Feline Urolithiasis: Welfare and Management of Bladder and Kidney Stones

Urinary stones in cats cause significant pain and require dietary and sometimes surgical management to resolve and prevent recurrence.

Key Facts

Calcium oxalate and struvite are the most common stone types in cats
Male cats are at higher risk of urethral obstruction from stones
Prescription dissolution diets can dissolve struvite stones without surgery
Increased water intake through wet food reduces urinary mineral concentration
Recurrence rates are high without ongoing dietary management

Welfare Considerations

Cats with urinary stones experience significant pain during urination and pelvic discomfort. Urethral obstruction in male cats is a life-threatening emergency causing acute severe pain and rapid renal failure without immediate treatment. Unobstructed cats with bladder stones suffer chronic urinary pain that affects their quality of life and often goes unrecognised until stones are found incidentally. Dietary management preventing urinary mineral supersaturation is the cornerstone of both treatment and prevention. Welfare-focused management ensures adequate hydration through wet food and dietary modification specific to stone type.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment for any cat with urinary signs including straining or haematuria
Seek emergency veterinary care immediately for any male cat straining without producing urine
Follow prescription dissolution diet protocols consistently if struvite stones are diagnosed
Provide wet food to all cats to reduce urinary mineral concentration
Schedule follow-up urinalysis and imaging to monitor response to treatment