Cat Food for Cats With Cystitis

Cystitis is as painful for cats as it is for humans and is one of the main reasons why cats stop using their litter boxes. Although no one is sure of the cause of cystitis in cats, many veterinarians believe diet, especially dry food, is the culprit.

  1. Irritation of the Bladder

    • Cystitis in cats is an irritation of the bladder that makes passing urine painful and difficult.

    Symptoms of Cystitis in Cats

    • Symptoms of cystitis in cats include not using the litter box, straining to urinate, blood in the urine, crying out when urinating and frequent, unproductive trips to the box.

    Prone to Problems

    • Veterinarians C.A.T. Buffington and Dennis J. Chew say cats who are most likely to develop cystitis are typically indoor cats whose diets consist of 75 to 100 percent dry food.

    Wet Food

    • Wet food keeps the urine dilute, minimizing irritation to the bladder. If your cat is prone to cystitis, it should not have dry food.

    More Moisture

    • The more moisture your cat consumes, the more dilute its urine will be. Adding a small amount of water to your cat's wet food and encouraging drinking by adding a cat fountain and putting water bowls in several locations in your home will all increase the cat's moisture intake.