Kitty Urinary Systems aren’t the Most Pleasant Topic…
But, Brookside Barkery and Bath is here to help keep your fur babies safe, healthy, and happy!
Our feline friends can’t tell us when they feel sick, but we can tell you that a cat with a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) or a bladder infection, is one sad kitty. A number of things can be responsible for causing your cat’s discomfort, but thankfully there are ways to monitor and prevent UTIs from recurring.
Bladder Infection: Causes and Symptoms
UTIs occur when outside bacteria makes its way into your cat’s bladder. This can take place anywhere along your cat’s urinary tract: the kidneys, the ureters (which connect the bladder to the kidneys), the bladder, or the urethra (which is the tube coming out of the bladder). When environmental bacteria enter your cat’s urinary tract, this bacteria grows and multiplies, causing pain and discomfort.
If you think your cat may have a bladder or lower urinary tract infection, keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- Urinating frequently, but only in small amounts
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Meowing or crying in pain while urinating
- Straining while urinating
- Licking the urinary area excessively
- Hiding
- Lethargy
- Drinking large amounts of water
- Seeing blood in the urine (this can range in color from pink to red, or may even have clots)
Remember that only your vet can diagnose a bladder infection, so make an appointment right away to get your feline on the road to recovery.
Preventing Infections
While some kitties may be more prone to urinary and bladder illnesses than others, there are a few steps you can take as a responsible pet parent to help prevent these painful and dangerous infections.
Keeping a clean litter box is very important. You should clean your cat’s litter box on a daily basis and change the litter completely every three to four weeks. A dirty litter box can be a breeding ground for bacteria – if your cat is urinating in a dirty box, fecal matter and other bacteria can easily become trapped and lead to infection.
If you have multiple cats, you’ll also want to make sure you have enough litter boxes in your home. A good rule of thumb is to have one litter box for each cat, plus one extra.
Provide fresh water. Dehydration can lead to bladder infections since the kidneys need water to flush the bacteria out. If your cat isn’t drinking enough water, be sure to make sure that the water you’re offering is clean and fresh.
Your cat’s water bowl should also be washed daily. For optimal freshness, you may want to consider a water bowl with a fountain attached. Many cats are fascinated by moving water and will drink more with an intriguing water source.
Maintain a stress-free environment. If your cat seems stressed, do what you can to make your home a more peaceful place. Stress in cats can actually trigger their kitty hormones to raise the PH balance in their bladder, which can lead to bacteria growth in the bladder and cause an infection.
Monitor your cats if they are at risk. Unfortunately, some cats are more prone to bladder infection than others. Female cats have a small amount of space between the urethra and anus, making it easier for fecal bacteria to enter the urinary tract and cause an infection.
Cats that mate are also at higher risk of contracting a bladder infection, because mating often introduces foreign bacteria. Older cats are another high risk group, as are cats that are experiencing kidney failure or cystitis, which is inflammation of the bladder. If you have concerns, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Remember, there are some things – such as chronic health conditions – that you can’t control. Control what you can and do your best to offer your cat a clean and stress-free environment. If you need to stock up on fresh litter or other pet supplies, visit either Barkery location, or shop online here for easy delivery – direct to your doorstep!
Our goal at the Barkery is to support you in making the best decisions for your pets. For help choosing the best solutions for your own pets, we encourage you to drop on by either store or contact us online today!
