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Did you know that up to 1.5 percent of all cats in the US are plagued with feline urinary problems? That’s a lot of cats.

Your cat may suffer from an uncomfortable cat bladder infection, or his life may be threatened by a cat urinary blockage. An an informed cat owner, you should always be on the lookout for cat urinary problems.

Is There A Difference Between FUS And FLUTD?

Many cat owners are confused, and rightfully so, over the terms used to describe cat urinary problems. FLUTD is an acronym that stands for Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. FLUTD used to be known as FUS, or Feline Urologic Syndrome. Feline Urologic Syndrome has been renamed as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease to reflect that most of the urinary problems in cats happen in the lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder and urethra.

Overview Of Feline Urinary Disease

There are many different aspects to feline urinary problems. Here’s a quick overview of a few different conditions that can affect your cat’s urinary tract.

• An inflammation of your cat’s bladder is called cystitis.
• If your cat’s urethra is inflamed, he has urethritis.
• Idiopathic cystitis means that the cause of the bladder inflammation is not known.
• Bladder stones in cats often occur as a result of feline urinary crystals.
• if your kitty has a tumor in his bladder, it can cause problems, too.

You can see that it’s important to pinpoint what’s causing your cat’s urinary tract problems in order to treat his condition successfully.

Symptoms of Cat Urinary Problems

No matter what’s causing the feline urinary tract problems, your cat will show these symptoms:

• Bloody urine
• Urinating in places other than his litter box
• Urinating often, but passing only small amounts of urine
• Straining to urinate, or not being able to pass urine at all
• Crying out in pain in the litter box

Any of these symptoms should be enough for you to take your cat to the vet for a check-up.

What Your Vet Will Do

Your vet will examine your cat and feel his bladder to see how full it is. The vet will also want to do a urinalysis to check for infection or feline urinary crystals, and may want to do a cat urine culture to see if bacteria are present. If your cat’s bladder is distended, that indicates a cat urinary blockage, and your vet may want to take x-rays or do an ultrasound to look for cat bladder stones.

How You Can Prevent Feline Urinary Disease?

There are many steps cat owners can take to prevent their cats from developing feline urinary tract problems. The most important thing you can do is to feed a high-quality canned food.

Because cats are supposed to get most of their water from their food, a kitty who eats only dry food is usually chronically dehydrated, which leads to his urine becoming concentrated. And concentrated urine can lead to cat bladder stones, and a whole host of problems that goes along with them.

Be sure your cat always has access to plenty of clean, fresh water, too.

You may want to think about treating your cat with natural remedies for cats that support feline bladder health. This remedy should contain the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagria, along with herbal extracts of barberry and uva ursi. Not only are these natural treatments effective for bladder problems in people, but they have been proven to work just as well in cats.

Click on any link in this article to learn how natural remedies for cats can help to prevent and treat feline urinary problems.

You may be surprised to learn that one of the symptoms of feline diabetes is weakness in your cat’s legs.  If you notice your kitty walking on her “elbows” on her back legs instead of her feet, or on her “wrists” on her front legs, you may have a diabetic cat.Her feet may go out from underneath her, too, or she may need to lie down and rest after a short walk.  This problem is called “feline neuropathy.”

Why Does Diabetes In Cats Cause Weak Legs?

Many cat owners are shocked to learn that a cat with feline neuropathy often has feline diabetes.  This condition is a result of nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels.  It’s very important that a diabetic cat receives veterinary treatment to lower blood glucose levels as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to her nerves.

Why Does Feline Diabetes Cause Nerve Damage?

Diabetes, both in humans, and in pets, results when the body can’t regulate blood sugar levels.  Either your kitty’s body isn’t producing enough insulin (type 1 feline diabetes), or her body isn’t able to use the insulin being produced (type 2 feline diabetes).

High blood sugar levels are especially dangerous for nerve, kidney, and eye cells.  Why?These cells can absorb so much glucose from the bloodstream that they’re damaged by it. This is because they don’t need insulin in order to absorb glucose.This is why it’s important that owners of feline diabetics keep the cat’s blood glucose at normal levels.  

Can Feline Neuropathy Be Reversed?

Sometimes the nerve damage is reversed when the high blood sugar levels are brought under control, and the cat is able to walk normally again.

It’s also possible that the weakness in the cat’s legs is due to muscle wasting, which is a result of untreated feline diabetes.  Once the blood sugar levels are controlled, the cat owner may wish to gently exercise the feline to rebuild the muscle.  

Some owners have had some success in reversing feline neuropathy by treating their cats with methylcobalamin, also known as methyl B-12.  This product is available at natural food stores.

