Can cranberry juice or extract be given to cats for urinary problems or urinary

Our question this week was:

Dr. Debra – I saw last week you answered a question about cranberry use for dogs. Can you answer if it cranberry juice or extract is good for cats as they commonly get different urinary problems.

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Delores and “Bitsy”

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. You wrote asking if cranberry juice can be used to treat urinary tract problems in cats. Cranberry juice is not a part of traditional medicine and not commonly used in cats but is sometimes used as an adjunctive therapy by naturalists.

A typical urinary tract infection is diagnosed with a urinalysis and/or a urine culture and treated with antibiotics. Often, it is important for the veterinarian to evaluate WHY the urinary tract infection is occurring and address any underlying cause. The article link below will give you more information on this issue.

Other important aspects of treatment are to ensure your cat has plenty of fresh clean water and plenty of clean litter boxes. Antibiotics should be given as directed. Cranberry extract may help to deduce the pH of urine and decrease the attachment of bacteria to the bladder wall.

It comes in a powder form and can be sprinkled on the food. I’ve been told that some pets (even cats) like the taste.

I’d recommend that you stick with your veterinarian’s instruction using traditional and known effective treatments. If you want to add cranberry extract – do so under the guidance of your veterinarian.

The dose that I’ve read was extrapolated to be ¼ of the human dose, which is probably a matter of a few sprinkles on food.

An article that might be helpful to you is Recurrent Cystitis in Cats.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra

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