Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a collection of symptoms affecting a cat's bladder. Some, like stones and crystals, are very serious and can be life-threatening in male cats. Others, like cystitis, are uncomfortable and even painful. Signs of FLUTD are straining to urinate, urinating but producing very little or no urine, blood in the urine, crying out in the litter box and urinating outside the box, often on a soft surface or in a sink or bathtub. The main causes of FLUTD are stress and diet. Here are some suggestions for managing your cat's diet to avoid FLUTD or prevent it from recurring.
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Cats' bodies are designed to get most of the moisture they need from their food. An all-wet food diet prevents dehydration, helps keep the urine dilute and destroys the environment that encourages the formation of crystals and stones.
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The higher your cat's water consumption, the better. Most cats happily lap up food that's a bit soupy.
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Many veterinarians recommend prescription food for cats with FLUTD. While your cat may need the food for a short time to dissolve stones or crystals, it should not eat this food for life. Most prescription foods, both wet and dry, do not provide an adequate diet for cats.
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In the wild, cats eat about 15 small meals every day. So forcing a cat to eat on a human schedule can be very stressful for cats, and stress can cause FLUTD. You can free-feed canned food the same way you do dry, or set up timed feeders so your cat will find a small meal waiting every few hours.
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Encourage your cat to drink by providing filtered water, which tastes better than tap water; add a small amount of chicken broth to the water and place water bowls in several places throughout your house. Many cats prefer glass bowls to stainless steel or plastic. Fountains designed especially for pets also encourage cats to drink.
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Freeze-dried chicken or salmon treats, bonito flakes and deli turkey or chicken with no added flavorings or preservatives, are healthiest for your cat and the least likely to cause flare-ups of FLUTD.
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