Hill's Science Diet Urinary Hairball … Secondly, obesity is a big risk factor, too, so using feeding habits that reduce the risk of obesity also impact on FLUTD. But there are also specific diets that can help. You should take a couple of additional steps to prevent recurrence as well. Dry food is the leading cause behind most urinary tract problems in cats. Urinary tract problems in cats can develop at any time in a cat’s life. In addition to debris, an accumulation of crystals and stones in these regions may also contribute to FLUTD. The pain comes from the lower urethra and the bladder. Understand what may cause urinary problems in cats. Urinary problems in cats can be painful and very unpleasant for a cat, which is why it is crucial for owners to know about the symptoms of urinary tract problems in cats. High-quality, natural ingredients. Urinary problems in cats treatment options depend on what caused the condition in the first place. Dry food also increases the likelihood of obesity, so causes further problems for urinary disease. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a group of diseases affecting about 1 in 25 cats. In more serious cases, surgical procedures may be used to remove stones. Make sure your cat has enough fresh water to drink. There is also a surgical procedure that can be used to assist in removing an obstruction or blockage within the cat’s urethra. Feeding dry (water-depleted) food contributes significantly to urinary tract dieases. Look out for signs that your cat may be stressed. One particular problem often faced with FLUTD in cats is the fact that in as many as 64% of cases, the condition is classified as idiopathic. Naturally, cats would be eating food with a moisture content of about 80%, so they’re not very good at drinking enough water. You may notice your cat visits the litter box more frequently – the cat may also sometimes squat over the litterbox for prolonged periods of time. Cats that are overweight or obese are significantly more likely to suffer with urinary tract problems. Get notified of exclusive deals, product recalls and shiny new stuff! The issue doesn’t come from feeding too much food alone, however. Protein and phosphorus content and urinary disease by your choice of diet, so having a good, honest chat with your vet about your cat’s diet is an excellent way to ensure you’re doing the best you can for them. Only approximately 2% of signs related to a urinary issue in a cat is actually caused by an infection that has developed in the urethra or the bladder. A congenital abnormality that the cat is born with can make them more prone to develop urinary tract problems. Cats are also prone to diseases of the upper urinary tract, most commonly kidney failure. The development of a tumor in the urinary tract of the cat. Your email address will not be published. As with many diseases, urinary tract disease can be affected by diet. In some cats, a deficiency of Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin … A cat’s urine will usually have a strong ammonia smell to it. This occurs for a few different reasons, from chronic inflammation throughout the body caused by excess fat to compression of the urethra by fat nearby. As a cat owner, be cautious about these issues that your feline friends may develop. This means that no actual physical cause can be identified. Urine may seem cloudy or even bloody at times. Since the cat has now already experienced this issue, there might be a higher risk that it could happen again in the future. Take your cat to the vet for a thorough checkup once you see no more signs of urinary problems. Urinary acidifiers may also be administered to the cat. There is a number of potential causes for urinary problems in cats to develop. Usually this is all you need to do for prevention if your cat doesn’t have FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease or crystals. Urinary tract problems in cats are just one such example and urinary-related illnesses are rather common. It becomes harder to initiate an effective treatment protocol to help address any underlying root causes. Cat’s with weak bladders are also known to be at a higher risk of FLUTD. This may help to relieve symptoms associated with urinary problems in cats. The quality of your cat’s diet matters greatly and wholesome, natural ingredients are higher in nutritional value and easier for your cat to digest. Since cats are unable to communicate with their owners in plain English (or whichever language you may speak), it can sometimes be hard to know what is wrong with your cat when they start to act differently than usual. If the stones are big enough your vet may be able to feel them, however X-ray or ultrasound is also used to detect some stones. Read more about our story on our about us page. If your cat has been diagnosed with urinary crystals, your veterinarian may suggest changing the diet to one that encourages crystals to dissolve. #AdoptDontShop, 11 Causes for Urinary Tract Problems in Cats, on 11 Causes for Urinary Tract Problems in Cats, How to Fatten up a Cat: Best Cat Food to Gain Weight {Dry + Wet Food}, Fluffy Kitty’s Visit to the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL {Review}. It’s almost identical to the Tiki Cat food in our first place position with a few key differences. © Copyright Fluffy Kitty 2015-2020 | All Rights Reserved | As Amazon Affiliates, we may earn from clicks and purchases at no cost to you. The development of inflammation in the urethra and area of the bladder can also cause a cat to show signs associated with the presence of urinary tract issues. Research suggests that these issues are most common among cats older than one year, but also younger than four years. 