary changes might benefit your cat.
If you’re not sure where to start, try one of our top 8 picks for the best cat foods for urinary health compared and reviewed above.
*This article is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Your vet can provide personalized suggestions relevant to your pet’s unique situation.
