15 User Reviews
★★★★★
Make sure you dilute the Apple Cider Vinegar as much as you can, from all that I read, Holistic Vets only reccommend 1/4tsp twice a day, so they dont NEED that much but it cant hurt to push fluids. If your kitty isn't urinating at all after 12hrs he needs medical attention. That is too long to be blocked up.
(Santa Barbara)
09/30/2014
I'm going to mix distilled water and ACV now to help Gilly, my male cat. Say a prayer for Gilly. Thanks M
(Ct., US)
03/30/2015
I would NOT recommend feeding your cat dry, kibbled food, especially if there is a history of urinary tract problems.If you are feeding your cat mainly dry food, I ask you to please research this topic and share the info with others. I suspect it has caused urinary tract blockage with one of my cats before, as well as several of my friends cats...catinfo.org has some good info posted by a veterinarian.
Once I fed my cat canned food-only (canned food is water-rich) there was never again any urinary tract problems. I would suggest only feeding dry food in small amounts as a treat.
If you are feeding a large amount of homeless cats and must give them dry food, then I would recommend giving a dry food that is formulated for urinary health. There are commercial brands available that are reasonably priced.
(Oceanside, .Ca)
08/06/2015
My rescue kitty male 8 years old neutered has always used his litter box he was crying then urinated on the carpet in front of me.That was a first. I don't have money for money for vet bills.but managed to get him to vet..they wanted to do test but I didn't have the $ so they checked his bladder - it was empty - good sign.Gave me antibiotics/amoxicillin for him for a week.I thought he was better ..but 2 days after antibiotics were finished he was crying in litter box again.
Do you think ACV would work? He's very picky I don't know if I can even get him to drink diluted ACV..any response would be much appreciated.thanks you..Concerned MaMa in Oceanside Ca.
(Mpls., Mn)
08/07/2015
Hey Mama!
I get my cats to take ACV by mixing it into wet/canned cat food. 3 tablespoons to 1 cat wet food stirred really well. I will use a can of tuna ifI am out of canned cat food. The strong smell of the canned food seems to hide the scent of the ACV and the strong flavor masks the ACV and my cats take it without issue. I will add extra water so it is really soupy to get them to take in *more* water/ACV, so they have to lap it down to get to the meaty chunks of the meal.
(San Diego, Ca)
08/22/2015
To: paula 8/6/2015 pets urination:
Once my cat cried and urinated -vet found he was CONSTIPATED/blocked up. He was trying to defecate, but only urine would come out. They gave him an enema + fluids. You can do this yourself.
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
Within eight hours, he was my same old Kitty again.I gave him 1/4 of tsp to 1 and a half tsp water three times a day for at least four day and now twice a day. I think I will to this for ever (i have taken it myself for a couple of years).At the end of the day, I don't know if it will cure him but he seems so much more comfortable, so time will tell. By the way, I asked his vet if I could give Kitty ACV and he said it was not a good idea...I am thinking he was looking forward to another couple more visits to his surgery...also, Kitty now only has wet food with added water and no dry food at all...I feed him the "wellness"brand. Strangly the other vet at the same clinic said to never give him dry food but the first vet at the same clinic recommended that I give Kitty the brand they sell. Hmmmmmm
(Mpls., Mn)
05/09/2014
Hey Sylvia!
Congrats on finding a remedy to aid your kitty!
I did wish to add that its very likely your vet had no idea about the health benefits of ACV; its simply not taught in vet schools. Olde timey vets may suggest a home remedy, but the new, fresh out vet school in the last 10 year types will simply have no clue. 20 years ago I advised an avian specialist vet about adding ACV to the water of my flock of 200 birds - this to treat the water to discourage parasites as opposed to metronidazole; a couple years later I heard from another bird keeper about this same vet now suggesting adding white vinegar to the drinking water of a large flock to discourage parasites. Clearly something was lost in translation, ie ACV vs white vinegar - but at least the specialist vet was paying attention to the birdkeeper [with the specialist experience].
