ACV Remedy for Bladder Infections (Cystitis) in Cats

I read earth clinic all the the time and I truly believe in holistic remedies for most illnesses. Last night, my 1yr old neutered male cat was straining, crying in the litter box with no production of urine. He made mutiple attempts, even found him squatting in the living room and yelping, obsessively licking his genitals. As an owner of many cats over the years, I knew exactly what we were dealing with. I just do not have the money to pay those vet bills and I KNOW there is a natural remedy that I could at least attempt before taking him to the vet. I ran to the store and bought a bottle of Apple cider vinegar, couldn't find organic with mother at the local grocery store so I settled for filtered. Immediately mixed it up with water 1 part acv, 3 parts water, put some in his water, and in his food. Pushed some through a syringe into his mouth and soaked his neck and random parts of his body so he would lick it up. Did this a few times between 6pm and 9pm and by 10pm he had peed in his box without straining. We woke up this morning and he had gone in his box even more. He is back to his playful self, eating, (reluctantly) drinking his Apple Cider Vinegar water (haha). Definately helped...I am going to continue with an organic brand for a while and see how it turns out. Definately worked as of right now. In the past, my cats would've been in emergency status at this point in a uti. I am very happy.

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.

My cat called Kitty cost me $300 then $300 then $1450 the third time because of crystals. Had his vet told me apple cider vinegar would have helped prevent this on at least the second visit I could have saved Kitty a lot of pain and suffering not to mention three days at the vet and away from home. The end result being very little or no change at all. Kitty was going down hill quickly and I was at at my witts end and decided to try apple cider vinegar.

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

My cat Barbie has always had an issue with UTI or more likely Urinary Tract Inflammation. Periodically, she will go out to the litter box when I am there cleaning and will leave a drop of urine. This last time she stared at me and left a drop of urine on the rug and meowed. It is so strange that she tells me when she is having problems and $300 later she is back to normal. Well, a couple weeks ago she started up her little routine of leaving a drop and letting me know she was having an issue. I looked up this site on a google search and decided to give ACV a shot. By the evening I started, Barbie was flowing without issue. I saved not only $300 now but I saved the countless numbers of vet visits.

I now place an 1/8th teaspoon to every meal and so far so good!

To everyone who has taken the time to share their stories on Earthclinic, THANK YOU. This is such an excellent website with a wonderful community. I read it all the time, and I came here looking for help immediately when my cat got sick, and thank goodness I did. The 65 reviews of Apple Cider Vinegar convinced me that it was the right thing to give him. So here's my story:

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

A church member told me about the earth clinic site three weeks ago. I have three cats--the one I am talking about is a male Pixie Bob that found us 7 years ago. My Vet said he was approximately 5 months old at the time. I immediately tried to find his owner and in doing so discovered that Bobbie had a problem--first of all when I picked him up he peed on me and that is probably why he "found" my home in the first place. Bobbie would go sometimes in the litter but mostly wanted to go anywhere on the floor he wanted. He was also very territorial. In the winter months he would also pee on my furniture throws and my husband and me. He acted surprised when he peed on us and jumped down immediately like he didn't know what he was doing. My other two cats are also males... one is a Raggdoll and the other a domestic tabby.

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.

I just want to thank Earth clinic for saving my cat Blue's wazzoo and possibly his life. The vets had given up and were going to remove his wazzoo. , they had given him pain killers and antibiotics for over a week and felt his bladder infection would not leave as his wazzoo was blocked.

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.

My cat hasn't been able to urinate for less than 24 hours. He has been squatting all over the house trying to go, but nothing happens. I called a few local Vets and they all told me it would cost $200-300 to help him. I searched the net to find anything that might help. Finally, I came across this website. I just gave my cat the first of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with water. He wasn't too happy, but I will continue giving it to him. I can't stand to see him this way. I also put some in his food and water. Does anyone know how often I need to give him acv?? Please can someone help me. I am so worried about him.

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Update:

Great news!!!! He finally went! Thank you everyone for posting info. I cannot be more grateful. ACV really does work magic!

I am so thankful for this website! My 13 year old cat has had UTIs a couple of times in his life. And about $150 each time I take him to the vet. Well last week I noticed him going to his box often. Then he went into the bathroom & went on the rug. The urine was bloody. So now it's 9:30 at night & we don't have 24 hour vets here. I felt so sorry for my cat - he must have been in alot of pain. So I planned on calling the vet first thing in the morning. Then I got on this website, & read about the ACV. Now it's 10 at night, and I get dressed to go to the store, because (of course) I didn't have any ACV. Well, when I got back I mixed about a half capful with some tuna. He didn't eat very much, but by the next morning he was better! I kept giving him the ACV for about a week, and now you would never know he has a problem. I am so happy to find this remedy I am recommending it to everyone I know who has cats. Thank you so much!

Last night hubby and I noticed that our cat was acting very odd. He wasn't using his litter box and would "squat" every few minutes all around the house like he was trying to urinate. His coat didn't look so good and he was having trouble walking and he couldn't sleep. It was a Sunday night and today is a holiday. There wasn't any place open to take him. He was trying to go to the bathroom and let out the most horrible crying noise. It brought me to tears. I just felt so helpless. I came across this site and decided to try acv. We went to Wal-Mart at 3am to get some as we didn't want to wait and watch him suffer. It's been less than 24 hours and he's already feeling better. He isn't squatting all the time and he actually has been able to urinate some and is using his box again. He's finally able to sleep as well. I gave him a lot more than what was suggested from the people on this site because I was terrified he wouldn't make it through the night. I honestly have no idea exactly how much I gave him. He won't eat wet food at all, so I bought his favorite treats and saturated with with full strength acv. I also used a dropper and gave him a bit mixed with water (not sure how much of each as I was in a panic and wasn't using measurements). I also added some to his water. I think I will keep doing this until he is better, then I'll just continue to add some to his drinking water. I'm so thankful to have found this site and so glad that our kitty is feeling better. I know he has a way to go, but the improvement was almost immediate. To be honest, I had my doubts at first but decided it was well worth trying and was really the only option I had at 3am. Don't hesitate to try this. It really works and works fast. I will still take him to our vet just to make sure he's ok, but this may very well have saved his life as he was looking so horrible I was afraid he wouldn't live through the night. Thanks!

My cat (Leo) was diagnosed with feline cystitis last year. This weekend he started showing signs of it again and stopped urinating. Luckily I found this website and went out the same night and bought some ACV. Also switched him to canned food. The effect was miraculous! He started urinating normally within 12 hours (or less) and is almost back to his normal active self. I still can't believe how well it worked. My question is: How long do I continue giving it to him? I've reduced the dose from 1 tsp to 1/2 tsp per day (mixed in his food). Does anyone know the long term effects of ACV? Is it safe? Please do let me know if you have any information on this. Thanks a lot for this website and all of your posts!!

I would just like to thank all who have told their stories and the web site for sharing this Apple Cider Vinegar remedy..my cat (Kitty Kitty) was having problems going to the bathroom,wasn't eating or drinking..so i decided to try this remedy before taking her to the vet and it worked i was soo happy to see her back to normal..thank you very much all.

Recently, my cat Gracie started running to her litter boxes constantly with little urine being deposited. The vet was closed for two days. I wanted to help her & found your web site via web search on "feline UTI home remedies" and was so happy to find the Apple Cider Vinegar suggestion from other writers. It worked in 24 hours she was almost back to normal and after 4 days she is now urinating normally and fully. We're also putting her on a special dry food that will hopefully help. Thanks for the help everyone!!