Stress and Feline Urinary Problems: How to Deal With It

Although it may seem like cats have easy lives, the truth is, cats can get stressed very easily. Feline urinary problems can be one of the first signs your cat is experiencing some type of stress. It is important for cat parents to know what the symptoms look like and how to help their feline friends.

Unusual Urinary Behavior

When cats are happy and healthy, they use the litter box for both urinating and defecating. However, if your cat starts exhibiting any of the following behaviors, she may be experiencing feline urinary stress or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD):

• straining when urinating
• incontinence / loss of bladder control
• urinating outside of the litter box
• crying out in pain while urinating or attempting to urinate
• licking genital area
• reduced appetite

Most cats will show the above signs when they have reached their stress limit or are having a medical issue, so some earlier signs of stress might be that your cat is hiding more, is less affectionate, is changing her eating behavior, or is only urinating or defecating in her litter box (not both). However, some cats may show signs of urinary stress without any warning. As soon as a cat shows signs of urinary stress, it is important to call your veterinarian to determine if a visit is needed or if you should try some interventions at home first.

Spotting the Stressors

If your cat is showing unusual behaviors during urination or she is constantly urinating outside of the litter box, it is important to identify any stressors your cat may be experiencing. When you call your vet to discuss your cat's symptoms, he or she may ask some questions to help you figure out what's stressing your cat, including:

• When did the unusual urinary behaviors begin?
• Have you made any recent changes in her food or litter?
• What other unusual behaviors are accompanying the urinary problems?
• Have there been any big changes within your household, such as a remodel, new pet, baby, or a death in the family?

Another thing to consider is that cats are often tuned into their pet parent's feelings, so you may want to check in with yourself, too. Have you been stressed lately? Has stress started to interrupt your daily routine? Chances are if your daily routine has been interrupted, so has your cat's. Excessive sleeping or lack of sleep are common symptoms in humans who are stressed. When a cat notices these changes in her pet parent, she may start to become stressed and her symptoms could be exhibited in her urinary behaviors.

Short-Term versus Long-Term Stress

Big changes in a cat's life, like a move or an addition of a new pet in the house, could cause temporary stress. While most cats adjust within a reasonable amount of time, some cats remain stressed which can lead to urinary problems. If the stressor is identified quickly and the cat gets the special attention she needs, the urinary issues may quickly subside.

The more challenging stress sources are long-term situations that may not have quick fixes and can cause more serious urinary problems. According to Live Science, researchers found the most common long-term stressor for cats was unfriendly relationships with other cats in the house. Although the introduction of a new pet requires some time for adjustment and temporary stress is expected, when two or more cats have a tense relationship, this may lead to urinary stress symptoms that can lead to an unhealthy environment for everyone.

How You Can Help Her

If your cat is experiencing urinary stress, a visit to the vet is likely needed. Depending on her stressors, your vet may prescribe medication and/or adjust her diet with therapeutic cat food, which can help relieve some urinary issues and get her on the path to feeling well again. In addition to prescription medication and food, your vet can also offer suggestions on how to improve your home environment to calm all the cats in your household. If you have cats that do not get along, feed them separately and give them each their own litter box, bed, and hiding space to retreat to if things get stressful.

Sometimes, however, all you need to do is spend a little more time with your cat and give her positive attention to ease her mind. Also, try keeping the litter box and house very clean and make sure she is well-hydrated, which can relieve stress and reduce or eliminate the feline urinary problems. Unfortunately, for many cats, dealing with feline urinary stress may take weeks or months to alleviate.

Once you identify what is causing feline urinary stress, and find ways to reduce your cat's stress level, it is important to help manage her stress appropriately moving forward. And don't forget to manage your stress better, too! One creative way to reduce stress for you and your cat is to do yoga together. Some large cities offer pet yoga classes, according to Pupcycled, which is a great idea for the kitty's that are friendly with other cats and dogs. If she's more of a loner, there are plenty of great pet yoga videos on the internet for the both of you to enjoy at home.

Another huge factor to managing your cat's stress is to provide her with consistency. If you know your routine will change soon or a big life change is on the horizon (a move, new person in your house, new animal, etc.), try to prepare your cat by finding items and toys she enjoys. A little extra pampering will help her feel more secure and may even distract her from the changes to come. Additionally, keep the litter box very clean and find a quiet place for her to relax.

By preparing for stressful situations and keeping an eye out for the initial signs that your cat is becoming overwhelmed, you can help your cat avoid feline urinary problems and lead a healthier and happier life.