Best Dog & Cat Diuretics

Updated October 2019
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Furosemide
Tablets for Dogs and Cats
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Quick and Effective
Bottom Line

Quick and effective in relieving swelling and available in multiple dosages.

Pros

Helps reduce water retention caused by heart failure to reduce swelling and make your dog or cat more comfortable. Available in 12.5 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, and 80 mg dosages. Also gets rid of extra sodium in the body.

Cons

Can cause dehydration and more urination.

Salix
Injectable for Dogs, Cats & Horses
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Injectable Diuretic
Bottom Line

More powerful diuretic that can be used for cats and dogs to relieve water retention quickly.

Pros

Helps your dog or cat feel more comfortable by quickly getting rid of extra fluids (often caused by heart failure/heart issues). Can be used as an injection or given orally.

Cons

Side effects include dehydration and increased or decreased urination.

Best Bang for the Buck
Spironolactone
Tablets
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Doesn't Lower Potassium
Bottom Line

Affordable diuretic that also minimizes a common side effect with most other diuretics.

Pros

Prescribed to treat excess fluids due to congestive heart failure and can also be used to treat high blood pressure. Unlike many other diuretics, this drug does not decrease your pet's potassium levels.

Cons

Will likely lead your pet to urinate more frequently, which may lead to accidents.

Furosemide
Oral Solution for Dogs
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Liquid Diuretic
Bottom Line

Liquid version of a common diuretic for pets that may be easier for owners to administer.

Pros

Helps remove extra fluid caused by kidney or heart issues. Can also help with high blood pressure and high potassium levels. Made in a liquid form instead of tablets which may be easier to administer or mix into food.

Cons

The liquid version is only designed for dogs. May cause your dog to urinate more often.

Spironolactone/ Hydrochlorothiazide
Tablets
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Combo Medication
Bottom Line

This combo drug treats extra fluid while not causing potassium levels to decrease like many other diuretics.

Pros

Used to treat extra fluid caused by heart failure. Usually prescribed if other diuretics haven't worked or if other medications have caused low potassium levels as this medication doesn't lower potassium levels. Can also help treat high blood pressure.

Cons

Can't be used with pets with kidney issues and is pricier than other diuretic tablets.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

12 Models Considered
6 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
250 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Diuretics for cats and dogs are prescribed to remove excess fluid commonly caused by congestive heart failure. They can also be used to help treat high blood pressure. Many also reduce fluids and swelling by removing extra sodium from the kidneys. These medications are typically available in tablet form, but some are also available in liquid or injectable forms. Diuretics help your pet feel better quickly by reducing swelling that is uncomfortable. However most also cause excess urination, so be on the lookout for accidents. It’s important to make sure your pet doesn’t get dehydrated while taking diuretics and that their potassium levels don’t get too low.

The team that worked on this review
  • Enid
    Enid
    Editor
  • Jennifer
    Jennifer
    Writer
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer

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