Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a condition that affects the bladder and/or urethra of cats. Affected cats generally exhibit signs such as difficulty and pain when urinating, an increased frequency of urination, and blood in the urine. Owners of cats suffering from this condition usually notice their cat licking its privates very often.
The condition prevents the bladder from emptying correctly and may even cause fatal blockage of the urethra in extreme cases. Other symptoms associated with this condition include urinating outside the litter box, behavioral changes, urinary stones, and blockage of the urethra. The condition affects around 1-3 percent of cats and, due to the diverse nature of its causes, can affect cats of any age, breed, and gender.
To reduce the occurrence of the condition, cat owners should ensure that they keep the litter box clean, feed their cats small meals and provide fresh water at all times.