The Best Treatment Is Prevention

The best way to avoid complications of diabetes in cats is to prevent the disease in the first place.  Avoid letting your feline friend get too heavy.A kitty carrying too much weight is at risk for many health problems, in addition to feline diabetes.  Avoid overfeeding dry food, and try to get your kitty to eat a high-quality canned food instead.

Regular exercise is a natural way to control blood sugar levels, besides keeping your pet slim and in good condition.

Are Natural Remedies For Cats Effective For A Feline Diabetic?

Research shows that it’s possible to control blood sugar levels naturally in people with diabetes by using herbs such as astragalus, goat’s rue, and fenugreek.  Would these herbs work in cats, too?  The answer is yes.   

Many cat owners have been successful in using a combination of diet, exercise, and herbal remedies to regulate their pets’ blood sugar levels naturally.  You can learn more about natural remedies for cats with diabetes by clicking on any link in this article.

Most people would get a pet bird because they thought that they are “low-maintenance pets”.Unfortunately for them, they would come across the truth that birds are not like that.  Like any other animals, birds would need social and physical attention from their owners.  There are studies showing pet birds developing behavioural problems because their owners neglect them. 

How can you make your bird happy? 

A healthy bird is a happy one.   When caring for  birds, it is important to take note of their diet, housing and other social needs. There are some bird owners, who were overwhelmed of their pet responsibilities that they either give up their pets or their pets escaped from their homes.

Here are some things to remember to make our little feathered companions happy. 

Shelter and Cage

When choosing a cage for a pet bird, make that there should be enough room for them to move.  It is ideal for small birds to have perches where they can hop to, while big birds should have enough room to spread their wings without touching the sides of the cage.  Perches should also be in different sizes.  This would remove any possibility of birds hurting their feet for staying in one position.   The perches should also provide access to food and water.

There are also some bird toys which you can give to your birds.  There are some bird toys which can come in very low prices or sometimes given away for free.  It is just a matter of looking.   You can also try providing some “natural” comfort to your birds.  Like safe and edible plants and non-toxic wood inside the cage.

When choosing a location in your house where you can put the bird cage, keep the bird in a safe and quiet environment.  Kitchen is a no-no.  Cleaning and cooking fumes can get dangerous to birds.   It is also important for birds to get direct sunlight.  Similar to humans, birds also need vitamin D. 

Cages should also be cleaned every day.  You can use water and minimal amount of bleach to kill the bacteria.Move the bird in a safe place when you have decided to clean the cages.  The cleaning fumes can be bad for the birds.

Nutrition and Grooming

Bird food is not solely bird seeds.  Some pet owners think that bird seeds are just enough, seed only diet can result to early death.   Birds’ diet should include vegetables, fruits, grains and dairy food.  Avoid processed meat and food with high sugar content.Normally avoid feeding them avocadoes and chocolates, which is rich in sugar.  Constant fresh water should be supplied to birds. 

Bathing opportunity should be provided to birds.  There are different options, you can put a shallow dish where birds can take a bath.Many of the birds like to take shower under a faucet, you can also spray them with water.  Bathing is important especially if the bird is suffering molting. 

Birds also need to sleep.  Make sure that the place where the cage can be silent and dark enough for the bird to sleep. 

Socialization

Birds are social creatures.  You just don’t put them in a cage and just watch them from time to time.  You would also need to give them time to make them happy.  There were studies that have showed that parrots being neglected by their owners developed behavioural problems like feather plucking.

You can put your bird’s cage in the family room where family members can frequently see the bird and spend time with it.  Free flight also provides great health benefits to your bird.  Even if the bird cage is big enough, it still does not provide enough physical stimulation and movement to your pet.   You can stay with your pet and with your family in the family room.  Not only do you get to spend time with your pet bird, you also get to spend time with your family.

Is a diabetic cat part of your life?  If you do, you already know that it’s necessary to pay a lot more attention to your kitty’s health.  Although cat diabetes doesn’t cause circulatory problems or blindness like diabetes in people does, there are four dangerous complications of feline diabetes that you need to know about. 

Feline Neuropathy

The cat owner will notice weakness in the pet’s legs.  Be aware that your kitty may have feline diabetes if you notice her walking on her “wrists” on her front legs, or on her “elbows” in the back.  This is a result of nerve damage from high blood sugar levels.  This condition is sometimes reversed when cat diabetes is treated.

