There is help for urinary issues in cats.
Inappropriate urination is a major reason for surrender of cats to animal shelters, where the overwhelming majority get put to sleep. For the cat with urinary problems, the first step is a trip to the vet to diagnose a physical cause. Even if the cause is behavioral, there are methods to help your cat go in the litter box and not an inappropriate spot.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
This disease, formerly referred to as feline urologic syndrome, or FUS, is very serious, and a symptomatic cat should be taken to the vet immediately. Signs include straining to urinate, going in and out of the litter box, genital licking, loud meowing and small drops of urine with blood. Totally obstructed cats constitute an emergency and dialysis may be necessary. Complete obstruction is most common in male cats and if untreated leads to death from uremic poisoning. Called feline interstitial cystitis, it's a result of crystals forming in the urinary tract, resulting in blockages. Two common types of crystal formation are struvite crystals and calcium oxylate crystals. Treatment varies according to type.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Feline lower urinary tract disease is diagnosed by urinalysis, which measure pH and whether crystals or bacteria are present in the urine. In some cases, urine cultures, X-rays or ultrasounds may be ordered. Besides crystals, other causes of urinary problems include bladder stones, kidney failure and cancer. The cause may be difficult to diagnose, and the problem tends to recur. Depending on the diagnosis, cats may receive anti-inflammatories, anti-spasmodics or steroids to relieve symptoms and clear the blockage. Surgery is necessary in the worst cases.
Cystitis
Cystitis is one of the most common urinary problems in cats. Because the bladder is inflamed, cats will feel as though they must constantly urinate. More common in females, cystitis is often caused by a urinary tract infection, which will sometimes respond to antibiotics. The inflammation may clear up on its own.
Prevention/Solution
To prevent crystal formation, feed a low-ash, canned food diet or a veterinarian-prescribed food. Make sure cats always have access to water. Be aware of the cat's litter box habits.
Behavioral Problems
When no physical reason for urinating outside of the litter box is found, the problem may be behavioral. Stress factors such as moving or a new pet or baby in the house can cause the cat to urinate inappropriately. A different litter box, type of litter. or location could be the culprit. If there has been no change, try another type or brand of litter or purchase a larger box. A good rule of thumb is one litter box per cat in multiple cat households. Keep litter boxes clean. Anti-anxiety medications, prescribed by a vet, have produced results with behavior-related urinary problems.
Declawed Cats
Declawed cats have a higher incidence of inappropriate urination than cats that still have claws. Possible causes include foot pain when scratching the litter, which causes the cat to urinate outside of the box.
When All Else Fails
Some cats continue urinating in inappropriate places no matter what their owners do. If the vet determines nothing is wrong and other methods are unsuccessful, determine whether it is feasible for the cat to live outdoors. Outside cats may get hit by a car, attacked by dogs or coyotes or fight with other animals---there is no question that cats are safer inside a house. If the area is relatively safe, putting the cat outside is a consideration. There are animal rescue groups that specialize in finding barn homes for cats. Another option is to keep the cat in an uncarpeted area, perhaps a basement, where it is less likely to urinate. Most cats who urinate inappropriately do so on carpets, cushions, clothing or similar materials and not on tile or concrete.
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