Feline lower urinary tract disease encompasses a range of conditions causing urinary discomfort in cats. Idiopathic cystitis — the most common cause in young cats — is strongly linked to environmental stress.
Idiopathic cystitis causes genuine pain — cats strain repeatedly to urinate with minimal output, often crying during attempts. The distress is both physical and psychological. Because the condition is stress-driven, inadequate environmental management causes repeated welfare-compromising episodes throughout the cat's life. The most effective welfare intervention is comprehensive environmental assessment addressing litter provision, inter-cat conflict, predictable routine, and access to resources. Analgesic treatment during acute episodes reduces suffering while environmental improvements address the root cause.