What Causes UTIs in Cats

What are the Common Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in Cats?

1. Frequent trips to the litter tray but little or no urination: the cat may make frequent attempts to urinate but only a small amount of urine, or even no urine, is released. 

2. Licking the urethral opening: the cat may lick its urethral opening frequently, which is a discomfort caused by infection. 

3. Difficulty in defecation: Cats may not defecate or urinate for a few days, or have low urine output and difficulty in urinating, which may sometimes be accompanied by symptoms such as urine leakage or dribbling. 

4. Frequent urination accompanied by urgency: the cat may show frequent but low urine output, sometimes even leaking only a few drops of urine when trying to urinate. 

5. Change in urine colour: the cat's urine may become orange or reddish, which may be a sign of haematuria. 

6. Parasitic infections: although relatively rare, certain parasites may also cause urinary tract infections. 

If your cat is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian immediately for examination and treatment. Urinary tract infections can lead to more serious health problems if left untreated.

Treatment of Urinary lnfection

Frequent urination; dysuria; hematuria; urodynia

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Complications of Urinary Tract Infections in Cats

1. Urinary Obstruction: Urinary tract infections may lead to obstruction of the urethra and the cat's inability to urinate; this is an emergency situation that requires immediate medical intervention or it may lead to kidney damage or even death. 
2. Glomerulonephritis: urinary tract infections may travel up to the kidneys and cause glomerulonephritis, a condition that affects the filtration function of the kidneys. 
3. Bladder stones: Infections may lead to the deposition of minerals to form stones. These stones may block the urethra, causing pain and further infection. 
4. Chronic kidney disease: Long-term urinary tract infections and related complications may impair kidney function and lead to the development of chronic kidney disease. 
5. Haematuria: Urinary tract infections are usually accompanied by blood mixed into the urine, due to damage to blood vessels as a result of inflammation caused by the infection. 
6. Behavioural changes: Due to pain and discomfort, cats may exhibit behavioural changes such as anxiety, aggression or hiding. 
7. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: Due to difficulty urinating, cats may develop dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which will need to be corrected with intravenous fluids.

What Causes UTIs in Cats？

Common Causes of Urinary Tract Infections in Cats

• Bacterial infection

This is the most direct cause of urinary tract infections and is usually caused by bacteria such as E. coli, which enter the bladder through the urethra and multiply. 

Also Read: Understanding and Managing Bacterial Infections in Cats

• Anatomical structure characteristics

Male cats have a long and narrow urethra, which may increase the risk of urinary tract infections. 

• Insufficient water intake

Cats that do not drink water have a high concentration of urine, which is prone to the formation of crystals. These crystals can act as a substrate for bacterial growth, which can lead to infection. 

• Heat cycle

Cats that are frequently in heat may be more prone to urinary tract infections. 

• Cat food and litter ingredients

Unreasonable cat food and litter ingredients may affect your cat's urinary health and increase the risk of urinary tract infections. 

• Stress reaction

Cats that are stressed and have sensitive personalities may be more prone to urinary tract infections. 

• Obesity

Obesity is also a risk factor for urinary tract infections in cats. 

Related: Overweight Cat: A Guide to Safe and Manage Cat Obesity

• Age factor

Older cats over 10 years of age are prone to urinary tract infections. 

Understanding these causes helps to take appropriate preventive measures, such as ensuring adequate fresh water intake, maintaining appropriate body weight, managing the cat's stress level, and choosing the right cat food and cat litter. If your cat develops symptoms such as frequent urination, urinary urgency and haematuria, you should take it to the doctor for examination and treatment.

How to Treat Your Cat After a Urinary Tract Infection?

• Antibiotic treatment

Your vet will choose the appropriate antibiotic based on the results of the urine culture and sensitivity test. 

• Pain Management

If your cat exhibits signs of pain, your veterinarian may prescribe pain medication to alleviate the discomfort. 

• Fluid Therapy

In some cases, cats may require fluids to maintain fluid balance, help flush the urinary system, and facilitate absorption of medications. 

