The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Diane Small (Cambridge, Ma) on 02/28/2011
★★★★★
My male cat, age 7, began straining to urinate. I gave him ACV, but it didn't help him. I took him to his veterinarian, who diagnosed him with a urinary tract infection and prescribed antibiotics and pain medications. But the UTI returned in a few days and I had to bring my cat back to the vet who prescribed stronger antibiotics and pain meds. Once again the problem returned in a few days and the vet prescribed still stronger antibiotics and pain meds. The bill came to just under $700. The vet didn't mention food to me at all, until I asked whether my cat should still eat dry food. He didn't answer and just told me to cook a chicken and put the juice in my cat's wet food. He also told me to put wet pads on my cat's rear end. The UTI returned very quickly.
This time I reached for a book on my shelf, Rodale's Encyclopedia of Natural Home Remedies, c1982. On page 69, someone had written to Prevention with a remedy for her neutered male cat's cystitis (bladder infection). She added tomato juice (one tablespoon) and water (one tablespoon) to her cat's wet food. Since another person used a remedy with no salt, I bought a bottle of Bionaturae Organic Strained Tomatoes, no salt, at my local food co-op. Since it is so concentrated, I just add one and a half teaspoons of the strained tomatoes along with a tablespoon and a half of water in the my cat's wet food twice a day. I also add three drops of olive oil in the wet food. This worked immediately.
It's been about seven weeks now and my cat is fine. He loves the strained tomatoes and water mixed in with his food. I even give him about a quarter a cup of Innova Evo dry cat food daily and he's doing fine. Since I've reduced the amount of dry food he gets, I worried about his bowel regularity, so I give him a wet cat food with chunks of food; I use Nature's Variety Homestyle canned, by Prairie, mornings and then in the evening I give him Wellness canned, which doesn't have chunks.
A few months before my cat's problems began, I had decreased his wet food and increased his dry food (I had also stopped giving him Evo dry and switched to another dry food), because I wanted to keep his weight down. I suspect this may have caused the problem. So now I give him wet food twice a day with the strained tomatoes and water, and about a quarter of a cup of Innova Evo dry daily. It has worked for my neutered male cat.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Diane Small (Cambridge, Ma) on 03/26/2011
I need to follow up on my comment regarding my male cat with UTI, because I did have further problems, mostly maybe due to me.
Brought my male cat, age 7 ½ years old, to veterinarian when he kept going back and forth to the litter box, stayed in there, and kept meowing. Vet diagnosed the problem as a serious UTI and gave him antibiotics and pain meds. I gave him meds when cat returned also. Problem came back again. Returned to vet for stronger antibiotics and pain meds. Once again problem returned. Brought him back again for even stronger antibiotics and pain meds. Bill came to just under $700. Problem returned. I looked at Rodale's Encyclopedia of Natural Home Remedies, 1982. Recommended was tomato juice and water in canned food. Worked; I used a bottle of strained organic tomatoes, a tablespoon of the tomatoes with a tablespoon and a half of distilled water in canned cat food twice a day. When I gave my cat one morning just cooked chicken and some dry food, his UTI returned. When I resumed the strained tomato/water routine, he squatted and urinated everywhere. I panicked and panicked and got him Cranactin capsules; I opened the capsules gave him half a capsule of the powder in wet food twice a day.
When he gagged after a day or two, I looked at another book: Veterinarians' Guide to Natural Remedies for Cats, by Martin Zucker, 1999. One veterinarian recommended just giving your UTI prone cat canned food mixed with water. I started giving my cat a half can of canned food twice a day with about a tablespoon and a half of distilled water twice a day. Because one vet in that book or another found that fish could trigger the problem, I don't use fish flavored food. I get Nature's Variety Home Style by Prairie, because it has chunks of food—I thought it might help keep him regular. In the evening I give him either Wellness canned or Pet Guard canned with the water. In the morning, I throw in about a tablespoon of dry food (Innova EVO). I also put 3 drops of high quality olive oil in the canned food twice a day.
