Have you ever wondered how your cat would tell you that she was suffering from a feline urinary tract infection? There are 5 messages from your cat telling you she has this problem and best of all, there are some things you can do to help prevent them. First, let’s dispel the tendency to think that a feline urinary tract infection is simply a ‘female problem.’ Just like in the human world, both female and male cats can suffer from a feline urinary tract infection. Second, there are more instances of this condition in older animals, but don’t overlook these symptoms in younger cats. Third, just like humans, the problem doesn’t go away simply because you ignore the symptoms.
Your cat’s urinary tract infection is likely to be related to her physiology, but it presents itself as a behavioral problem in your cat. Your cat experiences extreme pain as she strains to urinate. At the same time, she fears the consequences of elimination – a burning sensation and itching – just like humans experience. Since your cat fears pain, she changes her behavior. This often means she changes her potty behavior.
5 Indications of Feline Urinary Tract Infection
- Prolonged licking in the genital area.
- Urinating outside of the litter box.
- Biting or nibbling at the tail or rear-end.
- Fidgety and spastic episodes #5.
- Withdrawn or ‘turned inward’ behavior.
If your notice your cat is licking her genital area a lot more than normal, she is sending you a message. If you discover that your cat has urinated on the kitchen tile, basement floor or even in the bathtub – these are messages which aren’t hard to spot. Also take note of any trace blood in the urine. Wherever she may potty, don’t scold her, but recognize that these are clues she’s leaving indicating a possible cat urinary tract infection. This way you reduce chances that she suffers longer than necessary. Consult a veterinarian if you think your cat has this problem.
Ways to Help Prevent Feline Urinary Tract Infections
You can also do some simple things to help prevent a urinary tract infection in our cat.
- Increase your cat’s water consumption. Make sure their water bowl is clean and always filled with fresh water. You can also encourage your cat to drink more by setting up multiple water bowls around the house, ensuring all water bowls are wide and not too narrow, adding a small amount of chicken broth to the water or purchasing a cat drinking fountain.
- Place litter boxes in quiet areas of the house where your cat feels comfortable.
- Keep litter boxes clean. Be sure to scoop them twice a day and change the litter at least once a week.
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