Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) is an unpleasant and common condition in cats. Most cases are idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown, so the condition is known as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC). It isn’t a life-threatening condition so it’s not considered an emergency.

Nevertheless, it’s best to contact your vet for advice as soon as possible as it can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication, bringing rapid relief to your cat.

What Causes Cystitis in Cats?

There are several possible causes, but one of the most common, especially in otherwise healthy cats, is stress.

Known as stress cystitis or feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), this type of bladder inflammation has no clear medical cause but is often triggered by environmental or routine changes. Even small disruptions, like a new pet or changes to the litter tray setup, can trigger stress-related flare-ups.

In other cases, cystitis may be caused by a bacterial infection, which typically enters the bladder through the urethra. While less common, infections tend to be more likely in cats with underlying health problems.

For example, bladder crystals or stones can irritate your cat's bladder lining, increasing infection risk. Cats with conditions like chronic kidney disease, AD-PKD or diabetes may also be more vulnerable, as their immune system may not respond as well, or their urine may create a more favourable environment for bacteria.

Cats that struggle to empty their bladder properly, due to a blockage, pain, or reluctance to use the litter tray, are also at higher risk. Identifying the underlying cause is important when considering the best treatment for cystitis in cats.

FLUTD and FIC Explained

Cystitis belongs to the group of conditions known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). These conditions all cause pain and discomfort in cats when trying to pass urine. FLUTD includes bladder stones, urinary blockages, anatomical defects, behavioural problems as well as inflammation of the bladder (cystitis).

Male cats are more prone to blockages than female cats as their urethra (the tube the urine comes down) is long and narrow. If your male cat is struggling to wee, this can be very serious. It can be a sign of a urinary blockage that needs to be removed as an emergency. 

If a cat has FLUTD and the cause hasn’t been found, they're diagnosed as having FIC, a condition that is similar to the bladder condition known as interstitial cystitis in people. FIC can be classed as either being obstructive (needing immediate treatment) or non-obstructive (usually goes away in 5-10 days but often comes back).

FIC is usually triggered by stress. It’s thought that hormones linked with stress can erode the lining of the bladder causing irritation and inflammation. It’s more common in young female cats and often improves as they get older.

Cystitis in Cats Symptoms

The symptoms of cystitis in cats refer to inflammation of the bladder wall, making urination painful and uncomfortable. FIC is a painful condition where the lining of the bladder becomes inflamed.

Cats with FIC suffer discomfort and pain, and cats will want to go for a wee more often than normal. Usually, the first sign that your cat has developed cystitis is when you notice your car using their litter tray (or outdoor toileting area) more frequently.

You may see them squatting and urinating in unusual ways or only passing small amounts of urine at a time, sometimes with blood in it. They may lick at their urinary opening. Cats may strain with nothing coming out so it’s easy to mistake the signs for constipation. Cats with cystitis may also appear unsettled and restless, while others may cry when straining to urinate because it’s very painful.

Vet Tests to Diagnose Cats with Cystitis

If your cat is straining to urinate, visiting the litter tray more frequently, or passing blood in their urine, your vet may suspect cystitis. However, a thorough examination is essential before starting any treatment to rule out more serious issues, such as a UTI or urinary tract blockage, especially in male cats.

Your vet will begin by examining your cat and feeling the bladder to assess whether it's full, painful, or unusually small. They may feel your cat’s bladder and take a urine sample to test for excess sugar, protein and crystals in the urine.

If a bacterial infection is suspected, the urine sample may be sent for bacterial culture so the bacteria responsible can be identified and the correct antibiotic prescribed. Your vet might recommend that further tests are needed to check for bladder stones and urinary blockages. X-rays, ultrasound of the bladder and blood tests may be carried out. If no medical cause is identified, the condition is known as idiopathic cystitis.

Cat Cystitis Treatment

Cystitis can be treated easily by your vet. They’ll probably prescribe medication including anti-inflammatories, anti-spasm drugs and painkillers to reduce the inflammation in your cat’s bladder. This will also treat urethral spasms and stop any pain. If a FLUTD is confirmed, a course of antibiotics will be prescribed to target the bacteria causing the problem.

The infection should clear up in a few days but it’s important to complete the course of antibiotics given even if it looks like your cat is better. If the course isn’t completed, the infection can come back, and the antibiotics may not be so effective.

You might be surprised to learn that the most common cause of cystitis in cats is stress. A new cat in the household or area, home improvements and even minor changes to their routine can make a cat anxious and cause a stress trigger which can lead to this painful condition.

How to Treat Cystitis in Cats at Home

In addition to veterinary treatment, there are several things you can do at home to help your cat with cystitis feel more comfortable and reduce the risk of future flare-ups, especially in cases of FIC or stress cystitis in cats.

Encouraging your cat to drink more water is one of the most effective ways to help. Increased fluid intake dilutes the urine, making it less irritating to the bladder wall.

Offer fresh water at all times and consider switching from dry food to a wet food diet, which naturally increases moisture intake. Alternatively, your vet might recommend a specific urinary diet designed to rectify an underlying cause of your cat's cystitis, such as crystal formation within the urine. Some cats prefer to drink from ceramic or metal bowls, while others are more tempted by a water fountain.

Make sure your cat always has access to a clean litter tray, and if you have more than one cat, follow the "one tray per cat, plus one" rule to avoid territorial stress. A quiet, private place to toilet can help your cat feel safe and reduce anxiety. Different litter types and litter tray types can often help by giving options that your cat may favour.

Because idiopathic cystitis in cats is often linked to stress, maintaining a calm and predictable environment for your cat is crucial. Avoid sudden changes, provide hiding places, and consider using a pheromone diffuser to help promote relaxation and calmness.

Supplements may also be advised by your vet to reduce stress and optimise urinary tract health. In some cases, cats prone to stress-related bladder problems may benefit from long-term behaviour support or even medication to manage anxiety.

How Long Does Cystitis Last in Cats?

Most cats begin to feel better within a few days of starting treatment, especially if the cause is straightforward.

However, suppose there's an underlying condition, such as bladder stones, crystalluria, infection, or chronic stress. In that case, your cat may require ongoing or long-term treatment to prevent recurrence, especially if the underlying cause isn't fully addressed.

With the right care and veterinary guidance, many cats recover well and go on to live healthy, comfortable lives. But if symptoms return or don't improve, always speak to your vet. Ongoing or unresolved cystitis in female cats or male cats may point to a more serious issue that needs further investigation.

How to Prevent Cystitis in Cats

There are several things to try to help prevent your cat from getting cystitis: 

1. Make sure their litter tray is always clean, easy to access and in an area your cat finds safe
2. Make sure there are plenty of litter trays, ideally one per cat plus one additional litter tray
3. Encourage them to drink more water. Always make sure your cat always has access to fresh water – have a choice of water bowls and consider a water fountain for your cat to drink from
4. If they’re prone to cystitis, feed your cat a moist wet food diet (you can add water to dry food) or ask your vet to recommend a special diet designed for urinary health
5. Try to keep your cat stress-free. Cats should have a safe hiding place. If another cat is coming into your cat’s home and causing stress, a microchip scanning cat flap can solve this issue. Your vet can also suggest other ways to reduce your cat’s anxiety and stress.

Most cats recover quickly from a bout of cystitis if the underlying problem such as a blockage or bacterial infection has been identified and is treated. If your cat suffers from FIC, symptoms may improve with medication and changes to the cat’s environment to reduce their stress levels, but long term, repeat episodes are often likely.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis

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