Cats, just like humans, can encounter a variety of health issues throughout their lives. One such issue is the formation of urinary crystals, which can lead to discomfort and even serious complications if not addressed properly. To help manage and prevent this condition, it’s essential to provide your feline friend with the appropriate diet that supports urinary health and keeps them feeling their best.
As cat owners ourselves, we understand the importance of ensuring that our pets receive the proper nutrition they need to live long, healthy lives. One of the most effective ways to address urinary crystals is by selecting a high-quality cat food specifically designed to prevent their formation and promote urinary tract health. This food often includes ingredients with a focus on maintaining an optimal pH level, reduced magnesium content, and the presence of specific nutrients that promote urinary health.
When choosing the best cat food for your furry friend with urinary crystals, it’s vital to consider factors such as the quality of the ingredients, the nutrient profile, and the taste preferences of your cat. It’s also important to consult with your veterinarian for guidance on choosing a suitable diet that meets your cat’s specific needs.
With the right diet, you can help your cat maintain a healthy urinary tract and minimize the risk of urinary crystal formation. In the next section, we will dive into our top recommendations for the best cat foods to support your cat’s urinary health.
Best Food for Cats with Urinary Crystals
We’ve curated a list of the top food options for cats suffering from urinary crystals, ensuring your furry friend receives the proper nutrition and care they need.
IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Urinary Tract Healthy Cat Food
This urinary tract health cat food from IAMS is a great choice for both indoor and outdoor cats, with high-quality ingredients and numerous health benefits.
IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Urinary Tract Healthy Dry Cat Food with Chicken is an excellent option for cat parents looking to maintain their furkids’ urinary tract health. As primary ingredient, chicken offers high-quality protein for strong muscles. This specially formulated dry cat food reduces the pH in cat urine, which can effectively support the overall health of the urinary system, making it beneficial for outdoor and indoor cats alike.
Moreover, this cat kibble mix contains essential nutrients such as vitamin E for maintaining a healthy feline immune system. It also includes calcium and potassium for heart health and an optimal omega-6 and -3 fatty acid ratio to promote a soft and shiny coat. The kibble’s crunchy texture further aids with dental care by helping to reduce plaque buildup.
While IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH cat food offers many advantages, it’s important to note it is not a prescription diet and, thus, may not be suitable for cats with severe urinary issues or specific dietary needs. It’s recommended to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat’s diet. Additionally, be aware that the price of this product may fluctuate when compared to local stores, so it’s always wise to do some price comparison before purchasing.
With a myriad of health benefits and a focus on promoting urinary tract health, IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Urinary Tract Healthy Dry Cat Food with Chicken is an excellent option for many cat guardians. By including essential nutrients and carefully tailored ingredients, this cat food ensures your feline companions are well-cared for, both inside and out.
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care with Chicken Dry Cat Food
This cat food is a great investment for those looking to support their cat's urinary health, as it helps to lower the recurrence of common urinary issues and dissolve struvite stones.
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care with Chicken Dry Cat Food is a high-quality product that targets urinary issues in cats. It’s designed by Hill’s team of nutritionists and veterinarians, ensuring a cat-specific formulation aiming to improve urinary health. The food also effectively dissolves struvite stones in a short period, making it an excellent choice for cats suffering from this condition.
Being a specialized formula, it comes with a higher price tag compared to regular cat food, which could be a drawback for some pet owners. Additionally, for the best results, this diet may need to be fed to the cat for its entire life. As it’s a prescription diet, it requires a veterinarian consultation to ensure it’s the right choice for your cat’s needs and overall health.
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care with Chicken Dry Cat Food is an excellent investment for pet owners whose cats suffer from urinary health issues. This product, with its clinically tested efficacy and specialized formulation, provides a solution that both supports urinary health and targets specific issues such as struvite stones.
Wysong Uretic – Dry Natural Food for Cats
We recommend Wysong Uretic Cat Food for its focus on urinary health, quality ingredients, and high protein content.
Wysong Uretic Cat Food is designed with urinary health in mind. It has been developed over thirty years with veterinary recommendations and boasts an impressive track record of improving cats’ vitality. This dry cat food contains 42% protein, 15% fat, and a variety of nutrient-dense ingredients, such as prebiotics, probiotics, enzymes, omega-3s, and antioxidants.
The upgraded formulation of Wysong Uretic now features a higher percentage of fresh, frozen, and dried meats and organs, contributing to its high protein and fat content. Additionally, it includes a comprehensive spectrum of micronutrients and nutraceuticals, offering a well-rounded and balanced diet for your cats. It also contains natural methionine for urinary health support and avoids unnecessary fillers.
