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by Anonymous on February 20th, 2007

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My cat has a chronic bladder infection. The vet told me the only cure is $1800 surgery or constant meds. I can't afford it. Are there any HOME REMEDIES I can try to cure it? Does apple cider vinegar work for cats? He's on Purina urinary tract food.

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Answers. 20 helpful answers below.

  • by Schnufka on July 12th, 2008

    Schnufka

    My female cat has chronic bladder infections. They were under control until just recently. She started having symptoms again and was very uncomfortable. I was told to try giving her 250mg of cranberry juice capsules (break open capsules and mix with wet food and a little water) I did this twice per day for five days.You can get them in the health section of a grocery store or drug store. After only one day she was almost 100% better!!! I could not believe it!!!Now I give her 250 mg once a day to prevent infections.I only give her iams dry and a little wet (mixed with the cranberry capsules and a little water). The cranberry juice works by lubing up the inside of the bladder so that the infection can be flushed out with fluids...water...and ongoing use of 250mg once per day can help prevent the infections from sticking in the first place.
    TRY IT!!! It was a miracle for my Holly!

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  • by Galeanda on November 9th, 2007

    Galeanda

    There is one product called PetAlive UTI free that may be useful for you.
    http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/uti-free-urinary-tract-infection-cats-dogs.html

    And here is a webpage that lists PetAlive and other products that are good for the urinary tract system.
    http://search.onlynaturalpet.com/search.aspx?searchterms=antibiotics-cat-urinary-infection

    I hope these help.

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  • by onzanzabarsands on February 20th, 2007

    onzanzabarsands

    These are fine suggestions. What I also want to state is that the kitty food he is on may not be very good for his condition. Purina uses a lot of corn fillers and meal products in their foods. I have a cat that had a similar problem. Using a food based with actual meat instead of meat meal, works wonders. Also, using rice in the formulas instead of corn is god too. Think of it this way: when you eat corn does it digest or come out whole? Feeding corn based products increases the animal's thirst level. More water, more urine-more problems. Taurine is also a good thing to look for when finding good digestible foods for your kitty.
    These are suggestions for a healthy kitty in general. I have many cats, and breed them, so have experienced a lot of vet visits. I hope some of this gives you a little more insight to your kitty's health. Good luck.

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  • by Anonymous on June 15th, 2009

    Anonymous

    I recently went through a similar situation with my 4 yr old male cat. I noticed that he was frequently visiting the litter box only to urinate only small amounts or none at all. He was showing no signs of pain and was not using the bathroom outside of the box. I did some research online and found that he had early signs of an UTI. Being that I am almost 9 months pregnant, I knew that it was not in my budget to take him to a costly vet. I read through some research and despite some of the material that suggested that the only cure was costly antibiotics. I began giving him 250mg of Vitamin C and 1 capsule of cranberry extract mixed in with wet food. Within 2 days his bathroom habits were back to normal and he is fine. From what I have read it is perfectly healthy and a regimine that will prevent future UTIs from happening. There is hope!

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  • by Imogena on December 21st, 2008

    Imogena

    I want to say many thanks for the suggestion of using the cranberry capsules for a female cat with chronic UTI. You may have saved me at least a few hundred dollars (that I don't have) in veterinary bills, not to mention unnecessary stress for the cat. I would add my endorsement that the result after one day is miraculous!
    from one very relieved cat owner

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  • by Jed Merrill on November 6th, 2007

    Jed Merrill

    My brother-in-law's mother feeds vitamins to her dog. (Sounds weird, but is it?)

    I suggest Flintstones. Given that they have been safely tested on human children for decades, they are probably ready for animals!

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  • by MReeves on November 9th, 2007

    MReeves

    Thank you so much for the very helpful ideas. I went to Walgreens (Walmart, Walgreens, many grocery stores carry Cranberry capsules) and have started my Mimi on that mixing in the wet food as suggested.

    Thanks again! VERY HELPFUL.

