FUS, or Feline Urological Syndrome, is a catch-all umbrella term for a variety of extremely common ailments, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones and bladder inflammation in cats. Although it can lead to urinary blockages in male cats– a life-threatening condition that can kill a cat in as little as twelve hours– cystitis and urinary tract infections in female cats can be treated naturally at home.
When my “cream puff”, Celeste, began exhibiting symptoms of a urinary tract infaction– bloody urine, frequent urination, spraying outside the litterbox, and straining in a squatting position– I decided to use my expertise as an herbalist and nutritionist to naturally eliminate her problem. Her condition improved immediately without pharmaceutical medications from the vet, and was eliminated within a week.
Here are the main guidelines for naturally treating cystitis in cats.
In male cats, a urinary tract infection can quickly progress to a life-threatening emergency. I learned this lesson the hard way when my dear friend, Desmond Star-Cat, began showing symptoms of cystitis on a Sunday morning. With no vets open in the area on weekends, I had no choice but to wait one more day– but by Monday morning, his condition had become terminal.
Male cats are prone to urinary blockage from lower urinary tract infections, since their urethras as smaller and more narrow than female cats. Since a blockage like this can become fatal in a matter of hours, a male cat showing symptoms of FUS should be taken to a veterinarian or animal hospital without hesitation. While natural treatment can be used as a complement to conventional treatments, it should not be used alone for male cats.
The most important issue to address for cats suffering from urinary problems is water. Cats that eat dry food more than 80% of the time will become very prone to urinary tract infections and inflammation of the bladder, because cats are designed to get a significant portion of their water from food. Wet food with additional water will often help a cat clear her urinary tract by flushing out the bacteria.
Giving a cat additional water– preferably distilled water– will also help to give her plumbing an additional flush. Because spring water and tap water have a high mineral content, they may stress the kidneys and urinary tract even more, so it is best to give a cat with urinary problems distilled water only.
As with humans, cats can greatly benefit from the addition of antioxidants and herbal supplements to eliminate urinary problems. Cranberry extract, one of the most popular human herbal remedies for urinary problems, seems to work just as well for cats. Cranberry’s highly acidic nature combines with its antioxidant effects to create a silver bullet against cystitis in cats ans humans alike.
Cats with cystitis can also benefit from vitamin E supplements, vitamin C, and possibly astringent herbs like yellow root, goldenseal, and echinacea. Vitamins E and C have no known toxicity in cats, but some herbal supplements have not been extensively studied in cats and should be used with caution.
Cats with urinary tract infections, whether chronic or acute, are almost always under stress or naturally neurotic. FUS often occurs when a cat is experiencing stress due to a move, a new member in the family, or a lack of attention and affection; the infection is likely to reoccur if the problem is not addressed.
For advice on living with an anxious cat, click here. An anxious or neurotic cat who has a urinary tract infection should be given more praise and affection than usual, and, if possible, the source of her stress should be eliminated. If it is impossible to eliminate the source of a cat’s anxiety– for example, a new baby or a recent move– make an effort to focus individual attention on the cat as much as possible.
With effective natural treatments, urinary problems in cats can and should clear up within two weeks. If your cat does not show signs of improvement within a week or if her condition becomes worse, she should be examined prompty by a veterinarian. While urinary problems in female cats are rarely serious or life-threatening conditions, they are very uncomfortable for the cat and may require stronger medications than can be found at home.
Sources Used: Personal Experience; Jeff Feinman VMD, CVH. Feline Cystitis. Accessed 22 Feb 09.
