How to Keep Your Cat’s Urinary Tract in Tip-top Shape

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UTI in Cats: Symptoms, Causes, Home Remedies & More

What is UTI in Cats?

UTI, also known as Urinary Tract Infections, are any infection in the urinary system. Such infections are not common in cats. In fact, not every cat with UTI symptoms has a urinary tract infection. According to NCBI, only one to two percent of cats suffer from urinary tract infections. However, UTIs resemble several other feline diseases; hence, it is imperative to visit a vet for further diagnosis.

Symptoms of UTI in Cats

Since Urinary Tract Infections can cause severe pain and discomfort, every cat parent must learn about cat UTI symptoms. Here are a few major UTI symptoms in cats:

Frequent urination but in small amounts
Blood in the urine
Constant licking of the urinary opening
Crying out while passing urine
Urinating outside the litter box

How is cat UTI diagnosed?

In order to diagnose UTI in cats, veterinarians first test urine samples. This test helps them detect any bacteria in the urine. Doctors directly draw urine from the bladder with a needle to avoid contamination. Once the urine sample is tested, the vet will then isolate the bacteria to study it further. This step is called the Culture and Sensitivity test. It helps determine the right medicines based on the cat's infection.

First-time infections or acute infections are generally cured using broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, if your cat is suffering from a chronic infection, the vet might recommend additional tests to start bacteria-specific medication.

Causes of UTI in cats

There are multiple factors that can lead to UTI in cats. Let's explore a few common causes of cat UTI:

Weak immune system due to medical conditions like diabetes, cancer, etc.
Replacement of the urinary catheter
Bladder stone
Issues with the cat's gastrointestinal tract

Cat UTI prevention

Although UTI is rare in cats, it's best to take the right measures to prevent it at all costs. Here are a few points on how to prevent UTI in cats:

Ensure that your cat drinks enough water. Clean the water bowl regularly and fill it with fresh water every day.
Do not forget to clean the litter box frequently. Scoop the litter twice daily. Moreover, make sure to replace it with a new box once every two weeks.
Monitor any changes in the quantity or colour of the urine while cleaning the litter box. In case you see any changes, consult a vet.
Learn about diseases that are most likely to further cause UTI in cats. If your cat contracts any such disease, consult a vet immediately.
If your cat is old or overweight, it may have a hard time reaching the backsides of its body. Hence, assist your fur baby in cleaning itself.

Can you treat cat UTI with home remedies?

There are multiple cat UTI home remedies like cranberry juice, apple cider vinegar, bone broth, etc. And most of them are believed to alleviate the symptoms of UTI. However, we do not know if these remedies heal you completely. Hence, it is best to consult a veterinary doctor for cat UTIs. Moreover, in some cases, especially if left untreated, UTIs can be recurrent. The vet will provide the right medication to get rid of the bacteria.

Frequently asked questions

How to tell if a cat has UTI?

A cat with UTI will exhibit following symptoms:

It might urinate frequently, but in small quantities
It might whine while urinating
It might lick its urinary area excessively due to irritation
It might have blood in its urine

If you see any of the above symptoms, rush your cat to the doctor.

Can cat UTI go away on its own?

Certain Urinary Tract Infections can heal on their own. However, to understand whether it's a mild or chronic condition, you must visit your veterinarian. In case it is a chronic case, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

Can lack of water cause UTI in cats?

Water is essential for cats. Lack of water not only causes dehydration but also Urinary Tract Infections in cats. So, make sure that your fur baby drinks sufficient water throughout the day.

How do indoor cats get UTIs?

Cats contract Urinary Tract Infections when harmful bacteria enter their bladder. Does that mean cats that live indoors won’t get UTIs? No. Cats make use of a litter box to excrete every day. If you do not clean this box regularly, it can turn into a breeding ground for countless deadly bacteria. Hence, as a cat parent, you must clean the litter box at least twice daily. The bacteria around your cat's feces can enter its urethra every time your fur baby urinates. While this is one of the major causes of UTI in indoor cats, sudden changes in their routine, stress, and poor immunity can also lead to Urinary Tract Infections.

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How To Take Care Of A Newborn Kitten?

