Feline Urination Problems

QUESTION:

My cat is urinating all over the house.  What should I do?

ANSWER:

Far too often cats are abandoned or given up to local humane organizations or adopted from family to family for problems such as this.  You are not alone!  Unfortunately there is not only one cause for this symptom.  To have the best chance at curing or managing this frustrating condition we first have to determine if there is a medical underlying cause or if it is strictly a behavioral problem.  The starting point should be a visit with your vet for a thorough history, physical exam, and urine test.  With this information, your vet can help you decide if the problem is caused by illness or just inappropriate elimination.  Medical causes are numerous (bacterial infection, inflammatory condition, bladder stones, crystals, etc) and each cause is treated differently.

If the problem is behavioral, determining the most likely cause for the behavior is necessary to set up a treatment plan.  These causes include location preferences or avoidance (such as having to cross the path of another household cat or pet, or having to go up stairs for an older cat with arthritis, etc.), a litter box substrate preference (prefers litter deeper/shallower, different litter type, not cleaned thoroughly or often enough, covered/uncovered, etc), or in the case of an un-spayed pet, hormonal stimulation.  If your pet is un-spayed, correct this immediately with surgery.

If you pet has a location preference, put a litter box in the area that it is soiling. (Even if it is on your guest bedroom’s bed!)  Once the box is being used you can inch it back to a desirable location at a rate of 1-2 inches per day.  It is important with any behavioral disorder to use a high quality effective odor eliminator and thoroughly remove the urine scent from the soiled area(s).  If the area is repeatedly marked, consider covering the site with plastic or placing a litter box or, alternatively, the food bowls in that area.

Because cats are not “pack” animals, some stress whether outwardly apparent or not is typically present in most multiple cat households.  Providing plenty of litter box opportunities will help decrease the odds that one of your cats will decide to eliminate inappropriately.  In other words, a good rule of thumb is to provide one more litter box per cat.

There are many other tools to help entice a pet to use the litter box (special cat attracting litters, pheromone sprays to decrease inter-cat anxiety, automatic self-scooping litter boxes).  Sadly, inappropriate elimination is one of the leading causes for healthy cat euthanasia in the U.S.  Cats that are shuffled from one owner to another are likely to have more anxiety and the problem usually gets.  The best solution is to try the above approaches, work closely with your veterinarian, be willing to modify or tailor your plan, and be patient.  Your little friend is not urinating out of the box to make you angry, but being angry at him/her is more likely to add to the anxiety and cause repeated offenses.

 

If you have a veterinary question that you would like to propose for an upcoming edition, please send it to email@catandexoticcare.com with “ask the vet” in the subject line.

Max Conn, DVM is the owner of Cat & Exotic Care of the CentralCoast, a full service veterinary hospital dedicated to the special needs of cats, birds, reptiles and small mammals.  Cat & Exotic Care is located in PismoCoastPlaza, 565 Five Cities Drive, 805-773-0228.  More information can be found at www.catandexoticcare.com.

 

Disclaimer: The informational handouts and website links above are for informational purposes only, they are not intended to replace veterinary care.

4th of July Fireworks

With the Fourth of July upon us, what is your recommendation for managing my anxious dog while the fireworks are going off?

The noise pollution that accompanies this holiday can be tough on several species of pets, especially some dogs.  You may have witnessed the following behaviors from your pet during fireworks: trembling, shaking, bulging eyes, pacing, etc.  It is a very sad sight, and often the poor pooch is inconsolable.

Here are some suggestions for making any anticipated noisy event more tolerable for your pet:

BE CALM

Make sure you are acting calm yourself.  Dogs will often feed off of your emotional state.  If you act calm and talk calmly to your dog you will reinforce the fact that the situation does not call for alarm.

PRAISE AND REASSURANCE

Make negative experiences (fireworks, thunderstorms, etc) a positive experience by reinforcing with tasty treats and lots of praise and reassurance.  This works best when started as a puppy, but can sometimes work even if your dog is already an adult.

