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How to Keep Your Cat’s Urinary Tract in Tip-top Shape
How to Keep Your Cat’s Urinary Tract in Tip-top Shape

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How to Keep Your Cat’s Urinary Tract in Tip-top Shape

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Is your feline leaving puddles of urine in your bathtub or on your tile floors? Making lots (and lots) of trips to the litter box? Or crying out in pain when they pee?

 

Sounds like

tinkling trouble.

 

Urinary problems pester lots of grown-up cats, especially dudes, bro.

Your furry friend might have feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is just scientific jargon for a collection of painful conditions that can wreak havoc on your kitty’s bladder and/or urethra.

 

So, what common urinary tract conditions are we talking about, exactly?

Some of the most common FLUTD diseases include urinary tract infections, urinary stones caused by a buildup of minerals, obstructions within the urethra or an inflamed bladder.

 

 What causes FLUTD?

  • Not drinking enough water
  • Not urinating often enough
  • A urine pH level that’s too high
  • Too many minerals and not enough water in the urine
  • Being a male cat — because their urethras are longer and narrower
  • Stress or anxiety

 

Keep your

eyes peeled for

peeing problems ...

 

 How to check if your cat has a urinary tract infection (UTI) or other urinary health issue:

The American Veterinary Medical Association says to watch for these major signs:

 

  • Straining to go
  • Frequently urinating a little at a time
  • Prolonged attempts to go
  • Crying out while urinating
  • Excessively licking their genital area
  • Peeing outside the litter box
  • Passing blood in their urine

 

Get your cat back

on the right tract.

 

 How to treat

FLUTD:

Decide whether you need an immediate vet visit.

First things first, if your feline seems to be in a lot of pain or isn’t able to pee at all, get to the vet — stat!

Your cat might have a urethral obstruction, a life-threatening condition that your veterinarian must treat quickly!

Seriously, don’t dillydally.

 

 Next, try these tips to help get your cat’s system flowing again:

  • Feed smaller, more frequent meals.
  • Always provide your cat with clean, fresh water.
  • Encourage your feline to drink as much as possible to help keep mineral buildup at bay and flush your feline’s urinary system.

 

 Finally, don’t forget about litter boxes and S-T-R-E-S-S! 

  • Be sure you have the right number of litter boxes — usually one more box than the number of cats you have.
  • Place litter boxes in quiet parts of the house.
  • Always keep litter boxes clean — they should be scooped once or twice a day.
  • Maintain a steady routine and make your home as stress-free as possible. Consider how your own stress level, any visiting house guests and any other pets might be affecting your cat.

 

Take this old adage to heart:

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

 

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    How to Feed Multiple Cats with Differing Nutritional Needs mobile
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    How to Feed Multiple Cats with Differing Nutritional Needs

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    The only thing better than owning a cat is owning more than one cat. While a multiple-cat household means additional snuggles and cuddles, it can also mean a little extra work when it comes to mealtime. Fear not! We’ve assembled this tasty buffet of tips to help make sure all your feline companions get the proper amount of food and nutrition.

     

    Why Cats May Have Different Diets

    Similar to their humans, cats’ diets vary for a number of reasons. 

     

    • Kittens need bite-size meals that help build their growing muscles and immune systems. 
    • Some cats may need to take prescribed medication with food. 

     

    Now, how can you make sure each cat is eating the right food come suppertime?

     

    6 Tasty Tips for Feeding Cats Different Diets

     

    1. Take It Slow

    Make any changes to your cats’ diets gradually over the course of several days. This will help reduce stomach issues or requests to “speak with the manager.”

     

    schedule mealtimes

     

    2. Schedule Mealtimes

    Instead of setting up a 24-hour buffet, schedule regular times for dining. This helps ensure your cats are hungry when it’s time to eat and won’t steal from anyone else’s dish throughout the day.

    lunch monitor

     

    3. Be a Lunchroom Monitor

    The best way to prevent fights over food or other eating issues is to keep an eye on your cats when you feed them. You’ll be certain everyone is getting a proper meal, and you’ll get some extra time to hang out together.

    dining rooms

     

    4. Separate Dining Rooms

    Try feeding each cat in a different room, putting their food bowls far apart or separating eating spaces with a barrier like a baby gate, trash can or chair. 

    mealtime level

     

    5. Take Mealtime to a New Level

    Another option is to put one cat’s meal on the floor and the other’s on a countertop. This works well if one of your cats is older or heavier and can’t make the leap.

    patient positive

     

    6. Stay Patient and Positive

    Your furry friends might not take to these changes immediately, but kind words, your ongoing affection and judicious use of treats will go a long way toward having them accept a new mealtime routine.

     

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