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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Advice for cat with urinary issues

9 replies

Pongo25 · 09/02/2026 16:10

My 2 year old cat has previously had a blockage due to urinary crystals. Since then, he has been consistently on Hills c/d. Our vet found that the c/d alone wasn’t breaking down the remaining crystals, so he had a stint on s/d.

At his last check up we found no sign of crystals, so had the all clear to go back on c/d.

Alongside this, we recently added in one pouch of Hydracare per day, as our cat doesn’t drink enough (which is obviously the crux of the issue).

I know it’s hard to tell but he is genuinely very relaxed at home, inquisitive, playful and happy, so I don’t feel that the stress factor is (much) of an issue here.

He’s due another check up at the end of this month to see if he’s still clear of crystals now he’s back on c/d.

In addition we have 2 water fountains, and 3 litter trays. He doesn’t go outside, and he has a large amount of indoor enrichment.

I just wondered if anyone had any advice here regarding anything else we can be doing for him? Any other supplements, food, etc we can use? Anything else to encourage him to drink?

I’ve seen fish oil recommended, and I wondered if perhaps that would be useful to add into water to encourage drinking?

I would appreciate any and all advice! He’s my baby so I want to do all I can to keep him healthy.

Additionally with his age I am conscious I don’t want this problem to lead to any others!

OP posts:
TalulahJP · 09/02/2026 16:26

i mix water in with cat food (pouches) and dont feed dry at all.

Favouritefruits · 09/02/2026 16:43

Is he stressed because he can’t go outside? It’s hard to stimulate an inside cat to the degree of an outside one. Would you consider letting him out for a few hours of the day? He might like to go and drink out of puddles and ponds rather than fresh tap water.

Pongo25 · 09/02/2026 16:58

TalulahJP · 09/02/2026 16:26

i mix water in with cat food (pouches) and dont feed dry at all.

He turns his nose up at wet food with added water! And he’s also fussy about it anyway and much prefers dry. If I give him any more than one pouch of wet he just leaves it and fusses for biscuits!

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Pongo25 · 09/02/2026 17:04

Favouritefruits · 09/02/2026 16:43

Is he stressed because he can’t go outside? It’s hard to stimulate an inside cat to the degree of an outside one. Would you consider letting him out for a few hours of the day? He might like to go and drink out of puddles and ponds rather than fresh tap water.

I don’t think so, he’s never gone outside so it’s not like he knows what he’s missing!

We live in an area right next to a main road with lots of cats being knocked down! There was also a lot of cats being poisoned last year too which was awful. Add to that that he’s the friendliest cat in the world, someone would 100% nab him!

I have considered harness training him as I have thought about whether he’d enjoy outside, but then I worry the harness training will also be stressful!

interestingly our vet recommended we keep him as indoors not just for the reasons above but also that we couldn’t monitor his weeing easily if he goes out to know if he’s relapsing, along with the fact cats can often hide when poorly so he might end up in even more bother.

i feel in a bit of a catch 22 at the moment!

OP posts:
Neverendingdeclutter · 09/02/2026 17:08

One of our cats doesn't like tap water and drinks out of puddles. He does like bottled water though. I think maybe our tap water smells funny. I always think it's weird he'd rather lick the patio than drink the tap water!

TheNinjaWife · 09/02/2026 17:11

We had this issue with our 4 now 5 year old cat adopted from a friend. After being hospitalised when we were away the steps we have taken are -
use felliway (not sure it works, but tried everything we were advised).
Give him a daily Cystophan capsule in cat milk.
Get urinary health kibbles. Perfect Fit or Purina One Briefness. The specific ones for urinary issues are sometimes difficult to find. Tesco and B & M seem to be the best stockists.
I do make him plain chicken broth, but being a cat sometimes he drinks it, sometimes not. Likewise occasional tinned fish in spring water.
Our cat does go outside, but we introduced a second litter tray as for months after his incident he was passing blood and urinating out of his litter tray.
When we adopted him he didn’t have much wet food and only once a day now I give him portions split over the day. We don’t have a drinking fountain but I do place water bowls around the house and garden.
Thankfully our cat is much improved.

TheNinjaWife · 09/02/2026 17:17

I also make him what I call a Cattuchino. It’s a warmed cat milk and liki lix combo. I put his capsule in this too.

Pongo25 · 09/02/2026 19:31

TheNinjaWife · 09/02/2026 17:17

I also make him what I call a Cattuchino. It’s a warmed cat milk and liki lix combo. I put his capsule in this too.

Thank you for the advice! I like the sound of a cattuchino 🤣 i’ll try and make him one and see if he drinks it!

OP posts:
Pongo25 · 09/02/2026 19:31

Neverendingdeclutter · 09/02/2026 17:08

One of our cats doesn't like tap water and drinks out of puddles. He does like bottled water though. I think maybe our tap water smells funny. I always think it's weird he'd rather lick the patio than drink the tap water!

Our fountain is filtered which I’m guessing will help, maybe i’ll have to try bottled, knowing my luck he probably just has expensive taste!

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