Cranberries

Cranberries are acidic and contain oxalate, but in the small amounts found in cat food this does not cause a problem.

Cranberries are a tart fruit that many dry cat foods include, usually dried or as powder, in small amounts. They are best known for links to urinary health in people. We found no FDA or Merck guidance specific to cranberries in cat food. If your cat has urinary stones or another medical condition, ask your veterinarian before relying on any ingredient for it.

Cranberries are added mainly because of their reputation for urinary health, plus fiber and plant antioxidants. The Pettings page notes there is no strong evidence that cranberries prevent urinary tract infections in cats. Urinary issues in cats are usually managed with diet changes chosen by a veterinarian, as the Merck Veterinary Manual describes.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Current evidence does not show that cranberries prevent urinary problems in cats. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes calcium oxalate and struvite as the most common stone types in cats, and it lists management steps such as a target urine pH and more water intake. Cranberry is not part of that standard approach. The small amount in dry food is mostly a label feature.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Cranberries are popular in cat food because many owners connect them with urinary health. Cranberries appear on 50 of the 149 dry cat foods Pettings lists, so they are a frequent sight on labels. Their position near the end of most ingredient lists points to small amounts.

Pettings gives cranberries 3 out of 5 and lists it as a fruit or vegetable ingredient. It appears on 50 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. The page notes cranberries contain oxalate and are usually present in small amounts. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.