It's never fun to see your cat peeing blood or having accidents outside the litter box.
Chances are… your cat has a urinary problem.
If you're a cat parent, you probably know that urinary tract infections in cats can be devastating to both your cat and your home.
Urinary tract infections are painful and unpleasant for cats, and they can also be dangerous if left untreated.
But you know what else is tragic?
The fact is that so many people give up on their pets because they have urinary issues.
And it doesn't have to be that way! With a little bit of attention and care, your cat can get over a urinary tract infection with relative ease.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK OF GETTING URINARY ISSUES?
Urinary crystals can be found even in the urine of healthy cats. Studies show that it affects around 1-3% of cats each year, but in general, the disease is more common in:
- Middle-aged cats
- Neutered cats
- Over-weight cats
- Cats who take little exercise
- Cats with little or no access outside
- Cats that eat a dry diet
WARNING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF URINARY TRACT DISEASE
- Urinating outside of the litter box
- Straining when urinating
- Loss of bladder control
- Increased frequency of urination, usually passing small amounts of urine
- Pink, dark or bloody urine
- Crying out in pain/vocalizing during attempts to urinate
- Licking the genital area
- Reduced appetite
- Lack of energy or interest in normal activities
TIPS TO MAINTAIN CAT’S URINARY HEALTH
- Increase your cat’s water intake. More water intake can lower urine concentration, making it more difficult for debris and microorganisms to clump and multiply. You may also consider getting a drinking fountain since many cats are drawn to flowing water.
- Make sure that you give them fresh water. Cats love fresh water, and your cat will likely drink more if you clean and fill her water bowl daily.
- Add flavor to your cat’s water bowl. Adding tuna juice or sodium-free chicken broth can tempt your cat to spend more time at her water bowl.
- Try a canned diet. It contains more water than dry varieties, and feeding wet food is an easy way to incorporate more water into your cat’s daily diet.
- Adjust your cat's diet. Avoid foods with a lot of calcium and magnesium, which are often found in grocery store brand cat food. This can cause crystals to form in the urine, which sometimes leads to urinary stones.
- Reduce your cat’s environmental stressors. Avoid major changes in household routine. Environmental changes, such as a new roommate or baby, a new pet, or a different litter brand, can trigger internalized stress that manifests as urinary problems.
- Improve your litter box hygiene. Some cats hate a soiled litter box and refuse to use the dirty litter, so keep your cat’s box as clean as possible.
- Don’t switch litter brands. Cats can be picky about their litter, and a sudden brand change may prompt her to use your floor instead of the new, flower-scented brand in her box.
- Provide environmental enrichment for your cat. Indoor life is safest for your cat, but a bored cat is more likely will develop stress-related urinary conditions. Cats are natural predators, and your cat will enjoy toys and interactions that bring out her inner lioness.
- Schedule Regular Veterinary Appointments for Your Cat. Cats need regular veterinary care, and your family veterinarian can detect signs of underlying urinary conditions during your cat’s annual wellness visit.
A SPECIALIZED DIET FOR URINARY CONDITIONS
With your vet's recommendation, consider a change to a specialized diet for urinary conditions.
Providing your cat with a high-quality diet tailored for urinary tract health is among the most significant ways we can improve their comfort, long-term health, and longevity.
In general, look for food that has high moisture and low magnesium content.
At Petshop.ph, this is our highly recommended cat food for urinary tract health as this will keep your cat’s urinary issues at bay.
URINARY CARE is a precisely balanced nutritional formula that helps maintain urinary tract health.
It maintains a healthy urine concentration by regulating the mineral balance and maintaining a low urinary pH, leading to less concentrated urine.
The exclusive formula creates a urinary environment less favorable for the formation of urinary stones.
Proven results: the exclusive use of URINARY CARE is effective after 10 days: 2x reduced risk of urinary stone formation.