Stress and Feline Urinary Problems: How to Deal With It

Although it may seem like cats have easy lives, the truth is, cats can get stressed very easily. Feline urinary problems can be one of the first signs your cat is experiencing some type of stress. It is important for cat parents to know what the symptoms look like and how to help their feline friends.

Unusual Urinary Behavior

When cats are happy and healthy, they use the litter box for both urinating and defecating. However, if your cat starts exhibiting any of the following behaviors, she may be experiencing feline urinary stress or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD):

• straining when urinating
• incontinence / loss of bladder control
• urinating outside of the litter box
• crying out in pain while urinating or attempting to urinate
• licking genital area
• reduced appetite

Most cats will show the above signs when they have reached their stress limit or are having a medical issue, so some earlier signs of stress might be that your cat is hiding more, is less affectionate, is changing her eating behavior, or is only urinating or defecating in her litter box (not both). However, some cats may show signs of urinary stress without any warning. As soon as a cat shows signs of urinary stress, it is important to call your veterinarian to determine if a visit is needed or if you should try some interventions at home first.

Spotting the Stressors

If your cat is showing unusual behaviors during urination or she is constantly urinating outside of the litter box, it is important to identify any stressors your cat may be experiencing. When you call your vet to discuss your cat's symptoms, he or she may ask some questions to help you figure out what's stressing your cat, including:

• When did the unusual urinary behaviors begin?
• Have you made any recent changes in her food or litter?
• What other unusual behaviors are accompanying the urinary problems?
• Have there been any big changes within your household, such as a remodel, new pet, baby, or a death in the family?

Another thing to consider is that cats are often tuned into their pet parent's feelings, so you may want to check in with yourself, too. Have you been stressed lately? Has stress started to interrupt your daily routine? Chances are if your daily routine has been interrupted, so has your cat's. Excessive sleeping or lack of sleep are common symptoms in humans who are stressed. When a cat notices these changes in her pet parent, she may start to become stressed and her symptoms could be exhibited in her urinary behaviors.

Short-Term versus Long-Term Stress

Big changes in a cat's life, like a move or an addition of a new pet in the house, could cause temporary stress. While most cats adjust within a reasonable amount of time, some cats remain stressed which can lead to urinary problems. If the stressor is identified quickly and the cat gets the special attention she needs, the urinary issues may quickly subside.

The more challenging stress sources are long-term situations that may not have quick fixes and can cause more serious urinary problems. According to Live Science, researchers found the most common long-term stressor for cats was unfriendly relationships with other cats in the house. Although the introduction of a new pet requires some time for adjustment and temporary stress is expected, when two or more cats have a tense relationship, this may lead to urinary stress symptoms that can lead to an unhealthy environment for everyone.