A common diagnosis in cats, urinary tract disease refers to a variety of conditions that affect the bladder and the urethra. It may stem from a variety of causes, including infection or obstruction. If a cat has risk factors for urinary tract disease or if symptoms stem from a condition prone to recurrence, prevention plays a key role in the cat's health.
One of the simplest, most effective protective measures is ensuring cats drink plenty of water. Clean, fresh water should be available to them all hours of the day. If a cat is reluctant to drink, running faucets or fountains can provide encouragement.
Moistened food can also help ensure a cat stays hydrated. There are certain foods specially formulated to prevent urinary tract issues, and it's best for an owner to choose one of these foods if a veterinarian recommends it. Moistened dry food or wet food can be a good general preventive step.
Owners need to keep litter boxes clean and fresh to ensure cats are willingly to use them. This is often easier to do with multiple litter boxes, particularly if there are multiple cats in the household. Multiple boxes can also help cats feel undisturbed, which encourages proper urinary habits.