Causes and Treatment of Cystitis in Cats
📝 Summary
Feline cystitis is either bacterial — infection reaching the bladder through the urethra or kidneys — or idiopathic, with no infection involved. Treatment starts with making sure the cat can urinate (unblocking if needed) and calming inflammation with medication, while prevention rests on low stress, plenty of fresh water, and a clean litter box.
1 Causes of Cystitis
Cystitis comes in two forms: bacterial and idiopathic. Bacterial cystitis is when bacteria travel up the urethra or down from the kidneys to infect the bladder lining and cause inflammation. Idiopathic cystitis is inflammation with no bacterial cause, triggered by other factors instead.
2 Treatment
The first step is symptomatic: above all, make sure the cat can pass urine. If it cannot at all, that is an emergency — the blockage must be relieved, whether by manual assistance, a catheter, or bladder tapping. If the cat is not blocked but does have cystitis, medication is usually given to reduce urinary inflammation, pain, stress, and spasm so it can urinate. When crystals, stones, or bacteria are present in the urine, a special diet, antibiotics, or other therapy may be needed.
3 Prevention
Keep stress low: avoid rearranging the home or frequently adding new pets, give the cat scratching posts and toys, and spend time playing with it.
Set out several water bowls, change the water often, and consider a pet fountain or syringe feeding. More water dilutes the urine and cuts the sediment that can block the urethra.
Keep the litter box clean and dry, and place it somewhere quiet so the cat is not disturbed while using it.
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