“Because stress plays an important role in the origin of this problem, it is important to reduce stresses related to the litter box as much as possible,” says Dr. Gal. Additionally, keep the litter box very clean and find a quiet place for her to relax. Hill's Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control … When she is not teaching or writing, Chrissie enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. The stress causes numerous problems, so to have a happy, healthy cat, be sure to address possible behavioral or environmental stressors. If your cat is experiencing urinary stress, a visit to the vet is likely needed. In addition, pain therapy during flare ups will help keep the cat comfortable. Commonly referred to as a urinary tract infection, this problem in cats is more properly called “idiopathic cystitis” in veterinary terminology. “The scent of the litter in the box may stress some cats, so choose litter without a scent.”. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease is common among many cats. The more challenging stress sources are long-term situations that may not have quick fixes and can cause more serious urinary problems. Know these 4 facts about feline urinary tract infections, the symptoms, and when to call your vet. While male cat urinary blockages are common, they can be life-threatening. According to Live Science, researchers found the most common long-term stressor for cats was unfriendly relationships with other cats in the house. Spraying can be the sign of a larger urinary health issue for cat. Trademarks owned by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. If you have cats that do not get along, feed them separately and give them each their own litter box, bed, and hiding space to retreat to if things get stressful. Chances are if your daily routine has been interrupted, so has your cat's. Although it may seem like cats have easy lives, the truth is, cats can get stressed very easily. When a cat notices these changes in her pet parent, she may start to become stressed and her symptoms could be exhibited in her urinary behaviors. Reducing a cat's stress may lower their chance of lower urinary tract diseases, including urethral blockage. For most cats suffering from urinary issues such as crystals or bladder stones, wet food is best, since it has more moisture to keep your cat hydrated. Veterinarians recommend that the number of litter boxes in the house is one greater than the number of cats. ... Cat stress comes in three main forms: Immunity Stress – This is kind of like a double-whammy for our cats. If you have any questions or concerns about a possible urinary tract infection in your cat, contact your local veterinarian. Has stress started to interrupt your daily routine? About our Ads. © 2020 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. Also, try keeping the litter box and house very clean and make sure she is well-hydrated, which can relieve stress and reduce or eliminate the feline urinary problems. Pheromonal therapy includes the addition of pheromones to a cat’s environment. It is … Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. Learn how to spot symptoms and info on prevention, treatments & stress factors. Once you identify what is causing feline urinary stress, and find ways to reduce your cat's stress level, it is important to help manage her stress appropriately moving forward. Because idiopathic cystitis can cause crystals, the narrow urethra of male cats can get blocked by crystals being lodged in the tube. If she's more of a loner, there are plenty of great pet yoga videos on the internet for the both of you to enjoy at home. Learn how to identify and reduce the chances of feline urinary issues by helping alleviate stress in her life. It is important for cat … Symptoms of Urinary Crystals In Cats: A cat with urinary crystals may show a multitude of signs and cats are affected to varying degrees. Although the introduction of a new pet requires some time for adjustment and temporary stress is expected, when two or more cats have a tense relationship, this may lead to urinary stress symptoms that can lead to an unhealthy environment for everyone. If a cat and their owner have a strong relationship, the cat can even pick up on an owner’s stress, which can result in health problems. When did the unusual urinary behaviors begin? Urinary stones are only one of the causes of urethral … Here's what you can do about common urinary problems … Feline urinary problems can be one of the first signs your cat is experiencing some type of stress. Excessive sleeping or lack of sleep are common symptoms in humans who are stressed. Treatment of urinary problems in cats . If you know your routine will change soon or a big life change is on the horizon (a move, new person in your house, new animal, etc. As discussed in Part One, stress can often be either the main cause of your cat’s urinary tract problems, or a contributing factor. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease or FLUTD is a common condition seen in cats. Chrissie Klinger, a mother of two, and a pet parent to three dogs and a cat, enjoys writing pet related articles that help families bond and enjoy life with pets. By the same token, the problem can’t be treated with antibiotics or other medications. Urinary tract infections (FLUTD) can kill your cat. If … If this problem is not addressed, it can become deadly to the cat. Although it may seem like cats have easy lives, the truth is, cats can get stressed very easily. Depending on your cat’s energy levels, it can’t hurt to take a bit of extra time to keep your cat … Stress often arises because a cat feels intimidated by another cat in the house, according to Dr. Gal. “These cats have gastrointestinal and behavior problems as well.”