Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment for Cats with Cystitis

I am hugely thankful for this site, and all the postings for helping me figure out how to help my cat! Had noticed some weight loss, more isolative behavior, alot of licking his "pee-pee" and very recently, some distressed meows in my 5yo male. It finally dawned on me, what the problem was. I hate to go to the vet because they push vacs, and I know they are more toxic than effective. So yesterday I started the ACV, mixed in fish juice, syringed orally, a small bit at a time, using guidance from other's experiences. About noon today, he had a bitty urine, tinged with blood, then not long after, he released a large amount of tinged urine in the box. I had set up a temporary litter box with white paper to better inspect it, and segregated him from another cat and the dog.

I began the ACV in soft food/water a little more than 24 hours ago, and he is back to behaving his usual self, purring, plopping on his side, expecting to be petted, looking for food. I know I need to continue the ACV at some level, feed soft food and improve his hydration in order to prevent a recurrence. I am so grateful to have found a site of such natural wisdom!

ACV REALLY WORKS!! I have a 2 year old taby... Dewey. A few weeks ago my husband and I started finding slight traces of blood in our bathroom sink, we had no idea where it came from until my husband saw Dewey squat and pee in the sink. We immediately took him to the Vet to find out that he had Cystitis. I looked on this site the next day and read about ACV for cats so Dewey immediatley went on an ACV mix, 6cc x 3 times a day. Roughly one cap in a 1/4 cup water. I'm using an oral syringe and he really doesn't fight back while I'm squirting it slowly into his mouth. It's been 3 days and he is peeing normal again!! I plan on keeping him on half that dose for a few weeks, just to be sure his ph is balanced. Then maybe once per week as a precaution.

***We also have an older cat who needs 100mm of fluids eveyother day... the vet said it would be a good idea to give Dewey 100mm everyday to see if it would help flush his baldder, which I did along with the ACV.

FYI...I called the Vet to let them know and she mentioned that Cosequin is good for their bladder lining.

Thank you Earth Clinic for allowing all of us to share our stories and help one another!

First let me say that I am so happy that I found this site and this thread. About 2 weeks ago our 2 yr old male cat started peeing outside of the litter box. He's never done this before so we became concerned. We watched him for a day or two and noticed that he was straining to go but not much was coming out. I suspected UTI. We took him to the vet and they gave him an antibiotic shot that was equivalent to 14 days of antibiotics, some anti inflammatory meds and some prescription food that would make him want to drink more water to help with the UTI.

He finished the meds that we were sent home with 3 days later. After 8 days we noticed that there was no improvement at all and he was still straining to go but couldn't. I'm unable to afford another visit to the vet which is how I found this site yesterday. After reading all the posts about how ACV really helped I had to try it.

Last night I gave him about 7 cc of ACV mixed with water. I also put about 1 tsp in his wet food last night & about a cap full of acv/water in his water bowl. I've competely removed all dry food from his diet. I never realized how bad dry food is for them and he really loves eating dry food.

This morning I saw him squatting in the kitchen and I thought hmm is this Apple Cider Vinegar going to work? I was so happy to see that he left a good size puddle on the floor. He hasn't peed that much in over a week so this has to be working. I'm going to continue giving him the Apple Cider Vinegar twice a day with syringe in his mouth as well as in his wet food. I'll update with is progress in a few days! Fingers crossed that he is on his way to recovering from this UTI!

Warning... Do not give them daily ACV in their drinking water because you need to avoid bladder infection from too much. 3x a week is enough I'm told. My cat was cured in 3 days from cystitis with ACV. Good luck!

Just wanted to give some feedback on the use of apple cider vinegar in cystitis for cats. My cat was ill with cystitis (so badly that she was going to the litter box every 3 minutes and she even sprayed out couch, she had never ever done this before) we brought her to the vet and he gave her antibiotics which improved it for a while but it came back. Reluctant to get into a cycle of antibiotics, as I am with myself, I searched and found this site.

