Cat treats for urinary problems
A cat with a history of urinary problems does not need to give up treats altogether, but the choice matters more than it does for a cat without that history — moisture content and mineral balance count for more than flavour, and encouraging your cat to drink more is often just as useful as the treat itself.
Why moisture matters more than the treat itself
Urinary problems in cats are strongly linked to how concentrated their urine is, and cats who eat mostly dry food and drink relatively little are more prone to issues than cats getting plenty of moisture through their diet. That makes hydration, not any single treat, the biggest lever most owners actually have.
A soft, moisture-rich treat is a gentler choice than a dry, crunchy one for a cat with a urinary history, simply because it adds a small amount of moisture rather than none. It is not a substitute for the water your cat needs to be drinking through the day, which is where a water fountain can genuinely help — some cats drink more from moving water than from a still bowl.
What to check on a treat label
If your vet has recommended a specific urinary diet, check that any treats you give fit within it rather than undoing the point of the food — a vet-prescribed urinary diet is carefully balanced, and treats outside that plan can matter more than they would for a cat without a urinary history.
For a cat with a past urinary issue but no current prescribed diet, a plain, single-ingredient treat with no added minerals or unnecessary extras is a reasonable everyday choice. Keep treats to a small proportion of your cat's daily food regardless, since urinary problems are also linked to being overweight.
Making water more appealing
Many cats naturally drink less than would be ideal, and some show a clear preference for moving water over a still bowl, which is where a pet water fountain earns its place alongside a treat and diet strategy rather than instead of one. Placing water bowls away from food and litter trays, and offering more than one source around the home, can also encourage a cat to drink more.
Wet food itself carries far more moisture than dry kibble, so shifting even part of a cat's diet towards wet food is one of the more reliable ways to increase overall water intake without relying on a cat choosing to drink more from a bowl.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Vetiq Healthy Bites Urinary Care Cat Treats
Urinary-support cat treats with cranberry and apple, wheat and soya free
£2.30
Catit Nibbly Jerky Chicken & Fish Treats
Soft chicken and fish jerky treats for cats, two named meats high on the list, grain free
£1.89
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Tasty Chicken
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with chicken, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Catit Creamy Tuna Lickable Cat Treats, 4 Pack
Lickable 26% tuna purée tubes for cats, 4 x 10g, up to 3 a day in place of main meal
£1.89
Dreamies Cat Treats with Salmon
Complementary Dreamies salmon-flavour cat treats for adults and kittens, 60G
£2.05
Dreamies Cat Treats with Chicken
Dreamies chicken cat treats for adults and kittens, in a 60G pack
£2.05
Catit Creamy Chicken Lickable Cat Treats, 4 Pack
Lickable chicken cat treats, 4 tubes, for treating or as a food topper
£1.89
Whiskas Relax & Unwind Adult Cat Treats with Chicken
Chicken treats for adult cats with tryptophan declared at 1.3%
£1.49
Felix Goody Bag Seaside Mix Cat Treats
60G treat for cats, with composition and analytical figures set out clearly
£1.45
Felix Goody Bag Original Mix Cat Treats
Felix Goody Bag cat treats in 60g or 330g, with composition and analytical figures set out clearly
From£1.45
HiLife Cat Tasty Duck Breast Treats
Freeze-dried 100% duck breast cat treats, 84% protein, described as grain free
£1.75
Common questions
- Can cats with urinary problems still have treats?
- Generally yes, but choose carefully — moisture-rich, plain treats are a gentler choice than dry, mineral-heavy ones. If your vet has prescribed a specific urinary diet, check that any treats fit alongside it rather than working against it.
- Does water intake really affect a cat's urinary health?
- Yes, it is one of the biggest factors. Cats who drink relatively little and eat mostly dry food tend to produce more concentrated urine, which is linked to a higher risk of urinary problems. A water fountain or wet food can help increase how much a cat actually drinks.
- What treats should I avoid for a cat with urinary problems?
- Avoid treats with a lot of added minerals or ones that clash with a vet-prescribed urinary diet, if your cat is on one. A plain, moisture-rich, single-ingredient treat is a safer everyday choice for a cat with a history of urinary issues.
- My cat is straining to urinate — is that something a treat change can fix?
- No. Straining, frequent attempts to urinate, or blood in the urine are signs to see a vet promptly rather than something to manage through diet changes alone, since they can point to a blockage or infection that needs proper treatment.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.