Kudos on treating your cat - and for going with your gut on the wet food!
(Australia)
05/17/2014
Hi Theresa, Thank for your feedback. Kitty is still doing great but I watch him constantly for any change. A friend of mine (who is not really into the ACV thing) suggested I give Kitty ACID URINE tablets twice a day with food. The tablets contain ammonium chloride.Have you heard of these and do you think if I start Kitty on them, I should continue with the ACV. Once again any info or advice would be helpfull. Thanks again.
(Winnipeg Canada)
07/07/2015
Thank you for your post! I had an identical experience and spent nearly as much as you at the vet. Leaving frustrated but relieved my cat was still alive after a scare where at the time I felt like I had no choice. Anyways I am also having great success with the ACV. I'm just thrilled that he doesn't automatically lick himself now after urinating. I'm also giving him "rescue remedy" which is well known for alleviating emotional stress. I also agree that it's hard to trust the vet when they are profiting from both their prescription food and the treatment follow ups. A family friend had a cat that also had this problem and after many return visits to the vet they did the ultimate surgery to turn their male cat into a female. They spent 10k on their cat when all was said and done! I would luv to know if you received this response pls send me an quick note to let me know I'm trying to figure out this website and connect to others like yourself. Thanks all the best to you! Cheers, Michelle
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★☆☆☆☆
Just don't get your hopes up from all these "He peed a river after the first dose! " reports.
(Mpls., Mn)
04/13/2014
(UK)
01/05/2024
I know this is an old post but I wanted to leave a reply to help others. It is really important to use organic apple cider vinegar with "mother". Ordinary apple cider vinegar is a waste of money. I would also advise using a well known brand which begins with B. You will need to google the celebrity owner and find out why its advisable to avoid.
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
I now place an 1/8th teaspoon to every meal and so far so good!
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
My cat, Aurelio, is 5 years old. He's a healthy inside-outside cat who lives in the country. Although Aurelio loves to be inside with us during the cold months, my husband and I noticed that he was spending less time inside recently (December). He would come home, beg for food, eat rapidly and practically scream to go back outside. When we wouldn't open the door right away he would run through the house, looking in corners, and behaving very strangely until we let him leave. This went on for about a week and then one morning I noticed spots of blood in the bidet and a strong cat-urine smell, but with no visible urine. It bothered me, but our cats often nick themselves while digging outside and I thought maybe he had cut his paw and maybe the litterbox had been full so he had used the bidet for peeing (this isn't unusual - this is a cat who has been known to use the people toilet). Three days later I saw the same thing again and then I got really worried and went online to research blood in cat urine. Meanwhile, my husband had left town for a week, leaving me with no car and therefore no access to a veterinarian. We live out in the country and it's the holiday season, so there weren't any friends easily available to help. Once I realized that Aurelio probably had cystitis, and maybe for longer than a week, I panicked. I was especially concerned by the warning that a male cat can become blocked, and I knew that I was working against time.
So this is what I did: As soon as Aurelio returned home for dinner on Day 1 I gave him 1/4 tsp. Organic ACV 1-1/2tsp water in his wet food. I took away his dry food. He actually seemed to really enjoy his dinner, so it was no problem. And only 15 minutes later he went to his litter box and peed a small amount, though I couldn't see if there was still blood in his urine. 3 hours later I gave him the same dose of ACV/H20 in a smaller amount of wet food. He ate it and within 20 minutes he went back to the litter box and peed again - this time slightly more and no blood that I could see. This happened once more that night and again the next morning. He seemed to be feeling better too - no meowing, no running around the house - he was calm and had a good night's sleep. In fact, he was so well in the morning that I let him go outside after eating his ACV breakfast. He returned home in the evening, Day 2, and I started the same routine again - this time his urine was significantly more - I'd say it was about half of a healthy pee, 2 times that night and again the next morning after I gave him his ACV breakfast. Day 3 was exactly the same. Aurelio was jumping around, happy, healthy and actually begging for his ACV food.
