20/08/2024
We know it's not Halloween just yet but we need to talk about something scary.
Not everyone knows one of the risks of having a neutered male cat is the potential for a urethral blockage, otherwise known as a "blocked bladder". Males are more prone to this than females as their urethra is longer, this means there is longer for any matter in the bladder to travel. Mucus, urinary crystals and sediment can be naturally occurring but the possibility of these being problematic are affected by the following:
- gender (males are predisposed)
- age
- weight (overweight males are more likely to develop urethral blockages)
- hydration levels
So how can you help?
>Ensuring your cat is at an optimal weight for their size can limit the potential for any issues relating to their body condition.
>Giving your cat access to plenty of fresh drinking water, particularly in the summer months, to keep flushing their system is key.
>Including wet food in their diet can assist with overall hydration levels and introduce more fluid to assist with flushing their system. You can even add more water to this food (particularly the gravy based foods) to up the fluid level.
>Does your cat love drinking from a tap? Give them a water fountain to encourage more water consumption.
If you're not sure whether your cat is at greater risk of this issue, call us and book a general health check and chat with our friendly, experienced and knowledgeable vet!
Call 09-948-2880 or email [email protected] to book 😊
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