How Can I Prevent Cystitis In My Cat?

1. It may be because the cat is in pain or it may be due to a serious health problem. [It may also be due to infected litter or poor hygiene].

2. The cat may be stressed by moving to a new house, the addition of a new pet or person, the addition of another animal in the household, or due to changes in routine.

3. Your cat may be stressed because an elderly person has had surgery and is confined to bed, or a spouse has passed away.

4. It could be associated with over-grooming or obsessive-compulsive behavior (often seen in cats that like plastic bags).

5. There is a narrowing in the urethra, which causes the cat to strain when going to the toilet. This can cause cystitis.

6. Prostate problems may cause cystitis or result in blockage of urine flow.

7. A cat may develop cystitis because it has a urinary tract infection (UTI) from bacteria or parasites that infect the urinary tract as well as from bacteria or parasites on its skin (most commonly fleas).

8. Cystitis may be a reaction to vaccination against Cat Flu.

9. Cats that do not have access to the outside or that are kept indoors and not allowed outdoors regularly are more likely to develop cystitis and other stress-related problems than cats who spend time outside every day.

1. Provide your cat with a proper diet and plenty of fresh water.

2. Be sure to brush your cat regularly. This will prevent stress-related problems, such as cystitis and hairballs in the long term.

3. If you are away from home for a long time, it’s a good idea to take your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup before you leave to ensure that all is well and nothing is likely to go wrong while you are away.

4. Keep your cat’s litter box clean and free of harmful bacteria.

5. Let your cat know that it is ok to use the bathroom outside (or use the "perch and go" routine).

6. Keep your home kitten-proofed from those annoying little puppy hands!

7. If there are multiple cats in the household, designate one as more friendly, less likely to want to play with your cat (i.e., ungroomed/clueless)

8. Even middle-aged cats can get UTIs. Regular veterinary checkups and the regulation of their diet can prevent this.

9. Do not panic when you notice your cat has not been using its litter box for a couple of days. A cat that has not been using the litter box for a long period may be feeling stressed on some level, even if there are no obvious outward indicators (i.e., abnormal behavior, hairballs).

10. Cats are creatures of habit, so have your cat accustomed to using its litter box regularly, even if it’s inside. Clean the box at least once a day and make sure that the box is not in an area that gets too hot or too cold for comfort (i.e., near a radiator).

11. Increase your cat’s opportunities for going outdoors, especially in nice weather; this is great for the cat and results in a calm, relaxed animal.