On Day 4 there was trouble. Foolish me thought that he was well enough that I could give him a tiny bit of dry food and it would be fine. It wasn't. After eating his meal (again, the same as before but dry food) he started behaving strangely. Screaming to go outside. Running to the bathroom every 5 minutes, trying to pee in the bidet (not the litter box). About the 4th try, a little bit of watery blood came out - maybe three drops. This happened again 10 minutes later, but only 2 drops. And then he couldn't go at all. He started to look really tired and he was breathing rapidly and had very alert eyes. I was so upset. How could I have done this?
It was 10pm and I had no choice but to increase the amount of ACV. So I took a medical syringe and mouth-fed it to him like everyone recommended. It was about 1/2 tspACV enough water to fill the syringe. It wasn't difficult as he actually seemed to like it. His first dose was at 10pm. I gave a second syringe at 1am and another at 4am, then we both fell asleep. At 7am he peed - but it was only 2 drops of watery blood. I gave him breakfast of his wet food with 1/2tsp ACV 2-1/2tsp H20 and then another syringe. He fell asleep again and woke up 3 hours later, asking for more. I continued to give him a syringe every 3 hours on Day 5 but by the afternoon it looked like he wasn't getting any better. He hadn't even tried to pee since that morning and I was worried that I was filling him up with water and creating a dangerous situation. So I called my husband. He told me: in 2 hours I'll call you back and if you think it's an emergency, I'll have someone come get him and take him to the animal emergency. So I waited. Aurelio was so lethargic he hardly seemed to wake up when I shook him. And I thought for sure I was on the verge of losing him. And then - miracle of miracles - at exactly 2 hours later, about 5pm on Day 5, just when my husband called me back, Aurelio jumped up, trotted to the kitchen, asked for his ACV meal, ate, took a syringe and then trotted to the bidet to pee. And this time he peed a full, clear stream with no straining whatsoever!! I nearly fell to the floor with relief. I continued on his syringe routine and he peed stronger and clearer everytime for about 5 times that evening and once again in the morning. He slept well, he looked healthy, and everytime he woke up, he asked for his medicine. Day 6 he was healthy and happy again and I cut back his syringes to 1 every 4 hours. Day 7 and he is back to normal, still continuing to give him syringes and ACV in his wet food. I won't be giving him any dry food for at least a month.
As far as I have seen, ACV is truly a miracle-cure, thank you all for this wonderful advice! I do, however, have one question about something that concerns me and that's Aurelio's rapid breathing for about an hour after having ACV. Is this normal? It seems to me that he goes through 3 stages after eating ACV food/taking an ACV syringe: 1) He's extremely energetic, like a kitten playing 2) settles down but seems uncomfortable or in some slight pain and has rapid breathing 3) about 1hour after taking his ACV he is back asleep again, settled and purring. This happens everytime like clockwork. Should I be worried that I am causing him some pain? And this might be unrelated but he also licks at his right side. Is this an indication of something else going on besides the cystitis? He is back to peeing normally again, and he really seems to like his ACV, so I'm confused. Again, THANK YOU ALL!! :D
(Jax., FL)
09/22/2022
Just wanted to answer your question about your babies heavy breathing since I didn't see anyone answer it. I'm no vet, just a cat lover & mom of 10 cats myself, but as for the heavy breathing it's just usually a sign that they are in pain, so as long as it subsides it should be ok. UTI are known to be painful so sometimes they will breath heavy and also lick the area where the pain could be coming from. Hope this helps. God bless you and your baby.
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
I took Bobbie to the Vet. He was fixed and given antibotics for UTI. Three years later over holidays he had total uriniary tract blockage. Six days at Vet with catheter and whole works to the tune of $2000. Still no real commitment from Bobbie to use litter. I then changed his diet (not Vet's advice) to completely raw with dry only as treats.