    I hope to see a difference soon because she is really hurting.

    www.thecookingspoon.blogspot.com

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  • by Anonymous on December 6th, 2007

    Anonymous

    MY CAT HAS A POSSIBLE UTI, AND OUR VET SUGGESTED TO GIVE HER WET FOOD SPECIFICALLY FOR URINARY HEALTH AND TO GIVE HER SOME CRANBERRY BASED PILLS....WE GIVE HER PROPLAN URINARY HEALTH WET FOOD, AND THE PILL IS CALLED FELINE URINARY SUPPORT BY NATURAL CARE...THESE PRODUCTS CAN BE BOUGHT AT PETCO...THE PILLS YOU GIVE 1-2/TWICE A DAY, AND GIVE HER LOTS OF WATER..WE ARE HOPING TO SEE SOME RESULTS...WE STARTED THIS 2 DAYS AGO

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  • by Anonymous on February 6th, 2008

    Anonymous

    A previous male cat of ours had this problem of UTIs and blockages. At that time we only managed the prescription UTI diet yet he would still suffer recurrences of the problem several times a year. Our own recent experience with this problem with one of our young male cats was solved by using a new grain-free diet available on-line called Feline Instincts. It's basically a raw food diet, much closer to what cats evolved to eat, and all our cats love it. I think this solution of Feline Instincts is the best I've found. It isn't very hard to mix up either even though I am making food now for all our four cats. I make it in mass amounts according to the directions and freeze it on the trays the meat came on in meal-sized lumps. The vet says she's never seen healthier cats.

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  • by thekingcobra63 on September 7th, 2007

    thekingcobra63

    Beyond the remedies, find out the exact surgery the vet is suggesting and then shop around to other vets and clinics. SOmetimes the price differences are staggering, especially with non-profit shelters/vets etc. Good luck, and it is good you are doing the best you can for the cat.

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  • by Anonymous on September 7th, 2007

    Anonymous

    JUST ONE THING, YOU HAVE KNOW THAT ADDING Salt TO KITTIES FOOD IS VERY UNHEALTHY, Animals as the humans can devepoled a liver desease do salt abuse.

    My cat just got sick, and spend 3 days at the hospital, you can imagine, anyway, after 3 days took him back home and today he start to feel no very well, ya, no kidding, I've been giving him a lot of water and he seems to feel better,because he is chassing kitty again.

    One thing I will try tomorrow is to give him some water boiled with garlic, garlic is an natural intibiotic,(wait till water is cooler) even though he is taking from the vet I think I might try to give him that.

    Quick question where can I finnd those cramberry capsules?

    Thank you again for your advices

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  • by Tanara on May 7th, 2007

    Tanara

    Cranberry capsules, as have been recommended. Works wonders.

    Change from a corn based food to a rice based food, and go with the absolutely best food you can get. The Wellness/ Old Mother Hubbard / Neura company has been highly recommended for their formulas, especially their Core formula that has no grains in the mix.

    It's not easy to find but can be bought on line.

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  • by brinny on May 5th, 2011

    brinny

    I have the most precious little kitten i found her yesterday sitting on the side of the road she was starring up at me and she was just the cutest little thing (a little dirty though) i petted her and she was instantly friendly so i took her with me. Everything seemed fine with her until about a hour after i got her home. She has absilutely no control over her bladder at all, she just layed there and pee'd on herself. She was extremely week so i called around everywhere trying to figure out what exsactly was going on. I got some pedialite for her and she has just been drinking n. She has regained her energy now but still has no control and has started to bleed. I have absilutely fallin in love with this little sweet heart, she could't be more loving. i hope the cranberry juice tablet's help my little Abbey.

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  • by seattlefox81 on December 8th, 2010

    seattlefox81

    Well, I hope I can be helpful - because I would say most of these answers are total bunk!

    My cat get *frequent* so-called bladder infections (very, very bad - for him and for me)

    The absolute BEST (and cheapest) way to go IS Cranberry Supplements (I use "Vets Best" which I can now only get online - I don't want to waste my money on something that I don't know will work)

    I say "so-called" bladder infections because my new vet told me that they are not actual "infections" but they are actually Kidney Stones (yes, my previous vet said Bladder Infection, but my new vet's explanation made ALOT more sense)

    I give my Giant, Fat-Cat these Vets Best supplements whenever he starts to get sick (2-pills, twice a day when he is sick) and then another week of 1-pill once a day, and we have NO problems!

    The Vet DID NOT tell me to do this (He wants my cat on some insanely expensive cat-food and says there is no "clinical evidence" of these supplements working - but they Really DO)

    He hates to take medicine, and refused even the smallest amount of cranberry juice in his water - but he LOVES these!

