The Role of Stress in Feline Idiopathic Cystitis and How to Prevent It
The Role of Stress in Feline Idiopathic Cystitis and How to Prevent It
By: Cesar Ben T. Salera III, DVM
Terminology:
FIC = Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
FLUTD = Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is one of the common causes of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) in cats less than 10 years of age. Idiopathic meaning that the exact origin or the cause of it is unknown. It turns out that stress and anxiety can increase the risk and severity of FIC. One common analogy for this is in how humans who are anxious or afraid sometimes get an upset stomach, this is similar to how stress can affect a cat’s bladder and in turn alter their routine urination which can lead to urinary problems.
Stress can come from different forms and sources. It can be environmental, psychological, physiological, or be secondary to any ongoing diseases that the cat has. The most common causes of this are conflicts between cats in the household or events like changes in the weather, earthquakes, loud sounds, new furniture, moving to a new location, inconsistent feeding schedule, and introducing new food or pets.
Ways to prevent these are to ensure that there are adequate resources like bowls for food and water, litter boxes, toys, and resting places. Recommended number for these is usually add 1 more extra based on the number of cats, for example if it is a 2 cat household you should have at least 3 each for the bowls and litter boxes. Take note that bowls and litter boxes should also be cleaned regularly. Placement of these should also be considered, they should be placed in a quiet area and also out of reach of other pets like dogs. A schedule should also be followed when feeding or giving treats as sudden changes in routine can be a cause of stress to them.
Another basic guide that we can follow is this infographic about The Five Pillars of a Healthy Feline Environment that comes from the Association of American Feline Practitioners and International Society of Feline Medicine.
Figure 1. Five Pillars of a Healthy Feline Environment.
In conclusion, stress is also an important factor to consider in cats especially in multi-cat or multi-pet households to prevent or reduce the occurrence of FIC. These can also serve as a guide for those with pets already under treatment for FLUTD to help have an environment that would be beneficial for the cat's recovery.
Related Resources:
Lee J, The Stressful Cat and the Stressful Bladder: Managing FLUTD through Nutrition and Multimodal Environmental Modification | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Blog [Internet]. Available from: https://vetgirlontherun.com/the-stressful-cat-and-the-stressful-bladder-managing-flutd-through-nutrition-and-multimodal-environmental-modification-vetgirl-veterinary-continuing-education-blog/
Kyffin J, Stress and Feline Urinary Tract Disease [Internet]. Available from: https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/stress-and-feline-urinary-tract-disease#:~:text=Stress%20is%20an%20important%20trigger,turn%20will%20reduce%20stress%20levels
Brooks W, Idiopathic Cystitis in Cats [Internet]. Available from: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951488
Feline Veterinary Medical Association, What you cat needs to feel secure [Internet]. Available from: https://catfriendly.cEom/cat-friendly-homes/what-your-cat-needs-to-feel-secure/
American Veterinary Medical Association, Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD [Internet]. Available from: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/feline-lower-urinary-tract-disease