Feline Urinary Problems

Keeping your cat healthy requires vigilance, especially when it comes to urinary problems. Provide plenty of fresh water for your cat, clean litter and a premium quality food to ensure its urinary health.

  1. Types

    • Several types of feline urinary tract problems exist: feline idiopathic cystitis, urinary stones, urethral obstructions and incontinence.

    Causes

    • Stress often causes feline idiopathic cystitis, while ingesting too much calcium oxalate or magnesium leads to urinary stones. Stones and plugs--a material composed of cells, protein and minerals--cause urethral obstructions. Birth defects, age and diseases such as feline leukemia can cause incontinence.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of feline urinary problems include bloody urine, straining to urinate, frequent attempts to urinate and painful urination that results in distressed meowing.

    Treatment

    • Treating feline idiopathic cystitis involves providing a stress-free environment for your cat. A cat with urinary stones may need a special diet, a bladder flushing or surgery. An obstruction requires catheterization, while incontinence may require surgery or medications.

    Warning

    • Urethral obstructions keep the kidneys from filtering toxins from your cat's blood. Without immediate veterinary attention, a cat with an obstruction will die.