Natural Cystitis Remedies for Cats

Modified on Dec 14, 2023 | Earth Clinic Team

Cystitis is a miserable condition for cats to endure, and painful for their owners to watch.  Fortunately, natural treatments for cystitis work often bring swift healing to cats and relief to their owners!

What is Cystitis in Cats?

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. Often the cause is unknown. Cats with cystitis will have trouble urinating. They may make many frequent attempts to use the little box with little to no success. They may urinate outside of the litter box in places that are inconvenient - carpets, beds, counter tops and bathtubs.  A cat with cystitis may appear to be in pain. Their appetite and behavior may be affected and their abdomen may seem bloated and tender.

Cystitis is not the same thing as a urinary tract infection in cats, though the symptoms may be quite similar. Many of the remedies that work for a bladder infection in a cat work for feline cystitis as well.

What Natural Treatments Can I Use for My Cat's Cystitis?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been used for generations for bladder health in animals and people.  It can be used daily to keep the bladder healthy and will often quickly resolve bladder inflammation. You can read more about apple cider vinegar for cystitis here.

Coconut Oil 

Coconut Oil is a highly nutritious and healing food that is good for pets as well as their owners. You can put a pea sized amount onto your cat's paw for him to lick off. You can put the same amount right into his mouth or mix it into his food. It is a mild tasting oil and easy to disguise in food. Coconut oil is an anti-inflammatory oil.

Herbs

Turmeric

Turmeric is an excellent natural anti-inflammatory.  1/8-1/4 teaspoon can be added to a cat's food once or twice a day. Powdered turmeric can be found in the spice section of your local grocery store or health food store.

Parsley 

Parsley is renowned for its healing effect to the bladder. Parsley tea can be given instead of water if your cat likes it. Pour once cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of parsley. Steep 15 minutes. Strain out the herbs. If you cat does not like the tea, a quarter teaspoon of ground parsley can be added to food.

Corn Silk

Corn silk tincture works well for bladder problems.  It is a mild tasting tincture that can be mixed into food or given by syringe. Add 1/4 teaspoon of corn silk tincture to 3/4 teaspoon of water and give orally twice a day.

Dietary Changes for Cats with Cystitis

Plenty of water is critical to the health of the bladder of your cat.  You may need to get creative to ensure that your cat stays well hydrated. If your cat's diet is primarily dry cat food, your cat is almost certainly not getting enough fluids to effectively flush the bladder. Changing to wet cat food or a combination of wet and dry cat food will help to increase the amount of water your cat gets.  You will need to do some trial and error to figure out the best way to encourage your cat to drink more fluids. 

  • Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.
  • Try bottled water.
  • Try cold water.
  • Make bone broth for your cat to drink. Cats love chicken bone broth (Boil chicken bones in water for several hours. Strain. Freeze the broth in ice cube trays or small containers.) You may be able to just add a few cubes each day to your cat's water bowl. The water bowl will need to be washed daily to make sure it is clean, especially if you are putting anything in the bowl other than water.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar to your cat's water bowl and see if your cat likes the taste. Some animals do. If your cat does like this and drinks more, the apple cider vinegar will be an added bonus to his bladder health.

As aforementioned, dry cat food will not ensure proper hydration for your cat.  Dry cat food also contains fillers, grains, food colors, and other chemicals that are working against cat health and not for it.  

Has your cat had cystitis? How did you treat it? Read on to see what works for our readers!

 

whatsapp facebook twitter youtube


List of Remedies for Cystitis