If your cat’s bathroom breaks are becoming a purr-sistent problem, cystitis might be causing the chaos. Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder and if left untreated, it can lead to more serious medical emergencies such as kidney failure or urinary blockages.
There are a few telltail signs of cystitis in your feline friend:
Frequent trips to the litter box
Straining to pee
Blood in the urine
Urinating outside the litter box
Crying or vocalising while trying to go
Excessive licking of the genitals
Cystitis is idiopathic (meaning we simply don’t know the cause of the inflammation), however certain factors may trigger a flare-up:
Diet - High salt content in food can irritate the bladder.
Stress - Cats can be sensitive to any change in their lives and stress may lead to a urinary related issue
Dehydration - Ensure your cat is drinking plenty of water. Hydration helps keep the bladder healthy.
Obesity - Overweight cats are more prone to a variety of health issues, including cystitis.
Genetics - Some cats may be genetically predisposed to urinary tract problems.
While cystitis cannot be completely cured and may recur even after symptoms are alleviated, managing your cat's pain is crucial both for their comfort and to prevent future issues. Ensuring a good diet is an excellent way to support your feline friends through their tinkle related troubles, and we have just what you need…
Marro can assist with the essential hydration thanks to our golden gravy, offering the extra replenishment they need.
Our food will also be tailored to your cat’s weight goal- maintaining a healthy weight means cats can have increased mobility, better immune systems and less overall stress which will reduce the chances and severe symptoms of cystitis.
No nasty additives and preservatives, less carbs and more protein (and fish oil) can help reduce bladder inflammation and pain.
And please, for the love of catnip, avoid making any major dietary changes while your cat is dealing with cystitis symptoms. The less stress and change, the better.
So, chin up, whiskers out, and let's show cystitis who's boss – because bladder blues are not gonna rain on our purrade!
Still having problems?
Always seek further veterinary advice if symptoms continue after treatment as they may need a prescription diet.