Why do cats have more urinary issues than dogs do?  Diet and water consumption are the two biggest reasons.

Let’s take a look into what causes a cats urinary system to have issues.

First and foremost, cats do not drink enough water.  Some just don’t like water and others only want it moving, like in a fountain.

So, how do we get our cat to drink more water?

You will need to add water to their food.  Starting with a tablespoon and increasing it to 3-4 tablespoons in each meal. As we all know, cats are picky, so starting slowly gives the cat a better chance of accepting the water this way.  Cats should eat twice a day.  Those with urinary issues need to get water mid-day as well.  You can offer them some goats milk or bone broth mixed half and half with water.  Again, about 4 tablespoons is enough.

What exactly does all this water do?

Water flushes the urinary system getting rid of the sludge that can build up.  It also lowers the PH levels in the urine by diluting it.  Keeping the PH in a neutral zone reduces the ability for infection or crystals to form.

The best diet is……..?

Cats are carnivores and require more meat and taurine that dogs do. All cats need to eat grain free food.  They eat mice and any other moving thing small enough for them to catch.  Cats do not eat veggies, fruit, or grains as a general rule.   Some degree of veggies and fruits are acceptable in grain free diets and do serve a purpose.  It is not a form of protein and should not be listed as a second, third or fourth ingredient.

Why no grain?

Grain acts like a sponge during digestion.  It will absorb all of the moisture needed for digestion.  That leaves no water to really flush the urinary tract.  We all need water to digest.  Cats, being carnivores, need more moisture to digest kibble because it is baked. Their body is designed to eat raw or canned food as their primary food.

Kibble vs Can?

Can by far is a better choice for cats due to the urinary issues that these guys are prone to.  Again, grain free is the best option for overall health and especially urinary health.  Adding water to can is always a good idea to flush the system.  Kibble, as we said, is baked and dry.  Offering some kibble with water mid-day to snack on is fine if using can as your primary two meals.

Raw vs Freeze Dried?

Raw is by far the best choice for your cat.  It is more like eating in the wild and will give your cat the sense of being a big cat in their natural habitat.  The health benefits are amazing.  It will help keep your kitty lean and muscled, as well as helping to ensure a healthy urinary system.  I also add water to help flush toxins from the body and balance the urinary system.

Freeze dried is raw food dehydrated or dried.  You must rehydrate it well with water before feeding it to your cat.  Otherwise, it will pull all of the moisture from your cat’s digestive tract to digest it leaving nothing to flush the system.

What is the best for my cat?

Only your cat can tell you!  They are the pickiest fur babies on earth.  They each have their favorite type of food, flavor or protein, texture and temperature.  It is trial and error for sure.

Best advice?

Try each type of food for your cat by asking for samples from your neighborhood pet store.  Also, purchase one can of pate’ and one can of shredded and see which texture is the favorite.  If you have a cat that is already having urinary issues, I would highly recommend trying raw.  Add a small amount of a complete and balance raw cat food on top of the current food.  It can take a few weeks for some cats to begin to like it.  Others dive right in and never look back.

Any of the above methods will work to prevent urinary issues and help clear up those that already have problems.   When looking for a brand of food, always look to your local small business pet store for a quality grain free food.  Most have frequent buyer programs that are far superior to online sales, or big box type store.

Remember, flushing their system and providing the best grain free choices will help keep your kitty’s urinary system at its best!