However, some cat owners may find that their pets are not particularly fond of the taste of Wysong Uretic. It is currently limited to a chicken flavor, which may not appeal to all cats. Additionally, this product is restricted to domestic shipping within the United States, making it less accessible for international buyers.
Overall, Wysong Uretic is an excellent choice for cat owners seeking a urinary health-focused, nutrient-rich, natural cat food that caters to cats of all breeds and life stages. Despite its few limitations, its proven success and trusted history establish it as a reliable option for ensuring the well-being of your feline companions.
Forza10 Active Urinary Dry Cat Food
This cat food is a great option for those looking to support their cat's urinary health while providing balanced nutrition.
Forza10 Active Urinary Dry Cat Food is designed to address urinary health concerns in cats. Its low magnesium content and acidifying properties help create an optimal urinary tract pH, preventing crystal formation. Additionally, the food includes herbal extracts that support urinary health, making it beneficial for cats with urinary tract disease, cystitis, and those prone to struvite crystals.
This cat food offers complete and balanced nutrition, making it suitable for cats with feline lower urinary tract disease, recurrent or chronic cystitis, and those prone to developing crystals and blockages. The seafood flavor is not only palatable for cats, but it also provides a good food option for those with allergies or sensitivities to other common protein sources.
However, this product does come at a higher price per pound compared to other cat foods on the market, which may make it less accessible for some pet owners. Additionally, the flavor options are limited, and it may not be suitable for cats with specific dietary needs or restrictions. Despite these drawbacks, Forza10 Active Urinary Dry Cat Food is a high-quality solution for supporting a cat’s urinary health while satisfying their taste buds.
Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Cat Food
This product is worth considering if you're looking for an effective cat food that supports urinary tract health for your feline friend.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health Formula Turkey and Giblets Entree Classic is specifically formulated to help maintain your cat’s urinary health. Its urinary health benefits come from reducing urinary pH and providing low dietary magnesium levels in your cat’s diet. The product uses real turkey and giblets, which enhances the taste and provides a highly digestible source of nutrition.
This cat food is a high-protein formula that delivers focused nutrition tailored to support unique needs, making it an excellent choice for cats with urinary tract issues. It contains 25 essential vitamins and minerals, plus taurine, an amino acid vital for your cat’s health. Additionally, this entree does not contain any artificial colors or preservatives, ensuring a more natural diet for your pet.
However, some factors to consider are the cost of this cat food, which may be a bit steep for daily feeding, especially for households with multiple cats. Also, it’s important to note that this formula is not intended for pregnant or nursing cats or kittens. Nonetheless, the product itself gets high ratings from users, with many seeing significant improvements in their cats’ urinary health.
Buying Guide
One of the main factors to consider when selecting food for a cat with urinary crystals is the food’s formula. It is essential to find a formula that helps maintain the cat’s urinary tract health. This usually means a food with a balanced ratio of minerals (such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium). Additionally, look for a formula that promotes a lower urinary pH, as this can help prevent certain types of urinary crystals from forming.
Another factor to consider is the cat’s age, lifestyle, and activity level. Specific dietary needs may vary based on these factors. For example, kittens and highly active adult cats may require more calories, while senior or less active cats might need fewer calories. Adjusting the food accordingly ensures your cat gets all the essential nutrients without consuming too many calories, which can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of urinary issues.
Ingredient Quality
When selecting the best food for your cat, it’s crucial to pay attention to the ingredient quality. Look for a food that contains high-quality protein sources, like real meat, fish, or poultry. Whole meats provide essential amino acids that promote overall health and help prevent urinary tract issues. Avoid foods that rely heavily on animal by-products or fillers such as corn and soy, as these ingredients may not provide the necessary nutrients your cat needs.
Wet Food vs. Dry Food
Cats with urinary crystals can often benefit from wet food, which typically contains more moisture than dry food. This increased moisture can help dilute your cat’s urine and reduce the risk of crystal formation. However, even if you choose to feed your cat primarily wet food, you may want to consider offering some dry food as well for dental health benefits.
When selecting the best food for your cat, consider the following:
- Formulas that promote a balanced mineral ratio and lower urinary pH
- Ingredient quality – look for whole meats and avoid low-quality fillers
- Wet food versus dry food – increased moisture may help prevent crystal formation
Remember, it is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before making significant changes to your cat’s diet, especially if they have a history of urinary crystals. They can provide personalized guidance based on your cat’s specific needs.
