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.

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.