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THERAPEUTIC NUTRITION
Useful information about the needs of cats and dogs with nutritionally sensitive health conditions.
Renal & Urinary Disorders
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
Studies report that between 3-5% of cats presented to veterinary clinics have feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTDs). FLUTDs are a group of diseases affecting the bladder and urethra with many contributing factors, including stress, low water consumption, excess body weight, low levels of exercise, and confinement, and are prone to recur. Idiopathic cystitis is the most common FLUTD, accounting for 55-65% of cases. Nutrition can be part of a multimodal strategy to both manage this complex disease and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Key Messages
- Therapeutic urinary diets can help manage idiopathic cystitis and reduce the risk of recurrence by increasing water intake and urine volume, promoting a more dilute urine.
- A more dilute urine contains a lower concentration of substances that are irritating to the bladder lining. A higher urine volume may also increase frequency of urination, helping eliminate these substances before they can cause irritation.
- Promotion of a more dilute urine is recommended for the management of any FLUTD.
- A more dilute urine contains a lower concentration of substances that are irritating to the bladder lining. A higher urine volume may also increase frequency of urination, helping eliminate these substances before they can cause irritation.
- For cats with idiopathic cystitis or other FLUTDs, it may be helpful to increase water intake:
- Feed wet diets or add water to dry food.
- Provide different water sources (still water, moving water, e.g., a fountain) and use different containers (avoid plastic) in case the pet has an individual preference.
- Provide a specially-formulated, nutrient-enriched, flavored water supplement.
- Resources that reduce stress and associated risk factors for FLUTDs should be provided to cats with idiopathic cystitis, such as:
- Activity with toys and play sessions, including providing food in puzzle feeders, which can also help maintain ideal body condition and, possibly, decrease other risk factors.
- An adequate number of resources (e.g., food and water bowls, clean litter boxes, toys, space) in multi-pet households and easily accessible resources (e.g., a senior cat can comfortably climb into and out of the litter box).
- In cats, nutritional management of anxiety, as may be associated with stress, has been explored on a limited basis.
"Your cat has idiopathic cystitis, which means we have ruled out other types of lower urinary tract disease. Nutritional and environmental modifications to increase water intake, maintain ideal body condition, and reduce other risk factors, such as stress, may help reduce your cat’s clinical signs."
To Share With Pet Owner:
Nutrition and Urinary Tract Health in Cats
Feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTDs) have a multi-factorial etiology. Diet can play an important role as part of the overall management.
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Water is vital to health. How much water should pets drink, are there differences between cats and dogs, and how can pets be encouraged to drink?
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Evaluating Your Cat’s Body Condition
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Additional Resources
Sparkes, A. (2018). Understanding feline idiopathic cystitis. Vet Record, 182(17), 486. doi: 10.1136/vr.k1848
Hostutler, R. A., Chew, D. J., & DiBartola, S. P. (2005). Recent concepts in feline lower urinary tract disease. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 35(1), 147–170, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm/2004.08.006
Westropp, J. L., Delgado, M., & Buffington, C. A. T. (2019). Chronic lower urinary tract signs in cats: Current understanding of pathophysiology and management. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 49(2), 187–209. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2018.11.001