Lower urinary tract disease is common in cats, causing pain, distress, and repeated veterinary presentations that significantly affect quality of life.
Feline lower urinary tract disease is a welfare condition in which physiological and psychological factors intertwine. The primary cause — feline idiopathic cystitis — is stress-driven: the inflammation of the bladder mucosa without infection or crystal formation responds to stress reduction rather than antibiotic treatment. This makes the management approach unusual: addressing the cat's psychological environment — reducing inter-cat conflict, increasing play and enrichment, stabilising routine — is as important as medical management. Recurrent episodes cause repeated pain and distress that chronically impair quality of life. Prevention through stress reduction, dietary management, and environmental enrichment is achievable and more effective than repeated medical treatment.