My cat seems fine so far; it's been about six weeks. I am very disappointed with my vet, who didn't mention food to me; when I mentioned it, he said nothing, except to boil a chicken and put the juice in it. And he charged me $700. I recommend both books highly. The latter book, by Martin Zucker, especially for your cats.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dila (New York, Ny) on 10/06/2010
★☆☆☆☆
My persian cat got started acting odd today and I didnt know what it was. He would go the litter box much more often than usual and stay there longer than usual. When he comes out he has this look on his face tht made me suspicious. He would also lick his bottom ll the time. I decided to research in order to find out what it may be due to. I first thought he was constipated and gave him some hairball treatment that has petrollium in it, which is also a laxative. But then I researched more and found out that he may have a UTI. I watched him more closely and realized that its probably a urinary infection, he would come out screaming nd crying and he looked like he was in pain. Unfortunatelly I had a class to go to, so when I came back from school he looked worse. I bought cranberry pills and gave him in a syrrenge.
Then I found this website and found out about the ACV. I gave it to him in a syrringe and also mixed it in his wet food. Its been about 3.5 hours since I first gave it to him. He still goes to the litter box and tries to pee but not as often as before (every 20-30 mins as opposed to every 5-10 mins). He is resting now and im keeping my fingers crossed that this stuff works for him, as it worked for many other cats. I felt so horrible because I had to leave him in pain and go to a class, luckily it was only 1 class and 4 hours later I was home again and was able to give him the ACV. Im so happy I found this site, I was freaking out before because he would scream and cry and its just sounds like he is in so muvh pain. Also the look on his face says everything, he would look at me like he is asking me to help him, and I was ready to take him to the emergency, if I havent found this site God knows what they would have done to him there and how much they would charge me. (it was 10 pm when I got home). So I will keep everyone posted, he looks a little better now, I think its working for him, I've had UTI myself and I know how much it hurts and that the pain gets worse and worse with time. Its 2:30 am here in New York, and I will post again when I wake up. I hope it will be a positive result and my poor boy will be in less pain and able to pee. Thanks everyone for posting their stories, it helped me a lot reading all these things and gave me more cnfidence that we can fight this!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dila (New York, Ny, Us) on 10/07/2010
I want to give an update on my cat. The ACV didnt seem to work much, he would still try to pee and nothing came out. I woke up around 9 am to find him squatting on my bed trying to pee. I decided not to wait any longer and take him to the vet. He told me that my cat had a blockage and they kept him overnight, they inserted catheter in him to get the urine out and gave him antibiotics for the pain. I brought him home today and the first thing he did was running to the litter box and trying to pee - unsuccessfully : ( it got me upset again, as I thought he is all better and the vet said he should pee normally. I will wait a little longer and call the vet again if he cant pee. I also gave hm turkey with some ACV in it, in hopes that the ACV will dissolve the crystals and allow him to pee again. I WANT TO STRONGLY RECOMMEND FOR ALL CAT OWNERS NOT TO WAIT IF YOUR MALE CAT HAS THE SYNDROMES OF UTI AND BLOCKAGE!!!!! YOU HAVE TO TAKE HIM TO THE VET IMMEDIATELY!!! They need to be unblocked first because if they dont, many things can go wrong!!!!
A) Your cat will have all that urine sitting inside which can rupture his bladder
B) the urine, if not taken out will release toxins which can kill your cat
C) the kidneys will stop producing urine because of all that excess urine that is sitting there, therefore he might get kidney complications. I certainly hope that all the home remedies are gonna help my cat and all other cats out there, but dont let your cat have all that urine inside of him. I'm gonna call the vet now, since he's trying to pee and he can't and I will keep up with the ACV. I will post again soon
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Beach Bum (Ponce Inlet, Florida) on 12/16/2010
★★★★★
Just wanted to say that I have a 2 year old male cat, and he was displaying all the symptoms I read about here. We are short on cash, so I tried the apple cider vinegar the other evening- put in wet food as directed. By the next morning he was looking pretty bad, like he was in pain. He was twitching and crying. I took him to the vet immediately, and he went into surgery- he was 100% blocked, and would have died within 4 hrs. If you have a boy cat, take them to the vet- they are more likely to get totally blocked, which causes death within 48 hrs. My kitty will come home tomorrow, after 4 days at vet- but he is fine- very thankful for the info here- saved his life!
