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Have you ever noticed your cat straining to urinate or defecate in the litter box? Perhaps he/she is spending more time than usual in there. Have the urine clump sizes recently changed? Is there urine outside the box in unusual areas in the house? Is it pink or red tinged?
There are many different reasons for stranguria (straining to urinate), pollakiuria (urinating more frequently) or hematuria (bloody urine) in cats and there could be several reasons for the cause.
Urinary tract infections can be broken down into 4 easy categories: Crystals, stones, bacteria and stress/inflammation of unknown origin.
Cats can create crystals in their bladder by having an elevated pH. These small crystals can bounce around the bladder wall and can cause inflammation and pain. As they mix around in the urine, they can cause microscopic cuts on the bladder wall, and this is where the bloody urine comes from.
These crystals can also be associated with bladder stones, but sometimes not. Bladder stones are painful and need to be treated. With pain medication, dissolution diet or surgery; these stones can be removed physically or dissolved with a diet that changes the pH of the urine. Depending on the size and severity of the stones, surgery tends to be the best option for immediate comfort. Stones and crystals can also be associated with a bacterial urinary tract infection.
Another reason a kitty may be running to the box is a bacterial urinary tract infection. These are not common in cats but can occur secondary to diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Other reasons can be from an obese cat not being able to keep themselves cleaned back there.
One of the most frustrating reasons for a cat having urinary issues is” Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD.)” For some cats stress inflames their bladders. They then associate the pain that arises with the litter box, and stop using the box.
It is important to treat these cats not only for pain, but to also meet their emotional needs. Research has shown enhancing their environment helps reduce their stress and decreases urinary problem . Check out the follow web sites to enhance your cat’s environment, help prevent bladder inflammation and keep your cat emotionally satisfied! Ohio State Indoor Cat and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
Another very frustrating issue with house-soiling is marking. Ways to avoid this include castrating (neutering)at an appropriate time and making sure a cat’s environmental/emotional needs are met. It is important to make sure there are plenty of resources for each cat including litter boxes, access to food and water and places to scratch and play. Check out this link about litter box guidelines-click here
Issues in the litter box are difficult but often rewarding not only to the cat but to the humans who love them.
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