To be worrying about the cat?

[MinesaBottle]

He's using his litter box an awful lot today. He's been in there five times in the past half hour. He seems fine otherwise - his behaviour is the same, he's eaten normally (wet food), he hasn't been vocal in the litter box but isn't very vocal anyway. It doesn't look like he is producing much urine if any.

He's 16 months old, neutered, otherwise happy and healthy. He's the only cat in the house. I can't see blood in the litter box. I can tell he's trying to pee but he doesn't seem to be straining much. Why does this happen on a weekend?! Should I call the emergency vet?

[Muddiboots]

Yes, 100pc, male cats can get blocked up very easily and it's one of the real vet emergencies. Hopefully it's just a bit of cystitis but best to get it checked out

[Autumn82]

Take him to the vets. I hope he is okay.

[cozietoesie]

Yes - vet him directly.

Good luck to him.

[Beanie99]

Mine has had a blocked bladder twice now, it's definitely very serous, the bladder can rupture if it's not treated. My cat had to have a catheter and few days stay in the vets both times.

[DanyStormborn]

Emergency vet I'm afraid. If he's blocked he could be very I'll or worse by Monday and even if he isn't blocked he is in pain and needs pain relief. My cat has had these issues his whole life and we have hit it under good control but he gets a couple of flare-ups each year.

[thecatneuterer]

Yes, blocked bladder almost definitely. Emergency vet needed now.

[Cornettoninja]

Vet definitely. Boys are really prone to crystals which block everything up and cause infections. Does he eat a lot of dry food? Once you've got him sorted you need to look at getting more moisture into him.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

vets. This can turn serious.

Please call

[MinesaBottle]

Thought so, off to the vet now!

[cozietoesie]

Good. Hope he's OK.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Hope he's ok. big squish for kitten.

[msgrinch]

Hope he's ok.

[MinesaBottle]

Well, I (and a very sulky cat) are waiting for a taxi back from the vet. He (cat not vet!) had an empty bladder and his temp was fine, willy normal etc. Vet reckoned it could be the start of cystitis so has given antibiotics.

Hopefully he'll be ok. He only has wet food and also always has fresh water available so doesn't sound like he's too dry - will keep an eye on him though. The vet said they're seeing bladder issues more and more in younger cats; he reckoned it was partly down to stress such as that of living in a city. Luckily mine seems fine in that regard atm but thanks all, I'm really glad I brought him in!

[msgrinch]

Get well soon cat!

[Mammanat222]

Glad you are off to vets. Hope its all easily treated. X

[Gileswithachainsaw]

That's great. well done for noticing so early and getting him.seen before he became seriously ill.

He will be back to normal in no time now

[SummerSazz]

Our female cat gets cystitis every few months and I think it is stress. SHe had medicine the first time but now I just stop biscuits and add loads of water to her wet food. Luckily this seems to work and 24hrs later she is fine.

[muffinino82]

Hope he's feeling better soon

[SparklyTwinkleGlitter]

Obviously anecdotal but it might help?

Mine was asthmatic and had several serious attacks requiring regular hospital stays in an oxygen tent. Cost a fortune with medication and they suggested he need daily steroid treatment.

However, after investigating via Dr Google, I changed his cat food to a grain free variety that I buy from Zooplus.com and his Asthma has completely cleared up! It's been about 4 years now and I'm so glad I ignored the Vets advice to keep him on steroids. This was a surgery that was part of a Vet hospital/University.

I do think that supermarket cat foods contain a lot of additives that aren't very healthy. My female cat used to suffer from bouts of cystitis and she has improved immeasurable since sharing the same diet.

[corgiology]

Go Cat is notorious for being associated with UTI's in cats.

Agree with SparklyTwinkleGlitter- try and feed a food with high meat content or research a raw diet :)

[Writerwannabe83]

One of my female cats is always getting stress induced cystitis and I find it so upsetting to see her distressed and not being able to wee

I hope your sulky boy feels better soon

[MinesaBottle]

He has Whiskas which probably isn't much better. I'm going to look into food with a higher meat content and that's not too much more expensive!

He is currently sat on the back of the sofa looking pleadingly at DH who's eating an omelette. Clearly his appetite is fine

[SockyWockyDooDaaa]

Another vote for avoiding Go Cat, after trial and error, my cats are now on a mix of Purina and Iams. They have a wet sachet between two with Purina dry kitten food on top. I have a Turkish Angora who will only eat the Purina Kitten food. They also have large two dog bowls of fresh water to share. Two of them like the Whiskas Cat Milk but use it so sparingly that one bottle will last days.

They only get Dreamies sparingly as well. Does your cat have Dreamies or cat treats OP?

[MinesaBottle]

He does get Dreamies, not loads but I'll watch how many he gets in future! He also has Webbox sticks but again sparingly. I think I definitely need to look at changing his food.

[ahbollocks]

Poor old chap. Mine had thia and was alright after a couple of injections. Also had to atop with any dry food and I try to give him proper meat 3 times a week or so xx cuddles for both of you