Print Questions, to Ask Your Vet
What is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease?
FLUTD stands for Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and is a term used to describe any group of disorders or diseases that affects the lower urinary tract (bladder or urethra) in cats. The most common disorder of the group is feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). FIC involves inflammation by an unknown cause, but stress is thought to be a significant factor. FLUTD is also associated with the formation of crystals/stones in the urinary tract that can cause numerous and painful ailments for your cat. The two most common types of crystals/stones are struvite and calcium oxalate. FLUTD is serious and requires medical attention. Fortunately, you can help your cat recover with treatment from your veterinarian and the right nutrition.
Why is it important to understand FLUTD?
Inappropriate urination is the number one behavior problem in cats. Many cats are given up to shelters for urinating outside of the litter box. If not properly treated, inappropriate urination can affect the cleanliness/safety of your home and the bond you share with your cat. The good news is that often, this problem is caused by a feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and it is a treatable medical condition.
What causes urinary tract disease?
FLUTD is a multifactor disease. There is no single cause of feline urinary tract disease. Veterinarians do recognize that there are components that may contribute to the prevalence of the disease. For more detailed information, always contact your veterinarian.
Risk factors include the following:
- Cats more than 1 year of age are most susceptible.
- Overweight cats, lack of exercise.
- History of chronic kidney disease or urinary tract procedures.
- Both male and females cats get the disease with equal frequency, but neutered male cats have a greater risk of life-threatening urethral obstruction from the crystals or stones.
Nutritional Risks:
You already know that the food you feed your cat is extremely important to her overall health. But feeding the wrong food can contribute to the development of a urinary tract disease (FLUTD). With FLUTD, crystals or stones form within the urinary tract and cause irritation, pain and possibly blockage. In severe cases, this can lead to kidney damage or may even be fatal if not properly treated.
- An abundance of certain minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium --- often found in grocery store brand cat food --- can cause crystals to form in the urine, which sometimes leads to urinary stones.
- Food influences the pH, or acidity, of urine. Urine should be moderately acidic for a healthy urinary tract because it’s harder for struvite crystals to grow in an acidic environment
Home Environment Risks:
- Inside-only cat
- Multiple pet households
- Stress: This could include house guests, conflict with other pets, or a lack of places to rest or hide
- Not drinking enough water can increase the risk of urinary tract disease in cats
- Cats can internalize stress in their urinary tract, which can lead to painful inflammation
- Cats can associate painful urination with the litter box and stop using it
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Urinary Tract Disease
If your cat exhibits any of the warning signs of FLUTD, contact your veterinarian immediately. Especially if your cat is not urinating freely, a urinary blockage may be the cause and this condition may be life threatening. Consult your veterinarian immediately.
Signs of feline bladder health problems
- Urinating outside of the litter box (Inappropriate urination)
- Straining when urinating
- Loss of bladder control
- Increased frequency of urination, usually passing small amounts of urine
- Pink, dark or bloody urine
- Crying out in pain/vocalizing during attempts to urinate
- Licking the genital area
- Reduced appetite
- Lack of energy or interest in normal activities
Tasty Tips
Treatment: The importance of nutrition
The food your cat eats plays an important role in her overall health and well-being. Cat foods high in magnesium, phosphorus, protein and calcium have been linked to stone formation. Veterinarians believe feeding a bladder health cat food with restricted amounts of these minerals can assist in the dissolution of some types of stones that have formed in a cat’s urinary tract.
Balanced nutrition is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. If your cat has been diagnosed with a urinary tract problem, it’s important to feed her the right cat food. The right nutrition can help control mineral levels, maintain a healthy urine pH, and help reduce inflammation to safely resolve urinary issues. For accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian and ask them to recommend the best food for your cat’s urinary tract health.
Additional ways to manage FLUTD include the following:
- Increasing water consumption
- Make sure water is clean, fresh and available at all times
- Feeding moist or canned cat food also helps increase water consumption
- Feed several small meals during the day instead of one or two larger meals
- Decrease stress in the environment
- Provide scratching posts and schedule time during the day to play with your cat
- Monitor the changes in the home and any conflicts with other pets in the house
- Cats are very sensitive to their environments and reducing potential causes of stress, especially for a cat with FLUTD, can go a long way to improving your cat’s life.
What are the chances of FLUTD coming back?
Urinary tract disease is potentially a lifelong disease. Any cat that has been treated for urinary tract disease runs the risk of contracting it again. Even with the best treatment, some cats may have recurring signs or periodic episodes. Therefore, it's important to continue your veterinarian’s food recommendation to manage the disease with a urinary health cat food and watch closely for recurrence of signs and symptoms.
Urinary Health Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian
- What may be causing my cat’s accidents? What are the short-term and long-term treatment options?
- Be sure to ask if infrequent or non-patterned accidents may be a sign of a more serious problem.
- Ask if the problem is behavioral, environmental or medical.
- Ask how nutrition and water consumption may be affecting your cat’s health.
- Should nutrition be a part of my cat’s treatment regimen? Would you recommend a Hill’s® Prescription Diet® cat food for my cat’s bladder health?
- What if I have multiple cats? Can I feed them all the same cat food?
- How can nutrition help? What is the benefit of feeding therapeutic nutrition versus administering pills?
- What are the pros and cons of using nutrition to help manage my cat’s urinary health?
