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Cystitis and Lower Urinary Tract Disease in Cats
Cystitis is a general term referring to inflammation in the urinary bladder. The term cystitis does not imply a specific underlying cause.
In cats, diseases of the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) are often grouped under the term feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). This is because it can be challenging to distinguish between the various diseases of the bladder, urethra, and urinary opening.
If all the known causes of the disease have been eliminated, the condition is called feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) or Pandora syndrome. Idiopathic is a term that means the exact cause is unknown (see the handout "Feline Idiopathic Cystitis" for more information).
What are the signs of FLUTD?
Typical signs in cats with FLUTD are associated with inflammation and irritation of the lower urinary tract, such as:
With a urinary tract obstruction, it is essential to seek immediate veterinary care because it can be a life-threatening complication if untreated (and is very painful for the cat).
There are many potential causes of FLUTD. The average age of onset is four years old. As mentioned, about half of affected cats experience severe bladder and/or urethra inflammation without an identifiable cause (idiopathic). These idiopathic cases must be differentiated from other potential causes so that appropriate treatment can be given.
Some other potential causes of FLUTD include:
The initial diagnosis of FLUTD is based on identifying signs of lower urinary tract inflammation. The clinical signs displayed by the cat are often characteristic of FLUTD. A urinalysis will confirm the presence of inflammation or infection.
Initially, a cat with uncomplicated FLUTD may be treated symptomatically with pain medication, dietary modification, or, in certain circumstances, antibiotics. However, if the symptoms do not respond to this treatment or there is a recurrence of the clinical signs, additional diagnostic tests may be required to identify the underlying cause of the FLUTD.
When clinical signs are persistent or recurrent, various tests may be required to differentiate idiopathic FLUTD from the other known causes of urinary tract inflammation. These diagnostic tests include:
This depends on the underlying cause. For example:
There is no universal treatment for FLUTD. Each case has to be investigated to determine the underlying cause, and then the treatment has to be tailored to the individual cat. Sometimes, despite appropriate tests and treatment, clinical signs may still recur, requiring further therapy and diagnostic testing.
It is impossible to completely prevent diseases of the lower urinary tract from occurring. However, FLUTD is more common in cats that have low water consumption and in cats that are inactive and obese. All these factors may relate, at least in part, to the frequency with which a cat urinates.
>"FLUTD is more common in cats that have low water consumption and in cats that are inactive and obese."
Weight control and encouraging exercise and water consumption may be of some help in preventing FLUTD. As FIC is linked to an abnormal response to stress, environmental changes to reduce stress can help reduce recurrences.
If urinary calculi or crystals cause the symptoms of FLUTD, a therapeutic veterinary diet might be required, often long-term, to help prevent a recurrence.
© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Last updated on Oct 24, 2022.
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