Understanding Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

Litter tray issues are common in our sensitive feline friends and can sometimes be hard to detect in cats with secretive toileting habits. At Bellarine Veterinary Practice in Geelong, our experienced veterinarians can help get to the bottom of the problem.  

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, commonly known as FLUTD, covers a range of conditions affecting a cat’s bladder and urethra. It’s not just one illness – it can be caused by inflammation, infections, bladder stones, urethral obstructions, or feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), where stress plays a key role. 

Male, desexed, indoor and overweight cats are especially vulnerable, with repeated attempts to urinate, straining, blood in the urine, and urinating outside the litter box being key symptoms.  

Recognising the Signs  

Cat owners should watch for: 

• Frequent visits to the litter tray with little urine passed (pollakiuria) 

• Straining or discomfort during urination, often mistaken for constipation (dysuria/stranguria) 

• Blood-tinged (haematuria) or cloudy urine 

• Vocalisation during urination and excessive grooming around the genital area 

• Urinating in unusual places such as the bath or laundry sink 

Urethral obstruction is a true emergency – especially in male cats. It is marked by persistent straining with no urine passed, a swollen abdomen, lethargy or vomiting. 

What Causes FLUTD? 

FLUTD can stem from a variety of underlying causes: 

• Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC): the most common form (60–70% of cases), with stress as a primary trigger.  

• Crystals and uroliths (struvite or oxalate): irritating to the bladder and potentially obstructive. 

• Urinary tract infections: relatively uncommon but more prevalent in older cats or those with other diseases.  

• Urethral plugs, tumours or anatomical issues, trauma. 

Other risk factors include indoor lifestyle, dry food diets, low activity, obesity, multi-cat households, and environmental stressors like moving house or introducing a new pet.  

Diagnosis & Treatment 

If FLUTD is suspected, your veterinarian will perform: 

• Urinalysis (to detect blood, crystals, infection and assess urine concentration) 

• Blood tests (for kidney/liver health and electrolyte levels) 

• Urine culture to guide antibiotic use 

• Imaging (x‑rays or ultrasound) to identify stones, plugs, and bladder wall thickening.  

Treatment depends on the underlying cause: 

• For a ‘blocked’ cat (inability to urinate due to urethral obstruction), emergency urinary catheterisation, fluid therapy, pain relief and hospital care are essential.  

• For crystal or stone management, dietary modifications or surgery may be required. 

• Antibiotics are used only for confirmed urinary tract infections.  

• Cats with FIC benefit from multimodal therapy including stress reduction, pain relief, and environmental enrichment. 

Preventing FLUTD: Practical Tips 

1.Hydration & diet

Encourage fluid intake with wet or high-moisture quality foods, add water to kibble, and use water fountains or varied bowls. Therapeutic urinary diets can help dilute urine and support bladder health.  

2. Environmental enrichment

Reduce stress by providing multiple litter boxes (quiet, cleaned daily), hiding spots, scratching posts and interactive play.  Synthetic pheromone diffusers are also helpful. 

3. Weight & lifestyle

Encourage exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Overweight cats on dry food are at a higher risk of issues.  

4. Routine health checks

Regular veterinary exams, including urine tests and bloodwork, help detect issues early. 

The Bottom Line 

FLUTD is common in cats but preventable and manageable with timely veterinary intervention. If your feline friend displays any signs of urinary distress, contact Bellarine Veterinary Practice on (03) 5248 2009 immediately.  

Proper hydration, diet, stress reduction, veterinary checks and most importantly, your vigilance can significantly reduce the likelihood of recurrence and improve your cat’s quality of life. Click here to book online for a routine feline health assessment.