General Feedback
Posted by Annonymous (Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Usa) on 04/06/2010
A friend of mine had a male cat who was on Iams food and frequently had urinary issues. The vet's recommendations sort of helped, but didn't resolve the problem last I heard. However, I learned that in some cats (males only if I remember right) the cords/bits that hold the organs in place when they are developing in the womb don't break down like they should. It causes the bladder to not empty completely. A simple surgery fixes the problem.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Catlovah (Boston, Ma) on 03/31/2012
★★★★★
Amazing the ACV worked! I applied a very wet paper towel soaked with the ACV to her hindquarter like someone suggested. She licked it up and in less than 30 minutes she urinated. I highly recommend this remedy! My cat (mouse) and I thank you all for suggesting this wonderful remedy!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sylvia (Frederick, Md) on 12/28/2009
★★★★★
I used 1/2 teaspoon regular apple cider vinegar to 2 cups water for 2 years now and no more UTI. Also one half pill vitamin C 500 mg is good for shiny coat and preventing other problems. Just crush it and put in wet catfood gravy.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Cranberry
Posted by Russell (Sioux Falls, Sd) on 09/15/2009
Well, after my Catzilla (trust me, she's totally earned her name) started peeing all over my computer room, all over any loose clothing, boxes, carpet and anywhere else soft, I knew something was amiss. I, too, just like most of the people on this site, cannot afford vet bills or even a check up (I can't even get myself to the dentist as it is).
She started this behavior last week and after my wife and I had given her two capsules of cranberry extract with a 5 ml water chaser every day, she seemed to improve by week's end. But, a couple of days ago she started back again, same behavior. We started back with the cranberry as the wife believed this to be a better solution at the moment. I knew about this site last week and kept trying to remember to buy some organic ACV but would keep forgetting.
So, yesterday, I got some org. ACV and administered 1/4 tsp with 1/2 tsp of water. She's seemed on again, off again in her recovery. She was crying but her crying isn't nearly as bad. Ups and downs, really. I just gave her some more cranberry with water and she's laying down near the door on the carpet. Sometimes, she licks her "spot" but then she stops after a little while. I've been trying to give her at least two doses of the ACV a day. I know I can't expect miracles overnight, as most of you have received but I'm really frustrated and not sure what to do. We've decided by Thursday, if she isn't better, we're taking her in. Any pointers from those who have had success with the ACV I can use to try and expedite Zilla's recovery?
Thank you so much for your help. I just want Catzilla better. She's just so miserable lately.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Cranberry
Posted by Russell (Sioux Falls, Sd) on 09/29/2009
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Hi. I'm returning to this site to voice my complete disappointment in ACV and its effects on MY cat. Catzilla's infection has come back, worse than before now. I've tried 2 ml to 3 ml of Water twice a day for the past couple of days and even with cranberry extract (two capsule a day), nothing is working. She's puking her food up and peeing everywhere again, even so much as (from what I could tell) defecating a bit on the wall (I only saw three small spots on the wall, nothing too gross). I've found blood in her urine when she pees on things so worse has finally come to worse. I must now take whatever money I can and put it toward her vet bill, which I'm sure is going to be through the roof. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this but I have no other choice. Very very disappointed in this remedy. ACV just didn't work for me. Good luck, everyone else. I hope your kitties get better.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Spice's Mom (Cape Coral, Fl) on 12/28/2010
My male cat is 11 yrs old and was recently diagnosed with Diabetes and I have been having a problem with him leaking urine for about 2 yrs. Antibiotics make him very sick and only seem to help while he is taking the antibiotics. He doesn't have a problem with the litter box when he has a recent insulin shot, but when his blood sugar rises he has issues with leaking large puddles. He also still drinks large amounts of water. He has had bad UTI's in the past, not sure if this is diabetes related. I am starting him on the ACV treatment today to see if it helps. Does anyone have advice for me regarding diabetic cats and UTI's? I would really appreciate any advice. Thank you in advance! Spice's Mom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Vinnie (Auckland, New Zealand) on 02/14/2011
Hi there, I was so happy and thankful to read this thread; some years ago I lost my first cat to the dreaded crystals. It devastated me. After many years, I was asked to take in an abandond cat (now 3yrs old) to save his life, and 2 days ago he was diagnosed with said crystals. I was so scared. The vet was really nice and helpful, but after catheterising only gave me anti inflammatories and Hills perscription as further treatment. The hills bix list brewers rice as their key ingredient, and the wet food pork by-product, neither of which thrilled me, but anything for him to get better! However, on doing a bit of research I find that dry food I. E. the biscuits are possibly part of the problem - we fed him expensive store bought bix for breakfast and snacks prior to the crystals, so I was really concerned to be feeding him these to make him better.
