My cat eats urinary food. Can I give him regular wet food with water?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My cat is required to eat urinary tract control food. Is it okay to feed him regular canned cat food as long as I add water to it?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 24th, 2016
Regular food is much less effective in preventing recurrent urinary tract issues in cats which are very prone to repeat episodes - it is impossible to say how sensitive he is and without trying you will not know but there is a chance he could relapse on ordinary canned food. Urinary diets tend to be adjusted to maintain urine pH to prevent crystals and are restricted in minerals and use only high quality protein sources to minimise the risk of urinary tract issues as well as providing an important source of fluids compared to dry food. The very best option in affected cats is urinary canned food but in many cases a high quality, commercial canned food is sufficient - if he relapses on this you will have to source the urinary prescription food as a treatment and prevention
36Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on August 6th, 2015
Moisture content or water intake is more important than brand, although you do want to stay away from discount or store brands. Choose a quality canned food since they are 75% or more moisture. If your cat eats dry, soak it in water before feeding. A grain-free diet is best since cats don't "need" carbohydrates. You can also feed a raw diet. There are several commercial diets available. Again, add water if necessary. Always monitor your cat for straining to urinate or bloody urine though and see a vet promptly if you notice either.
92Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on October 18th, 2018
If she is eating the prescription canned diet, that's fine. It is probably better since it has significantly more moisture than the prescription dry food. You can try feeding just the canned diet or mix in a bit of warm water with the prescription dry.
4Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on October 14th, 2017
The biggest difference between kidney diets and lower urinary diets is usually that kidneys have difficulty with extra protein, and so these diets are usually lower in protein, as well as a few other changes. Lower urinary diets will sometimes alter the urine pH to avoid formation of certain stones. I would recommend that you stick with the food that was recommended by your vet. If you repost a new questions with the exact brand and names of both of the foods, we may be able to compare more information, if you need it.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My cat recently went to the vet and she has a uti and Crystal's. They put her on the royal canines prescription cat food for UTI. I wont be able to afford it and the bnb ingredients aren't the best. Is there something I can give her after the prescr
My male cat has urinary tract issues (had a stone blockage) and now is on prescription cat food. He eats both prescription wet and dry food. Most of the food he eats is dry food. It is ok to give him non-prescription wet food if the bulk of what h
Can I Change to Non-Prescription Cat Food for Urinary Problems?
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?
I have been having trouble with my cat eating wet food since my male cat just passed away. She nibbles on temtation treats, and i need to get her dry and wet, because she had alittle bit of blood in her urine,and been taking Baytril. I thought Merr
I have 10 cats all ranging from 1-5 years of age. I have been feeding them wet/dry mix food. They are eating Purina one Urinary tract health in both wet and dry food. Is this ok to give them that kind in both wet and dry or should I consider mixing t
My vet had me switch my cats diet to prescription cat food for urinary care but she won’t eat her dry food after mixing it with the urinary care dry food but is eating the wet food for urinary care.
I have two cats, one of my cats has been prescribed Royal Canin Urinary S/O by vets to treat struvite crystals however he hates the wet food he won't eat it what so ever, will buying the dried food of Royal Canin S/O be safe to use for him? Also will
Is purina friskies ok to give a cat with urinary stones? Cant find urinary specific food anywhere He used to eat whiskas wet food but it gave him UTI
Is canned wet food healthy for an adult male cat to eat? I usually feed my cats a measured amount of dry food in the morning, and wet food at night. Is there anything I can give them for maximum nutrition? What would be an ideal diet plan for adult c
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
