Have you ever wanted to know more about what a feline urinary tract infection is, and why it occurs?

Do you know the difference between urine crystals and stones?

When is surgery necessary, and is it for crystals or stones?

These questions, and more are answered in this interview with a veteriniarian who specializes in feline medical care. This doctor highlights a very important point: We should not refer to all bladder or urinary tract infections as UTIs.

Read more to find out why.

NOTE: The answers given in this interview are not only factual, but also reflect this feline vet's point of view. If you have any additional questions, comments, or concerns regarding these questions in relation to your cat(s), please consult with your personal veterinarian to determine what's right for you and your feline(s).

The Cat Urine Odor Advisor makes no judgements regarding the answers. This feline veterinarian agreed to a written interview with the caveat that the vet's name/practice not be published, because this person does not want to debate or argue other points of view regarding feline urinary tract infection issues and solutions.
Cat Urine Odor Advisor (CUOA): Do you diagnose a lot of your patients at one time or another during their lives with feline Urinary Tract Infection?

The term Urinary Tract Infection, in most cases, refers to a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections in the urinary tract are rare in younger cats, but are seen more commonly in older cats. Crystals are the most common form of urinary tract disease in young adult cats. The incidence is much less common since the advent of low magnesium diet. Other causes of urinary tract problems are stones (usually comprised of crystals that have coalesced), tumors (rare, mostly in older cats), and a disease referred to as idiopathic (meaning cause unknown), or interstitial cystitis.

CUOA: What do you prescribe as a cure in the short term?

Treatment depends upon the cause, if it can be found. For idiopathic cystitis, fluids and pain medication, and sometimes muscle relaxants are prescribed.

CUOA: What long-term solutions do you recommend the cat owner follow to prevent a recurrence of feline UTI in their kitties?

Preventing crystals is done by diet. I can say that in most cases I know how to treat UTIs (bacterial infections), but not how to prevent them.

CUOA: How do the crystals that comprise feline UTI form in a cat?

I do not know how the crystals form. They can be prevented by using a diet that is low in the minerals that form the crystals and that adjusts the pH balance of the urine to an acidity or alkalinity that limits the formation of crystals.

CUOA: How often have you had to perform surgery on a cat to remove the crystals caused by a feline UTI?

Surgery is not usually done to remove crystals. Stones, however, are removed surgically and they are common, but not as common prior to low magnesium diets. If crystals have caused a blockage, a cat will be catheterized to flush out the blockage. Rarely a surgery called a peroneal urethrostomy is done on a male cat. This increases the size of the urinary opening to prevent future blockages, but does not itself prevent crystal formation.

CUOA: Is the surgery effective in preventing future episodes of feline UTI?

No.

CUOA: Why is DL-Methionine so effective in preventing crystals in cat urine?

DL-Methionine was thought to change the acidity of the urine, but has been out of favor for many years. Ammonium chloride is used as a urinary acidifier.

CUOA: What exactly is DL-Methionine?

DL-Methionine is an amino acid.

CUOA: What are your professional thoughts about switching feline UTI-prone kitties to an all canned food diet, or even a raw meat diet to prevent a recurrence?

For 99% of my urinary tract disease patients I can find a dry food that helps. If there is an infection (usually proven by culture), appropriate antibiotics are used. It has been shown that cats who eat all canned food take in a larger amount of water than cats who eat dry food, even though the ones who eat dry food drink more. Canned food can be of great benefit, but I avoid it when possible because it is not as good as dry food for dental health. I would never feed raw food because of the possibility of parasitic infections from raw food.

CUOA: Do you think stress is a large factor in feline UTI developing in a kitty, or do you think diet is the main culprit?

Stress contributes, as we often see problems occurring after a trip, or when an owner has been away, but this most often happens if they have been on a diet that is not among the best ones for preventing problems.

CUOA: Are there any other prevalent factors that contribute to feline UTI?

I'm sure there is research being conducted to determine this, but I do not have any answers at this time.

CUOA: How important is it for a cat to drink water to prevent feline UTI?

It is important to drink water, as flushing out the bladder and diluting irritating substances can help minimize problems.

CUOA: Often, owners don’t know their kitty has a feline UTI until it’s fairly advanced, and the cat is in a lot of pain while she urinates. What are some of the early UTI symptoms cat owners can look for?

Urinating out of the pan is often allowed to continue for weeks or months before an owner seeks help. Other signs are frequent urination and straining (sitting in the urinating position for a long time) are more often noted as a problem by a cat's owner, and veterinary care is obtained.

CUOA: How early in a cat’s life can feline UTI develop – before she or he is ready to be spayed or neutered, or some time after?

Crystals are more common in young adult cats, but not common in kittens.