Did not know anything about ACV before finding this page, wasnt even sure if you could get this 'mother' stuff here in Aotearoa New Zealand, but yay, yes I can. So have just bought some and will get started now - so good luck to us, and thankyou thankyou to all the people who take the time to post here! Kia ora.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Devon (Dearborn Mi) on 07/16/2015
I have a 5 month old kitten who when I took to the vet they gave a shot and medicine for a UTI. They tried to take a urine sample but couldn't and now he is not very happy and seems to be in pain. Is this normal for them to be sore after they tried to do this? Also can I add the ACV to his food and water along with continuing the antibiotics? We have him in our guest room right now because he was going all over the house. It wasn't a lot but he was going on soft surfaces and dribbling here and there.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kyle (Jacksonville, Florida) on 07/19/2009
★★★★★
We have a male cat who developed urinary crystals and after a $1,000 vet bill, I was forced to look for a homeopathic, inexpensive alternative. When he developed it again, I started giving him about 1/2 teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) in some warm water with his dry food every morning and the urinary crystals completely disappeared in a day or two. If your cat won't eat the food, try putting less ACV in the warm water at first and gradually build up the amount. I also try to give him some wet food a few times a week (I wish I could only give him wet food, but it is far more expensive). Now I give this to each of my cats daily and they are completely healthy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rosy (Orlando, Fl) on 01/07/2009
Female kitty peed on herself:
I am concerned about my female kitty Mora, she is about two years old. We are in the middle of switching her to a more natural diet. She was on Solid Gold's Indigo Moon formula, which it grain free, but I had wanted to switch her and my male to a raw diet. The male seems to have switched fine. It has been about a week with the raw only. Right now we are struggling, as she only wants to eat the kibbles. I have it put up in a spare bedroom. I have been feeding her a freeze dried Venison formula, and when I think they may eat it, some raw chicken that was frozen in a tube. I feed them both about an ounce, at first and if they are still hungry I will warm up more. I do not heat in the microwave. Well now that I have gotten through the current situation, my main concern. This morning they were hungry and I was defrosting some raw and it would be a while before I could feed them. So I gave both of them a treat. It was a cranberry treat that they have both eaten for over a year. Shortly after that I saw her walking around the house with a wet bottom. I went to dry her off and noticed it was urine. I cleaned her with a damp washcloth, she wasn't too happy, but not as upset as when I cleaned her bottom when she got poo on it. So I don't think she is feeling to spunky. I went to look up on line females peeing on themselves and noticed a really rancid cat pee smell. I went to the littler box, and it wasn't there, she had peed in a tent that I had put up for them in the corner. It was thicker than normal and very yellow. It had also got part on the carpet. So now I think she had been going to hid in her tent cause she didn't feel good and ended up peeing with out knowing it. What makes this more upsetting is yesterday she was great, and we played all day! The urine smell isn't normal, it is very stinky, I am not sure how to describe it but it isn't like a strong pee smell, it is just strong and stinky, but still pee like. Has any one else had this same thing happen? I don't have a regular vet, and I don't want to deal with finding one that won't think I am a nut case with the raw food.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mary (Regina, Canada) on 01/07/2009
Hi: I don't have cats but 2 small dogs. I have been told to fast them for 1 day anytime i switch over to raw. If for example we go on holidays and have to drive. I do not pack raw, they eat dry for that time. Regarding your female cat, I have a trick that I use. I have 2 miniature pinchers that have been on raw most of their lives. When I have an issue, I feed them live yogurt that I have cultured myself with milk and acidophilis. They get this until problem resolves itself.
