I know that bladder health is crucial for your cat’s overall well-being. One way to potentially help your cat is by providing ingredients that can reduce bladder inflammation and help rebuild the bladder wall lining.

The Role of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in Bladder Health

In my own supplement, Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula, I include both Glucosamine and Chondroitin—two key ingredients that have been shown to be beneficial in managing Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). These ingredients play a significant role in reducing inflammation in the bladder and supporting its structural integrity, making them a great choice for cats with urinary issues.

If you’re looking for a natural, effective way to support your cat’s bladder health, this could be a great option to consider.

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FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease)

As a pet owner, it can be distressing when you notice that your cat is frequently urinating, straining to urinate, or showing signs of bladder pain. Your cat may excessively lick their genitals, or you might notice blood in their urine. Sometimes, they may even urinate outside of their litter box.

What is FLUTD?

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is an umbrella term for several conditions affecting the urinary system. The exact cause is often unknown (idiopathic), meaning the underlying cause remains uncertain. In this condition, there is significant inflammation of the bladder. The bladder lining becomes thickened, which leads to the presence of blood in the urine. While the causes are not fully understood, FLUTD may be linked to diet, bacterial or viral infections, immune system overreaction, or stressors such as territorial conflicts or restrictions on outdoor access.

The Importance of Water for Urinary Health

“Water" is the most important factor when considering your cat’s urinary health. Ensuring your cat stays well-hydrated is crucial.

Feeding a water-rich, low-mineral diet, such as canned or homemade food, is key to promoting urinary tract health. Dry food, which is water-depleted, contributes significantly to urinary tract diseases. Cats fed canned food tend to consume at least twice the amount of total water compared to cats fed dry food, leading to an increase in urine output and better bladder health.

Think of canned food not only as the proper diet for an obligate carnivore but also as the best way to keep your cat’s bladder flushed and “happy."

Urinary Inflammation vs. Bacterial Infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often over-diagnosed, leading to unnecessary antibiotic use. The reality is that most cases of urinary issues are not due to infections but rather sterile (non-infectious) cystitis, which is inflammation of the bladder wall.

Cystitis (Interstitial Cystitis)
This condition causes the bladder lining to become inflamed, leading to painful and frequent urination of small amounts. One of the most common misconceptions is that blood in the urine automatically signals an infection, but cystitis can occur without an infection.
Scoopable litter makes it easier for you to track your cat’s urine output. Smaller-than-usual urine clumps or an increased frequency of clumps might signal bladder inflammation.

Cystitis can be very painful for your cat, and they may start associating the litter box with discomfort, leading to litter box aversion. This could cause your cat to urinate outside of the box.

Pain Relief is Key
Pain relief is essential for these cats. Medications such as buprenorphine (Buprenex) or CBD can help alleviate pain and make your cat more comfortable during recovery.

Crystals: Not the Main Culprit

Crystals in the urine are commonly thought to be a major cause of cystitis, but this is not the case. Crystals, specifically struvite crystals, have been over-diagnosed and over-treated with prescription diets that often cause more harm than good.

The Problem with Prescription Diets
Prescription diets, designed to acidify the urine, can cause calcium oxalate (CaO) crystals and worsen bladder inflammation. The belief that these diets are a solution is a misconception. Instead, they often lead to the formation of calcium oxalate stones, which are more problematic than struvite crystals.

I recommend avoiding prescription diets unless absolutely necessary and prefer natural, species-appropriate foods for cats.

Phosphorus and Urinary pH

Phosphorus levels in your cat’s diet can affect urinary health. Diets high in phosphorus often come with high calcium and magnesium levels, which are necessary for proper bone health.

Fish-based foods are particularly high in phosphorus due to the bones, so I recommend avoiding fish in your cat’s diet.

Additionally, food intake timing affects urine pH. Post-prandial alkaline tide refers to the change in urine pH after your cat eats. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day helps maintain a balanced urinary pH, preventing bladder issues.

What Should You Do? Natural Solutions for FLUTD

1. Visit Your Veterinarian
If your cat is straining to urinate without producing any urine, immediate veterinary care is required. This could indicate a bladder obstruction, and your cat may need emergency treatment. Having your cat’s urine tested is essential to determine the root cause of the issue.

2. Canned Food
For most cats, any quality canned food will help. High-protein canned food produces slightly acidic urine and provides extra fluid to flush the bladder. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support your cat’s urinary health.

3. Subcutaneous Fluids
Subcutaneous fluids, administered under your cat’s skin, are a simple yet highly effective treatment. This helps flush out inflammatory cells and provides pain relief. Many pet owners can learn to administer subcutaneous fluids at home, and I even have a video on my YouTube channel to show you how!

4. Natural Hormones: Feliway
Facial pheromones convey messages of peace and contentment. Feliway, a product containing these pheromones, can help calm your cat and reduce stress-related urinary issues. Spray it on your cat and the areas they’ve sprayed, twice daily, for 3-4 weeks.

5. L-Theanine
L-Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, helps reduce anxiety. The recommended dose for cats is 25mg (½ tablet) twice daily.

6. Cannabidiol (CBD)
CBD has been shown to reduce anxiety and relieve pain, making it a beneficial treatment for FLUTD. The recommended dose is 3mg per 10lbs of body weight daily (1 drop of my supplement).

7. Glucosamine and Chondroitin
These compounds are anti-inflammatory and can help rebuild and protect the bladder lining. The recommended dose is 100mg of Glucosamine and 50mg of Chondroitin per 10lbs of body weight daily. These are both included in my Ultimate Feline Health Formula.

Healing Your Pet at Home

With these natural remedies, you can support your cat’s recovery and prevent future urinary issues. If you’re using these treatments and your cat’s symptoms persist, be sure to consult your veterinarian for further guidance.

P.S. There are a few key takeaways here: It’s unlikely that bacterial infections are the primary cause, antibiotics should be used sparingly, and canned food is a much better choice than dry or prescription diets. Also, keeping phosphorus levels low and feeding multiple small meals a day can help maintain a healthy urinary pH.

P.P.S. If you’re interested in my cat supplement, Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula, it includes glucosamine and chondroitin to help decrease bladder inflammation, as well as lower phosphorus to reduce the risk of crystals.

It’s available now – click here to learn more!