5 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Cat Food, The Best Cat Foods For Sensitive Stomachs, Cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder. The Idle Cat is not a medical resource. This fact considers both sources of water: food and water bowl. The cat may frequently lick the opening of their urinary tract. Helping Cats with Urinary Problems. When the underlying causes are treated, symptoms of FLUTD may improve, and the risk of recurrence may also be greatly reduced. What Insects & Bugs Are Poisonous To Cats? There are both fresh and frozen foods available in their range. Once the problem has been treated and your cat seems to be better, implement preventative steps. You should also play with your cat and remember that cats often like to be loved and to cuddle. When on a dry-food only diet, cats don’t always adapt to take in enough water and produce very concentrated urine, which increases the chance of inflammation and crystal formation. It’s wise to not let tumors in cats go unchecked. In fact, we now know that the ash content of the diets is largely an irrelevant concern. FLUTD is an acronym for feline lower urinary tract disease and is one of the most common urinary problems in cats. Aside from being significantly cheaper than the Tiki Cat food, it contains xanthan gum as a thickener and tuna oil instead of sunflower seed oil. Protein Helps to Reverse Urinary Infections Just as grains can cause urine with high levels of alkaline, protein can … Depending on your cat’s diagnosis, treatment can vary on a case-by-case basis, but urinary care cat food is an important part of their long-term care to help manage future urinary issues. Since cats naturally feel the need to hunt for their food, using bowls and feeders that allow them to express these normal behaviours can reduce stress. Another possible medical option may include fluid therapy. There are also some health-related problems that the cat may suffer from, which could increase their risk of urinary tract issues. Urinary Tract Infection or there is something blocking the urinary tract such as a bladder stone. Antibiotics are often used when an infection is suspected to be present. Vets call these feline health problems “feline lower urinary tract disorders” or FLUTD. If your cat is suffering from a UTI--short for urinary tract infection--creating a homemade diet is a great way to load up your feline fur kid with extra nutrition, fresher ingredients, and even specific foods and liquids targeted specifically to increase immunity and fight inflammation. Read any vet’s book or website on the topic and they’ll say the same thing that diet is a component of FLUTD and encouraging your cat to increase water intake is the single biggest thing you can do to alleviate the condition. It’s not just about what you eat, it’s also about how you eat it – your cat’s feeding habits can impact on their risk of urinary tract disease. The condition can affect cats of both genders. These signs may include: When these signs become present, take appropriate steps to help reduce stress in your cat. The most common signs that your cat might be experiencing the dreadful effects of FLUTD may include: There are different ways that urinary tract problems in cats can be treated. This essentially causes an obstruction within the urinary tract of the cat. The cat should also get enough exercise to avoid weight gain. Ask the vet to see if there are still issues that may cause irritation or swelling in your cat’s urethra. Your email address will not be published. As you probably know, there are different breeds of cats, each with their own traits. (+ Pumpkin Cat Food Recipes). The Causes of Urinary Tract Problems in Cats. When recommending our favorite products, The Idle Cat may direct you to retailers that provide us with a small commission on any resulting sales. Cats consume double the amount of water when fed a water-rich diet versus dry food. Make sure the cat has water available and litter boxes in fixed locations. Feeding a water-rich, low mineral, diet of canned or homemade food is critical for urinary tract health. As more research was conducted, it became clear that magnesium level is of greater concern than ash content. Cat urinary tract disease: a common health problem . Often, tumors can go unnoticed for a long time and can even become cancerous. One such example is The Wyesong Uretic Dry Cat Food. The primary health conditions associated with FLUTD include diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Treating urinary problems in this way may contribute to kidney disease, as recent evidence has suggested that the low magnesium content of these diets may have a detrimental effect on the kidneys over time. More water and dilute urine are for more important than the urine pH and ash content of the diet. Dry food is the leading cause behind most urinary tract problems. The best cat food for urinary tract health has the right mineral balance. Obesity is a growing health problem in both cats and dogs. Crystals and stones also form better in acidic or alkali environments, depending on the type of crystal, and the food your cat eats is what dictates how acidic the urine is. These usually involve changing the pH of the urine, but may also contain ingredients to encourage an increased urine output – following the theory that dilute urine doesn’t produce as many crystals. Many vegetables and dairy products have high mineral content and could cause increased urinary crystals. The idea was that struvite, a type of bladder stone, was caused by diets with high ash content. The lower urinary tract includes the bladder and urethra (the tube that takes urine from the bladder and empties it into the litter tray), and as such the diseases affecting this area include: Please note that many of these conditions are at the least painful and can even be fatal in some scenarios, so we strongly advise visiting your veterinarian and getting treatment if you suspect any of these conditions. Dry food also increases the likelihood of obesity, so causes further problems for urinary disease. and follow any other instructions that the vet gave you. It comprises many different conditions such as cystitis and urinary stones. This can include formation of stones in the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, and fine grit in the bladder. Cranberry juice and herbs such as Cantharis, Uva Ursi and Staphysagris help prevent bacteria from building up in your cat's bladder. 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