Urinary Tract Infections and other illness are very prevalent in cats, especially as they age. “Dr. V“, Veterinarian, pet lifestyle expert and founder of Pawcurious.com (a.k.a. Jessica Vogelsang, DVM) shared with us her six tips to helping your cat’s urinary tract stay healthy.
#1 – Plenty of Water
It is very important to make sure your cat is drinking enough water. Dehydrated cats are prone to more urinary tract issues, especially if they are solely on a dry food diet. Multiple water bowls and kitty fountains encourage water consumption. To keep water fresher longer, consider using vet-recommended, bacteria-resistant stainless steel water bowls such as a Bella Bowl® or a Milano Bowl™.
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#2 – Feed a Wet Food Diet.
This allows the cat to get water while she is eating her meal and promotes hydration from the inside out. Choose a canned food that is made and sourced in the USA and made for a cat’s specific dietary needs, such as Evanger’s Organic Turkey and Butternut Squash for Cats, Evanger’s Organic Braised Chicken Dinner for Cats, or Evanger’s Holistic 100% Pheasant Dinner for Cats.
#3 – Healthy Weight
Keep your cat at a healthy weight. Overweight cats are at increased risk for urinary tract disease. Diet and exercise can help keep your cat trim; talk to your vet about the right plan for your kitty.
#4 – Minimize Stress.
Stress is thought to be one of the leading triggers for feline lower urinary tract disease. Look for signs of stress such as not eating, odd behavior (hiding, running from you, not using the litterbox) and talk to your vet or animal behaviorist if you notice signs of stress in your kitty.
#5 – Know the Signs
The signs of urinary disease are: frequent trips to the litterbox, dribbling urine, and licking at their rear end. Cats who cannot produce any urine are a medical emergency and need to go to the vet immediately.
#6 – Stick to the Diet
If your vet has prescribed a diet due to a history of struvite crystals, stick to it! These cats benefit from an acidifying diet that prevents the crystals from re-forming. For a quick reference on diet and reducing the risk of struvite crystals forming, please visit here. For a problem-solution guide for common cat and dog diet challenges and questions, please visit here.