Last month he had another total blockage. Before my Vet (now for 7 years) examined him she told me it would be $1000. And it was--along with special diet of feline SO canned/dry catfood to be kept on for one month. That alone was $80. It made him have an urge to pee all the time. He was also to take prednisone pill form. He acted crazy so I thru that out after two day. He was miserable and was just squatting to pee anywhere and everywhere.
Three weeks ago a church member told me she had 7 rescue cats. Said to try ACV. I am in the 12th day of mixing ACV 50/50 in drinking water and food and rubbing on back of neck. This time Bobbie's quantity of urine has increased and he has not peed on the floor in the house anywhere since I began using ACV. After 7 years I have prayed for this day. I had decided that another bout this problem would end in me having to put Bobbie down because his UTI was dictating how my husband and I lived our lives.
Yesterday I purchased the organic ACV with Mother and will use that from now on. I am also taking back the canned catfood I didn't use for a refund after reading the ingredients on the can--pork liver and pork byproducts! Do vets even read these ingredients listed on food they recommend for your pets???
Will post again in three months with update. Thank you so much for this website.
(Pittsburgh, Pa Usa)
11/11/2011
Where on the back of your cat's neck did you put the ACV? Kind of like if you use a topical flea treatment? How did you put it on? With a cotton ball or maybe one of those oral needle-less syringes?
My poor cat has such a stuffed nose and as awesome as ACV sounds I have yet to find a clear instruction on how to use it. He's terrified of going in a carrier because he's been an indoor only cat. He's just over a year old.
Many thanks for any help!
(Saginaw, Michigan, Usa)
07/27/2012
Hello Jenn - Yes, you can put the ACV on the back of the neck where you usually put the tropical flea stuff. Ironically enough, fleas HATE ACV!!! They "flee" the stuff!
Also, you can put some on kitties paws so they can lick it off. I took a spray bottle, and mixed ACV and water. I mist a brush and then use on my kitties. Overall, this is very healthy for your kitties.
PS: I am the church member who recommended this site to Gale. I am so happy she found relief for her Bobby.
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
I had seen your article on teh internet and thought I would give it a go. He is a five year old male who loves FOOD.
I gave him some homemade ACV through a syring for about twice a day 3 days one week, I'm not sure of the quatity(but now I give him a 1/4 of a teaspoon mixed with a teaspoon of water) and some shop brought full strength the next week again three days, twice a day. It took about 2 days for it to work. He is now his old self although I give him a little every week just to help keep his acid levels OK. He is very grateful.
(Cape Coral, Florida)
09/24/2011
(Staunton, Va Usa)
01/20/2012
Your husband is correct. Wazoo refers to the anus.
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
Until today. Unforturnately, today was also Oklahoma's blizzard day. She started straining again and crying. Someone earlier mentioned the look on an animal's face: "Fix it! " Thank god I found this sight because it may be another 48 hours before we can get her to the vet. I truly hope that the ACV works and I will let you know one way or the other.
(Sacramento, Ca)
08/12/2011
If the cat is straining to go to the bathroom, you may try adding olive oil to the wet cat food. This saved the life of my aging cat. The doc said that straining to go poo puts pressure on the heart. He had stopped pooing altogether and hid in the bottom of a closet. I had to feed him water through a plastic syringe and the olive oil saved him. He had a healthy life for 2 more years and lived to be 20 years old.
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
--------------
Update:
Great news!!!! He finally went! Thank you everyone for posting info. I cannot be more grateful. ACV really does work magic!
(Surrey Canada)
10/01/2016
My cat is having problems peeing. I noticed it last night when I got home from work and someone told me to try Apple Cider Vinegar and I've been giving it to him since yesterday. Last night I couldn't even pet him and this morning I can pet him and he jumped on my bed. I've beebn giving him Apple Cider Vinegar every hour. When he does go pee only a drop comes out once in a while. I'm thinking if I should take him to the vet 😢
(Mission, Bc)
10/02/2016
Keep going with the apple cider vinegar, my cat is on day 9 and it back to normal; he too was only peeing drops the next day and slowly he started to pee larger and larger amounts.