I started giving her a third of a teaspoon of ACV mixed in with tinned cat food and a teaspoon of water (she ate it as was delighted to get tinned food, normally I only give her dry) I continued this twice a day on the third day upping to half a teaspoon each time. I put a couple of drops in her water also. By day 2 she was substantially better, still trying to pee with little result, but not as often, and managing to pee slightly more in volume, by day three she appeared to be completely better, and doing big pees in the litter box, she now seems completely back to normal.

Thank you very much for all the advice here, very helpful. Just one question, how long should I continue giving the ACV to her? S

Our 6 year old male, neutered American short hair Oscar, had started to suffer from all the typical symptoms of a UTI/Cystitis. After doing my research and finding how serious this can be for males, I was highly concerned as I really could not afford any vets bills for a week or so, and all indicators were that he would need some anti biotics and possible surgery depending on the severity. My love for my cat and my worrying nature lead me to this site, and after reading all the positive reviews I was confident in trying it. We are now in day 4 of:

No dry food. Mixing one to two table spoons of ACV in to the food. Day 1. He started to seem sprightlier and 18 hours after the first dose urinated more than he had in several days.

Day 2. Still made a few trips to the litter tray trying to urinate but unable. But passing significant amounts again.

Day 3. Seemed to be back to almost normal urination routines.

Day 4. All seems normal, happy as ever, no trips to the litter tray with no results. I can't thank everyone who posted here enough. You may well have saved my cats life and I felt compelled to tell my story. Thanks again from one inconceivably grateful cat lover.

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Cystitis fixed, other probs

I have a male short haired cat of around 3 years old who is getting over suffering from cystitis. I want to thank you guys for the advice about using the acv. It did the trick, but now he is defecating far from the box. I keep the box immaculate and he shares the box with a 2-3yo female. The feces looks the same exact color as the acv. He doesn't do it all the time though. I am confused. Anyone help?

Patrick is one of our two rescue cats. We've had him for two years. He has skin allergies that cause him to scratch his head till he looks like a raw meatball. He also gets urinary tract infections. Because he has such a sweet personality, I suspect these two medical problems are the reasons he was tossed into an alley to fend for himself. After several vet visits, and many tests, and antibiotics and food changes his allergies would not go away. I finally asked the vet if there was an allergy pill made for cats and he gave me Chlorpheniramine 4mg-1/2 tab. He gets it once a day, disolved in 1/4 tsp of cider vinegar, 1 tbsp water, 2 tbsp Duck and Pea cat food. The cider vinegar I've been giving him every day for the past 18 months since his first attack.

This week my husband was home on vacation and I got to sleep in each morning (he fed the critters dry food instead of my vinegar wet/canned mix). By the third day I found the large wet spot, like spilled tea, on my bedroom end table. I didn't remember leaving a water glass there, and could only think it had to have been one of our three cats. All of them always use the litter boxes (we have three boxes) so this was a warning. While I was using the bathroom I noticed Patrick used the litter box in there three times in ten minutes. I then knew that missing the wet vinegar mix food in the morning had allowed his UTI infection to get out of hand. I immediatedly started him back on the vinegar, upping his dosing to three times a day. It's day four and he's playing with his 'brother' and out hiding atop the hamper in the bathroom. I've been monitoring his reststops, and his wet spots have gotten much bigger, and farther apart. All three cats are going to stay on natural vinegar in their morning wet food as maintenance for the rest of their lives. The balance of their food is high quality dry food with probiotics, cranberry, and no grains. We lost our dear cat, Chan, two years ago to liver failure caused by the cat food additive mess. A little caution saves a lot of useless vet treatments. Nature cider vinegar works wonders with cats. I'd recommend mixing it with a high quality wet cat food, plas added water, so easy you're certain they are getting that extra water they need without a daily fight.

