Cat Cystitis (FIC): Symptoms and Treatment

1 Symptoms

Cystitis is common and very uncomfortable; cats hide pain well, so watch closely. Signs include straining to pass urine (sometimes crying), more frequent urination (pollakiuria), urinating in odd spots outside the box (often from pain), over-grooming the genitals and lower belly (causing hair loss), behavior changes like hiding or aggression when handled, and blood in the urine (clots or pink tint). The inability to urinate is seen mainly in males.

2 What Causes It

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC): the common urinary problem with no identifiable cause, often triggered by a change in environment — cats are sensitive and even small changes cause stress that shows up in the urinary tract.

Urinary stones: usually struvite or calcium oxalate; some resolve with prescription food and more water, others need surgery.

Urinary infection: usually bacterial (sometimes fungal); a urine culture and sensitivity test picks the right antibiotic.

Other causes: heat, endocrine disease, or a urethral tumor.

3 Watch for Urinary Blockage

Common in male cats. If your cat strains with little or no urine, it may be blocked and needs the vet at once — blockage is the most serious lower-urinary condition and can be fatal.

4 Prevention

Manage mood — cats are sensitive, so keep them relaxed; catnip or silver vine can help during stressful changes. Encourage drinking with clean water, several bowl materials, a fountain for cats that like running water, or moisture-rich food like canned food. A urinary prescription diet helps control urine pH and the ions that form crystals. Track urine output and see a vet for frequent but fruitless trips; follow up with ultrasound and urinalysis, and use a bladder-mucosa repair drug if needed. Most cats with cystitis improve markedly once water intake rises and the environment is enriched against boredom and stress.