Hope this helps,
Mary
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rosy (Orlando, Fl) on 01/09/2009
★★★★★
Update on my fur baby Mora,
I mixed together 1 tablespoon of organic ACV with 1/3 cup filtered tap water. I gave my kitty 2 tsp by syringe 2 times a day. At first she was ok with it, which isn't my kitty, She then slept for a couple of hours and ate. She peed in the litter box one more stinky pee before bed. So bad I had to empty it for the second time that day. In the morning she put up some fight with the ACV mix, but I got it in her :)~ She ate some no grain canned food and was frisky for a while then slept most the day. That night I gave her one more dose and I had to chase her and got part of it on the wall, so she must be feeling better. I haven't noticed the stink, and she is much friskier. I will try the fast when I start her on raw again, see if that keeps her from getting too dehydrated in her protest!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Donna (Bc Canada) on 03/20/2015
Thank you for the information. I run an animal rescue shelter, more for seniors and cats with behavior issues. one of my cats was squatting to pee every few minutes. He was drinking a lot of water, but still seemed to be straining. He has lost a lot of weight and my Vet feels he may have kidney disease. I have not done blood work as I have seen this many, many times. I will try the Apple Cider Vinegar and post again.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Donna (Bc Canada) on 03/20/2015
Thank you for the information. I run an animal rescue shelter, more for seniors and cats with behavior issues. one of my cats was squatting to pee every few minutes. He was drinking a lot of water, but still seemed to be straining. He has lost a lot of weight and my Vet feels he may have kidney disease. I have not done blood work as I have seen this many, many times. I will try the Apple Cider Vinegar and post again.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jay (Florissant, Missouri) on 08/05/2008
★★★★★
I used apple cider vinegar to cure my cat's urinary blockage after a 1500 dollar visit to the vet the first time this occured. A neighbor suggested trying a home remedy. I found this web site and learned about apple cider vinegar to cure cat's of urinary blockage.I had a syringe from the vet for giving my cat water to help him swallow his medicine I used this 6 militer syringe to give my cat ACV BY MIXING IT WITH ONE CUP OF WATER AND GIVING HIM 1FULL syringe in the morning and 1 at night the 1st 3 days then 1/2 a teespoon of ACV to his water dish which holds 2 cups.
I am pleased to report that MAX my male cat is doing fine and is urinating normally now will keep him on this for the rest of his life. my thanks to Earth clinic
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tonya (Houston, TX, USA) on 05/04/2008
★★★★★
Outstanding information on this site.
Why isn't Apple Cider Vinegar a staple in every household? Truly a life changing remedy the doctors sure don't tell you about. Thanks a million to everyone who took the time to provide VALUABLE information on this site. I'm using it now for my cat who almost died from crystals...a urinary blockage. The vet wanted to perform a painful $1,500 surgery, but the ACV is doing the trick to regulate his PH levels. Unbelievable...
