Cystitis means inflammation of the bladder. In cats, it’s part of a group of conditions vets call feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). It’s painful and common, especially in young and middle-aged cats, and in male cats it can lead to a life-threatening blockage. Here’s what you need to know.
Emergency: a cat, especially a male cat, that strains in the litter box and passes little or no urine may have a blocked urethra. This is life-threatening within hours to a day or two. Go to a vet immediately, day or night.
Signs of Cystitis
- straining to pee;
- going to the litter box often and passing only small amounts;
- crying or showing pain while peeing;
- blood in the urine (read more about blood in cat urine);
- peeing outside the litter box, often on cool surfaces such as baths, sinks, tiles or laundry;
- licking the genital area a lot;
- irritability or hiding.
What Causes Cystitis?
- Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the most common cause. “Idiopathic” means there’s no single clear cause, but stress plays a major role, along with low water intake, being overweight and being inactive.
- Urinary crystals and bladder stones, which irritate the bladder and can block the urethra in male cats.
- Urinary tract infections, which are less common in young cats but more common in older cats and cats with diabetes or kidney disease.
- Urethral plugs, made of crystals, cells and mucus, which can block the urethra in males.
- Less commonly, injuries, anatomical problems or tumors.
Cats most at risk include indoor cats, overweight and inactive cats, cats that eat mostly dry food and drink little, cats in multi-cat homes and cats under stress, for example after a move or a new pet.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Because the signs of cystitis, crystals, stones, infection and blockage look similar, your vet needs to examine your cat and usually test a urine sample. They may also recommend X-rays, an ultrasound or blood tests.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include:
- pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication;
- a prescription urinary diet to dissolve certain crystals or stones and prevent them from coming back;
- antibiotics, but only if a bacterial infection is confirmed: most cases of cystitis in young cats aren’t caused by bacteria;
- increasing water intake;
- reducing stress;
- for blocked cats, emergency treatment under anesthesia to unblock the urethra, followed by hospital care.
Don’t try to treat cystitis at home with herbal remedies, cranberry products, human medicines or by waiting to see if it passes. Only a vet can tell whether your cat has a simple inflammation or a dangerous blockage or stone. Never give human painkillers: many are toxic to cats.
How to Help Prevent Cystitis
Cystitis often comes back, so prevention is important:
- Increase water intake. Feed wet food, offer several wide water bowls in different places, try a cat water fountain and add a little water to wet food if your vet agrees.
- Feed the diet your vet recommends, especially if your cat has had crystals or stones.
- Provide enough clean litter boxes: one per cat, plus one extra, in quiet, easy-to-reach places, scooped at least once a day.
- Reduce stress. Keep a regular routine, give your cat hiding places and high perches, play with it every day, give each cat in a multi-cat home its own resources and consider a synthetic pheromone diffuser. Read more: how to calm a stressed cat.
- Keep your cat at a healthy weight and active. Read more about obesity in cats.
If your cat has had cystitis before, watch closely for any return of symptoms, and contact your vet early.