    I hope anyone who reads this will please give it a try - the bottles only cost around $8 (on sale right now for $5 though!). I would have had to put my cat down a long time ago if I'd had to pay $400+ every time he got sick ):

    (I'm going to repost this to answer other cat-bladder-infection questions)

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  • by GC4321 on November 6th, 2007

    GC4321

    I read about using Apple Cider Vingegar for pets on the website below but I have no experience of using it on my own dogs. I dont know if it will work but if you use it carefully and in dilute doses then I dont think it will do any harm so it might be OK to just give it a try and see how things go

    http://www.cidervinegar.org

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  • by mejinn on February 20th, 2007

    mejinn

    Change litter twice a day, if you have to, remove all litter and replace with shredded newspaper. Give kitty lots of fresh water. I had a cat that had a UTI and put cranberry juice in an eyedropper and shot it down his throat. It seemed to help him with his discomfort and acted as a diuretic. Ask your vet for an antibiotic in a liquid suspension to make administrating meds easier. My kitty got bubblegum flavor and had no problem with it...hope this helps and I hope kitty gets better soon! >^,,^<

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  • by Anonymous on September 7th, 2007

    Anonymous

    JUST ONE THING, YOU HAVE KNOW THAT ADDING SALT TO KITTIES FOOD IS VERY UNHEALTHY, Animals as the humas can devepoled a liver desease do salt abuse.

    My cat just got sick, and spend 3 days at the hospital, you can image the money I spend, anyway, after 3 days took him back home and today he start to feel no very well, ya no kidding, I've been giving him a lot of water and he seems to feel better,because he is chassing kitty again.

    One thing I will try tomorrow is to give him some water boiled with garlic, garlic is an natural intibiotic, even though he is taking from the vet I think I might try to give him that.

    Quick question where can I finnd those cramberry capsules?

    Thank you again for your advices

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on February 28th, 2007

    Anonymous

    This is usually a problem that occurs with male cats and can sometimes be chronic. I was told, by the vet, that it will last from 2-5 years and sometimes a cat will get over it after that. You just have to keep up with medicine (which can become very expensive, I found out in just 3 visits!) or you can get him the [expensive] surgery which will almost always cure it. For those of us who don't have money and can't afford even one more vet visit, here are some tips that I've discovered:

    I'm changing his litter more so he won't get any bacteria back on him from dirty litter. I'm also giving him a 250mg cranberry capsule twice a day for 5 days, then I'm going to give him one 250mg capsule once a day...forever! I recommend the cranberry capsules because they're 100% cranberry and it's easier to get in him. Juice is tricky because you can rarely find a 100% pure cranberry juice. They usually add other fruit juices to it and sugar. Sugar is TERRIBLE for a cat and may make the problem worse. I also crush up a Vetscription cat vitamin (http://www.sergeants.com/products/detail.asp?pr_a=&pr_p=120&pr_c=&results=12&index=7) in his food. I've heard Calcium and other vitamins are good to give him, but ask the vet exactly which ones are okay and what the correct dosage is.

    I'm searching for, but haven't yet switched him to, a natural, meat based canned and dry catfood to avoid the corn meal and other harmful things for a cat with a urinary tract infection (UTI). Natural Balance (http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/), Wellness (http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/wellness/cat_wellness_can_index.html), Lick Your Chops (http://www.healthypetfoodsinc.com/lycfood.cfm), Blue Spa (http://www.bluebuff.com/products/cats-spa-select.shtml), Avoderm (http://www.breeders-choice.com/), and Filidae (http://www.canidae.com/cats/chicken_and_rice/dry.html) are all natural brands with high quality ingredients. Most even have ingredients to promote a healthy urinary tract. Cooking your cat a real, raw-meat diet, yourself, is the best for him because meat makes the urine slightly acidic and prevents the crystallization of urine. Cats also get plenty of protein from the meat.

    I've seen debates on the Purina Urinary Tract dry catfood I feed him, some say the corn meal and other things in it are terrible for a cat, some say it's good because it MAY (I haven't proven it) have Methionine in it, a pill your vet will give you to keep the cat's urine from crystallizing. So far, I haven't taken him off of the Purina. I do plan to look into the natural dry catfoods once this bag is gone, though.