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Aynne (Liverpool, NY) on 05/27/2008
I am reading about the ACV helping kitties with crystals. I've spent thousands of dollars on my kitty, usually rushing him to the vets and having him stay about 3 days. This is tough on all of us. He only eats specially ordered wet vet food, yet he still gets sick and I have to watch him all the time. What is the dosage for the kitties who have crystals? It would be a relief to finally get this under control. He has lost alot of weight since he can no longer eat grains. I am now retired and now longer have the financial resources I did, so I need better solutions.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cindy (Mount Shasta, CA) on 06/09/2008
Apple Cider Vinegar Regarding ACV and urinary blockage in cats, how do you administer it to kitty?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Beverly (Spartanburg, Sc) on 01/02/2011
I cured one of my tomcats with apple cider vinegar earlier this year. Just spent $100 dollars to treat a second cat who developed a sudden complete blockage. Someone mentioned on a different thread here (bladder problems in cats) to PUT THE AVC ON THEIR PAWS and let them lick it off. This is a much more efficient way to treat than trying to administer with a syringe. I am going to start doing this regularly to prevent future problems. Earth Clinic is WONDERFUL!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gerald (Columbus, Ohio) on 11/15/2011
I haven't seen anybody mention putting some ACV in the drinking water of your feline friend. Thats what we have done for all of our pets and it works great for cats that have urinary problems.
As far as the amount, you will have to experiment with how much they will tolerate.... start with a teaspoon in a bowl of water and increase from there.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marcella (Yelm, Washington) on 10/03/2012
Avoid feeding kitty with urinary track issues foods with any ash content in it. especially if you have a Simase kitty who seem to be more prone to urinary problems than other breeds.
Wile Ash is not the only cause of urinary problems it is a major contributing factor of flare ups and infections since the ash blocks the urinary track and makes it harder and very painful to pee.
You may be suprised how many dry and [wet] canned foods have a very high content of ash in them. The list of ingredients begin's with the highest amount contained in the food to the least amount on the bottom of the list.
hope this helps some. Marcella
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Suzette (New Prague, Mn) on 05/14/2008
FLUTD and apple cider vinegar - I was actually wondering what the measurements were for the cats and how it was given I have a cat 4 yrs old that has struvite crytalls and keeps getting them which means vet which means unhappy kitty. His last bout #4, he was peeing all over our new house. I had a vet that was all over the place about taking care of him, so I would like to try this remedy. They want to keep him on amitryiptaline to see if that would help. Any thoughts would be greatly apprecited! Thanks for the time.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joy Davison (Johannesburg, South Africa) on 08/08/2008
Hi My name is Joy, i have a 2 and a half year old female doberman that was spayed about a month and a half ago. Two weeks later i have realised that she seems to have a weak bladder. I wake up in the mornings drenched in what seems to be water. It also almost has a weird smell.. cant put my finger on it but almost a weak blood smell but its clear water. I am not sure if it is urine.. sure doesnt smell like it. I am terrified. I phoned my vet who just told me very relaxed that it is a lifelong problem and she would need to take pills every day. I almost fainted when i heard that.. i came across your article on ACV and bought some last night. I fed it to her with some yogurt... she seemed to like it. I am still very worried about her.. but over here we have vet's that only want your money and your dogs best interest comes last. Can anyone please tell me what you think of the ACV and if it really works? Thanks
Himalayan Salt
Posted by Marian (Groningen, Netherlands (Europe)) on 03/03/2008
★★★★★
Himalayan salt. My female cat has had severe bladder problems for over 2 years. Antibiotics helped a little bit but it always came back. She has dry food for PH-balance but that did not help either. I tried vitC, cranberry and ACV but she does not want that, even hidden in food she really loves. 'About a year ago I put a little bit of Himalayan salt in the water, initially for my dog who has arthritis. Well she still has (the dog) but my cat drinks from that water too (she loves it) and has not had any bladder problems since. I still also give her the food for PH balance.
Urinary Blockage
Posted by Camille (Pleasant Valley, New YorK) on 02/01/2008
I'm seeking a cure, as well as preventative measures for urinary blockage in male cats. My cat was eating a wet food that has been discontinued along with his dry food. He refuses to eat any other brand of wet food. He developed urinary blockage from lack of wet food. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cranberry
Posted by Sasha (Reston, VA) on 07/22/2008
Hi, my cat is very sick all the time. Can you please tell me what kind of cranberry extract do you use and how do you meger 6 drops and how many times per day do you give your cat the extract? Thank you in advance.
