There are a number of compounds often found listed as ingredients in homeopathic and natural supplements for cats. Among the most commonly found in homeopathic supplements are those using cantharis for cats and their UTI issues.

Cantharis is the same substance which, when abused, is sometimes called “Spanish Fly.” If you want to laugh, that’s reasonable, but do recall that the use of Spanish Fly is an abuse of the substance, rather than the low-level preventive use found in homeopathic medicine.

When using cantharis for cats the intent is to promote regular and frequent urination: the same evil burning sensation that humans thought was equal to sexual attraction is, at a much, much lower level, an appropriate stimulation to urinate. Cantharis and staphysagria (a derivative of seeds from one of the families of delphinium) are both positive substances when used at very low levels to encourage your cat to regularly use the pan.

In that situation cantharis for cats is a beneficial supplement. The primary germ involved in UTIs is the e. coli bacteria, which is usually imported with traces of feces when your cat grooms himself. Frequent and regular urination flushes the germs down and out, while diluting any crystals which may be forming in the urine that would cause irritation and injury and provide an ideal place for the e. coli to take up residence.

Using cantharis and staphysagria to make sure your cat is regularly desiring to empty his bladder is a great way to help the natural protections of his own body work in his favor, and reduce the frequency and severity of UTIs.

If you are concerned about using cantharis on cats, or cantharis and staphysagria in combination you should refer the idea to your veterinarian, making sure you let him know what product you are using, at what dosages, and what level of intensity is present in the product itself.

If your veterinarian is aware of the extremely low levels present in most homeopathic substances there is a good chance that he or she will be comfortable allowing you to attempt this form of preventive health care. Even doubting vets will often consider the use of homeopathy to constitute a case of “no harm,” and many have come to believe that homeopathy among other alternative approaches to medical care of animals offers a beneficial and safe way of supporting health and promoting a sturdy body.