Kittens are super adorable, and it is wonderful to have one as a pet. While it’s fun to have a kitten at home, it’s important to understand your kitten’s various needs during the different stages of its life and take care of it in the right way. ‘How to take care of kittens’ is a question that most first-time kitten owners ask. But taking care of newborn kittens can be quite a hassle-free process if you follow a routine and understand a few do’s and don’ts about kitten care. We, at IAMS, are here to help you with this newborn kitten care routine in every way we can.

Why Kitten Care Is Important?

Kitty care is extremely important to make sure your kitten grows up to be a healthy cat. While in the kitten stage, it is still trying to get used to the new surroundings. Therefore, we recommend that you be by its side and help the little kitten acclimatize to its new house.

What Does It Mean To Raise A Kitten?

A kitten becomes a part of your family right from day one. But raising a kitten might sound like a strenuous job if you’re a new pet parent, but it isn’t. The whole process can be quite fun and will help you bond with your kitten.

What Are The Important Aspects Of A Kitten That One Has To Look After?

So, you want to know how to take care of a newborn kitten but are confused as to which aspects to keep in mind. Here are some of the most important aspects of looking after a kitten are:

Hygiene –
This is one of the most important criteria of kitten care. Maintaining good hygiene is always important. You must clean your kitten’s den regularly.
Feeding Nutrition-Rich Food –
Your kitten needs a nutritious, balanced diet for healthy growth and development. It is advisable that you buy IAMS Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten food. Chicken is the basic ingredient of this recipe. This premium kitten food promotes brain development and helps build a healthy immune system.
Regular Health Check-Ups –
Take your kitten to the vet regularly to understand its progress in terms of behavior and health.
Grooming –
It is advisable to start grooming your cat at an early age, especially if it has a furry coat or long hair.

Understanding Kitten Development Stages

It is very crucial to know how to take care of a newborn kitten as a first-time kitten owner. You might not be aware of the growth stages your little feline friend will go through, but it’s very important to understand them. So, here’s a table that can help you with the same:

Growth stage	0-2 weeks (Neonatal)	2-7 weeks (Socialization)	7-14 weeks (Most Active Period)	3-6 months (Ranking Period)	6-18 months (Adolescence)
Character traits	Learns to incline towards sounds	Learns to socialize	This is the most active play period of your kitten	In this stage, the kitten gets most influenced by other kittens in their litter or even other animals.	Asserts maximum dominance in this stage.
	Eyes start to open by this time	Senses of smell and hearing are fully developed by the 4th week	Starts expressing affection through hugging and licking	Starts understanding and asserting ranks on people it lives with.	Exhibits sexual behavior if not spayed.
	If the kitten is separated from its mother or siblings, it may tend to get aggressive towards people and other cats.	Sight is fully developed by the 5th week, and they can run and pounce without colliding with obstacles	Can paw, mouth, and hold objects as well
		Starts grooming itself	Also starts chasing its tail and starts pouncing and leaping around
		Starts developing sleep patterns, motor abilities and interactions

Preparing For A Kitten

How Kitten Care Differs With Growing Age?
Kitten care differs with each growing age. However, the major difference that occurs in taking care of kittens when they grow up is switching their food. Cats need more nutrition and vital elements that keep its body strong and healthy. It is advisable to switch to premium cat food while transitioning your kitten to adult cat food.
Impact On The Kitten If Care Is Not Taken:
If your cat is neglected and does not receive proper kitten care, attention, and nutrition, it may become depressed and weak. Your cat may also contract diseases if it is not kept clean.
What Are Some Of The Preventive Care Measures That Could Be Taken Up For Kittens?
While in the kitten stage, it is advisable to schedule frequent visits to the vet to check on the overall health of your kitten. It is advisable to keep a tab on their allergies while it is in the kitten stage.

Tips For 1st-time Cat Owners
Here are a few tips for first-time cat owners on how to take care of a kitten:

It is advisable to familiarize your kitten with its litter box right from the moment it is brought home.
You may also show your kitten around its crate so that it understands that this is its own space.
If, at times, your kitten bites you, sternly say ‘no’ to it. By doing this, your kitten will learn that these actions are not acceptable.
You may also reward your kitten every time it obeys your instructions. This will condition them to inculcate good habits as well.

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