    He is doing better. I think the cranberry and diet change are really helping him. He gets no snacks anymore either, which kills him, but whatever. Kitties get no people snacks, especially sugar, and lunch meat is even unacceptable because it's sometimes over processed (bologna) or has ingredients that aren't good for cats with UTI problems. Cooked, plain chicken would be an okay snack for the cat, milk is also okay for a snack, I believe. Moderation is key, of course.

    Make sure the cat drinks plenty of FRESH water to flush out the infection. Give him new water every day...or twice a day. Just like humans, they need to drink plenty of water when they have a bladder infection (I, myself, have chronic bladder infections like my cat, hehe). It helps to flush out the bacteria. Bacteria in a bladder infection can multiply to twice it's number in only 20 minutes. You want to drink enough water so you urinate the bacteria out BEFORE that 20 minute mark. The longer you go without urinating or the more you hold it, the longer the bacteria has to multiply to make you even more sick. Cats are the same way, they have that same bacteria multiplying and you want to try to get them to flush it out as often as possible. Yes, it's going to hurt any time anything with a bladder infection urinates, but it'll hurt 10x more if you let that bacteria stay in there to multiply. Not to mention, the infection will stay in the body longer, possibly making a whole new problem occur, like a kidney infection or kidney failure. Drink drink drink, despite the pain!

    You can add about a tablespoon of water to his wet food or add salt to his food to make him feel a bit parched so he'll drink more. Yes, I know, that's at least 4 things to mix in his food now, but believe me, the effort is well worth it.

    I've heard that UTI-free (http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/uti-free-urinary-tract-infection-cats-dogs.html?img=321&kbid=1226) works wonders for a cat's bladder infection, though I haven't tried it. I've also ordered an herbal, holistic remedy for cats called UR Fine Flower Essence (http://spiritessence.com/?action=categories&cat=urfine2&class=cathealth&kind=cats) which will calm him. Health problems sometimes occur when an animal is in distress, which prevents ANYTHING from getting better quickly. It should put him at ease so the healing process can be more successful. Just apply 2-3 drops between his ears and massage it in about 3 times a day until the bottle is gone. Don't force it on him, you want him to think the flower essence is a good thing! You can also drop it in his food, but I think it's more effective between the ears.

    Two books I've been told to check out are The Veterinarian's Guide to Natural Remedies for Cats by Martin Zucker and Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs: Small Doses for Small Animals by Donald Hamilton (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/155643295X/ref=s9_asin_title_1/104-8483050-1274346). A site called Belfield.com has many articles with information on kitty bladder infections, food, etc.

    My cat is doing much better (though he's not 100% yet) thanks to a lot of investigation on this topic and many kind people offering me help. I hope this helps anyone else who has run into the same problem I have.

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  • by Anonymous on February 28th, 2007

    Anonymous

    Thanks for your reply onzanzabarsands. I'm improving his diet with the help of someone that I found on the Yahoo! questions section. You're 100% right on everything you said except one thing: The water. Just like humans, you want to drink plenty of water when you have a bladder infection (I, myself, have chronic bladder infections like my cat, hehe). It helps to flush out the bacteria. Bacteria in a bladder infection can multiply to twice it's number in only 20 minutes. You want to drink enough water so you pee out the bacteria BEFORE that 20 minute mark. The longer you go without peeing or the more you hold it, the longer the bacteria has to multiply to make you even more sick. Cats are the same way, they have that same bacteria multiplying and you want to flush it out as often as possible. You want to add a little water to their wet food and you want to encourage them to drink on their own by adding a little salt to their food to make them thirsty or by any other means. Yes, it's going to hurt any time anything with a bladder infection pee's, but it'll hurt 10x more if you let that bacteria stay in there to multiply. Not to mention, the infection will stay in your body longer, possibly making a whole new problem occur, like a kidney infection or kidney failure.

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  • by patterrain22 on May 19th, 2010

    patterrain22

    In a previous answer I mentioned supplementing the cats diet with a small amount of cranberry powder (60 capsules at Wal-Mart $4), a small sprinkling of garlic powder and several drops of apple cider vinegar as an effective method for preventing cat uti. Each cranberry capsule lasts about 3 days feeding two cats twice daily.

    I forgot to mention adding water to the canned food is imperative!

    Trying to fight cat uti by feeding dry food is like trying to run uphill; exhausting and self-defeating. If you must feed dry food it's absolutely critical to add water.

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