Feline Bladder Infection 101

Has your cat ever been blindsided by a feline bladder infection?  Don't let this happen to your kitty.  This article will cover the basics of bladder infection in cats.

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

The bladder is a sterile environment that normally doesn't contain any bacteria.  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 Cat Urinary Problems

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.  A cat that eats only dry food is more prone 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.  You may want to give him filtered water to be sure he's not being exposed to any contaminants in his water.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Prevent Cat Bladder Infection

People have been using herbal and homeopathic remedies for bladder problems for centuries.  Now many cat owners are wondering if these remedies are available for cats. 

The answer is yes.  You'll want to look for a remedy that has been specially formulated for pets.  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.  You won't use it for long if you have to force your cat to take a pill every day. 

Now it's time for you to put these tips into action so your cat won't suffer from feline bladder infection.