Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My cat has urinary problems. What's the best dry vs wet food?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

hello could you tell me the best dry food for cats with urinary problems, what is the difference with wet urinary food and dry food how it helps cats?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Susan England-Foster

Veterinarian

Published on June 13th, 2017

The best foods for urinary problems in cats are going to be prescription diets. The urinary diets are designed to increase water consumption and change the ph of the urine to prevent crystal formation and urinary tract infections. Purina, hills and royal canine all make urinary prescription foods in dry and wet. It is possible wet food would keep the urine more diluted due to the extra water content. If the cat is urinating out of the box this could be behavioral and a specific food would not cure this problem. I would take your cats to a veterinarian to rule out a medical issue and if one is found they can write you a prescription for food. The veterinarian will most likely want to run a urine sample and possiblely take a x-ray to check for bladder stones. If it is decided it is a behavioral problem I recommend increasing the number of litter boxes , putting litter boxes in different areas, and trying felio way. Felioway is a cat pheromone that helps with stress.

Vote icon

4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

  • Image profile

    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on March 11th, 2017

    Poor Vinny! FLUTD can be a frustrating condition to manage - you're right that diet can have a big impact on this problem, so good for you for doing some research :) It's a shame that he doesn't like canned food, because studies have shown that feeding wet food (any kind of wet food) is the single most useful thing you can do in terms of diet to help these cats. If you need a dry food, I would strongly recommend feeding a prescription urinary diet that is designed for this purpose, such as Hills c/d or Royal Canin Urinary SO. These diets are designed to promote increased water intake and also change the pH of the urine to help make stones and crystals less likely to form.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 5th, 2018

    The best would be to give specific food designed to limit the amount of crystals building up in the urinary bladder. Wet food should be preferred. Food can cause UTI by modifying the PH of the urine and by causing crystals and urinary stones. Many type of crystals are possible so not all of them can respond to urinary diets. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?
Is your dog's dry skin a concern? A certified vet offers expert advice on finding the best fish-based dog food alternatives to Science Diet for essential oils.
Updated on February 04, 2026
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
Can chickens eat bell peppers daily and what about veggie salads?
Can your chickens eat bell peppers and salads? Veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth offers expert advice on safe feeding, frequency, and how fresh veggies boost vibrant yolks.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
Is Purina Layer Pellets good for chickens? What other feeds exist?
Is Purina Layer Pellets the right choice for your flock? Get expert advice from a Petco veterinarian on Purina and other top chicken feed brands for your chickens.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
My mice eat all their food together from one bowl. Is this normal?
Do your mice quickly eat together from one bowl? A Licensed Vet Tech explains normal mouse eating behavior and when to watch for aggression. Get expert insights.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My degu lost teeth after an accident. How can I feed him soft foods?
Your degu had an accident, lost teeth, and can't eat hard food. A Petco Vet Tech offers crucial advice on immediate vet care and how to feed your injured degu.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My rat is losing weight and has breathing issues. What should I do?
Dambo's weight loss, rough breathing, and mucus worry you? A Petco veterinarian addresses these concerning symptoms and recommends urgent professional care.
Updated on December 04, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored