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Canada 2025 Veterinarian-Reviewed Guide: Top 5 Over-the-Counter Urinary Support Diets for Cats — Compare Formulas, pH Control and Preventive Benefits

Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Over the Counter Urinary Support Diets are nonprescription cat foods formulated to support urinary health through tailored nutrient profiles that encourage a healthy urine pH, lower crystal-forming minerals, and reduce urine concentration. These diets are designed for cats needing mild ongoing urinary support or preventive care without a prescription and often balance reduced magnesium and controlled phosphorus with palatability and everyday nutrition. In Canada the category appeals to owners who want accessible, veterinarian-informed options that are easy to buy at pet stores and online, offer clear ingredient and feeding guidance, and may include secondary benefits such as hairball control or weight management. Key consumer drivers are convenience, affordability, trust in established brands, and the ability to manage low-level urinary concerns at home while still seeking veterinary input for active or recurring issues.

Quick Menu

1. Best for Struvite Control

2. Best for Hairball + Urinary Support

3. Best High-Protein Urinary Formula

4. Best for Weight Management + Urinary Care

5. Best Budget Urinary Support

1
BEST FOR STRUVITE CONTROL

Royal Canin Urinary Care Dry Cat Food

ROYAL CANIN

Royal Canin's Urinary Care formula is positioned as a best-in-class OTC option because it delivers a tightly controlled mineral balance and urine pH targeting that mimics prescription-style nutrition; this technical precision makes it a go-to for owners seeking a clinically focused maintenance diet. Compared with the other listed options it is often slightly more expensive but provides veterinary-grade formulation and kibble design aimed at encouraging appropriate intake and reducing recurrence risk.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Crystal-dissolving formula

  • pH-balanced kibble

  • Crystal-dissolving formula

  • pH-balanced kibble

Review Summary

86%

"Most owners say Royal Canin Urinary Care helps manage urinary issues and is frequently recommended by veterinarians; a minority report picky eaters or slow transitions when switching brands."

  • Clinic-tested yum

  • Formulated to help maintain urinary pH and reduce risk of crystal formation

  • Clinic-tested yum

  • Formulated to help maintain urinary pH and reduce risk of crystal formation

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Royal Canin's Urinary Care formula is positioned as a best-in-class OTC option because it delivers a tightly controlled mineral balance and urine pH targeting that mimics prescription-style nutrition; this technical precision makes it a go-to for owners seeking a clinically focused maintenance diet. Compared with the other listed options it is often slightly more expensive but provides veterinary-grade formulation and kibble design aimed at encouraging appropriate intake and reducing recurrence risk.

  • Crystal-dissolving formula

  • pH-balanced kibble

  • Clinic-tested yum

  • Formulated to help maintain urinary pH and reduce risk of crystal formation

  • Controlled levels of magnesium, phosphorus and calcium to support urinary health

  • Crystal-dissolving formula

  • pH-balanced kibble

  • Clinic-tested yum

  • Formulated to help maintain urinary pH and reduce risk of crystal formation

  • Controlled levels of magnesium, phosphorus and calcium to support urinary health

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-5%127.80$
Suggested Price: 134.98$
2
BEST FOR HAIRBALL + URINARY SUPPORT

Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control

Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control

Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control differentiates itself by combining urinary-support mineral management with hairball-reducing fiber, making it a practical choice for cats with dual issues. Financially it sits in the mid-price range and competes by offering a broader, prevention-focused formula versus the more narrowly targeted urinary-only diets in this list, appealing to owners who want multi-symptom coverage in one bag.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Hairball-busting action

  • Gentle pH support

  • Hairball-busting action

  • Gentle pH support

Review Summary

84%

"Users generally find Hill's Science Diet Urinary & Hairball Control effective at supporting urinary health and reducing hairballs, with good palatability, though some mention higher cost and occasional digestive changes."

  • Lab-crafted delight

  • Dual-action formula supports urinary tract health while helping reduce hairballs

  • Lab-crafted delight

  • Dual-action formula supports urinary tract health while helping reduce hairballs

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control differentiates itself by combining urinary-support mineral management with hairball-reducing fiber, making it a practical choice for cats with dual issues. Financially it sits in the mid-price range and competes by offering a broader, prevention-focused formula versus the more narrowly targeted urinary-only diets in this list, appealing to owners who want multi-symptom coverage in one bag.

  • Hairball-busting action

  • Gentle pH support

  • Lab-crafted delight

  • Dual-action formula supports urinary tract health while helping reduce hairballs

  • Contains a fiber blend to help move hair through the digestive tract

  • Hairball-busting action

  • Gentle pH support

  • Lab-crafted delight

  • Dual-action formula supports urinary tract health while helping reduce hairballs

  • Contains a fiber blend to help move hair through the digestive tract

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$45-110 CAD

3
BEST HIGH-PROTEIN URINARY FORMULA

Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health Formula

Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health Formula

Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health delivers strong palatability and a protein-forward formula with controlled minerals, offering a technically solid urinary support diet at a generally more affordable price point than some premium veterinary-style brands. Compared to Royal Canin and Hill's it trades some of that ultra-precise mineral tailoring for cost-efficiency and wider flavor/format availability, making it a value-oriented market leader for owners balancing efficacy and budget.

4.1
★★★★☆

  • Mineral-targeted mix

  • High-protein boost

  • Mineral-targeted mix

  • High-protein boost

Review Summary

82%

"Buyers commonly report that Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health is palatable and helpful for maintaining urinary health, with many cats accepting it readily; a smaller group notes mixed long-term results or availability issues."

  • Athlete-level crunch

  • Supports urinary health with balanced mineral content and urine pH management

  • Athlete-level crunch

  • Supports urinary health with balanced mineral content and urine pH management

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health delivers strong palatability and a protein-forward formula with controlled minerals, offering a technically solid urinary support diet at a generally more affordable price point than some premium veterinary-style brands. Compared to Royal Canin and Hill's it trades some of that ultra-precise mineral tailoring for cost-efficiency and wider flavor/format availability, making it a value-oriented market leader for owners balancing efficacy and budget.

  • Mineral-targeted mix

  • High-protein boost

  • Athlete-level crunch

  • Supports urinary health with balanced mineral content and urine pH management

  • Higher-protein profile helps maintain lean body mass while supporting urinary care

  • Mineral-targeted mix

  • High-protein boost

  • Athlete-level crunch

  • Supports urinary health with balanced mineral content and urine pH management

  • Higher-protein profile helps maintain lean body mass while supporting urinary care

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$40-100 CAD

4
BEST FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT + URINARY CARE

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care

Blue Buffalo's W+U formula targets both weight management and urinary health, providing a niche solution for overweight cats that need urinary support, and differentiates itself from single-focus diets by addressing two common comorbidities at once. Technically it emphasizes life-stage appropriate calories and ingredient-focused marketing; financially it is often priced at a premium relative to basic OTC options but can reduce the need to buy multiple specialty diets.

3.9
★★★☆☆

  • Weight-smart recipe

  • Urinary stone defense

  • Weight-smart recipe

  • Urinary stone defense

Review Summary

76%

"Many users see weight loss and improved urinary parameters with Blue Buffalo W+U, but reviews are more mixed due to palatability concerns, inconsistent results, and critiques about price or formulation changes."

  • Nature-approved treat

  • Combines calorie-controlled nutrition with urinary-supporting mineral balance

  • Nature-approved treat

  • Combines calorie-controlled nutrition with urinary-supporting mineral balance

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Blue Buffalo's W+U formula targets both weight management and urinary health, providing a niche solution for overweight cats that need urinary support, and differentiates itself from single-focus diets by addressing two common comorbidities at once. Technically it emphasizes life-stage appropriate calories and ingredient-focused marketing; financially it is often priced at a premium relative to basic OTC options but can reduce the need to buy multiple specialty diets.

  • Weight-smart recipe

  • Urinary stone defense

  • Nature-approved treat

  • Combines calorie-controlled nutrition with urinary-supporting mineral balance

  • Higher fiber and adjusted calories promote satiety for weight management

  • Weight-smart recipe

  • Urinary stone defense

  • Nature-approved treat

  • Combines calorie-controlled nutrition with urinary-supporting mineral balance

  • Higher fiber and adjusted calories promote satiety for weight management

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$60-140 CAD

5
BEST BUDGET URINARY SUPPORT

Iams ProActive Health Urinary Tract Health

Iams ProActive Health Urinary Tract Health

Iams ProActive Health Urinary Tract Health is a budget-friendly OTC option that provides basic mineral control and moisture-supporting ingredients for routine urinary maintenance, making it suitable for owners seeking an accessible, everyday preventive diet. While less specialized than some veterinary-formulated competitors on this list, its lower cost and wide retail availability make it an attractive entry-level choice for long-term management.

4
★★★★☆

  • Everyday urinary care

  • Balanced mineral mix

  • Everyday urinary care

  • Balanced mineral mix

Review Summary

78%

"Owners appreciate Iams ProActive Health Urinary Tract Health as an affordable, generally palatable maintenance option that helps support urinary health for many cats, though it is not viewed as a substitute for prescription therapeutic diets in severe cases."

  • Wallet-friendly crunch

  • Formulated to support urinary tract health with controlled levels of key minerals

  • Wallet-friendly crunch

  • Formulated to support urinary tract health with controlled levels of key minerals

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Iams ProActive Health Urinary Tract Health is a budget-friendly OTC option that provides basic mineral control and moisture-supporting ingredients for routine urinary maintenance, making it suitable for owners seeking an accessible, everyday preventive diet. While less specialized than some veterinary-formulated competitors on this list, its lower cost and wide retail availability make it an attractive entry-level choice for long-term management.

  • Everyday urinary care

  • Balanced mineral mix

  • Wallet-friendly crunch

  • Formulated to support urinary tract health with controlled levels of key minerals

  • Balanced nutrition with quality protein and fiber for overall wellness

  • Everyday urinary care

  • Balanced mineral mix

  • Wallet-friendly crunch

  • Formulated to support urinary tract health with controlled levels of key minerals

  • Balanced nutrition with quality protein and fiber for overall wellness

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$35-90 CAD

What Research and Clinical Guidance Say About Urinary Support Diets

Scientific and clinical literature on feline urinary health supports several dietary strategies used by over-the-counter urinary support diets. In plain terms, research shows that controlling urine acidity, lowering minerals that form crystals, and increasing water intake all help reduce the risk factors associated with crystal and stone formation. While prescription therapeutic diets are indicated for active or severe urinary disease, nonprescription formulas can be effective for preventative care and mild, ongoing support when used appropriately and monitored by a veterinarian.

Urine pH control: Studies and clinical guidance indicate that maintaining a slightly acidic urine environment can reduce the formation of struvite crystals; many urinary support diets aim to influence urine pH in a safe, moderate way.

Mineral reduction: Peer-reviewed work and clinical observations link lower dietary magnesium and controlled phosphorus to a reduced tendency for mineral crystal formation in cats.

Hydration matters: Increased moisture intake—either via wet foods or strategies that encourage drinking—dilutes urine and lowers the concentration of crystal-forming minerals, a consistently supported finding in veterinary nutrition research.

Weight and overall health: Overweight cats have higher risk of lower urinary tract issues; diets that support healthy weight alongside urinary-friendly nutrient profiles can reduce long-term risk.

Use and limits: Nonprescription urinary diets are intended for preventive care and mild support. Clinical studies underline that cats with active urinary obstruction, recurrent stones, or severe symptoms require veterinary diagnosis and may need prescription diets or medical treatment.

In the Canadian 2025 market, approachable over-the-counter urinary support diets give owners practical options for preventive urinary care. The five leading choices covered here — Royal Canin Urinary Care Dry Cat Food, Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary & Hairball Control, Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health Formula, Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care, and Iams ProActive Health Urinary Tract Health. — each bring different strengths: Royal Canin Urinary Care Dry Cat Food often stands out as the best overall choice for preventive cases because of its targeted urinary formulation and wide availability in Canada, while Hill's Science Diet is a solid pick for owners who want combined urinary and hairball support. I hope you found the information you were looking for; use the search to refine by wet or dry format, life stage, flavour preference, or to expand into prescription options if required.

Discover More
  • Prescription Urinary Tract Diets
  • Urinary Support Supplements
  • Hydration and Water Intake Aids
  • Urine Test Strips and Monitoring Kits
  • Urine Odor Neutralizers and Enzymatic Cleaners
  • Urine Detecting Litter

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