. “Cystitis” just means inflammation of the bladder, while “idiopathic” means the problem arises spontaneously and without a known cause. When there are multiple cats in the household, litter boxes should be placed throughout the house to allow the affected cat to eliminate in an area where the aggressor cat isn’t present. Inflammation is a useful aspect of the body’s immune response, serving to increase blood flow to an injured or infected area to facilitate healing. So, even if your cat is only urinating once … Instead, the problem in cats is usually stress induced. These can come in various forms, such as wipes, sprays, and plug-in diffusers, and are used to relieve stress in cats. What's most disconcerting, however, is that when your cat is stressed or anxious, it can impact his or her health. A differentiating symptom is a cat that seems to cry out in pain. Although it may seem like cats have easy lives, the truth is, cats can get stressed very easily. “Generally speaking, infectious agents such as bacteria are infrequent in urinary tract disease in cats,” says Dr. Gal. Feline urinary problems can be one of the first signs your cat is experiencing some type of stress. Have you made any recent changes in her food or litter? Have you been stressed lately? Stress and Feline Urinary Problems: How to Deal With It. Know the warning signs and how nutrition can play a pivotal role in preventing FLUTD. Cat Urinary Problems Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) and Stress. The most dangerous problem seen in cats with LUTS is urethral obstruction, or blockage of the urethra, a potentially life-threatening condition. Cookie Consent Tool, Dominican Republic - República Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR – (English). Crystals, irritation, inflammation, and other feline urinary problems usually present with frequent attempts at urination with very little actual urine produced. Urinary problems can lead to a serious, urinary obstruction, especially in male cats. Instead, the problem in cats is usually stress induced. The … … Since idiopathic cystitis isn’t caused by an infectious agent, other animals in the household can’t catch the disease. Feline urinary problems can be one of the first signs your cat is experiencing some type of stress. It can be because of a number of reasons - including problems in the urinary tract or stress. Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is actually a complex of diseases and includes illnesses such as bladder infections, bladder stones, inflammation in the bladder and even, in rare … Stress affects our cats in much the same way it affects us. In the case of cats with urinary tract disease, however, sensory neurons trigger the inflammation of the bladder not because of infection or injury but in response to stress. Big changes in a cat's life, like a move or an addition of a new pet in the house, could cause temporary stress. Initially, an owner may notice that the cat is spending … Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary Hairball Canned Cat Food. However, if your cat starts exhibiting any of the following behaviors, she may be experiencing feline urinary stress or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD): Most cats will show the above signs when they have reached their stress limit or are having a medical issue, so some earlier signs of stress might be that your cat is hiding more, is less affectionate, is changing her eating behavior, or is only urinating or defecating in her litter box (not both). This can be caused by urinary stones or urethral … When cats are happy and healthy, they use the litter box for both urinating and defecating. Cat urinary problems or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD for short) are very common cat health problems. As soon as a cat shows signs of urinary stress, it is important to call your veterinarian to determine if a visit is needed or if you should try some interventions at home first. min read. Some large cities offer pet yoga classes, according to Pupcycled, which is a great idea for the kitty's that are friendly with other cats and dogs. However, some cats may show signs of urinary stress without any warning. The main reason that cats experience immunity stress … “Treatment involves behavioral enrichment, pheromonal therapy to decrease stress, dietary modification, and practical household measures, such as placing several litter boxes throughout the house,” explains Dr. Gal. Cat urinary problems can be one of a pet parent's greatest nightmares! It is important for cat … When you call your vet to discuss your cat's symptoms, he or she may ask some questions to help you figure out what's stressing your cat, including: Another thing to consider is that cats are often tuned into their pet parent's feelings, so you may want to check in with yourself, too. But unlike urinary tract infections in people, in cats these problems are not usually caused by bacteria. Cats can also suffer from urinary problems due to stress at home. Symptoms of urinary tract problems in cats include: Difficult urination, this may appear like constipation straining while actually trying to pass urine Frequent urination which might produce only small … Have there been any big changes within your household, such as a remodel, new pet, baby, or a death in the family. It’s crucial to take your cat to the … By preparing for stressful situations and keeping an eye out for the initial signs that your cat is becoming overwhelmed, you can help your cat avoid feline urinary problems and lead a healthier and happier life. Another huge factor to managing your cat's stress is to provide her with consistency. Sometimes, however, all you need to do is spend a little more time with your cat and give her positive attention to ease her mind. This can be beneficial for your cat’s health and can actually prevent idiopathic cystitis. Feline urinary problems can be one of the first signs your cat is experiencing some type of stress. Urinary tract disorders are relatively common in cats, according to Dr. Arnon Gal, a veterinarian who specializes in small animal internal medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. 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