Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the most common lower urinary tract disease in cats, and stress is the primary driver in younger cats, making environmental management central to treatment.
FIC causes recurrent bouts of significant discomfort and in male cats, potentially life-threatening urethral obstruction. The primary cause is stress, making it a welfare condition driven by inadequate environmental management. Addressing stress triggers - improving multi-cat dynamics, providing more resources and enrichment, increasing wet food - is both treatment and prevention for this common and painful condition.