Cats get urinary infections more often than you might think. As their causes are not always clear, vets often mistake a common symptom of cats' urinary infections - like peeing outside the litter box - as something behavioral, due perhaps to stress, rather than the medical condition that is actually underlying it.
However, it's far more likely that a cat's urinary tract infection is due to physical rather than behavioral problems. The condition is one among several urinary problems, including an obstruction in the urinary passage and inflammation of the bladder, known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD).
If you've ever experienced a UTI yourself, you'll understand what your kitty is enduring. A cat's urinary infection is just as unpleasant and painful as a human's. It will help ease your cat's discomfort if you familiarize yourself with the reasons for the condition and the basic rules of care when they are dealing with the condition.
You may have noticed that your cat rarely visits the water bowl. A reluctance to drink water is actually natural for cats. They originally evolved in arid, desert climates, and time and evolution made them able to get the liquid they needed for survival primarily from their food. The animals they consumed provided most of the fluids necessary to maintain optimum health. Water from a separate source was rarely needed. However, this instinct is still a part of cats today, and is a major reason there has been a rise in the number of cat urinary infections reported.
Your veterinarian will treat your cat's urinary infection specifically based on a review of such tests as a urinalysis. But you can cut back drastically on vet fees and keep your cat's urinary tract in good health by following these time-tested methods of prevention.
1. water is the most important thing.
Using clean, hot water, wash your cat's water bowl - daily. If you use soap, make certain the bowl is thoroughly rinsed to prevent any harm as a result of the chemicals in the detergent.
If your cat eats a lot of dry food, try moistening it by adding a little bit of water. To really pique their interest, try adding chicken broth.
For a little extra money, you can purchase a free flowing water drinking fountain. Cats are intrigued by water that moves, and may be encouraged to drink.
Cats dig moving water, so consider buying a free flowing water drinking fountain. The fun interaction may encourage them to drink more often.
2. Don't feed your kitty foods that contain a high magnesium content. This includes pork, heart, beef and oily fish.
3. Select foods that are natural, rather than prescription diets. Buy organic when possible. consult your vet to be certain the food you give your cat will create the proper pH level in their urine.
4. Adding a tablespoon of vinegar to the water once a day will keep the urine pH a little acidic, and helps prevent the formation of bladder stones. Bladder stones can often lead to your cat's getting urinary infections.
When you follow these basic rules of health maintenance, you have done a great deal to ensure your cat lives a long, happy, and healthy life, untroubled by feline urinary tract infections.
However, it's far more likely that a cat's urinary tract infection is due to physical rather than behavioral problems. The condition is one among several urinary problems, including an obstruction in the urinary passage and inflammation of the bladder, known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD).
If you've ever experienced a UTI yourself, you'll understand what your kitty is enduring. A cat's urinary infection is just as unpleasant and painful as a human's. It will help ease your cat's discomfort if you familiarize yourself with the reasons for the condition and the basic rules of care when they are dealing with the condition.
You may have noticed that your cat rarely visits the water bowl. A reluctance to drink water is actually natural for cats. They originally evolved in arid, desert climates, and time and evolution made them able to get the liquid they needed for survival primarily from their food. The animals they consumed provided most of the fluids necessary to maintain optimum health. Water from a separate source was rarely needed. However, this instinct is still a part of cats today, and is a major reason there has been a rise in the number of cat urinary infections reported.
Your veterinarian will treat your cat's urinary infection specifically based on a review of such tests as a urinalysis. But you can cut back drastically on vet fees and keep your cat's urinary tract in good health by following these time-tested methods of prevention.
1. water is the most important thing.
Using clean, hot water, wash your cat's water bowl - daily. If you use soap, make certain the bowl is thoroughly rinsed to prevent any harm as a result of the chemicals in the detergent.
If your cat eats a lot of dry food, try moistening it by adding a little bit of water. To really pique their interest, try adding chicken broth.
For a little extra money, you can purchase a free flowing water drinking fountain. Cats are intrigued by water that moves, and may be encouraged to drink.
Cats dig moving water, so consider buying a free flowing water drinking fountain. The fun interaction may encourage them to drink more often.
2. Don't feed your kitty foods that contain a high magnesium content. This includes pork, heart, beef and oily fish.
3. Select foods that are natural, rather than prescription diets. Buy organic when possible. consult your vet to be certain the food you give your cat will create the proper pH level in their urine.
4. Adding a tablespoon of vinegar to the water once a day will keep the urine pH a little acidic, and helps prevent the formation of bladder stones. Bladder stones can often lead to your cat's getting urinary infections.
When you follow these basic rules of health maintenance, you have done a great deal to ensure your cat lives a long, happy, and healthy life, untroubled by feline urinary tract infections.
About the Author:
Susan Livingstone adores felines. When her felines get a urinary infection, everything stops until they get the relief they need. She wants to share what works for her, because you love your kitty too. Make their litter box a happy place.Cat Urinary is where to start.
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