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Cats are very susceptible to urinary tract problems. Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is one of the most common illnesses among cats and most cats will have urinary tract health issues at some point in their lives. FLUTD caused by a range of factors and affects both female and male cats. Luckily FLUTD is relatively preventable with a stress-free environment and a good diet.
What Is FLUTD?
FLUTD is a very common illness among cats that causes abnormal and painful urination. In male cats, especially neutered male cats, it can lead to urethral obstruction. FLUTD can be triggered by many things like a bacterial or viral bladder or kidney infection, chronic illnesses like hypothyroidism and diabetes, dehydration, and obesity. The most common cause is feline idiopathic cystitis which develops as a result of stress. Indoor cats fed a commercially manufactured food are much more prone to FLUTD than outdoor cats that have a more varied, natural diet.
Symptoms Of FLUTD
Depending on what is triggering the FLUTD in your cat, there are a variety of symptoms to look for:
- Urinating in unusual places or outside of the box
- Increased frequency or urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Dribbling urine
- Straining or crying when urinating
- Licking around the urinary area
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Increased water consumption
- Dehydration
- Bloody urine
- Cloudy urine
- Strong ammonia odor in urine
- Vomiting
- Hard, distended or bloated abdomen
- Not urinating
See Your Veterinarian Immediately
If your cat shows any of these symptoms, it is crucial you take them to the veterinarian immediately because FLUTD can be life threatening if it goes untreated. Your veterinarian will run a series of tests and may require a urine sample or an overnight stay. Once they have diagnosed the cause of the FLUTD, they will recommend prescriptions and treatment options.
Nutrition For Urinary Tract Health
Since urinary tract issues are so common, when shopping for a cat food, you should always keep their urinary tract health in mind. There are some key nutrients to look out for to support healthy urination. The first thing to look for is a cat food with cranberries. Cranberries makes urine more acidic so bacterial and viruses cannot thrive. You can also look for foods with lots of vitamin C and D which also support urinary tract health. There have also been studies that suggest probiotics reduce urinary tract issues in cats, so it’s good to consider a food that contains probiotics. Finally, you need to always make sure your cat has access to clean, fresh drinking water so they can flush out their urinary tract system naturally.
The Five Best Cat Foods For Urinary Tract Health
Since FLUTD is a common ailment among cats, there are several cat foods that are formulated to support urinary tract health.
Wellness cat food is a top rated cat food that supports urinary tract function. It has a formula that uses a three cranberry blend to ensure a healthy urinary ph. Wellness cat food also contains antioxidants to help support immune system health and reduce inflammation. Wellness cat food is a great option to feed your cat for preventative urinary health.
Holistic Select is another great option for preventative care. Holistic Select is a holistically formulated cat food that supports the whole health of your cat. It is made with lower amounts of both ash and magnesium to reduce the risk of FLUTD. Holistic Select is also made with cranberries, antioxidants, and probiotics to support urinary tract health.
Hill’s offers two options for urinary tract health. The first is a prescriptive food that may be recommended by your veterinarian in case of FLUTD. The second, is Hill’s Science Diet which is a preventative food formulated with optimal levels of magnesium to support urinary tract health. It also contains cranberries and lots of powerful antioxidants to maintain a healthy urine ph. So whether you need a preventative food or a prescriptive food, Hill’s is a great option for cats suffering from FLUTD.
Wysong Uretic has also been specifically formulated to address urinary tract health issues like urolithiasis, struvite crystals, bladder stones, and FLUTD. It is formulated to remove excess minerals that may lead to urethral blockages so it is a great option for male cats. It is also loaded with antioxidants to reduce inflammation and support overall immune system health. Wysong Uretic is a an ideal food for cats who routinely experience urinary tract problems.
Royal Canin is another great option for cats who frequently experience FLUTD. It contains ingredients that increase the acidity of your cat’s urine to reduce the concentration of minerals and dissolve struvite urinary stones. Royal Canin also increase the volume and frequency of urination so that minerals cannot build up. It also has low levels of magnesium, phosphorous, and protein to support a healthy urinary tract. Royal Canin is one of the best options for both prevention and dietary treatment of urinary tract issues.
Create A Stress-Free Environment
Beyond making changes to your cat’s diet to support urinary tract health, you also need to create a stress-free environment. Since feline idiopathic cystitis is the number one cause of FLUTD, the best measure you can take to promote urinary health is to reduce your cat’s stress. Start by making sure your cat always has a quiet space they can go to whenever they are feeling stressed. This is especially important if you have frequent visitors, other pets, and children. Next, give your cats some variety to their routine so they do not get bored. You can do this by introducing new toys, spending extra play and cuddle time with them, or even letting them spend time outdoors. If these measures don’t help, talk to your veterinarian, they will have some suggestions on how you can reduce the stress in your cat’s life.
FLUTD is a serious issue for cats. Most cats will experience some kind of urinary tract illness in their lifetimes, so it’s important that you keep their urinary tract health in mind when choosing a food. Luckily there are several great cat foods on the market for both the prevention and treatment of urinary tract issues. So if you’re cat is experiencing urinary tract problems, talk to your veterinarian and then consider switching them to one of these great cat foods.