- Which form of cat food is better for urinary issues, kibble or wet? Why?
- If you feed your cat a mixture of kibble and wet food, ask which therapeutic formulas can be mixed.
- How long will I need to feed the recommended food to my cat?
- Ask how feeding a therapeutic cat food can help promote long-term urinary health for my cat?
- What is the best way (email/phone) to reach you or your hospital if I have questions?
- Ask if you need a follow-up appointment.
- Ask if a reminder email or notice will be sent.
Related products
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Chicken, Vegetable & Rice Stew Cat Food
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Vegetable Stew
Supports kitten growth, digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Tuna Dinner
Carefully made, gourmet daily nutrition. Tasty chunks with Salmon & Tuna in a decadent gravy. Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entrée Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Hill's Science Diet Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Canned Cat Food Variety Pack, Chicken & Beef, Salmon & Tuna 2.8 oz. pouch, 12 pack
These irresistible foods are specially formulated to support digestive health, nourish skin & promote a lustrous coat.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Cat Food
Supports the health of the whole urinary system with optimal levels of magnesium
Hill's Science Diet Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Canned Cat Food Variety Pack, Vegetable & Chicken and Liver & Chicken
Feline Adult Perfect Weight Variety Pack
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Tender Tuna Dinner Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Vegetable Entrée Cat Food
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur
Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Spinach Casserole Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult Tender Chicken Dinner cat food
Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Ocean Fish Entrée Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition to help avoid the formation of hairballs with the delicious taste of savory minced ocean fish
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Vitality Chicken & Rice Recipe Cat Food
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
Hill's Science Diet Adult Tender Chicken Dinner cat food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult No Corn, Wheat, Soy Chicken & Brown Rice cat food
Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful fur
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Tender Chicken Dinner Cat Food
Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entrée Cat Food
Natural fiber comfortably reduces hairballs
Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entrée cat food
Supports the health of the whole urinary system with optimal levels of magnesium
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Grain Free Salmon & Yellow Peas Recipe cat food
Grain free, easy-to-digest food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Pollock & Barley Cat Food
Highly digestible food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
Related articles
My Cat Ran Away: 6 Tips for Finding Your Cat
Learn helpful tips for locating a missing or runaway cat, including methods for searching and resources to consider when trying to locate them.
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Learn about feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), which causes lower urinary tract problems in cats, including risk factors, symptoms & treatment options.
When Are Cats Full-Grown?
Learn key signs to tell if your kitten is reaching cat adulthood, including life stage specifics and special considerations for gender, breed & more
Choosing the Right Food for Your Senior Cat
Senior cats over age 7 have different nutritional needs than younger cats. Learn what to look for when choosing a food for older and aging felines.
A Guide for Choosing the Best Cat Carrier
Use this comprehensive guide to help you find the best cat carrier for your feline friend. Learn what to look for in a quality carrier and what to avoid.
Meal Feeding vs. Free Feeding Cats: What's Best?
Curious if your cat can eat on her own schedule? Learn about free feeding, how it can impact your cat's diet, and if this method is a good fit for her.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis: Risk Factors, Symptoms & Treatment of FIP in Cats
Learn helpful info about Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP in cats, including risk factors, common symptoms, treatment options & how to prevent it.
Cat Bullying: What It Is & How to Stop It
Learn what a bully cat is, why cats demonstrate bullying behavior, and how to stop one cat from constantly bullying others.
Allergic Dermatitis & Skin Conditions in Cats: Causes & Treatments
Discover some of the signs of feline skin conditions, how to help improve them, and when to consult your veterinarian about your cat's skin health.
Diet Considerations for Pregnant & Nursing Cats
Learn what your female cat needs for proper nutrition when pregnant or nursing, so you can make sure you are feeding her properly.
Understanding Why My Cat's Stomach Gurgles
If you're a cat parent, you may find yourself saying, "I wonder why my cat's stomach gurgles after they eat." Read on to learn what this gurgling may mean.
Signs That Your Cat is Grieving & How You Can Help
Learn what cats go through during times of loss of another animal or human in the household, and understand whether they grieve or not.
Cat Parents: Bringing Your New Cat Home
Discover ten ways to care for your new cat after adoption, from preparing your home before she arrives to making her feel comfortable once she's arrived.
Important Information on Food Allergies & Intolerance in Your Cat
Understand how food allergies and intolerances present themselves in cats, and what you can do to prevent and care for cats with allergies.
Why Does My Cat Walk on Me?
Cats often like to treat us like their personal cat bed, but why do they love to stand & walk on us? Learn why & how you can nicely curb this behavior.
Cat Clicker Training for Beginners
Learn the benefits of using a clicker to help train your kitten to have good habits and follow the correct behavior.
Do Cats Really Have Nine Lives?
Learn all about the ancient proverb of cats having nine lives, including its origins & where it came from, its meaning, and why the number nine was chosen.
How to Help Your Cat's Behavioral Problems
Learn why cats exhibit behavior problems, such as scratching and spraying, and training steps you can take to help correct her bad habits.
Finding Your New Kitten: Where to Look
If you're interested in getting a kitten, read this article to find out about the different places you can get one from adoption to pedigree breeders.
The Most Common Poisonous Plants to Cats
Learn about common houseplants that can be dangerous or poisonous to cats. Get tips on how to keep your cat safe around houseplants.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.