If you have a cat (or two or three) at home, you’re probably pretty familiar with their bathroom habits. You probably scoop their litter box every day, which means you would immediately notice if something was wrong with their urinary tract function.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be quite serious, especially in male cats, which is just one reason why staying on top of your cat’s urinary tract health is so important. While supplements won’t cure an active urinary tract infection, they can be incredibly helpful when it comes to keeping your cat’s urinary system in good shape.
Read along as we review some of the best urinary tract supplements available for cats. We’ll also break down the ingredients that make these supplements effective. As a pet parent, it can be difficult to know which urinary tract supplements will help, but that’s why Under the Weather is here to help.
By the end of this guide, you should have a solid understanding of how to support your cat’s urinary tract health. Let’s get started!
Understanding Cat Urinary Tract Issues
Urinary issues in cats aren’t uncommon, especially as they get older. Most cats that develop UTIs are over ten years old, and these infections often occur alongside other health issues (like hyperthyroidism or diabetes). But UTIs aren’t the only concern. Cats can also suffer from Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), cystitis, or even urethral blockages caused by bladder stones.
If your cat is dealing with urinary issues, you might notice symptoms like difficulty urinating, a decrease in urine output, frequent urination, or vocalizing in pain while trying to pee. Sometimes, you might see blood in their urine or notice a strong odor.
These symptoms should never be ignored, as some urinary tract problems can become serious, fast. If you spot any of these signs, you should take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.
A veterinarian will usually start with a physical exam and might take a urine sample to check for red and white blood cells, crystals, pH levels, and other factors. If a UTI is diagnosed, antibiotics are typically the go-to treatment. However, to prevent these issues from coming back, and to support your cat’s urinary health long-term, you may want to consider adding urinary tract supplements to their diet.
What Causes Feline Urinary Tract Issues?
Figuring out what’s behind your cat’s urinary tract problems can be challenging since there are often multiple potential causes. Chronic kidney disease, bladder stones, and infections are common culprits. In some cases, urinary issues might be linked to tumors, injuries, or even congenital abnormalities — problems your cat was born with.
Stress and anxiety can also play a major role, as they can affect a cat’s overall health, including their urinary system. Sometimes, the exact cause remains unknown, which can be frustrating. Still, though, addressing the symptoms (like painful urination and bloody urine) and supporting your cat’s health is both important and possible.
The Best Urinary Tract Supplements for Cats
Now that we’ve covered the basics of cat urinary health, let’s talk about some of the best urinary tract supplements for cats that are currently on the market. These products are designed to help your cat maintain a healthy urinary tract. Let’s take a closer look below:
Urinary Support Powder for Cats
One of the most convenient ways to support your cat’s urinary health is with a powder supplement. This particular product contains acetyl glucosamine, which helps maintain a normal pH balance in your cat’s urine. It also includes D-mannose and cranberry extract, both of which work well for promoting urinary tract health.
This powder is formulated by veterinarians and is free from corn, artificial flavors, and dyes (this is the case for all products made by Under the Weather). It also has a delicious chicken liver flavor that even the pickiest cats tend to love. The fact that it’s a powder makes it a lot easier to mix into their wet food, too.
Active Ingredients per Scoop (1.5 g):
- N-Acetyl Glucosamine (from shrimp & crab): 200 mg
- D-Mannose: 100 mg
- Cranberry Extract: 100 mg
- Inactive Ingredients:
- Brewers yeast
- Natural chicken flavors
This powder is a simple way to give your cat the benefits of these active ingredients without needing to coax them into taking a pill or chew. Simply mix two scoops with your cat’s food daily.
Urinary Support Soft Chews for Cats
If your cat isn’t into powders, soft chews are another great option. These chews are specially formulated with N-acetyl glucosamine, cranberry extract, and D-mannose to support urinary tract health.
What makes them particularly effective is their ability to help maintain a healthy pH balance in your cat’s urine, which can reduce the chances of bacteria sticking to the bladder walls and causing an infection.
Plus, they’re made with natural ingredients that work together to reduce inflammation and keep your cat comfortable, even when they’re dealing with urinary tract problems. The chews come in a star shape and have a salmon flavor that most cats find irresistible, so getting your cat to take their supplement might feel more like giving them a treat.
Active Ingredients per 2 Chews (1.5 g each):
- N-Acetyl Glucosamine (from shellfish): 100 mg
- D-Mannose: 50 mg
- Cranberry Extract: 50 mg
Inactive Ingredients:
- Cane molasses
- Chicken meal
- Chicken liver
- Corn starch
- Glycerin
- Methylparaben
- Mixed tocopherols
- Potato flour
- Potassium sorbate
- Powdered sugar
- Phosphoric acid
- Propylparaben
- Salt
- Salmon oil
These chews are a great choice if you’re looking for something easy to administer (and that your cat will find appealing). For cats up to 15 lbs, give them 2 chews daily. For cats over 15 lbs, give them 4 chews daily.
Ingredients in Urinary Tract Supplements for Cats
So, what exactly makes these supplements so effective? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common ingredients that are found in urinary tract supplements for cats.
Cranberry
Cranberries contain a compound called proanthocyanidins, which can help prevent bacteria that cause UTIs from sticking to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract. By making it harder for bacteria to cling on, cranberries increase the chances that these bacteria will be flushed out when your cat urinates.
Blueberry
Like cranberries, blueberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins C and K, which can help maintain a balanced pH level in your cat’s urine. This balance is important because it helps prevent the formation of crystals and stones in your cat’s urinary tract.
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that plays a huge role in preserving the function of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, in the urine. By keeping these cells active, taurine can help prevent the recurrence of UTIs.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a flowering plant that’s especially well-known for its immune-boosting properties. A strong immune system is essential for your cat’s ability to fight off infections, including UTIs.
Rehmannia Powder
Rehmannia is an herb that’s particularly supportive of kidney function in cats. Since the kidneys play a central role in the urinary system, keeping them healthy is super important when it comes to preventing urinary tract problems.
Horsetail Leaf
Horsetail is an herb that has tissue-healing properties. It’s also astringent and diuretic, which means it’s one of the best natural remedies for UTIs. Horsetail can help reduce inflammation and promote healing within the urinary tract, so it’s certainly an ingredient to look for when picking out urinary tract supplements.
How to Give Urinary Tract Supplements to Cats
If you’ve ever tried giving a cat a pill, you know it’s not always easy. Cats can be notoriously picky, which can make administering supplements a bit of a challenge. However, there are a few strategies you can try to make this process easier.
For starters, if you’re using a powder supplement, the easiest way to give it to your cat is to mix it into their wet food. The strong flavor of the food will usually mask the taste of the supplement, which will make it more likely that your cat will eat it without making a fuss.
On the other hand, if you’re using soft chews, your cat might see them as treats. This can make the process a lot easier, since your cat may even look forward to getting their supplement. Just be sure to follow the dosage instructions to make sure that your cat is getting the right amount each day.
Conclusion
No pet parent wants to see their fur baby suffer. If you notice that there’s blood in your cat’s urine, or that your cat is letting out yelps of pain while urinating, it could be a sign that they have a urinary tract infection.
The first thing you’ll want to do, in this case, is take your cat to the vet. The vet will likely prescribe antibiotics, but once the infection clears, there are a few things you can do to prevent UTIs from happening in the future — like giving your cat urinary tract supplements. Help Your Pet!