PROGRESSIVE DESENSITIZATION

Expose your pet to recordings of thunder or fireworks (or any other noise that triggers a stress response) and start at a volume that is below your dog’s fear threshold.  Over the following day to weeks, slowly increase the volume.  Use the first two tips listed above for positive reinforcement.  This is a lengthy process and needs to be done well in advance of the stressful situation.  It takes careful planning and monitoring in order to work properly.  A veterinary behaviorist can work with you to come up with a plan that is tailored to your pet.

APPLY PRESSURE TO NOSE BRIDGE

Applying pressure on the bridge of a dog’s nose and/or behind their ears can simulate what a female dog does to her puppies to calm them down.  This can be most easily mimicked using a head collar called the “Gentle Leader.”  It fits around the nose and behind the ears.  This collar was designed to be used as a training collar, but it can be of benefit as a comforting device for some dogs during storms or fireworks.

SECURE PET AREA

Provide a hiding area near your pet’s favorite sleeping area.  An unzipped sleeping bag works well by providing a place to burrow and hide.  If the sleeping bag has your scent, it will likely provide even more comfort.

Keep your pet indoors in the quietest, most sound-proof area of the house.  Ensure that the room is injury-proofed and chew-proofed.  Close the curtains and windows to muffle the sounds.  Turning on a TV or radio may also help to cover fear-inducing noises.  Alternatively, consider boarding your pet at a kennel, away from the main commotion.

Finally, consult with a veterinarian about potential medical options to calm your pet.

All of these tips need to planned and employed before the stressful event occurs.  It is much easier to prevent stress than to resolve it once your pet is already wound up.

If you have a veterinary question that you would like to propose for an upcoming edition, please send it to email@catandexoticcare.com with “ask the vet” in the subject line.

Max Conn, DVM is the owner of Cat & Exotic Care of the Central Coast, a full-service veterinary hospital dedicated to the special needs of cats, birds, reptiles and small mammals.  Cat & Exotic Care is located in Pismo Coast Plaza, 565 Five Cities Drive, 805-773-0228.  More information can be found at www.catandexoticcare.com.

Disclaimer: The informational handouts and website links above are for informational purposes only, they are not intended to replace veterinary care.

Grass… Good or Bad for Cats?

QUESTION:

My cat loves to eat grass.  Is there any dietary deficiency that would cause this?  Is it good for her?  She usually vomits shortly afterwards.

ANSWER:

This is a loaded question!  People have been trying it out for years.

First let me summarize some of the popular but largely fictional theories:

  1. Cats crave grass because it has certain nutrients that they are not getting from their meat-based commercially prepared diets.  False.
  2. Grass contains digestive aids.  False.
  3. Cats like the way it tastes.  True for many cats.
  4. Grass helps cats purge fur-balls.  It certainly will help cause vomiting, which may in turn purge a fur-ball.  There is a risk, however, that the fur-ball could become lodged in the esophagus on the way out, creating a medical emergency.  This is pretty rare though.
  5. Grass helps a cat to vomit when it has eaten something bad.  It will help a cat vomit.
  6. In the wild cats eat herbivorous prey (the prey eat mostly grass and other vegetable matter).  The cat often eats the digestive tract of the prey first, which contains the vegetable matter, so in a domesticated situation they still have this craving.  This sounds logical, but is unproven.

The facts are:

  1. Many cats seem to like the taste of grass, and will eat it for pleasure.
  2. Cats do not have a dietary need for grass.  A cat can live a perfectly healthy  life without ever touching a blade of grass!
  3. Grass eating often leads to vomiting.  Many otherwise healthy cats will chose to eat grass but later pay the price.  This is not a benefit for these cats.
  4. Some cats with pre-existing stomach or intestinal inflammation or infection seek out grass to self-induce vomiting.  It is difficult to know for sure if this is of any benefit.  In medicine we typically only induce vomiting if certain particular toxins are ingested, in order to reduce the amount of toxin that is absorbed.
  5. Vomiting in any species is not a pleasant act.  If grass ingestion causes your pet to vomit unnecessarily, I recommend that you prevent it.  Yes, I am aware that many stores market grass for cats!  This does not validate its use.  Remember, many companies will market a product if it generates money, regardless of whether the product is beneficial or even detrimental.  This is true in all walks of life.
  6. Many herbicides used on or around grass are toxic.
  7. Occasionally a cat will inhale a piece of grass that will then become lodged in the sinuses, or get a blade trapped in the back of their mouth.  Both will necessitate removal under anesthesia.