We have put the cats on wet food and add additional water to the food at every meal.
I spoke to a woman at my local Feed Bag, she told me she just read a article in which it said, 80 percent of cats are chronically dehydrated.
I know it is heartbreaking to watch, but the ACV will help break down the blockage and the crystals in the bladder.
(Oh)
10/13/2016
My female cat was always having trouble with peeing. Took her to the vet 3 times for it and last time had x rays taken. Vet said "she is just one of those cats who are going to have urinary issues." I went to a pet food store and got a bag of holistic dry grain free cat food and some cans of grain free cat food. She loves the dry but would not eat the canned. Bought some canned food without grain at grocery store and she likes it. Anyway, it has been 4 months and she is great. Her fur is soft and shiny, she pees with no problem and she seems to feel more solid. Hope your cat responds to a grain free diet like mine does.
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★☆☆
(Independence, Missouri, Usa)
11/18/2010
I had a dog that was straining to urinate. Many things were tried and nothing worked and I have used Organic Apple cider vinegar for years for myself and pets. It turned out she had a 'stone' in her bladder. I still have it in a small container. It is a calcium ball about the size of a ping ball ball, except it is somewhat flattened. Could this be your cats problem?
(Orange, California)
11/30/2010
(Toronto, Canada)
08/23/2011
Your little guy is releasing himself outside the box b/c he's in pain, associating in his mind the box with the pain when of course it's not, but rather due to any number of medical issues. First thing to rule out in my mind based on what you describe is Feline Urethral Obstruction (FUS), being a blockage of the urethra by crystals formed in the urine to which some cats are pre-disposed, particularly early neutered males (i. E. , if done when the urethra is still in its infantile stage, or so some believe, but just as many say otherwise and insist that early neuter is completely safe, such that the debate rages on about early-spay/neuter although in my case I waited until my guy (DSH) was almost 6 mos. Old and the same for my female (Blue Russian), too--i. e., neither were early when spay/neuter was done--and yet BOTH wound up with FUS, such that some cats are just pre-disposed, their symptoms being the same and/or similar as you describe, and why FUS comes to mind). It could be something as simple as a bladder infection (antibiotics and that would be it) or it could be something more serious, such as FUS: if so, the "cure" is simple, though. It merely entails a removal of the blockage, using a cathedar and cleaning the bladder of crystals, with a simple change of diet thereafter for life to prevent further crystals. The vet will likely want to tell you all about a Rx diet, which at first I bought for mine, until I found out that the trick was all about feeding a low ash/low magnesium diet, with alternatives to expensive Rx diets out there. Please know there are far more and better choices on the market these days as compared to past days when it was mostly kibble (aka junk food) such that you needn't fret: besides, my little guy and gal both lived a happy long life--over 20 years--so don't worry!! . The main thing is to take your little guy to the vet as trouble urinating (especially with blood) isn't something to play around with. I say this for the benefit of others who may be reading this, trusting your little guy's been taken care of since. All the best.
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
(Johnson City, Ny)
12/01/2010
★★★★☆
(San Diego, Ca, Usa)
12/17/2010
This may sound very contradictory since you read it being poison everywhere but try forcing a thin sliver or fresh garlic down your male cat's throat. It sounds like your cat could have a potentially deadly problem (urinary blockage from struvite crystals) my boyfriend and I dropped $3,800 on our male cat for this problem, when we brought him home he was still having issues going but shortly after giving him a little garlic he was able to have a strong stream of urine. Give your cat the garlic at first everyday for 3 days (thin sliver) and then every three days and then eventually weekly and then monthly. It really does a difference, especially in male cats eating dry food. But again, garlic is listed as a toxic bulb for cats. But all in moderation does my cat good.
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
★★★★★
EC: More remedies for Feline Cystitis here: https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/cystitis.html
