Cat Urinary Problems:  What Is It? 

Prevention and Treatment

     FUS (feline urologic syndrome) is a group of illnesses that cause FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease).  Although both male cats and female cats can develop FLUTD, it is male cats that are most likley to suffer a blockage.  The reason is because male cats have a smaller urethra.

     Symptoms of FLUTD include: small amounts and frequent urination, excessive licking of the genitals, not using the litterbox or going beside the litter box, straining to urinate or meowing while trying to urinate, and sometimes there may be visible blood in your cat's urine.  If the condition is bad enough, your cat may suffer total blockage of their urethra.  Immediate medical attention is necessary.

     If you suspect your cat may have a urinary tract infection, it is critical your cat be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.  FLUTD can be chronic or acute in nature.  Chronic means it is an ongoing medical problem that can be controlled through special diets or medicine from your veterinarian.  Acute means it is sudden and usually requires immediate emergency help.

     Any cat can suffer a feline lower urinary tract disease.  However, it is most common in overweight and inactive cats (read my guide on Cat Obesity ).  It is very important for you to keep your cat at a healthy weight and to engage your cat in physical activity to prevent FLUTD.  Your veterinarian may also put your cat on a "low ash" or low magnesium diet.  It is very important for your cat's dietary food to maintain the proper acid level in their urine.  Eating high quality food is critical in the prevention of FLUTD.  Often times, low quality cat foods contain a lot of "ash" which can upset the acid level in your cat's urine resulting in FLUTD.

     Here are some tips for help in preventing FLUTD:

1.  Feed a high quality cat food as recommended by your veterinarian (my cat suffered FLUTD so I feed him and all my cats Hills Science Diet cat food).  Ask your veterinarian which formula food is best for your cats.  It may cost a little more but it is well worth it.  High quality cat food goes a lot further as the cats are usually full on smaller amounts.

2.  Water is VERY important.  Always keep fresh, clean water available for your cat.

3.  Limit your cat's consumption of seafood.  It has always been my understanding that seafood may cause an upset in his/her urinary acid.

4.  Here is a tip I found in Rodale's Book of Hints, Tips, & Everyday Wisdom:  "Adding a teaspoon of vinegar to your male cat's water daily will help prevent the urinary calculi that often lead to urinary problems later in life.  The vinegar helps keep the urine more acid, preventing the formation of stones."  (I personally have not tried this tip but if your cat is prone to stones and other urinary problems, it may be worth trying.)

*Important:  Don't try to diagnose your cat yourself.  Always take your cat to a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis.  Be kind and be patient with your cat.

** To aid in a healthy feline diet:  Cat oat grass and cat wheat grass provide an all natural snack alternative to high calorie man-made treats.  It's also a snack your cat instinctively craves.  Grass contains high levels of vitamins and nutrients and also contains fiber...naturally!  My cats are always snacking on it.

Natural Cat Grasses and Organic Catnip

Above:  Photo of my cat Felix who once suffered from FLUTD.  He is healthy and happy and loves to spend time outside in the grass!

(PS:  If you want to see photos of my cats, visit my About Me Page.)

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