Cat bladder problems

Cat bladder problems

If you have one or more pet cats at home, it is highly likely that you have heard of or even experienced "cat bladder problems". It is a worrying problem and it can be very serious for your cherished pet(s)! But what actually is it? Let's take a closer probably add ellipsis.

All breeds of domestic cat have a common ancestor: a desert-dwelling feline that drank very little water and had to concentrate its urine to avoid dehydrating. Our pets have retained this genetic characteristic. This means some cats drink very little and therefore produce small volumes of very concentrated urine. The concentration results from the accumulation (i.e. over-saturation) of minerals in their bladder. If your cat has a predisposition, some of the minerals will clump together to form crystals or small stones (called urinary stones) that can seriously irritate and even block the urinary tract.

I have talked about the factors that predispose some cats to the risk of developing one or another of these "bladder problems". In veterinary medicine we call this feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). The most common symptom is recurring cystitis (hemorrhagic inflammation of the bladder). This is inflammation caused by crystals and/or stones or a urinary tract blockage. This leads to uncertainty and pain for our pets and they could require urgent care to avoid serious consequences that could prove fatal blockage if left untreated!

The predisposing factors include: individual genetics, stress, poor environmental conditions, for example inadequate litter, poorly cleaned or insufficient litter trays, the wrong nutrition and inadequate water consumption. The mineral and pH balance of their food and water are also important.

We already know that we can influence some of the predisposing factors: make sure you provide enough clean litter, feed your cat excellent quality food, do everything you can to make sure your cat drinks. Yes, providing more water will help reduce urine saturation and increase the volume of urine.

Research in to feline nutrition has already made significant progress in formulating foods that reduce the risk of FLUTD. The 3 basic principles of feline nutrition are: 1. to encourage them to drink water (we recommend a daily amount of tinned food as well as dried food) 2. balance out and avoid excess minerals, and 3. ensure optimal urinary pH.

There has also been a recent innovation in prevention! It applies the 3 basic principles: natural, demineralized, distilled spring water with perfectly balanced pH. This product is called Cat-Water Urinary Formula. It has already proven popular taste-wise with cats meaning they drink more of this than tap or bottled water.

Do everything you can to make sure your cats are not blighted by this awful condition: Feline Urinary Tract Disease. Add Cat-Water Urinary Formula to your cat's care plan.

© Dr. Yves Tarte M.V. ret. 2020

© Vet Water 2020