• Dietary Adjustments

Your veterinarian may recommend the use of a prescription urinary food, which helps maintain the acid-base balance of the urine and reduces the risk of stone formation. 

• Environmental and behavioural management

Reduce your cat's stress by providing a quiet and comfortable environment, encouraging your cat to drink plenty of water and cleaning the litter tray regularly. 

• Monitoring and follow-up

During treatment, cat owners need to closely monitor their cat's symptoms and complete the entire course of treatment as instructed by the veterinarian. After treatment, a urine sample may need to be reviewed to ensure the infection has been cleared. 

Please follow your veterinarian's professional instructions for treatment and maintain communication with your veterinarian during the course of treatment so that the treatment plan can be adjusted in a timely manner.

How to Adjust Diet After Urinary Tract Infection in Cats?

It is very important to adjust your cat's diet after a urinary tract infection, as the diet is directly related to the speed of recovery and the likelihood of preventing the recurrence of urinary tract infection. Here are some specific dietary adjustment suggestions.

Choosing a urinary tract prescription food

Prescription urinary tract foods often contain formulas that control magnesium levels, as high magnesium levels may increase the risk of stone formation. In addition, this type of cat food may also contain ingredients that increase urine production and help flush the urinary tract. 

Provide high-quality protein

Choose a cat food that contains high-quality protein, which helps maintain your cat's muscle tissue and immune system function. 

Avoid certain foods

Reduce or avoid giving your cat foods that may irritate the urinary tract, such as spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol. Avoid feeding your cat a diet high in protein, magnesium and phosphorus mainly for the sake of its kidney health. A cat's kidney function is closely linked to its diet, and an improper diet may increase the risk of kidney disease.

1.Potential Problems with High Protein Foods
High-protein foods are an essential part of a cat's diet though, as they are carnivores and need protein to maintain muscle mass and other physiological functions. However, excessive protein intake can increase the workload of the kidneys, especially if your cat already has kidney problems, and a high protein diet may accelerate the progression of kidney disease. 

2.Effects of high magnesium foods
Magnesium is one of the essential minerals in your cat's body, but excessive magnesium intake can interfere with the normal functioning of the kidneys and may lead to kidney stones and other urinary problems. This is because the kidneys are responsible for eliminating excess magnesium, and excess magnesium increases the filtering pressure on the kidneys. 

3.Risks of high-phosphorus foods
Phosphorus is another mineral that is vital to your cat's kidney health. However, a diet high in phosphorus may lead to elevated levels of phosphorus in the blood, which is particularly detrimental in cats with reduced kidney function, as the kidneys are no longer able to excrete phosphorus efficiently, which may lead to abnormal phosphorus concentrations in the blood, affecting the metabolism of calcium, and further damaging bone and cardiovascular health. 

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Vitamin C and other antioxidants can help boost your cat's immune system and prevent bacterial reinfection. 

Monitor urine pH

Certain prescription urinary tract foods can help regulate the pH of the urine, which is important for preventing specific types of stone formation. 

Regularly assess the effectiveness of the diet

Work with your veterinarian to regularly assess the effectiveness of your cat's diet and adjust it accordingly. 

Increase water intake

• Provide a running water source: cats tend to prefer drinking from a running tap or fountain type waterer, which may motivate them to drink more.
• Increase the proportion of wet food: wet cat food is high in water and cats are able to consume more water when eating wet food compared to dry cat food.
• Encourage water intake: You can try adding some water to cat food or offering foods with high water content, such as cooked meats and vegetables, to increase your cat's water intake.
• Keep water sources clean: make sure your cat's water bowl is always clean and fresh to entice them to drink more.
• Monitor water intake: closely monitor your cat's water intake and adjust your strategy according to your vet's recommendations.
• Use water-enticing products: There are water-enticing products on the market designed to increase your cat's water intake.

Keep in mind that your veterinarian's guidance should always be followed when adjusting your cat's diet to ensure that your cat receives proper nutritional support while promoting urinary tract health.

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