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I work at a vet clinic, and I have seen my fair share of horror stories. Today, a male cat came in with bladder stones the size of unground pepper corns and in immense pain. Seeing as urinary issues in cats (stones, CKD etc) are such common issues nowadays, it kind of got me thinking that it might be a good idea to offer some advice to new and old forum members on some simple things you can do to avoid these painful issues.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a vet myself, and I am not offering medical advice. If your cat already has pre existing urinary issues, this advice is not for you. Your cat needs to be seen by a professional. The advice I am about to give will not, 100%, ensure your cat won't get urinary issues, so don't rule it out if your cat begins showing signs. Genetics also play a huge role. The following are just some little things you can be more conscious about that may help prevent these issues. The following is a mix of proven scientific research and (mainly) anecdotal that has shown to play a large role in preventing issues., so I won't be quoting any articles but I have cross referenced with the vets at my practice
1. Feed a moisture rich diet. Make their water dishes enticing and add some water to each wet (or raw) meal. Hydration is key for aiding kidney function and flushing toxins out of the kidneys and bladder. Unfortunately a lot of cats don't drink nearly enough water. Fresh water must be on offer all the time, and I have heard people have great success with fountains as a lot of cats like running water. Cats are picky, and the container you have their water in can affect its taste. Throw out the plastic, it can leech into the water after a while. Personally my cats love ceramic and I find this best, though stainless steel (NOT stainless steel coated) would be the next best IMO. I am also strongly against any water additives (yes, even dental ones) unless prescribed by a vet for treatment purposes. I also add 1-2 tablespoons of water to each wet meal they get. Of course if your cat won't eat the food with extra water then don't add it, but my boys love the extra 'gravy'.
2. Keep stress to a minimum. Stress has a major impact on the body, for cats and humans. Change is necessary in life, but if we can make any changes as slowly as possible then our cats have time to adjust. Personally I worked on fear conditioning with my cats by having regular visitors since they were kittens and of course regular trips to the vet for check ups. Lots of treats, praise and cuddles. Now they are both cool as cucumbers. Of course you don't have to train them to accept change, but try using calming diffusers when change comes around, creating a safe place where you can place away from any hustle and bustle, covering the carry cage with a heavy blanket when transporting and so on. Stress is a major culprit for urinary issues, so this one is a biggy.
3. Avoid any artificial scents. This one has to do with toxins in the body. That means scented candles, bug spray (the stuff is banned in my house), moth balls and so on, even cleaning products. I clean room by room so the cats are never in the same area as me when I am mopping or cleaning, and I allow the room to air before I let them have access to it again.
4. Watch the weight. Keeping our cats at a healthy weight lowers their chances of a lot of different health issues, including urinary problems. So watch the portion sizes and encourage your cat to be active, even if they are older. But it's not just exercise that's important here. It also has a lot to do with what we feed them. Fat saturated human foods, and basically anything not biologically appropriate for cats can cause kidney issues and should be avoided. Watch the phosphorous intake of elderly cats and feed high phosphorous foods in rotation for younger cats.
5. Keep the litter box and bedding clean. Bacteria breeds in dirty climates. Clean the litter box at least once daily and disinfect and refresh completely at least once a month for clumping litter. Pelleted litter is different, and different materials breed bacteria easier than others, so be sure to research what you use. If your cat has had diarrhea or GI issues, change the litter and disinfect much more regularly. I also like to let my litter box dry in the sun after disinfecting as well. Wash bedding and favourite haunts regularly as well.
If anyone has anything else to add, as I am sure I have forgotten some, then please do!
DISCLAIMER: I am not a vet myself, and I am not offering medical advice. If your cat already has pre existing urinary issues, this advice is not for you. Your cat needs to be seen by a professional. The advice I am about to give will not, 100%, ensure your cat won't get urinary issues, so don't rule it out if your cat begins showing signs. Genetics also play a huge role. The following are just some little things you can be more conscious about that may help prevent these issues. The following is a mix of proven scientific research and (mainly) anecdotal that has shown to play a large role in preventing issues., so I won't be quoting any articles but I have cross referenced with the vets at my practice
1. Feed a moisture rich diet. Make their water dishes enticing and add some water to each wet (or raw) meal. Hydration is key for aiding kidney function and flushing toxins out of the kidneys and bladder. Unfortunately a lot of cats don't drink nearly enough water. Fresh water must be on offer all the time, and I have heard people have great success with fountains as a lot of cats like running water. Cats are picky, and the container you have their water in can affect its taste. Throw out the plastic, it can leech into the water after a while. Personally my cats love ceramic and I find this best, though stainless steel (NOT stainless steel coated) would be the next best IMO. I am also strongly against any water additives (yes, even dental ones) unless prescribed by a vet for treatment purposes. I also add 1-2 tablespoons of water to each wet meal they get. Of course if your cat won't eat the food with extra water then don't add it, but my boys love the extra 'gravy'.
2. Keep stress to a minimum. Stress has a major impact on the body, for cats and humans. Change is necessary in life, but if we can make any changes as slowly as possible then our cats have time to adjust. Personally I worked on fear conditioning with my cats by having regular visitors since they were kittens and of course regular trips to the vet for check ups. Lots of treats, praise and cuddles. Now they are both cool as cucumbers. Of course you don't have to train them to accept change, but try using calming diffusers when change comes around, creating a safe place where you can place away from any hustle and bustle, covering the carry cage with a heavy blanket when transporting and so on. Stress is a major culprit for urinary issues, so this one is a biggy.
3. Avoid any artificial scents. This one has to do with toxins in the body. That means scented candles, bug spray (the stuff is banned in my house), moth balls and so on, even cleaning products. I clean room by room so the cats are never in the same area as me when I am mopping or cleaning, and I allow the room to air before I let them have access to it again.
4. Watch the weight. Keeping our cats at a healthy weight lowers their chances of a lot of different health issues, including urinary problems. So watch the portion sizes and encourage your cat to be active, even if they are older. But it's not just exercise that's important here. It also has a lot to do with what we feed them. Fat saturated human foods, and basically anything not biologically appropriate for cats can cause kidney issues and should be avoided. Watch the phosphorous intake of elderly cats and feed high phosphorous foods in rotation for younger cats.
5. Keep the litter box and bedding clean. Bacteria breeds in dirty climates. Clean the litter box at least once daily and disinfect and refresh completely at least once a month for clumping litter. Pelleted litter is different, and different materials breed bacteria easier than others, so be sure to research what you use. If your cat has had diarrhea or GI issues, change the litter and disinfect much more regularly. I also like to let my litter box dry in the sun after disinfecting as well. Wash bedding and favourite haunts regularly as well.
If anyone has anything else to add, as I am sure I have forgotten some, then please do!