My cat has had urinary tract problems in the past. I give him extra water to drink using a syringe and he likes it but I feel like I should be doing more to make sure he doesn’t have a recurrence of his previous urinary problems. Are there any over the counter medications or changes I could make to his diet without switching to a prescription diet? I am watching my budget very closely.
It’s good that you’re being so proactive. The cause of urinary tract problems in cats isn’t fully understood, but it appears that very concentrated urine and stress are often involved. The extra water is a great idea, because it makes his urine more dilute, and he is therefore less likely to have further problems.
Many vets will recommend that cats with urinary tract problems never eat dry food again, because it usually results in more concentrated urine. It’s worth switching him to canned food which has a much higher water content. Weight loss can help, if he is a bit generous around the middle.
To help reduce any stress, Feliway spray or diffuser has an anti-anxiety effects on cats and may be useful to prevent urinary tract problems. Remember that we can’t always see what’s bothering our cats, or something that may bother them a lot may appear trivial to us. Another suggestion is to keep your cat busy with interactive toys and boredom-busting games, particularly if he is on his own for long periods at a time.
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