Avoiding Stress-Mas and New Year

There are so many tips and articles out there to help you keep your cats Christmas as stress free and safe as possible BUT do you know the signs to look out for in your cats to see if they are stressed?

This year we have had more than a handful of clients tell us their beloved feline friends show signs of upset, stress and anxiety when they are preparing to go away and this comes out in the form of cystitis - YES cats get that too and unfortunately we have seen a few with pink urine and spots of blood. Obviously by this point the infection has taken hold, but other than looking at their trays and toileting habits, there was honestly no other way for us to tell the poor loves were anxious, as all their other behaviours were as expected in each case. Curious, but cautious with our sitters, still eating well and pooping as usual. Still greeting us on arrival and still enjoying treats and often cuddles and playtime too!

The good news is cystitis in cats IS preventable and is IS treatable.

For our last guest blog of the year, the wonderful LISA SINNOT has shared some very helpful insights regarding cystitis in cats, and we hope it brings you some awareness to help you avoid a stress-mas for your kitty cats.

Cystitis in cats can feel stressful and overwhelming for everyone involved. It involves inflammation of the bladder.  Cats are a prey and predator species meaning that it is not ideal for them to look vulnerable. With this in mind, here are some considerations regarding cystitis.

Signs  to look out for

Signs around the litter tray (or outside it can include) Small amounts of urine, straining in the tray or elsewhere or blood in the urine. You could notice that your cat is scooting the floor, overgrooming the stomach area and licking of the perianal area. In terms of trays, uncovered trays (or clear trays with a hood) can help you spot signs easily and if you have more than one cat avoid ambushing. Though I have not used in Itersand offer a cat litter called Intersand plus can spot changes in the urine.

Capturing urine

A vet can test urine to help diagnose cystitis. They can extract urine directly (this is a process called cystocentesis where they place a very thin needle through the bladder (this means that the urine is not contaminated with anything else). Speaking to your vet about options is best, here are some other options that can be suitable in some cases, Katkor can be helpful in capturing urine, also marine gravel (what is found in fish tanks) can be used to catch urine (the urine drains through it so no clumps) .

Enriching their life

Unfortunately cystitis can sometimes return. Here are some ways you can add more wonderment to your cats life:

• Puzzle feeders can stimulate cats and bust boredom (introduce them slowly and make sure they are very full to start off with. 

• Cat trees or cat shelves (increasing vertical space) can help reduce stress.

• Tunnels and hiding spaces can help a cat regulate stress.

• A long piece of string with a hairband on the end can be really popular with cats and encourage them to play.

  A top tip is to finish off a play session with a little bit of their daily allowance of food to complete the play sequence and reduce frustration.

A home audit to reduce stress

• Ensure all litter trays and bowls are away from windows so neighbouring cats cannot look in. Also make sure that these are located away from shelves ( so if a cat is resting they don’t jump down when a cat is eating or toileting.

• Feed cats in separate locations (not directly next to each other as cats are a solitary species and eat alone). A microchip activated cat flap can avoid unwanted visitors (other cats! from visiting).

• An upturned cardboard box can help regulate stress.

Increasing water

• Tuna juice in water (not brine) added to water can help increase water intake.

• Ceramic water bowls that are raised and separate from food to avoid smells can help. Ceramic water fountains can encourage drinking too (sometimes plastic can retain smells).

• Where suitable, a wet food diet can increase water intake.

References Caney and Gunn Moore, (2014) “Caring for a cat with lower urinary tract disease”, A Cat Professional Publication. Gunn-Moore, C.M. Shenoy (2004), Oral glucosamine and the management of feline idiopathic cystitis, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2004) 6, 219e225 Hatala P, Sebők C, Mackei M, Kárpáti K, Gálfi P, Neogrády Z and Mátis G (2023) Molecular effects of intermittent stress on primary feline uroepithelial cell culture as an in vitro model of feline idiopathic cystitis. Front. Vet. Sci. 10:1258375.

This document cannot comment on an individual situation. It is not a substitute of advice from your vet.

Lisa Sinnott : She/her

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Professional Development Programme in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Canine Coaching Diploma

Candidate Member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC)

Provisional Member of Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC)

You can read more from Lisa here: St Claws Academy or check her podcast the Contented Catcast.