Cat bladder issues are among the most common problems facing cat owners and veterinarians.  Crystal formation leads to bladder stones, bleeding bladder and urinary tract, blockages, and surgery. Bacterial infections which can cause crystal formations can create bladder issues that can kill a cat, cripple it, and cast a dark shadow over your enjoyment of your pet.  Can these problems be prevented?  Yes!

Cat bladder problems most often relate to crystal formation.  Several types of crystal can form in a cat’s urine.  When these form they can irritate the walls of the bladder and urethra, causing swelling, thickening, inflammation, pain, and ultimately a blockage.  Bacterial infections can cause some forms of crystals.

Crystals can grow in size, be glued together with clotted blood, serum and white blood cells, dead bacteria and other materials, forming plugs that can cut off urination altogether, leading to a cat’s death unless the condition is noticed and addressed immediately.  But crystals and the associated bacteria can both be managed through diet, constant access to clear, fresh water, clean cat bowls, and natural dietary supplements which prevent cat bladder problems in the first place, strengthen the immune system and soothe tissues of the entire urinary tract.

Dietary modification to reduce cat bladder issues is usually accomplished through your vet, who will prescribe special medical formulations of cat food.  Clean water can be provided by filtering your tap water and it’s easy to clean cat bowls and litter boxes.

Natural dietary supplements can be found from many sources.  Look for the triple-prevention combination of Berberis, Cantharis and Staphysagris.  These active ingredients as well as the classic cranberry and blueberry can soothe inflamed tissues, reduce the causes of bleeding, promote urination and dilute urine, and serve as powerful antibacterial agents. Using one of these supplements is one of the most effective means of preventing cat bladder problems, besides taking the steps outlined above.

While there are conditions that can’t be addressed through these techniques, like certain types of bladder crystals, injuries or genetic problems that require surgery, preventative care is the best way to stop common cat bladder issues from affecting the health of your cat. Preventative care is simple and a relationship with a happy, healthy pet is one of life’s greatest joys!