Urinary Tract

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) and Blood in Cat Urine

One of the biggest health concerns amongst cat owners is the urinary tract health of their cat, known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) that affects the bladder and urethra of cats. This is a serious condition, which if left untreated can result in illness and sometimes death.
Often there is not one single reason why a cat will develop FLUTD, as it’s often a combination of many factors that will culminate in this disease. While FLUTD can occur at any age, it is most commonly seen in middle-aged cats. Other factors can include obesity, stress of any kind, too much acidity or alkalinity of the urine, dehydration or a diet high in magnesium or other minerals.

In some cases, the cause is never discovered. However there are many warning signs to watch out for which may include:

• Prolonged squatting or straining in or out of the litter box (some owners may confuse this with signs of constipation)
• Frequent urination or straining and only producing a small amount
• Pain while urinating (meowing or howling)
• Urinating outside of the litter box
• Blood in the urine
• Frequent licking of the genital area
• Vomiting
• Depression

Additionally, diet can be a contributing factor in FLUTD cases, with research showing that feeding your cat a specifically formulated diet can help to maintain urinary tract health.

PURINA ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula has been developed by Veterinarians and Nutritionists to help maintain urinary tract health by reducing urinary pH and providing low magnesium.

And don’t forget, hydration is really important for cats with FLUTD so ensure plenty of fresh water is available at all times.