How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections in Cats

Fresh water helps prevent feline urinary tract infections.

If your cat gets a urinary tract infection, or UTI, it can experience extreme discomfort or pain. Additionally, your cat can associate the litterbox with pain and stop using it. And although urinary tract infections are common in cats, they are preventable. According to Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, a contributor to catinfo.org, there are simple measures you can take to greatly reduce your cat's chances of ever developing a urinary tract infection.

Things You'll Need

• Canned cat food
• 1 litterbox per household cat, plus 1 additional litterbox
• Scratching post
• Cat toys
• Veterinarian

Instructions

1. Provide your cat with fresh, clean water to encourage him to drink. Water removes bacteria and other infection-causing organisms from your cat's urethra and bladder.

2. Feed your cat wet food, such as canned cat food, to increase its moisture intake. Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, of catinfo.com stresses the importance of maximizing your cat's water intake and states that cats on a wet-food-only diet take in at least double the amount of water as cats on a dry-food-only diet.

3. Give your cat small meals throughout the day. Whether you feed your cat wet food, dry food or both, the veterinary experts at vetinfo4cats.com recommend following an age-appropriate, balanced diet to ensure he gets the right nutrients.

4. Clean your cat's litterbox every day to encourage regular urination. If your cat finds the litterbox too dirty, he may hold his urine, causing bacteria to multiply in the bladder or urethra. The Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine recommends providing one litter box per cat in your household, plus one additional litterbox. Make sure your cat can easily access its litterbox.

5. Reduce your cat's stress to keep its immune system strong, as stress is a cause of feline urinary tract infections. Avoid major changes to your cat's routine. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine recommends you provide your cat with scratching posts and toys, which relieve stress by allowing your cat to hunt and chase.

6. Bring your cat to a veterinarian for an annual check-up to head off potential urinary tract problems.

Tips & Warnings

• If your cat is prone to frequent urinary tract infections, vetinfo4cats.com recommends that you regularly give it medicines such as potassium citrate granules, Cranberry Relief, UT soft chews for cats or Methigel Urinary Acidifier. These medications prevent kidney stones by maintaining the proper pH balance in your cat's urine. Check with your veterinarian before giving your cat these medicines.

• Call your veterinarian right away if your cat is distressed, crying in pain or straining to urinate, as he might have a urethral obstruction, a serious problem that requires immediate treatment, according to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

References

• Vetinfo: Tips for Cat Urinary Tract Infection Prevention
• Catinfo.org: Feline Urinary Tract Health
• Vetinfo: Treating Feline UTI (Urinary Tract Disease) With Antibiotics
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Resources

• The Humane Society of the United States: Solving Litter Box Problems