Urinary tract infection in cats, a condition in which bacteria rise along the urethra and may invade the bladder or even the kidneys, poses a serious threat to the health of cats. As pet parents, understanding and identifying early signs of urinary tract infections in cats is crucial for preventing complications and protecting their urinary health.
When cats encounter urinary problems, their daily behavior quietly changes. Firstly, you may find that cats appear restless when defecating in the litter box, which may be due to pain during urination. Due to this discomfort, cats may associate the litter box with pain and start searching for other areas to excrete. Therefore, if you find your cat urinating outside the litter box or exhibiting the following symptoms, you need to be alert:
Frequent entry and exit of litter box: Cats enter and exit litter boxes more frequently than usual, but no obvious defecation is observed.
Long term squatting in a litter box: Cats spend an unusually long time in the litter box, possibly due to their efforts to urinate.
Urination outside the litter box: The cat begins to urinate in other areas of the home, such as carpets, bed sheets, etc.
Hematuria: Blood stains are found in the litter box, or the cat's urine appears red or pink.
Increased water intake: The cat's water intake suddenly increases, possibly to dilute urine and alleviate pain during urination.
Loss of appetite: Due to physical discomfort, cats may experience loss of appetite and weight loss.
When identifying these symptoms, we also need to pay attention to distinguishing between urinary tract infections and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).
FLUTD is a general term that encompasses various diseases that may cause lower urinary tract problems in cats, such as bladder stones, urethral obstruction, etc. After ruling out urinary tract infections, if the cat still shows symptoms of urinary problems, it may be FLUTD.
To prevent urinary tract infections and FLUTD in cats, we need to do the following:
Keep the litter box clean: Regularly clean the litter box to ensure a clean and comfortable environment for cats to excrete.
Encourage cats to drink more water: increasing their water intake can help dilute urine and reduce bacterial growth.
Regularly check the urination status of cats: pay attention to the frequency, color, and odor of cat urination, so as to detect abnormalities in a timely manner.
Provide nutritious and balanced food: Choose cat food that is suitable for cats to ensure they receive sufficient nutrition and moisture.
Reduce stress on cats: Provide cats with a quiet and comfortable living environment, reduce sources of stress, such as threats from other pets, changes in family environment, etc.
By paying attention to the urination status of cats and promptly identifying and dealing with urinary problems, we can protect their urinary health and enable them to live a more comfortable and happy life.
