Have you ever seen your beloved cat often going back and forth? litter box? Or does he seem to be in pain when trying to urinate? This could be a sign that your cat is experiencing a urinary tract disorder or disease. pet owner Surely you have often heard about this disease, but why does it continue to occur and recur?
The Beginning of Urinary Tract Disorders
Urinary tract disorders are common in cats, especially male cats. This is because male cats have longer and narrower urinary tracts than female cats. So why do these urinary tract disorders occur in cats?
Several factors can cause urinary tract problems in cats. However, the most significant factor is the cat's lifestyle, including how you care for it. Here are some of these factors:
1. Drink Less
You may have heard that cats don't like drinking water. While that's true, cats still need adequate fluids. A cat that doesn't drink enough water will cause its urine to become more concentrated, making it easier for crystals and even stones to form in the urinary tract.
2. Stres
Cats are sensitive to change, making them more susceptible to stress. Stressful changes can include a new environment, moving house, a change in routine, or the arrival of a new pet. The stress a cat experiences triggers a reaction in the body. This can lead to a thinning of the bladder's protective barrier, allowing acidic urine to directly irritate and inflame the bladder wall.
3. Feed
Nowadays, pet cats are more often given dry food/dry food. Dry food has a low water content so if a cat is given dry food and does not drink enough water, it will be more susceptible to urinary tract disorders. In addition, factors in the content of dry food can also have an effect. If the mineral content in dry food is not balanced, it can increase the risk of crystal formation in the urinary tract.
Once you know the factors that cause cats to experience urinary tract disorders, it will be easier to anticipate them.
Behaviors That Reduce Urinary Tract Disorders
Urinary tract disorders can certainly be prevented by adopting a healthy cat lifestyle. Therefore, pet owner plays an important role in preventing your beloved cat from developing urinary tract problems. Here are some things you can do as a pet owner:
- Now that you know how important water is to cats, ensure they're getting enough. Always provide clean, fresh drinking water in areas of your home where your cat frequently passes. Water fountain with running water can also be used to attract cats to drink.
- Combine wet feed/wet food For cats, provide additional fluids from wet food with a high water content. Also, pay attention to the ingredients in the food. If your cat has had repeated urinary tract problems, it's best to provide food formulated specifically for the urinary tract.
- Fulfill your cat's needs and understand them better to avoid stress. Provide a comfortable home, with hiding places, and a play area.exercise, and of course, make time to play with your cat. Also, avoid sudden changes in routine.
- Prepare a sandbox/litter box at several points in the place. Ideally there are litter box more in your house, if there are 2 cats then prepare 3 litter box and place it in a quiet place. Cleanliness litter box must always be considered.
Urinary tract disorders can occur at any time and are a serious health problem in cats. However, they can be prevented by understanding the causes and how to address them.
