Feline lower urinary tract disease is one of the most common and welfare-impactful conditions in indoor cats, with stress being a major and manageable contributing factor.
FLUTD causes significant welfare harm — cats with idiopathic cystitis experience painful urination, blood in urine, and frequent uncomfortable urination attempts. Urethral obstruction, if untreated, causes death within 24-48 hours from uremic toxicity. Even successfully treated obstruction causes severe discomfort. The stress connection means that welfare improvements in the cat's environment directly reduce disease risk. Homes with multiple cats where resources (food, litter boxes, resting spots) are insufficient create chronic stress that precipitates episodes. The "5-a-day" rule — one litter box per cat plus one — combined with vertical space, play, and hiding spots addresses the root environmental cause. Wet food hydration reduces mineral crystal formation.