Urinary tract disease including bladder stones causes significant pain in cats, with welfare outcomes depending on prompt diagnosis, appropriate dietary management, and prevention of obstruction.
Cats with bladder stones or cystitis experience significant pain during urination. Male cats with urethral obstruction face a rapidly life-threatening emergency - blocked cats experience acute abdominal pain, cannot urinate, and may die within 24-48 hours without intervention. The stress-related nature of many FLUTD cases creates a feedback loop where stressed cats develop painful urinary symptoms, veterinary visits cause more stress, and the cycle repeats. Environmental stress management - reducing conflict, providing hiding places, and increasing enrichment - is a genuinely welfare-positive intervention.