Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is an umbrella term covering several conditions affecting the bladder and urethra. It is common in cats, particularly indoor-only and overweight cats, and causes significant pain and distress. The most common cause in cats under 10 years is feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC — also called FIC or Pandora syndrome); urolithiasis (bladder stones/crystals) and bacterial infection are less common but important causes.
FIC is a stress-related condition in which cats develop inflammation of the bladder without an identifiable structural cause. The link between stress and bladder inflammation is well-established: changes in home environment, inter-cat conflict, routine disruption, or chronic understimulation trigger inflammatory episodes. FIC is typically self-limiting (3-7 days) but recurs in stressed cats.
FLUTD causes significant pain: straining, frequent attempts to urinate, blood in urine, urinating outside the litter tray, and vocalisation during urination are all indicators of lower urinary tract pain. Affected cats may show depression, reduced appetite, and social withdrawal. Urethral obstruction (more common in male cats) is rapidly fatal if untreated and causes extreme distress.
For FIC, stress reduction is the primary treatment and prevention strategy. The multimodal environmental modification (MEMO) approach addresses:
Increasing water intake dilutes urine and reduces crystal formation. Wet food provides significantly more water than dry food. Water fountains are preferred by many cats and increase intake. Prescription diets (urinary acidification, dissolution diets for struvite) may be recommended for cats with urolithiasis.