Feline Cystitis Diet
Feline cystitis is a medical condition that causes an inflammation of the urinary bladder, resulting in painful urination for cats. A cat's diet impacts the development, treatment and prevention of feline cystitis. Cats form crystals in their bladder that may be broken up through changes in their diets. For cats with severe symptoms, surgery and medicine may be required to solve the problem. The specific cause of cystitis is unknown, though research suggests a herpes-like virus may be a contributing factor, according to Pawprints and Purrs.
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Symptoms of Feline Cystitis
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Cat owners should be aware of several symptoms that may point to a cystitis infection. According to the Home Vet website, common symptoms of feline cystitis include blood in the urine and painful urination. Pet Place warns that cats exhibiting increased urination, meowing while urinating, increased grooming of genital region and urinating outside of the litter box may have feline cystitis.
Causes and Dietary Influences
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While the causes of feline cystitis are not completely clear, a poor diet may contribute to the development of cystitis symptoms. According to the Pet Place website, cats fed a dry food with a high mineral content may be more likely to develop feline cystitis than cats not on this type of diet. Other common factors include a cat's long-haired coat, stress, indoor confinement, and viruses.
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Dietary Treatment
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A proper diet may help treat the bladder crystals associated with a feline cystitis diagnosis. According to the Home Vet website, lowering the mineral content in a cat's diet may help break down crystals. The site recommends switching cats from dry food to canned food and mixing water into the canned food. For picky cats who will not take to a canned food diet, add bouillon, juice from tuna or clam juice to dry food to help increase a cat's water intake.
Water
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Keep ample fresh water on hand so that a cat always has access to drinking water, advises the Pet Place website. In addition to helping break down bladder crystals, a high fluid intake will help prevent cats from developing feline cystitis or have recurring symptoms.
Dietary Prevention
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A canned food diet also is helpful in preventing recurring feline cystitis symptoms. The Home Vet encourages cat owners to seek a veterinarian recommendation for canned foods that promote a highly acidic urine pH. These foods help break down bladder crystals and may help prevent cats from contracting the problem again.
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References
- Photo Credit white angora cat eating from food bowl image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com
