If you suspect that your cat may be suffering from cystitis, you should consult a vet as soon as possible. They will first determine whether it is cystitis and - if so - what form of the disease your cat has. The diagnosis is made with the help of a urine sample or an ultrasound or X-ray image. This is followed by treatment: depending on the findings, antibiotics, painkillers or a change in diet may be prescribed. If urinary stones are found in the bladder or urethra of your four-legged friend, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove them.

The right food for cystitis depends primarily on the cause of the bladder inflammation. Basically, an increased fluid intake is helpful for affected cats: this can be boosted by wet food, drinks and sufficient water, for example. In the case of bacterial cystitis, a change in diet makes sense, especially if a pre-existing condition favors the infection - for diabetic cats and cats suffering from chronic renal insufficiency, for example, there is suitable diet food. In the case of struvite stones, on the other hand, you should choose a food with a reduced magnesium content, which ideally also slightly acidifies the pH value of the urine. The KATTOVIT Urinary range is specially tailored to the needs of cats with struvite stones and offers the right food for every cat's mouth with wet food, dry food, a cream and a drink. You are welcome to discuss this with your vet.

As a rule, it is not a bad thing if your cat drinks a lot. However, as an increased need for fluids can also be a symptom of various illnesses, you should pay attention to whether the overall condition of the animal changes and how long the increased thirst lasts if the drinking behaviour changes.

A cat should consume 50 to 60 ml of liquid per kilogramme of body weight per day - an average of around 250 to 300 ml. The fluid intake can be partly via the wet food or via special vitality drinks, but fresh water should also always be available.

If your cat drinks a conspicuous amount, you should observe the animal for the time being. Also look out for other symptoms such as tiredness, loss of appetite or ravenous hunger, vomiting, diarrhoea and increased urine output. If your velvet paw feels very thirsty due to extreme heat or high activity levels, but there are no other symptoms, a visit to the vet is not necessary for the time being. Make sure your pet has a shady spot and rest. If there are accompanying symptoms, call your vet and find out when a visit is necessary. In the event of vomiting or diarrhoea, do not wait longer than 12 to 24 hours, as the fluid loss may not be covered by the increased fluid intake. If you suspect poisoning, you should consult a doctor immediately.

If you notice that your cats are drinking too little, you should reconsider how and what you offer them. Animals cover a large part of their fluid requirements through their food. You should therefore favour wet food and add a few tablespoons of water if necessary. Cats also don't like it if the drinking bowl is too close to the food bowl. Therefore, try to clearly separate eating and drinking and place several drinking options around the home. Also try out different drinking containers and choose bowls that are as shallow and odourless as possible. Make sure that there is always plenty of fresh water available and, if necessary, make the water more attractive with a drinking fountain. You can make the liquid itself more palatable by switching from tap water to bottled water, adding ice cubes and adding unsalted broth or tuna water. Drinks specially developed for cats with small pieces of meat also ensure that your velvet paw's desire to drink is stimulated.

The fact that cats drink too little often only manifests itself in noticeable symptoms when the animals are severely dehydrated. As cats need very little fluid due to their evolution, cover a large part of their needs through their food and it is unclear where and how often they drink in the case of outdoor cats, it is even more difficult to detect a lack of fluids. If you suspect that your cat is drinking too little, you should observe it closely and carry out a test if necessary. If you squeeze the skin on your cat's back with your fingers for several seconds, the wrinkle should disappear quickly. However, if the fold of skin remains for a noticeably long time and only smoothes out again slowly, this is a clear sign of dehydration. Ideally, your pet's gums should also be pink and moist - if they feel sticky and dry instead, attention is also required. If your tiger is also tired and listless, has cold paws, sunken eyes and strong-smelling urine, you should definitely visit a vet and try to encourage your cat to drink more.

Always consult your vet before changing your cat's diet in the case of struvite stones. As a rule, feed your cat with special uric acidifying diet food, as the pH value of the urine must be reduced. A pH value that is too high encourages the formation of stones. When feeding your cat, also make sure it has a low phosphate and magnesium content. Your cat should also always have access to fresh water. If your cat only drinks a little, tasty cat drinks are often helpful. They consist of meat juice and pieces of meat and cats usually prefer them to water because of their taste.

If you notice any abnormalities around your cat's urination and you also notice other symptoms such as exhaustion or even diarrhea and vomiting, you should not wait long to visit the vet. A detailed examination of the animal will provide clarity about treatment options. In mild cases of struvite stones, urinary acidifying medication and a change of diet can already help. Severe cases are usually treated as emergencies with infusions and urinary catheters. In any case, it is necessary to dissolve the urinary stones in order to prevent blockage of the urethra.