If you have a veterinary question that you would like to propose for an upcoming edition, please send it to email@catandexoticcare.com with “ask the vet” in the subject line.

 

Disclaimer: The informational handouts and website links above are for informational purposes only, they are not intended to replace veterinary care.

Holiday De-Stress Tips for Cats

The holiday season can be a stressful time for a cat.  Here are some tips to keep your feline friend(s) safe and happy:

  • Provide solitude.  Visitors and their accompanying noise and traffic can be very stressful to your cat.  Allow your cat access to her favorite place, free from the holiday hubbub, so she can retreat and relax. This is especially important if your cat will be around unfamiliar young kids.  Also, be aware that guests may not be as careful as you at keeping doors and gates closed, so make sure your cat is carefully secured within the house or yard.
  • Keep poisonous and dangerous plants away.  Seasonal toxic plants include mistletoe, poinsettias, holly, many types of lilies, pine boughs, and even the water that leaches from your Christmas trees.  Ingested pine needles can cause digestive tract blockage and irritation.  Keeping your pets away from these plants might just save you a trip to the pet emergency clinic.  Additionally, your Christmas tree should be well anchored so that it doesn’t get knocked down, possibly resulting in your cat getting injured or tangled up.
  • Many holiday decorations can be enticing to your pet and become problematic when swallowed.  Cats are particularly drawn to ribbons, bows, and tinsel.  If you must use ribbons, avoid types that are long and/or contain wire.  Place tinsel high enough on your tree to prevent your cat from reaching it.  Light cords, when chewed or frayed, can cause severe burns or electrocution.  Similarly, candles can be dangerous and may pose a fire hazard (we have all seen one or two cats with singed whiskers).  Prevent these disasters by keeping decorations out of reach or locked in an inaccessible room.
  • Make holiday trips safe and prepare for them well in advance.  Take special precautions when traveling with your cat.  Several days before departing, consult with your veterinarian about how to properly prepare for the type of trip you are planning to make it as easy as possible for your kitty.
  • Table scraps aren’t pet snacks. Many holiday foods are loaded with fat and sodium and can cause stomach upset.  Too much rich food can cause serious inflammation of the pancreas and digestive tract, which may be life-threatening.  Table scraps and sweets are commonly ingested by pets and in many cases can lead to an upset stomach or worse.  Remember, chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) is toxic to pets.  It contains theobromine, a potent cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant that is eliminated very slowly in cats.  Stay disciplined in keeping your cat on its normal maintenance diet.
  • For an easy bake cat treat, use your cat’s favorite dry kibble and grind it into flour using a blender.  Add enough water until it is the consistency of dough.  Cut the dough into cookie shapes and bake on a cookie sheet for approximately 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Hopefully a quick review of these items will keep your cat or cats safe and happy for the holiday season.  Happy holidays from the doctors and staff at Cat and Exotic Care!

Max Conn, DVM is the owner of Cat & Exotic Care of the Central Coast, a full-service veterinary hospital dedicated to the special needs of cats, birds, reptiles and small mammals.  Cat & Exotic Care is located in Pismo Coast Plaza, 565 Five Cities Drive, 773-0228, and is open from 8-5:30 Monday through Saturday.  More information can be found at www.catandexoticcare.com.

If you have a veterinary question that you would like to propose for an upcoming edition, please send it to email@catandexoticcare.com with “ask the vet” in the subject line.

 

Disclaimer: The informational handouts and website links above are for informational purposes only, they are not intended to replace veterinary care.