Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), also known as Feline Interstitial Cystitis (FIC) is a complex set of symptoms involving the bladder and/or urethra of cats. The symptoms can vary greatly, from inappropriate urination around the house, urinating outside of the litter box, vocalizing while urinating, blood in the urine, straining to urinate or urinating frequently only small amounts to not being able to produce urine at all (urethral obstruction). Some of the causes of these symptoms are: bladder inflammation, infection(much less commonly), bladder or urethral stones/crystals, mucous plugs or urethral spasming. Studies are coming out showing that stress plays an integral part in bladder health, a stressed cat equals an unhealthy lower urinary tract.
The good news is that there are things you as an owner can do to help prevent urinary issues in your cat!
1. Provide plenty of fresh water sources. Water flushes the kidneys and bladder and helps prevent infection, flushes crystals out before they can form into larger stones and helps to maintain a healthy bladder environment. Studies show many cats like to drink running water more than still water so water fountains are a great way to encourage water consumption. Water fountains can be found in many stores and online.
2. Prescription urinary diets. Feeding your cat a prescription urinary diet is the only proven way to help reduce the symptoms and possibly even prevent urethral obstruction from occurring. Studies are coming out showing that a prescription urinary diet fed exclusively has great benefits to your cats urinary health. Talk to your veterinarian today about whether a prescription urinary diet is right for your cat. If your cat has ever experienced a urethral obstruction, feeding a prescription urinary diet greatly reduces the risk of recurrence. Be careful, as over the counter (OTC) diets that claim to be good for urinary health are not the same as prescription urinary diets and do not provide the same level of benefits as the prescription food.
3. Environmental Enrichment. Many indoor cats do not have a lot of enrichment activities in their lives to keep their brain and bodies active. Overweight male cats are more likely to develop FLUTD symptoms than healthy weight male cats. On the other hand, outdoor cats can have more enrichment as far as their bodies and mind, but many experience more stress and danger being outside. Providing a healthy balance of enrichment activities and movement done safely can help prevent FLUTD symptoms and urethral obstruction. Cat trees, climbing shelves, puzzle toys, etc... are all good options.
Here are some links to articles regarding feline enrichment ideas:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/feline-diy-enrichment
https://www.humaneanimalpartners.org/diy-enrichment-for-cats/
https://www.catschool.co/cat-training-articles/enrichment-for-cats-13-ways-to-improve-their-lives
FACT: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease accounts for approximately 10% of all veterinary emergency visits. The average cost for a cat experiencing urethral obstruction is around $3000-$6000 at an emergency clinic in the Austin, Texas Area.
The good news is that there are things you as an owner can do to help prevent urinary issues in your cat!
1. Provide plenty of fresh water sources. Water flushes the kidneys and bladder and helps prevent infection, flushes crystals out before they can form into larger stones and helps to maintain a healthy bladder environment. Studies show many cats like to drink running water more than still water so water fountains are a great way to encourage water consumption. Water fountains can be found in many stores and online.
2. Prescription urinary diets. Feeding your cat a prescription urinary diet is the only proven way to help reduce the symptoms and possibly even prevent urethral obstruction from occurring. Studies are coming out showing that a prescription urinary diet fed exclusively has great benefits to your cats urinary health. Talk to your veterinarian today about whether a prescription urinary diet is right for your cat. If your cat has ever experienced a urethral obstruction, feeding a prescription urinary diet greatly reduces the risk of recurrence. Be careful, as over the counter (OTC) diets that claim to be good for urinary health are not the same as prescription urinary diets and do not provide the same level of benefits as the prescription food.
3. Environmental Enrichment. Many indoor cats do not have a lot of enrichment activities in their lives to keep their brain and bodies active. Overweight male cats are more likely to develop FLUTD symptoms than healthy weight male cats. On the other hand, outdoor cats can have more enrichment as far as their bodies and mind, but many experience more stress and danger being outside. Providing a healthy balance of enrichment activities and movement done safely can help prevent FLUTD symptoms and urethral obstruction. Cat trees, climbing shelves, puzzle toys, etc... are all good options.
Here are some links to articles regarding feline enrichment ideas:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/feline-diy-enrichment
https://www.humaneanimalpartners.org/diy-enrichment-for-cats/
https://www.catschool.co/cat-training-articles/enrichment-for-cats-13-ways-to-improve-their-lives
FACT: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease accounts for approximately 10% of all veterinary emergency visits. The average cost for a cat experiencing urethral obstruction is around $3000-$6000 at an emergency clinic in the Austin, Texas Area.