FAQ: Health for cats

Put several water bowls in different places away from food and the litter box, try a drinking fountain, change the water daily and feed more wet food. More water supports urinary and kidney health.

Yes, stress is one of the most common triggers of idiopathic cystitis, bladder inflammation with no clear cause, in cats. Calm, enough litter boxes, routine and play help, and calming products can be an extra measure.

The risk in male cats is raised more by excess weight, low activity, little water and stress, which are common in neutered indoor toms. It is important to watch their weight, encourage drinking and choose suitable food.

Cranberry supplements are sometimes used to support a cat’s urinary tract, but their benefit in cats is not firmly proven. Do not give a cat cranberry juice, and choose only cat products after talking to a vet.

There are special litters and strips that change colour if urine acidity changes or blood is present. They can help spot changes earlier but do not replace a diagnosis – discuss the result with a vet.

Dry food is not harmful in itself, but a cat gets less fluid with it. For cats prone to urinary problems, vets often advise feeding more wet food and encouraging drinking.

Veterinary urinary diets are made for specific problems and do not always suit kittens, pregnant cats or cats with other conditions. If you have several cats, discuss the feeding plan with a vet.

Common signs are increased thirst and urination, weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting and an unkempt coat. Kidney disease is common in older cats, so regular blood tests help spot it earlier.

Kidney supplements, such as phosphate-binding powders or probiotics, are sometimes used for cats with chronic kidney disease alongside the treatment and diet a vet prescribes. They are worth using only on a vet’s recommendation.

For cats with chronic kidney disease, vets often prescribe a renal diet with less phosphorus and moderate protein. It should be started on a vet’s recommendation, not given to a healthy cat as prevention.

Increased thirst can be linked to heat or a switch to dry food, but it can also point to kidney disease, diabetes or thyroid problems. If your cat drinks more for longer than a few days, see a vet.

Many vets recommend blood and urine tests at least once a year for cats over about seven or eight. This helps catch kidney, thyroid and other common diseases early.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help maintain the gut flora. They are often used after a food change, after a course of antibiotics, during stress or for a mild stomach upset, ideally after talking to a vet.

Probiotics for people contain bacterial strains and amounts suited to humans, and the lactose in yoghurt gives many adult cats diarrhoea. It is safer to choose probiotics made for pets.

Make sure the cat has fresh water and watch how it is doing. If diarrhoea lasts more than a day, there is blood in the stool, the cat vomits, refuses food or is lethargic, or it is a kitten or an old cat, see a vet.

More water, wet food, exercise and food with fibre can help with constipation. If the cat has not passed stool for more than a couple of days, strains in pain or vomits, see a vet, and do not give laxatives made for people.

Probiotics can help cats with sensitive digestion get used to a new food more easily. Still, the most important thing is to change food gradually, mixing the new with the old over about a week or longer.

A small amount of cooked, unsweetened pumpkin purée is sometimes used as a source of fibre for cats. It is not a medicine, so if digestive problems recur or persist, the cat needs a vet’s examination.

Most adult cats digest lactose poorly, so cow’s milk often gives them diarrhoea and bloating. If you want a milk treat, choose lactose-free milk made for cats, and water must always be the main drink.

Yes, brushing is the most effective way to reduce plaque and gum inflammation in cats. Ideally teeth are brushed daily or at least several times a week, starting young with short sessions.