Cat Bladder Health – A General Overview

A cat’s bladder is located between the kidneys and urethra just above the back hind quarter of your favorite feline friend. This pouch like apparatus stores urine as it is release from the kidneys through the ureters. Surprisingly a cats bladder control is not a conscious physical action rather one that is controlled by the central nervous system. Once your favorite feline friend has initiated the urine ejection sequence there is not turning back and voiding will follow shortly. 

 

You are probably asking “what could go wrong” or “why even worry about cat bladder health”? These are good questions and in the informational article titled “Cat Bladder Health – A General Overview” I will attempt to explore these issues along with a few ideas about keeping the bladder working as it should.

 

When discussing cat bladder health and what can go the one major concern is that of bladder inflammation or cystitis. Cystitis has many potential causes such as stones, tumors, bacteria or may be idiopathic (of unknown origin). By far the most common cause of bladder inflammation in cats is bacterial infection. In the vast majority of these cases the infecting bacteria gains entry through the urethra.

 

Another major concern of cat owners involving the bladder is urinary incontinence. This condition can be caused by stones, an overdistended bladder, spinal cord injuries, birth defects, neurological problems, or simply old age. Age related incontinence is perhaps the most common and is generally due to a general weakening of the bladder and urethra.

 

Now let’s move on to a few steps to ensure cat bladder health.

 

*Water intake is important – It may seem logical to reduce water intake especially if incontinence is a major issue. This is simply not the case. Keeping urine flowing will flush problematic bacterium out of the system as well as reduce the risk of urinary crystal or stone formation.

 

*Litter box maintenance – Bacteria gains access to a cat’s urinary tract through the urethra, only one small step away from the bladder. Dirty litter boxes are perhaps the most fertile breeding grounds for bacteria and should be kept clean. Additionally, cat’s are finicky and may tend to avoid urination if there litter boxes are dirty. This can lead to a number of problems including an overdistended bladder (especially when stones are present). In this condition the bladder loses its ability to contract and empty.

 

*Diet – Mineral rich diets can cause bladder stones. Diets high in calcium and magnesium have been linked to bladder stones in cats.

 

*Exercise – Getting enough exercise keeps encourages water intake, boosts immune system function, and promotes voiding. It is especially important that older cat’s not be allowed to become inactive.

 

*Wet not dry – Many experts believe that diets which are mainly made up of dry food promote bladder problems. The primary reason for this is that dry food absorbs water thus not allowing the urinary tract to function at its best.

 

*See your veterinarian – If you notice Sylvester struggling to urinate or perhaps not urinating at all it might be a good idea to seek a professional opinion. This visit could help avoid a serious bladder problem.

 

In the end who would have thought that a tiny sac like pouch could be so important for your cat’s health.

 

Additionally, many cat owners are opting for natural remedies for bladder health such as homeopathy, for both treating common bladder concerns and maintaining optimal cat bladder health. These formulas are very safe and have proven to be a valuable tool in the fight against such common conditions as incontinence and bladder stones and are an option worth considering.