Did you know suspect bladder infections are the number one reason cats visit the veterinarian?
In fact, urinary tract infections in cats (UTIs) can be a persistent issue and can lead to other health problems, including feline lower urinary tract disease. Whether or not your cat has experienced bladder infections in the past, it’s important to understand what urinary tract infections are and how to prevent them.
What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection occurs when environmental bacteria enters the urinary system. Bacteria live and grow in warm, damp places, which explains why these bacteria thrive inside the hollow organ that is the bladder.
Although commonly referred to as a bladder infection, UTIs in cats can take place inside any of the parts that make up the urinary tract—the bladder, ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder), kidneys and urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the external environment).
Symptoms of a UTI include:
- Excessive urination
- Pain during urination
- Fever
- Straining or inability to urinate
- Vocalization during urination
- Lethargy or hiding behavior
- Urinating outside of the litter box
- Blood in the urine (the urine can be red or pink-tinged or there can be blood clots)
- Increased water intake
Causes of Urinary Tract Infections in Cats
A cat can develop an infection of the bladder for many reasons, including:
- Improper hygiene: Cats often develop a urinary tract infection due to feces entering the urethra. Close proximity between the vagina and anus in female cats can cause fecal matter to enter the urinary system while defecating.
- Decreased water intake: The process of urination allows the body to eliminate waste and toxic materials, but this process can only occur with the presence of water. The less water a cat drinks, the greater the chance of developing an infection.
- Reproduction activities: Intact females often develop urinary tract infections because the breeding process moves bacteria into the body.
- Medical ailments: Health issues such as kidney failure and cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) often result in secondary bladder infections.
- Stress: Stress in cats triggers hormone levels in the body to rise and causes the bladder pH level to become imbalanced, which allows bacteria and yeast to form within the bladder.
How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections in Cats
There are several ways to help prevent UTIs in our feline friends:
Clean your cat’s litter box daily. The less fecal and urinary matter your cat is exposed to, the less risk of contaminating themselves with bacteria.
Provide an appropriate number of litter boxes in the household. The general rule for litter boxes is having a box for each cat, plus one extra. Cats tend to assign themselves a litter box that they use regularly. A litter box for each cat can also make it easier for you, the owner, to identify health problems. For example, if one litter box is more full than the other, you can assume that cat is using it more often and should be monitored.
Provide clean, fresh water every day and wash the water bowl. The probability of a cat developing problems within the bladder is increased when he or she is not drinking enough water. A cat is more likely to drink water when it is clean and fresh. You may consider a water fountain also to tempt your kitty’s curious nature.
Decrease stress in the home. Stress triggers hormone levels in the body to rise and can cause imbalances in your cat’s bladder pH levels, which in turn can cause recurring infections. Keep litter boxes in a quiet, calm area of the house.
Closely monitor for higher risk factors. Cats over the age of 10 and those allowed to reproduce are at higher risk for developing bladder infections.
To help prevent future infections, your vet may prescribe certain probiotics or supplements. One of these is D-mannose, a non-metabolizing sugar to which bacteria attaches for subsequent excretion in the urine. D-Mannose is not a drug, but is highly effective in cats with recurrent bladder infections.
If your cat has had a bladder infection in the past or is showing any of the above symptoms, always consult your veterinarian. Only an animal medical professional can diagnose your cat’s condition and make an appropriate treatment plan.