Apple Cider Vinegar seems to be working for our 10 year old neutered male cat. Two days ago, we noticed that he was very lethargic and spending a great amount of time licking his bottom. He appeared to "waddle" as he walked and was clearly uncomfortable. Suspecting it might be cystitis, we called the vet, but as it was late afternoon Saturday, we had to take him to an after-hours vet service in town. They did suspect cystitis, though the bladder seemed normal in size and not rock hard, and held him overnight for observation. On Sunday they reported that he had not defecated nor urinated and asked us to come pick him up (he has a cat door at home and won't use the kitty litter provided in the house) to see if he would perform at home. They suggested reducing dry food, increasing wet food and encouraging him to drink more. They recommended taking him to our Vet on Monday. Later Sunday, it became clear that he was totally blocked. He could defecate, but there was no urine passage. Sunday afternoon I found this site, and at 5 PM we added 3/4tsp ACV (in addition to some water) to canned food, and 1/2tsp per cup of drinking water. We also used a syringe to get about another 1/4t of ACV, diluted with 1tsp water into him. There was no progress on urination, with the possible exception of a few drops on the linoleum floors around the house. By 10 PM, however, he did seem to be at bit more comfortable. On Monday, we continued the 3/4 t ACV with wet food, 1/2t per cup of drinking water, and 1/2t per 2t water in the syringe. In all, we probably got 1 t of ACV into him this morning. By noon he had urinated a small amount (1"D wet spot) twice, that we were able to witness. He is not yet back to normal, but it is clear that he is on the mend. It is surprising and disturbing that vets seem to be unaware of this solution to what appears to be a very common, debilitating, and sometimes lethal, problem. Caution: In our first attempt to put the syringe in his mouth, he bit through my wife's finger and finger nail. This cat doesn't even expose his claws when fighting with us, normally, but the syringe was more than he could tolerate. Now, as suggested elsewhere on this site, we lay him on his back, between our legs, and just put the syringe inside his lips, and slowly dribble the ACV in. He doesn't like it, but there is no more biting.

Apple Cider Vinegar - Feline Urinary Syndrome

Crossing my fingers here - but so far so good.

My cat Ripper (7 year old, neutered male domestic short hair cat) had just had a 400.00 vet bill for a blockage about two weeks ago.

With that bill, I don't have the money for another go around (not to mention 400.00 gelding for two horses and a 1000.00 bill for other problems in my rescue horses earlier in the year).

So I came looking for another solution. I found your site. My mom and I are both big believers in natural remedies for problems. Ripper isn't in huge distress but was wandering around crying occasionally and I saw him straining and only producing a drop or two of urine. I gave him the ACV (organic from Health Food Store - mixed 1/2 tsp to 2 tbsp spring water) from a plastic syringe. He didn't like it and I have a couple of big scratches *but* I got it all down him.

I've got some more diluted in his water bowl and some added to some nummy wet cat food. Right now I can hear him scratching in his litter box and there's no crying going on.

Cross your fingers for me - but I think you may have saved me another 400.00 bill.

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04/08/2010 Update

It's been 12 hours give or take later since Ripper's first dose and in that time he's had two more. (Once in wet food and once in another syringe of water). First off he's stopped crying, he's sleeping comfortably on my bed (not lethargic - just his normal lazy kitty self), and lastly and most importantly - he's used his litter box to pee.

The only thing I'm not sure of is how much he pee'd. That is because I use a silica crystal cat litter and the moisture is pretty much immediately sucked up (especially when the crystals are brand new - which they are since I changed it last night when all this started). However there is a good amount of the crystals that are discolored to a bright-ish yellow with no trace of blood. And he's not going in and out of the box continuously and he's not hiding under my bed - so it looks like *tentatively* that the ACV has done the trick.

Thank you so much... I am going to continue to update. Cross your fingers for me and Ripper.

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04/28/2010 Update

Ripper is completely normal now.

