Dealing with Cat's Accidental Urination at Home: Soluti

For new cat parents, the mysterious behaviors of their feline companions can be quite perplexing, often leaving the cat guardians scratching their heads in confusion.

But hold on! When such situations arise, it's crucial for cat owners to take notice!

Your cat might be suffering from urinary obstruction!

What exactly is urinary obstruction? It refers to a condition where the urethra "closes" and there is no urine excretion. It is defined as the complete inhibition of urine excretion from the kidneys.

In healthy cats, the urine production rate is typically 12 mg/kg/hr.

If the urine output is less than 1 mg/kg/hr, it is medically termed oliguria; if there is no urine output at all, it is diagnosed as urinary obstruction.

Here are the main causes of urinary obstruction:

Urethral stones, bladder stones, and lower urinary tract syndrome

Urethral and Bladder Stones

In some cases, diet may contribute to the formation of stones, such as the presence of materials that can form stones in the urine, such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphates.

For example, a urine pH that is acidic is more likely to form calcium oxalate stones; conversely, a urine pH that is alkaline is more likely to form struvite stones.

Lower Urinary Tract Syndrome

1. Cystitis

Mostly, cystitis in cats is caused by bacterial infections within the bladder.

While female cats may be more prone to bacterial infections due to their shorter and wider urethra, which allows for easier passage of small stones, they are still more susceptible to cystitis compared to male cats.

2. Urethral Obstruction

Bladder inflammation can lead to the shedding of bladder tissue, which can then block the urethra, forming "urethral plugs." If these plugs completely block the urethra for more than 12 days, it can lead to acute renal failure and even death in cats.

Therefore, urethral obstruction is a severe emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

3. Spontaneous Cystitis

Research has shown that approximately 50%60% of clinical cases involving hematuria, frequent urination, and difficulty urinating are attributed to spontaneous cystitis.

While the exact cause is unknown, some researchers suggest that stress, bladder epithelial abnormalities, viral infections, and stress may contribute to the development of spontaneous cystitis.

However, as long as it does not cause urethral obstruction, it is generally not lifethreatening and can resolve on its own within 714 days.

Here's something important to note:

If your cat exhibits severe signs of urinary obstruction, even complete obstruction, it is essential to seek veterinary care for catheterization immediately. Delaying treatment can be dangerous!

Cats with urinary obstruction for more than 24 hours can suffer from acute renal failure, which is lifethreatening!

How to prevent it?

1. Increase your cat's water intake

Cats that don't like to drink water can be encouraged to consume more wet food and canned food;

2. Reduce snacks that may contribute to stone formation

For example, dried fish snacks, which contain high levels of minerals and can contribute to the formation of urinary stones if fed regularly;

3. Keep the litter box clean

Cats are very sensitive to their bathroom environment. If your cat refuses to use the litter box and holds its urine, it may lead to bladder inflammation;

4. Minimize stress

According to your cat's personality, try to reduce its exposure to stressors.