Tips To Help Prevent Your Kitty From A Deadly Urinary Blockage.
The most common sign your cat has a urinary blockage is going to the litter box to urinate and having nothing come out. Your cat may also seem uncomfortable or yowl when trying to urinate. Neutered male cats are especially prone to urinary blockage because they have narrower urethras that can block the flow of urine. A male cat's urethra can also become blocked by small urinary stones or crystals formed from minerals in the urine. Additional causes of urinary blockage can be feeding foods high in magnesium and phosphorus or the presence of an underlying condition called feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC).
Unfortunately, once a male cat has a urinary blockage, there's a higher risk of it happening again. At the first sign of urinary issues, you should have a conversation with your vet about selecting proper nutrition to better support your cat's urinary health to reduce the risk of recurring issues. In highly recurrent cases it's also possible for your vet to suggest a cat Urethrostomy (P.U) a surgery that creates an opening in the urethra above the blockage to allow for normal urine drainage.
Water consumption is an important part of flushing debris from your cat's system and preventing blockage; to increase water consumption, ask your vet about offering them water from a drinking fountain instead of a bowl, flavoring a second water bowl with some tuna juice, and switching them to canned food if they currently eat dry food.
Nutrition can also play an important role in preventing blockage. If your cat already experiences urinary health issues, your veterinarian may recommend a therapeutic cat food to help dissolve crystals, make it less likely they form new ones and maintain a healthy urine pH that contributes to overall urinary health. This food is only available through your veterinarian and should be fed under the supervision of a vet; ask your vet if a Prescription Diet cat food might be right for your cat.
Weight is another factor that can increase your kittyβs risk of Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) which affects the bladder and urethra. FLUTD is more common in overweight, middle-aged cats that don't get much exercise or go outside. Other risk factors include stress, like moving to a new home or living with other cats.
Obese cats may have trouble reaching their back end to clean themselves, which can lead to fecal bacteria contaminating the urogenital area and causing Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Obese cats can also develop type II diabetes, which can cause blood sugar to leak into the urine and create an environment for bacteria.
To help with urinary tract health, you can try:
Increasing your cat's water intake
Feeding your cat a wet diet
Feeding your cat a diet low in magnesium and phosphorous, under your vet's guidance
Making sure your cat has a litter box
Providing your cat with a place to scratch, rest, and perch
Providing your cat with toys to encourage activity