Best Diets for Cats with Urinary Tract Disease: Vet-Approved Guide

Written by Alessandro Didiano (doctor in veterinary medicine, MRCVS)

Disclaimer: This article is personally written by me, a licensed veterinarian with several years of clinical experience. It’s for general information only and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a vet for health concerns or emergencies.

I still remember the moment very vividly. I was a new graduate and I was doing one of my first sole-charge emergency shifts. On my table there was an anesthetized cat with a urinary blockage and my duty was to unblock him, but there was a problem: a little stubborn stone was not allowing me to advance the catheter through his urethra. I had unsuccessfully tried to pass the catheter for more than 40 minutes and tears were starting to flow down my face. I felt helpless and, most importantly, I feared for the cat’s life. Until... suddenly it happened: my face was wet, but this time it was not tears. I had unblocked his bladder and all the urine had squirted onto my face. “Has this really been my dream career since I was a little kid?” I thought while emptying the cat’s bladder.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a relatively common and potentially serious health issue affecting many cats. It seems to affect mostly indoor, young male cats, but it can be seen in cats of every age, gender and life-style.

This condition can cause a whole range of symptoms, from something relatively mild such as frequent urination or urination in inappropriate places to something more worrisome, such as blood in the urine or even, mostly in male cats, more severe (and life-threatening) conditions like urinary blockages. 

What is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease? 

The term Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease includes a very wide range of disorders. The most common cause for the condition is feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), a bladder inflammation of unknown origin, although most vets agree it is triggered by stress or anxiety. Other common causes include urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder crystals (struvite or calcium oxalate) and bladder stones (which may require surgery).

All these conditions can lead to discomfort, pain, and the symptoms I mentioned above. If you notice any of these symptoms, please take your cat to your local vet as soon as possible. A physical examination and a urine analysis can give us very valuable insights about what is going on, and will give us the ability to treat your cat successfully in most cases. 

Single or occasional cases of interstitial cystitis or UTIs can be treated with medications, but if your cat develops chronic urinary problems or if there is an underlying cause, such as bladder crystals or bladder stones, your vet may recommend what is called “a urinary diet”.

These diets focus on supporting your cat’s urinary health by maintaining an optimal pH balance in the urine, therefore reducing the risk of urinary problems.

Why Diet Matters for Cats with FLUTD 

As discussed, diet plays an extremely important role in the management of FLUTD. These specialised “urinary diets” can:

Maintain Urine pH Balance: FLUTD can be triggered by a pH imbalance in your cat’s     urine. A urinary diet will help to keep the optimal balance in your cat’s urine. 

Prevent Stone Formation: Certain ingredients in these specialized diets, as well as the optimal pH discussed above help dissolve and prevent the formation of urinary stones. 

Promote Healthy Bladder Function: Specific nutrients in these special diets are designed to support bladder health, therefore reducing inflammation and discomfort. 

 Prescription Diets for UTD 

Although cooking a home diet for your cat with urinary problems is possible, the fine balance that needs to be met between all the nutrients and minerals would mean that, if you were to cook yourself, you would need to work as a full-time cat chef.

Therefore, if your cat has been diagnosed with FLUTD, chances are that your veterinarian may recommend a commercial diet which is specifically designed for urinary health. 

The most popular and most effective prescription diets for cats with FLUTD include:

Hill's Diet c/d Multicare– available in dry or wet

 Royal Canin Urinary SO – available in dry or wet

 Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR St/Ox – available in dry or wet

Over the years, I have recommended the above diets interchangeably to my clients, and most of the cats, usually, do very well on them. Therefore, all of them are, in my opinion, equally good options. The only tims when I make a specific recommendation between these brands is when I think stress is playing a crucial role in the cat’s symptoms. In this case, Hill’s is your best pick, as they have a specifically formulated urinary diet to reduce stress: Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Stress Urinary Care (available in dry or wet)

This diet contains L-tryptophan and alpha-casozepine, both of which can help calm cats by influencing the brain's serotonin levels and therefore reducing anxiety.

 Vet Tip: Wet food is the best choice for cats with urinary tract issues, for the very simple reason that it increases hydration and dilutes the urine. However, if your cat prefers dry kibble, that’s absolutely fine.  Just consider adding small water or mixing in some wet food to boost moisture intake!

Conclusion: Is there anything else you can do? 

As discussed, changing your cat’s diet is often one of the most important things you can do to help them when suffering from FLUTD. Be assured that proper nutrition can greatly improve your cat’s comfort and quality of life with this (sometimes) debilitating condition. 

As always, make sure you consult with your local veterinarian before making any changes to your cat’s diet. 

Lastly, if your cat is suffering from chronic urinary problems, you may want to consider adding a urinary supplement. Like the food, these are designed to support your cat’s urinary tract health, by providing nutrients that help prevent infections, reduce inflammation, and maintain proper urine pH.

These are the ones I usually recommend in practice:

• Feline Urinary Supplements

 Got questions? If so, please reach out—I’m always happy to help cat parents!

 

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