Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) includes a number of conditions that affect the bladder and urethra in cats. These conditions often cause pain during urinating, difficulty in and increased frequency of urinating, and blood in the urine. Cats with FLUTD are also likely to urinate outside the litter box.
FLUTD most commonly affects cats between the ages of 1 and 4. Although it can occur at any age, cats younger than 1 and older than 10 are rarely affected.
Causes of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
FLUTD can be the result of a number of issues, including:
- Urinary stones
- Urethral obstruction
- Interstitial cystitis
- Stress
- Poor diet
Treatment depends on the cause of the disease, but can include changing the diet, flushing the urethra, and prescribing antibiotics. FLUTD is a recurring issue in some cats but, for many, does not reoccur after successful treatment. To maintain a cat's urinary health, it should be fed a healthy diet that includes plenty of water.