Stress and Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorder

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a condition seen frequently in our domestic house cats, but it is truly a problem of our own making. During a recent seminar given at PetSage, Dr. Andrea Tasi, of Just Cats, Naturally, delved into this disease and our role in creating it. Thankfully, Dr. Tasi was able to give practical suggestions to help us help our cats from this painful and frustrating condition.

According to Dr. Tasi, FLUTD was never seen or diagnosed until the late 1970s. After this time, feeding dry cat food diets became more common. The ingredients of dry cat food diets are contrary to the true, completely carnivorous diet of the cat. Dr. Tasi explained that diet, the irrational use of vaccines and stress are three contributing factors that can often result in FLUTD.

Stress and how it relates to our cats’ environments is rarely recognized and discussed. Dr. Tasi explained how we, as cat guardians, have completely altered the environment and lifestyle of our relatively newly domesticated companions. The stress we’ve created by forcing our cats to live a non-species appropriate lifestyle can lead to changes in the biochemistry in a cat’s brain and bladder. A major stressor largely ignored is boredom, leading to unhappy, and eventually, unhealthy cats.

Cats are naturally active, engaging creatures who roam wide territories. Try thinking about it this way: cats are primarily indoor companions in cages–cages equal to the size of your home–whether that is a 700 sq. foot apartment or a 3000 sq. foot home. An outdoor wild male cat may have a home territory range as large as 1.66 square miles! Cats in their natural outdoor environment must seek out and hunt food on their own. By feeding them at scheduled intervals (in bowls of all things!) we have taken all the “fun” out of the hunt. After all, play behavior in cats is just modified hunting behavior.

We’re not advocating you simply open your door and turn your cat loose upon the world. Your dear companion could be at risk for getting hit by a car, trapped by animal control, or attacked by another animal. We’re simply encouraging you to think about ways to make your cat’s environment more interactive and enjoyable. Adding quality playtime and varying the types of play will go a long way to reducing environmental stress. It’s vital you play with your cat, at least once a day. Cats engaged in play build stronger bonds with their guardians. As Dr. Tasi cleverly put it “you can’t be stressed or fearful in your brain if you’re focused on playing!”

Here’s a few playful ideas for your astute hunter:

• The simplest type of play is object play and involves your cat batting around a toy by himself. Younger cats–certainly kittens who think everything is a toy, can entertain themselves for hours with a wad of paper or a toy mouse. But by rotating the type of objects left out for your cat, you peak interest levels of all ages and make old toys seem new again. Most types of these “object” toys can be safely left out for your cat to enjoy while you are away. One variation of object play is to toss a ping pong ball into your (dry) bathtub, creating what we call “Tub Hockey.” As the ball bounces about, your cat will start chasing and batting at the ball. Because the ball is confined to the tub, it becomes a dynamic, fast paced game. Your cat can quickly catch and release the ball over and over. The sudden movements will drive your cat wild!
• With interactive play, you control the toy’s movements. Classic interactive toys are fishing poles or “wand” toys, designed to let you imitate the movements of a cats’ natural prey. Think about the movements of mice, birds, insects and small reptiles. They scurry, flutter, jump, hop and slither. Innovative wand toy manufacturers offer varying attachments to mimic the different types of prey or be creative and make your own. Make sure your wand toy recreates a range of movements so your cat’s inner predator is released! Drag the toy across the floor to mimic a running mouse, or flutter it a few feet off the ground so your cat thinks he’s leaping after an insect. The more you play with your cat, the easier it will be you to figure out his hunting preferences. Don’t forget to switch it out once in a awhile to prevent boredom.
• Many people find interactive play is therapeutic for their cats, helping to keep hyperactive cats sane in the home and even bringing worried or shy cats out of their shell. Interactive toys should be safely stored away when you are done with them so your cat does not ingest any part of the toy or become entangled in the wire.
• Think about bringing the outside world in to stimulate natural instincts. Collect feathers or small shells washed up on the beach for feline play toys or leave a grocery paper bag or empty box for your cats to play hide-and-seek.
• Catnip, an herb that creates a euphoric feeling and reduces feline inhibition, can be a great stress reliever or simply a special treat for your cat. Sprinkle dry catnip and rub into beds and scratching posts to put your cat at ease with new things or draw out a worried cat. An old sock (preferably clean!) filled with dried catnip makes an inexpensive toy your cat can roll on, swipe at, or bunny kick. Growing your own catnip indoors is an easy way to provide your cat with this safe and nonaddicting herb. Make sure not to overuse catnip though. Limit to maybe once a week, or your cat may become immune.
• Don’t stop abruptly in the middle of a play session and leave your cat wound up in the “hunt.” Gradually slow down the movements of your interactive toy to help your cat calm down. Consider scheduling play sessions right before meals, so after the hunt your cat can settle in for a feast. Author and feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett reminds us that the natural cycle of the cat is hunt, feast, groom, sleep. Even your little house cat is hard-wired to perform these behaviors. You’ll notice by keeping this cycle intact for your cat, you will keep him occupied and happy.

© Roxanne Dunn, 2009

The Infamous Cat Catcher!

One of my favorite wand toys that’s increasing in popularity is the “Cat Catcher,”  manufactured by Go Cat. The toy consists of a small brown mouse attached to a light flexible wire, which allows the mouse to dance and jump erratically. Cats are able to hone their stalking and chasing skills with this toy. Cats beg to play with these toys after they’ve been put away and we’ve yet to hear about a cat that’s failed to enjoy it!  ~Roxy