Protect Your Cats
Against UTIs
You may not always notice the signs of a feline urinary tract infection right away—that’s what PrettyLitter is for. We make it easier than ever to look after your fur baby.
The Good Cat Parents’
Guide to Cat UTIs
What is a UTI in a Cat?
Cat UTIs are painful infections in the urethra and bladder. Bacteria from the outside world travels up the urethra and finds a home in your kitty’s bladder, where it grows and multiplies causing painful urination.
Urinary Tract Infections are no problem to treat, as long as you notice the signs and symptoms before it develops into something more serious.
How to Identify a
UTI in Your Cat
Sometimes, you could swear your cat makes himself so clear it's like he's talking to you. But your cat may struggle to find the “words” to tell you he's suffering from a UTI, which is why it's your job to notice the signs:
What Causes a UTI in a Cat?
It's safe to say that cats know how to find trouble—chasing birds, romping through your garden, even picking fights with the neighborhood raccoons. But with UTIs, it seems trouble finds them:
Bacterial Infection
The most common infectious organism is Escherichia coli, the bacteria found in feces.
Stones or Crystals
These harsh, irritating mineralized crystals in the bladder can leave cats increasingly vulnerable to infection.
Fungal or Parasitic Infection
Although uncommon, Candidiasis (fungal yeast infection) and Capillariasis (parasitic worms) may be the culprit to your cat's UTI.
How to Prevent UTIs in Cats?
Cats may be independent creatures, but they still need your love and care, especially when it comes to cat UTI prevention. Here's what you can do to help keep your kitty safe from feline UTIs:
Increase Water Intake
Adding canned food to their diet or purchasing a pet fountain are easy ways to keep your cats hydrated after a full day of play.
Avoid Change
Cats are creatures of habit—they respond poorly to interruptions in their routine, and the added stress can spur on infection.
A Proper Litter Box Environment
A quiet, clean place for your cat to do their business can stimulate healthy litter box habits.
Special Diets
Prescription cat foods might help balance your fur baby's pH levels and prevent UTIs.
Frequently Asked
Questions
- Hydration - Keep their bowl filled with clean water or invest in a pet fountain. You can also switch to wet canned food if you haven't already.
- Acidity - Adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice concentrate to their canned wet food may be able to flush out their bladder and create an environment that the bacteria can't survive.
Your vet will be best equipped to provide you with a safe, effective treatment method.
After receiving a confirmed diagnosis of feline urinary tract infection, most antibiotic therapy lasts 7 to 14 days. You should start to see improvements in that time—if not, check back in with the vet.
UTIs, however, are much more common in females (cats and humans alike) because their urethras are shorter and wider. Males, on the other hand, are more susceptible to urethral obstruction—a common cause of lower urinary tract disease—for the exact opposite reason.
Senior cats are also more prone to lower urinary tract problems because of their increased susceptibility to kidney disease and diabetes. These conditions can impact their urine's acidity and concentration, leaving them at higher risk of infection.
- Bladder stones or crystals
- Urethral obstruction
- Bladder inflammation
- Bacterial infections
Certain pre-existing health conditions increase the risk of developing a feline UTI, including:
- A previous UTI or bladder stones, which leaves them susceptible to recurring infections
- Diabetes mellitus (“sugar diabetes” in cats)
- Obesity or elevated body mass
- Urine gravity (concentration)
- pH levels (alkaline or acidic)
- Ketones (chemicals produced by the liver)
- Glucose (sugar content)
- Bilirubin (a pigment that arises from breaking down red blood cells)
- Blood (red and white blood cells)
- Bacteria
- Protein
A high white blood cell count and the presence of bacteria are two common indicators of a feline UTI.
Use PrettyLitter to Detect UTIs Sooner
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