Can healthy cats eat urinary food? Many pet owners are unaware that urinary cat food exists. Unbeknownst to them, their cat could be suffering from a urinary tract infection or kidney stones if they are not eating a diet high in water and low in protein.
Our post today is about whether healthy cats can eat this food. Since many of our readers are veterinarians, we’d like to remind you that you are the experts on cats and their care and can decide whether or not to feed your cat this type of food.
Table of Contents
What Is Urinary Food?
The commercially sold urinary cat food is primarily made from a mixture of corn, soybean, hydrolyzed protein sources, and some trace minerals.
This type of food has a higher percentage of water than conventional cat food (about 80%).
The available types are:
➤ Urinary tract formula (Hill’s) – is higher in fat and protein than urinary tract foods. This can be a good choice for cats who have completely stopped eating their regular brand.
If a cat is not eating at all, we find it difficult to recommend this food over canned food unless there is an underlying medical condition we are trying to address.
➤ Reduced protein (Hill’s) – has about 40% protein and is lower in phosphorus, fat, and calcium.
This will not provide all the essential nutrients your cat needs to stay healthy, so it should only be used as a short-term solution until you can figure out the underlying problem.
Can Healthy Cats Eat Urinary Food?
Yes, healthy cats can eat urinary food, and most of them do.
Urinary cat foods are a water source for their kidneys and bladder, which increases urine volume and helps prevent urinary tract infections.
Most healthy cats without bladder problems can share a prescription urine diet without side effects.
However, they will also keep your cat at a lower body weight as water is used in the urine instead of being retained as fat (you may want to check with your veterinarian on this).
Is Urinary Food Necessary and Can Healthy Cats Eat It?
Hill’s Health and Science states that the most common diet for urinary problems is about 16% protein, much higher than dried food.
Urinary food may be necessary to provide the additional water and nutrients needed to protect against bladder stones or infections.
It would be best to discuss this with your veterinarian to ensure you are feeding your cat a balanced diet.
What to Feed a Cat with Urinary Problems?
Talk to your veterinarian about a diet and ensure the urinary foods are part of that diet.
If you do feed a urinary food, it is important to avoid feeding a urinary diet exclusively in case your cat has a bladder problem.
You should also discuss additional steps to prevent any problems from occurring again, such as monitoring your cat’s urine after she voids and incorporating other non-food items into her diet (for example, rehydrating canned food with water rather than dry food).
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
The 3 Best Cat Foods for Urinary Tract Health
Veterinarians have recommended the following cat foods as the 3 best cat foods for urinary tract health:
1. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care with Chicken Wet Cat Food
Help your cat overcome urinary tract problems with Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care, clinically proven to help keep cats free of struvite crystals and maintain urinary tract health.
The delicious chicken flavour will give your cat the energy to live a long, healthy lifestyle.
The formula has high levels of water and protein to promote the healthy function of your cat’s urination system.
2. Wysong Uretic Dry Cat Food
Wysong Uretic Dry Cat Food is a high-quality diet for cats with urinary tract problems.
Wysong Uretic Dry Cat Food is hypoallergenic and free of grains, gluten, corn, soy, and wheat.
The product is specifically designed to help maintain urinary tract health and prevent the formation of crystals in your cat’s bladder and kidneys.
The low sodium helps lower the risk of bladder irritation and damage from over-watering.
This formulation has been proven very effective by veterinarians.
3. Purina Pro Plan Urinary Care Dry Cat Food
Purina Pro Plan Urinary Care Dry Cat Food – Chicken Flavor is a highly digestible formula to help keep your cat’s urinary tract in shape.
Like many other urinary cat foods, the formula has a high water content and high levels of protein and fat to support healthy urinary tract function.
How Does A Urinary Tract Problem Affect Cats?
Urinary tract problems are very common in cats. They can be caused by stress, misalignment within the urethra or urinary tract, or underlying medical conditions.
If your cat is showing signs suggesting a urinary problem, it is very important to have your cat evaluated by a veterinarian.
Urinary tract problems in cats may not always cause symptoms. The cat may have slight difficulty urinating, such as having less urine than normal or only passing small amounts of urine.
Can Healthy Cats Eat Urinary Tract Food?
Yes, most healthy cats can share urinary food without urinary problems with no side effects.
In general, healthy cats don’t need to eat urinary tract food, but it should not harm them to do so. Urinary tract food is typically formulated for cats with specific urinary tract issues such as urinary crystals, bladder stones, or infections.