I am astounded at how *fast* he was given relief by the ACV (organic complete with mother). He's right now sleeping comfortably beside his 'girlfriend' Hecate after Elishiva gave him a bath.

He's been eating, dreaming and doing all sorts of good stuff quite happily since his his last dose in his wet food. I am going to be switching him and his companions to a wet food/raw food diet complete with ACV to keep the urinary issues away. Also going to keep a little ACV in the water they drink (Ripper's not sold on that, but Hecate and Elishiva are. Not sure on Indy's verdict. Gus the pug and Flea and Gwin the ferrets are good with it.)

Vet bill - 460.00 dollars
Apple Cider Vinegar - 10.00 for the big jug
Ripper's health - Priceless.

Thanks Earth Clinic! I'll be back for more info when I need it again.

Cystitis and UTI Remedies for Cats

Apple cider vinegar saved the day for my 3 year old neutered male kitty. He was going to the litter box every 5 minutes and producing only a few drops of urine. I called my vet who said to take away his dry food, and just give him wet food to increase the amount of water he is talking in. Later that evening, kitty was producing NO urine.

I used the suggestions on this site - 1/4 tsp. of ACV added to 2 tsp.of canned food - he ate it right up ! Then I gave him a few syringes of 1/4 tsp. ACV and 1 tsp. water. He took it without much fuss. And then I added ACV to the cats' drinking bowls ( I have two cats.) - 1/2 tsp ACV added to 2 cups of water. I was pleasantly surprised that he ate the food and drank the water that contained ACV. Actually BOTH cats liked it ! This morning - THREE normal pee-pees ! Tomorrow, a vet visit to make sure he is OK. Thanks for the advice - it is much appreciated. It got us safely through the weekend.

I found this site when I posted to facebook to a friend that my cat was sick. She immediately recommended earthclinic. Of course, it was the weekend and the vets were closed. My boy cat has not been peeing much and that day I noticed that he was only peeing a few drops at a time. Once or twice he got out of the littler box without peeing at all. I knew what it was immediately, he had urinary crystals. Last year I spent over $2500 taking my cats to the vets for this problem! I read here that everyone gave their cats AVC with the mothers in it .. so I mixed 1/2 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons of water. I gave it to him in a syringe for medication for pets. I gave him 3 syringes over the course of the first day. He peed the very same night, the size of a quarter. The next day I gave it to him 3 times again and he peed the size of a golfball! He is no longer crying all day. He is feeling much better.

I recommend if you give this to your pets, not to give them a strong mix or too much at once. A few drops at a time only. Otherwise they cough and foam at the mouth. I dont know why this happens but it can be very scary for you and your pet. That happened once when I tried to give him a whole syringe at once. Be patient and administer it a little at a time. It may take 20 minutes to get them to take the while syringe but its well worth it. Also if its too strong they will have the same reaction.

Thank you everyone for posting how you used it.. I couldnt find a precription on the site on how to administer it.. it only said AVC. It didnt even mention it was the natural kind (I used organic raw Apple cider vinegar.)

Almost two weeks ago one of my two female Ragdoll cats stopped being able to urinate. Sashi visited the litter box frequently, never having any results, and appeared to be in distress. She also stopped drinking her usual amount of water (which, however, is not that much). The other cat was fine (and drinks a good amount of water).

I must pause here to say that we do not bring our cats to the vet other than when they were young to have them spayed. (We do not believe in vaccinating -- and medicating, if at all possible -- and we do not have money in our budget for vets.) At the time of their spaying, we brought Sasha and Sophie to a vet who was a cat specialist. He strongly instructed us to always feed the cats ONLY dry food, never any wet at all. He felt that wet food would rot their teeth. And so we never had fed our two cats (ages 3 1/2 and 4 1/2) wet food [except for a brief spell when we were treating them for chronic diarrhea and needing to get fresh squeezed garlic into them, but that is another (successful!) story....!]