Feline Ketoacidosis

This problem is often seen in an untreated feline diabetic.  Glucose is normally broken down by the kitty’s body for energy.  But in cat diabetes, the body can’t break down this glucose, so the body starts breaking down fat instead.  This process produces ketones, which are a waste product.  When ketones accumulate in the cat’s body, it causes ketoacidosis, which is fatal without immediate veterinary care.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis in cats include:

• Breath either smells sweet, or like nail polish remover
• Dehydration
• Either excessive thirst, or not drinking any water at all
• Not eating for more than twelve hours
• Fast breathing
• Vomiting
• Weakness and lethargy
• Frequent urination

Feline Hypoglycemia

If a diabetic cat is given too much insulin, or doesn’t eat on schedule, her blood sugar levels may drop to dangerously low levels.  The cat may act strangely and stagger around, and even have seizures.  A fatal coma may follow. 

Treat feline hypoglycemia by rubbing a little corn syrup or honey on the cat’s gums.  Because this is an emergency, don’t wait to take your kitty to the vet.

Hepatic Lipidosis

An overweight cat who suddenly stops eating is at risk for this condition.Fat builds up in the cat’s liver when her body attempts to break down fat for energy, in place of glucose.  Symptoms are similar to ketoacidosis, and also include jaundice, or a yellowing of the cat’s eyes and gums.  Again, get Kitty to the vet right away, as this is an emergency.

Avoid These Four Complications of Diabetes in Cats

Preventing the complications of feline diabetes is often dependent on keeping the cat’s blood sugar at normal levels.  Research shows that natural remedies for cats, which include the herbs astragalus, fenugreek, and goat’s rue, along with chromium, are very effective for regulating blood sugar levels in kitties.

Don’t wait for your feline diabetic to fall victim to these complications.  Click on any link above to learn more.

Is feline incontinence becoming a problem for your cat? You need to realize that incontinence in cats, or dribbling and leaking of urine, and inappropriate urination are two different things.

Often an incontinent pet is unaware that she has a problem. Inappropriate urination, on the other hand, is when a cat is purposely urinating in places other than her litter box. This may be a behavior issue, but it can also be cause by feline lower urinary tract disease.

It’s important to know the difference between the two because incontinence in cats can be a sign of serious health issues for your feline friend.

Ten Reasons For Feline Incontinence

1. Usually the simplest reason is feline lower urinary tract disease. One of the symptoms of a feline bladder infection is needing to urinate often. Your kitty may not be able to make it to the litter box in time.

2. Your cat’s bladder may be scarred, due to recurring feline urinary problems. Because her bladder can’t expand to hold urine, frequent urination is the result.

3. Cat bladder stones can cause a partial blockage of your cat’s urethra, making it impossible for her to empty her bladder completely. As her bladder fills with urine, the pressure can force some urine around the blockage. If you suspect a blocked cat, get her to the vet as soon as possible, as this can be fatal within a day or two.

4. As a consequence of a weak urinary sphincter, she may become an incontinent cat. This is more common in older spayed female dogs, but it does occasionally happen in spayed cats, too, especially if they’re heavy. This type of incontinence, called hormone-responsive incontinence, can develop years after she’s been spayed.

5. Feline diabetes can cause an incontinent cat. A diabetic cat is drinking lots more water than normal because the disease makes her very thirsty in an effort to flush the excess sugar out of her body. Of course, this makes her urinate more, too. She may have trouble making it to her litter box before she has an accident.

6. Cats with feline leukemia sometimes become incontinent, too. This can happen in both males and females.

7. As a cat ages, the urinary sphincter can weaken. Your cat may develop other problems as she gets older, such as diabetes, which cause her body to produce more urine than normal. Combine a very full bladder with a weak urinary sphincter, and it’s easy to see why urinary incontinence in cats is the result.

8. She may have a neurological problem with the nerves in her bladder that cause her to be unable to hold her urine.

9. Bladder tumors can be another factor.

10. LItter box problems can result when an aging cat becomes forgetful or enters the early stages of senility.

Natural Feline Urinary Support

If your furball is having cat urinary problems, it’s important to take her to the vet for a check-up to rule out anything serious. Most cases of inappropriate urination are due to feline lower urinary tract disease, which can be a frustrating condition to deal with.

The most important thing you can do is to feed your cat a high-quality canned food. Cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, so feeding a cat dry food all the time is an invitation to disaster in the form of cat urinary problems.

You may want to consider giving your kitty one of the many natural remedies for cats that are available for feline urinary support. Herbs and homeopathic remedies have a long history of success in humans, and they’re very effective for urinary problems in pets, too.  Just click on any link to learn more.