These foods are designed to help dissolve or prevent the formation of crystals and stones and promote urinary tract health by regulating pH levels and increasing water intake.
If a healthy cat is fed urinary tract food, it is unlikely to cause harm. However, it may not provide all the nutrients that a healthy cat needs.
It’s always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best type of food for your cat based on its specific health needs and nutritional requirements.
Does My Cat Need Urinary Food Forever?
Suppose your cat has been diagnosed with urinary tract issues such as crystals, bladder stones, or an infection. In that case, feeding them urinary tract food may be necessary for some time to help manage the issue.
However, it’s not typically necessary for a cat to eat urinary tract food indefinitely, especially if the issue has been resolved or is under control.
Once your cat’s urinary tract issue has been addressed, and a veterinarian has cleared them, you can talk to your veterinarian about gradually transitioning them back to a regular diet that meets their nutritional needs.
It’s important to monitor your cat’s urinary tract health and consult with your veterinarian regularly to determine if any changes in their diet are necessary to maintain their health.
Can My Healthy Cat Eat Urinary Food?
If your cat is healthy and has not been diagnosed with urinary tract issues, it is unnecessary for them to eat urinary food.
Urinary food is typically formulated for cats with specific urinary tract issues such as urinary crystals, bladder stones, or urinary tract infections.
These foods are designed to help dissolve or prevent the formation of crystals and stones and promote urinary tract health by regulating pH levels and increasing water intake.
Yes, my healthy cat eats urinary food, but no need to give it. Feeding urinary food to a healthy cat may not provide all the nutrients that a healthy cat needs in their diet.
It’s important to provide a well-balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs based on age, weight, and activity level.
What Ingredient In Cat Food Causes Urinary Crystals?
Sodium and phosphorus are often found in cat food.
These two ingredients can cause crystals to form within your cat’s kidneys and may lead to health problems such as urinary tract infections.
A high-quality diet with the proper amount of sodium and phosphorus is usually best for a cat with a urinary problem.
What Is The Difference Between Urinary Cat Food And Regular Cat Food?
Urinary cat foods are formulated to help prevent urinary tract infections.
These diets usually have high levels of water, proteins, and fats. Fats have a higher concentration than normal to avoid dehydration.
Urinary cat food has less phosphorus and sodium than regular cat food.
Regular cat food may not satisfy your cat’s water needs, leading to dehydration.
How to Feed a Cat with a Urinary Tract Problem?
Your veterinarian will work with you to create a diet plan tailored to your cat’s needs.
The plan may include special diets, medication, or both.
Once you understand the same treatment your cat needs, you can find a urinary cat food that is both nutritious and appropriate for your cat’s urinary tract health.
The Right Diet for Healthy Urinary Tracts
If your cat has a urinary tract problem such as struvite crystals, she should be fed a high-quality prescription urinary diet.
Choose a diet with less sodium than regular dry food since an excess of sodium can increase the formation of crystals within her kidneys.
Conclusion
If your cat is experiencing urinary problems, it’s important to speak with your veterinarian about the proper diet formula to help keep her urinary tract healthy.
It’s also beneficial to monitor her urine after she voids to ensure she doesn’t develop further problems.
You can also find an appropriate urinary cat food that will promote healthy urinary tract function.
I hope this article has helped you better understand urinary tract health in cats.
Most people are unaware that cats’ urinary tract diseases are very common.
Urinary tract disease is a common ailment in cats, affecting as many as 50% of pet cats at some time during their lives.
Check out the articles below to learn more about urinary tract health in cats.
1. Homemade Cat Food For Urinary Problems
2. Does Dry Cat Food Cause Urinary Problems?
3. Non-Prescription Cat Food For Urinary Crystals
4. Homemade Cat Food Recipe For Urinary Crystals
FAQs
How much urinary So should I feed my cat?
Your cat should be fed a good quality urinary formula for life.
If your cat is urinating less than usual and you do not want to go through a high-quality urinary diet, don’t be afraid to change the food one meal at a time.
Why is my cat urinating less than usual?
Your cat may be experiencing urinary tract problems and needs professional care.
What is special about feline urinary food?
Feline urinary food has a high moisture content. This keeps the cat from urinating too much or too little.
Can I change my cat’s diet if she has a urinary tract disease?
You may change your cat’s diet to a prescription formula if she needs it for her urinary tract problems.
Can cats with urinary problems eat tuna?
The answer is a definite no. It can be harmful to your cat. It may also cause other problems in your cat.
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.
