But soon it became clear to me that something was wrong. Muffin was already stressed anyway. The neighbor's cat, Garfield, had made a habit of sitting on our windowsill. Right in front of Muffin's nose! Her tail would whip back and forth every time she saw him. Since the party, though, the stress seemed to be affecting Muffin even more. A visit to our vet's office and a few exams later, it was clear: Muffin had stress-related idiopathic cystitis.
All about puddles and accidents
29 February 2024 — by Katrin Rahn
How cats contract idiopathic cystitis
It was strange. Ever since that party I threw a week ago, where I’d invited a few too many people, Muffin, my otherwise tidy and disciplined cat, seemed to have lost control of her bladder. The first signs were subtle: a little puddle here, a wet spot there.
What is idiopathic cystitis?
Idiopathic basically means "of unknown cause." Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) refers to inflammation of the bladder when no identifiable medical cause can be found. This means that bacteria, urine stones or other obvious factors have been ruled out.
Why does it happen?
As the word idiopathic implies, we don’t actually know. There are, however, some theories that attempt to explain the phenomenon, namely:
- Stress: Some experts believe that stress could be a major factor. Changes in the environment, such as a move, a new family member (two-legged or four-legged), or even changes in daily routine can be very stressful for some cats.
- Abnormalities in the bladder wall: Some cats may have some type of abnormality in their bladder wall that makes them more susceptible to inflammation.
- Diet: Some believe that the type of food a cat is fed can affect its susceptibility for FIC. It is important to emphasize that there is no one-fits-all solution for FIC. What works for one cat may not work for another.
Recognizing the symptoms
If your cat suddenly visits the litter box more frequently, urinates in unusual places (such as the bed or sofa), has visible pain when urinating, and has blood in the urine – consider these to be signs of cystitis. Constant cleansing of the genital area can also be a warning sign.
What can you do?
First and foremost, a visit to your vet is essential. It’s important to rule out other causes such as infections, bladder stones or tumors. Only when these possibilities have been ruled out can idiopathic cystitis be diagnosed. Once your cat has got the diagnosis FIC, there are some actions you can take, namely:
- Stress reduction: As with us humans, stress can cause health problems in cats. Think about what might be causing stress in your environment and try to minimize that. Maybe your cat needs a quiet retreat or more quality time with you.
- Dietary changes: In some cases, switching to a special dietary food or giving supplements that have a positive effect on urinary problems can help.
- Fresh water: Cats don't drink enough! Make sure your cat always has access to water. For example, some cat owners find that drinking fountains encourage cats to drink more.
