Feline Cystitis: Stress, Temperament, & Breed
Veterinarians see feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) frequently. It usually occurs in middle-aged, overweight cats that have little exercise, use an indoor litter box, and consume a dry diet. Persian and colorpoint cats seem to be predisposed to FLUTD. Male cats were overrepresented in this study. Stress, which can arise from living in a multiple-cat household, plays an important role.
The goal of this study was to determine whether any environmental or behavioral factors could be associated with FIC (feline idiopathic cystitis). Three groups of cats were examined: those with cystitis, those without cystitis that lived with a cat with cystitis, and those from the general population that did not have cystitis. Would it be possible to identify differences in their environment or temperaments? Thirty-one cats with a history of chronic cystitis were recruited, and their respective owners filled out a lengthy questionnaire. Questions pertained to age, sex, and breed as well as the cat's relationship with other members of the household (cat, dog, humans) and litter box habits. When living within the same environment, cats with cystitis were then compared with cats without FIC.
Persian cats were the most common type of cat in the FIC group, and long-haired cats were generally more likely to have FIC. Other predisposing factors included being overweight and male. However, the principal new finding from this study was that intercat conflict within a household may be associated with FIC. Some cats are genetically predisposed to stress because of a resistance to socialization. When a litter box is used by more than 1 cat, this situation is stressful and presents an opportunity for FIC. Fear or the presence of a stranger in the house also can trigger stress in cats. Further investigation is needed to clarify the relationship between spraying and FIC.
COMMENTARY: Once again, stress emerges as a potential risk factor for FIC. In this study, the stressor appeared to be living with another cat with which there was a conflict. Male, pedigreed, and long-haired cats also appeared to be predisposed. The form of diet (dry or canned) did not appear to make a difference, but the large number of cats on mixed diets made interpretation of these data difficult.
A study of environmental and behavioral factors that may be associated with feline idiopathic cystitis. Cameron ME, Bradshaw JWS, Waran NK, et al. J SMALL ANIM PRACT 45:144-147, 2004.