Introduction
Talking about pets is such an easy and natural, safe topic of conversation. Recently I had a long Uber ride and was talking with my driver about her cat, Kitty. Kitty has incontinence and would go hide behind the couch to relieve herself but she lets out a shriek when she tries to go. I took a deeper dive into incontinence in cats and wanted to share what I learned.
Background
Urinary incontinence is a condition in which cats are unable to control their bladder and urine may leak out. Urinary incontinence is one of the most common problems that affect older cats.. It is estimated that up to 10 percent of cats suffer from this. In this article, we'll discuss how urinary incontinence affects cats, what causes it and how it can be treated.
Cats and incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is a common problem in cats, but it's important to note that they can get it from the same things humans can—aging and injuries. The cause of urinary incontinence in cats is not always known, but it can be caused by a variety of factors. One small study showed that among non-neurological cases 2/3 of the causes was urethral obstruction. The obstruction could be from a variety of causes such as strictures, inflammation, stones, foreign body or growths. Other causes of incontinence include bladder infections, kidney disease, bladder stones, bladder trauma, obesity, neurological disorders, pregnancy and hormonal imbalances. Some cats may also suffer from congenital urinary incontinence, which is present at birth.
It is important to note that urinary incontinence is not always a serious medical condition. In some cases if it is caused by urethral obstruction, it can be diagnosed and treated with a good prognosis. It could also be managed with lifestyle changes and medications. However, if the condition is severe or has a neurological etiology, it may require more intensive treatment or may have a poor prognosis. If you suspect your cat has urinary incontinence, it is important to take them to the vet for a thorough examination.
How can I tell if my cat has urinary incontinence?
One of the most common signs of urinary incontinence in a cat is urinating outside of the litter box. If your cat has been using the litter box to urinate, but suddenly starts doing so elsewhere, there's a good chance he or she may have some degree of incontinence. Other symptoms include:
Urinating more frequently than usual (or not being able to hold it for very long)
Urinating in smaller amounts than usual
Urinating more often and in smaller amounts
Urine smell or staining around the perineum
Treatments for urinary incontinence in cats.
If you live with a cat that suffers from urinary incontinence, you may want to consider a number of treatment options. The first thing to do is make sure your cat's health care provider has ruled out any underlying medical conditions such as neurological conditions, diabetes or kidney disease. If all other assessments are clear, medication may be prescribed for your cat's symptoms. In some cases, surgery can also help resolve incontinence issues; however this is rare and only recommended if other treatments have not been effective.
If you're using litter for training your cat or helping them stay clean during incontinence episodes, look for clumping clay or silica litters with low dust levels so as not to irritate their paws or airways when they use the box. Avoid scented litters because these can cause additional discomfort in cats already suffering from urinary issues due to their sensitive sense of smell (and there's no point in making yourself smell like lavender while your poor kitty feels like crap!).
If you're feeding dry food exclusively at home but find that it doesn't seem to help curb these problems--or even makes them worse--try switching over onto canned foods instead (they usually contain more moisture than dry). This will help keep fluid intake up while also providing more vitamins and nutrients overall so that there might be less need for supplementation later on down the road!
Urinary incontinence is unpleasant, but it can be treated with medication or surgery.
Urinary incontinence can be treated with medication or surgery, but it is important to treat the problem as soon as possible. It is also important for owners to keep their cats hydrated and to keep the environment clean.
Herbs can be a great way to help with bladder health in pets. Two of the most commonly recommended herbs for this purpose are marshmallow root and cranberry. Marshmallow root is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce inflammation in the bladder and urinary tract. Cranberry is also known to help reduce inflammation in the bladder and urinary tract, as well as helping to prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. D-mannose and Glucosamine are two natural compounds that can help with bladder issues for dogs and cats. D-mannose is a naturally occurring sugar that helps prevent certain kinds of bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract and causing infection. This allows nature to flush out bacteria from the bladder and urinary tract. Glucosamine is an amino sugar that helps to strengthen the bladder walls. The mechanism of glucosamine is not well understood but it seems to readily reduce inflammation. Both of these compounds have been found to be beneficial to pets suffering from bladder issues, and can be administered in the form of supplements or treats.
As a good preventative supplement for bladder health, Bladder Support Plus has 4 main active ingredients at effective doses:
D-Mannose - help prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder lining allowing it to be flushed out of your pet’s system naturally
Cranberry - help prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder lining allowing it to be flushed out of your pet’s system naturally
Glucosamine - one of the building blocks of the protective lining of the bladder
Marshmallow Root - rich in mucilage that soothes irritation and reduces occasional discomfort of the urinary tract
If your cat is experiencing urinary incontinence, please contact your veterinarian immediately and schedule an appointment for further assessment and treatment options.
Conclusion
Urinary incontinence is a painful condition, but it can be treated and have a good prognosis. It's important to visit your vet if you notice any changes in your cat's bathroom habits. Urinary incontinence can lead to other health issues if left untreated or improperly treated, so it's essential that cats with this problem receive proper care from their veterinarian as soon as possible.
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