At any rate, when Sashi was not able to urinate, I consulted a friend of mine who has owned many cats. She immediately suspected "cystitis", and explained the causes (only a dry food diet, the cat did not drink enough water, etc.). She recommended apple cider vinegar and adding wet food to the cat's diet. After getting off the phone with her, I googled for more info., and came across your most excellent site -- in particular, information about this condition.

We immediately began the cat on a "wet food only" diet for the first 2-3 days, mixing in apple cider vinegar. The cat loved being able to have wet food (an inexpensive brand, by the way, with only a generic brand of acv). Sashi could handle pretty good sized portions of vinegar without any objections at all. I am not sure how much I used, but certainly she was getting AT LEAST 2 tsp. per day those first few days in a few feedings of wet food per day. For perhaps 3 or 4 days, however, she still would not drink her usual amount of water, including drinking from the tap, which normally she loves.

The long and the short of this story is, like many others have noted on this site, that her cure was almost immediate. She urinated a little shortly after the first treatment(s), and the next day began frisking about in high spirits -- and urinating small amounts regularly. As stated by others, the coats of both cats shine now and they have much more energy. On the third day her urinating was totally normal.

I would say the maintenance dose we have recently been administering is almost 1 tsp. per day for Sasha, and perhaps 1/2 tsp. for Sophie (who drinks a lot of water already, and who gets less wet food because of a weight problem). We now give wet food for both breakfast and supper, as well as dry food at noon and to supplement. I do not let Sasha "free feed" on dry food anymore. She happily drinks out of the tap once again, and also her water bowl (but not as much as she probably should).

My husband also rigged up a pump and filter (from the fish tank dept. at the dept. store) and a tub of water for the cats to drink from. We had hoped this would encourage them to drink more, but this trick has not been hugely successful in its goal.

When we first began administering the acv and feeding Sashi only wet food, she did begin to be a little constipated. Some dry food is necessary to move the bowels, apparently. Once the initial crisis of not being able to urinate had passed, we began to phase limited amounts of dry food back into Sashi's diet. Around the end of Day #3 we began to reintroduce some into her diet. FYI.

I give prayer and a big YEA on acv as having been a huge success for us re: cystitis in cats! Unlike my husband, I hate the taste and smell of all vinegars. Nevertheless, I'm beginning to think everyone in our household should go on acv! I'll have to hold my nose, though! :)

i have been using acv 6 months. the vet couldn't find anything wrong with mystic short hair black 7 years old. she was spraying urine in the litter box and the only thing that is working is acv.

she also has feline herpes in remmission. so please use l lysine for upper respiratory infections. anyone who is having problems please let me know what you use.

I am a huge fan of this site now! My 3 year old male cat has been having UTI problems for the past 2 months and after 3 vet visits and 2 rounds of strong antibiotics nothing worked! He was in obvious (and loud!) pain, going outside the box, constantly licking his privates, and our normally very active cat wouldn't do anything expect hide under the bed.

Finally I came across this website and decided to give ACV a shot. The first day I gave him 1/2 teaspoon of AVC to 2 teaspoons of filtered water with a oral syringe (this is a very strong dosage from what I can tell). He Hated it and I had to give it to him in several small doses over the course of the day. I didn't notice to much difference the first day. The second day (following advice from this site) I put 1/2 teaspoon to 2 CUPS of Filtered water in his normall water dish to allow him to drink it as he would. Doesn't seem to notice the taste. This is the third day and he is running all over the house like a kitten again! I also gave him Cantahris pelts for the pain (find in a natural food store)and those all seemed to help for the first two days. The first day I gave him 3 doses of 2 pelts each. I have been told to give him only filitered water so that the he gets the cleanest water, which means that there are fewer chemicals entering his system that can block him back up.

I recommend reading as many posts as possible, they each offer different ideas, information, and remedies that fit different cats.

I plan on continuing to put ACV in my cats water dish for a long while.