Feline Bladder Infection Basics

Has your pet ever been blindsided by a feline bladder infection?  Don’t let this happen to your kitty.This article will answer your questions about cat bladder infection.

Your Cat’s Urinary Tract

The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.  The kidneys are constantly filtering waste products out of your cat’s blood.  These waste products are carried out of the kidneys into the bladder by the ureters, tubes that run between your cat’s kidneys and his bladder.

The bladder is a muscular little bag that holds the urine until it leaves the body.  The urine passes out of the body through the urethra.

This system usually works with no problems, but sometimes trouble arises in the form of a bladder infection.

Cat Bladder Infection Symptoms

Bacteria aren’t normally found in the bladder because it’s a sterile environment.  However, if bacteria find a way in, they can cause a bladder infection in your cat.
Symptoms of a feline bladder infection include:

• Urinating outside the litter box
• Straining to urinate or having trouble passing urine
• Crying out in pain when trying to urinate
• Bloody urine
• Drinking a lot of water

Inflammation in the bladder is what causes these symptoms, not the infection itself.  It’s possible for a cat to have a bladder infection without showing inflammation, especially if your cat is being treated with an anti-inflammatory medication like cortisone.

Be aware that if your cat can’t urinate at all, this is a blockage, which is a veterinary emergency.  Get your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

How Your Vet Treats Cat Bladder Infection

Your vet will probably prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection.  Tests ordered may include a urinalysis to check for white blood cells and crystals in the urine, and a urine culture to identify which bacteria is causing the problem.  The results of the urine culture can help determine which is the best antibiotic to use.

Tips For Preventing Feline Bladder Infection

There are several ways to prevent your cat from getting a bladder infection in the first place.

First, try to feed your cat canned food.If your cat eats only dry food, he may be more susceptible to a bladder infection.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, and moisture levels are much too low in dry cat food.

Second, your cat must have access to lots of pure, clean water at all times.Cats are more susceptible to contaminants in their drinking water, so giving him filtered water to drink is a good idea.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Prevent Cat Bladder Infection

People have been using herbal and homeopathic remedies for bladder problems for centuries.The question many cat owners want answered is, “Are these remedies available for cats?”.

The answer is yes.Find a remedy that has been produced especially for companion animals, not humans.  The remedy should include the herbs uva ursi and barberry, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagris.  These ingredients have a proven track record for treating bladder problems.

You’ll also want to find a remedy that’s safe enough to give your cat every day to prevent cat urinary problems.  It needs to be easy to administer, too.If you have to fight your cat every day to get a pill into him, you won’t use the remedy for long.  Be sure you purchase your remedies only from a company with a good reputation that stands behind its products.

Now it’s time for you to put these tips into action so your cat won’t suffer from cat bladder infection.  Click on any link in this article to learn how to help your furry friend.