If you’ve heard your cat sounding distressed when using the litter box, or have spotted blood when you were cleaning it out, it can come as a shock. Both symptoms can point towards a common health concern for cats: bladder stones.
The good news is that, with early intervention and the right treatment, bladder stones are often manageable.
In this guide, we’ll take you through how to spot the signs of bladder stones, as well as ways to manage the condition.
What are bladder stones?
Bladder stones (also called uroliths) form from minerals in your cat’s diet, and start out as microscopic crystals that can develop in their bladder or kidneys. Left untreated, they grow from microscopic crystals into large, painful stones – so acting early matters.
There are two common forms of bladder stones in cats: struvite and calcium oxalate. They can have different causes and may require different treatment approaches, so your vet will need to identify the type before recommending the most appropriate treatment.
Struvite is most common in cats who eat mostly dry food and can occur at any age. Some struvite stones can be dissolved using a prescription diet for bladder stones in cats, under veterinary guidance.
Calcium oxalate stones are more commonly found in middle-aged and older cats. Both forms can occur in male or female cats, but neutered males are especially prone to calcium oxalate bladder stones. Male cats have narrower urethras, so blockages can occur more easily and may damage the urethra.
Calcium oxalate bladder stones in cats are more challenging to dissolve with diet alone, with most vets recommending surgical removal to get your little mate feeling their best as quickly as possible. From there, you’ll need to maintain their health with a special bladder-friendly diet.
Keep an eye on the size and number of urine clumps when cleaning the litter box. Noting any changes can give your vet useful information if your cat develops urinary symptoms.
How to spot the signs
Some of the main signs of bladder stones in cats include:
- Straining or crying out while trying to urinate
- Visiting the litter box more often but passing little or no urine
- Pink- or red-tinged urine
- Urinating outside the litter box due to urgency
- Excessive licking around the genital area
- Lethargy or a change in appetite
No matter whether you’re a new pet parent or have been caring for cats your whole life, you’ll know how good they are at hiding discomfort. If you notice any of these symptoms, an urgent vet visit needs to be the next course of action.
What to expect at the vet
No pet parent likes seeing their cat in distress, but rest assured, your vet will be able to help. Most vets will recommend a urine analysis, along with an ultrasound in some cases to confirm whether stones are present or not. If it is feline bladder stones, the type of stones will be analysed to dictate the next steps, whether that’s simply a change in diet or surgery.
Managing bladder stones through diet
Once you know the kind of feline bladder stones you’re dealing with, you can help your four-legged family member by managing them with a special diet. Urinary diets are formulated to alter the pH of your cat's urine and reduce the mineral concentrations that allow crystals to form.
- Along with the recommended diet, encouraging your cat to drink more water can support urinary health, particularly if they mainly eat dry food.
- Set up a cat water fountain away from their food bowl to encourage more drinking.
- Your vet may also recommend introducing the new diet gradually to avoid upsetting your cat’s stomach, usually over a period of a week.
- Once your cat has fully transitioned to their new diet, keep it up. This can be a challenge for cats who love a treat, but it’s better for their health in the long term.
- It is also important to keep them in a lean body condition, as overweight cats are more prone to develop urinary crystals and then stones.
- Regular vet check-ups can help monitor your cat’s progress and determine whether the diet is working effectively.
Reducing stress
Diet can play an important role in urinary health, but stress may also contribute to urinary problems.. A condition called feline idiopathic cystitis causes painful inflammation of the urethra. It can appear alone, but can also occur alongside bladder stones.
Managing stress and anxiety levels, keeping your cat's environment calm and enriched, and giving them enough options for toileting all help. A useful rule is to provide one litter box per cat, plus one extra, and clean them daily.
Concerned about your cat's urinary health? Book an appointment with your local Petstock Vet to get them checked out.