If you are looking to find the right way to treat bladder stones in cats and FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease), then make sure you read the next few lines very carefully.
If the bladder crystals are caused by an infection, the vet might prescribe antibiotics to cure the infection. It is rare for a cat to get a urinary tract infection, occurring in less than 1% of cats. In most cats, the problem is in fact urolithiasis or stones. The two most common types of stones are called struvite and calcium oxalate.
Surgery is the most common option available to treat bladder stones in cats. Once completed, steps should be taken to avoid future problems, the most important of which is to increase the water intake of your cat.
There are several methods that can be used to improve water intake:
1. Switch to a canned diet or a dry diet that is formulated to encourage drinking and urination. This can include buying foods with added salt. Water intake can also be improved by increasing the number of times per day your cat eats.
2. Improve the Availability of water - consider placing more than one water dish in the home, particularly in areas where you cat likes to sit or observe others. Cat's prefer larger water bowls where their whiskers do not touch the edges of the bowl. Also, cats are nocturnal by nature, so drinking at night might also be preferred.
3. Provide filtered water - water can either be bottled, from the tap or filtered through a popular filter such as Brita. Adding sugar to the water does not increase consumption. Flavorings might, such as tuna or clam juice.
4. Running water bowls - some cat's will be attracted to running water. Several manufacturers offer these types of water bowls.
5. Try Cranberry - Cranberries have natural properties which improve the health of the urinary tract and bladder. If your cat will tolerate it, add some cranberry juice to the water dish in the morning. If not, a cranberry powdered supplement can be of help.
In addition to water, natural remedies could be of help. Natural remedies that contain plant based ingredients can help to reduce the impact of symptoms and protect against future bladder problems in cats quite effectively. Particularly, herbs like berberis vulg, uva ursi, and cantharis are known for their ability to treat and prevent a wide range of urinary problems in cats including bladder infections, urinary incontinence, and bladder stones. These herbs are completely natural and do not cause any side effects. So, they are considered a safe and effective way to treat bladder crystals in cats.
Dietary change might also be recommended as a preventative for avoiding future cases of cat bladder stones. These diets are usually canned, magnesium restricted and contain added salt to encourage drinking.
When it comes to the treatment and prevention of cat bladder stones, the best option is to make some changes in your cat's diet, increase water consumption and consider adding a natural remedy for overall urinary system support. Above all else, increased water consumption is the most important step.
Jeff Grill is an editor of the Cat Health Guide which has additional information on the best option for cat bladder stones.
For more information on natural treatment options and cranberry supplements, the author also recommends the Pet Health Guide section on bladder stones cat.
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