Cats can become incontinent for many different reasons, through accidents, trauma or congenital abnormalities. Incontinence may mean the cat has no urinary control, no bowel movement control or even lose control and awareness over both of these functions. Depending on the cause, incontinence can be managed fairly well, and the team at HCCF are here to provide help and support if your cat is struggling with this condition.
Manual bladder emptying, also known as expression, is vital if a cat is unable to urinate by themselves, without this intervention their bladder can burst through pressure, there may be constant leakage and they will become prone to Urinary Tract Infections. To manually empty a cats bladder or bowels can seem a daunting task, but with practice and learning the right technique for you and your cat, it can become an easy daily task that improves their quality of life.
At HCCF we have a tried and tested protocol for all the incontinent cats in our care which we adhere to rigorously. Incontinent cats are prone to bacteria, struvite crystals and Urinary Tract Infections, so its important to implement preventative measures in managing these long term potentially dangerous issues. and as most incontinent cats leak urine which is unhygienic and difficult to manage, we advocate the use of nappies to manage the condition with great success. We also recommend a raw diet, for all cats, but especially those that are fecally incontinent, a natural diet which has a naturally high water content is imperative for the health of the gut and the UT. But it also ensures their poop is at the ideal consistency to prevent constipation or diarrhoea and to ease the passage of poop through the bowels when there is no anal tone or sensation.
We also use several supplements to prevent infections and ensure their urinary system is optimally functioning.
Dorwest Green Releaf – One daily
Maxxipaws Maxxi Utract urinary and bladder support for cats – as directed on the tub
Pets Purest Pre/Probiotics with Psyllium Husk
Pre and probiotics are important for gut health and wellbeing, a strong immune system is based on good gut health. Psyllium husk is a great source of fibre, if your cat has constipation or diarrhoea we highly recommend this supplement
Wearing nappies is not a natural for cats, however for those who are incontinent it can be a necessity. Leaking urine and poop isn’t ideal and it does cause mess and sores around their genitals. Nappies when used correctly, are a very hygienic and effective way of managing this. Cats tolerate nappies really well, but of course the younger they are, the easier it is to get them used to wearing them. But this isn’t always achievable if a cat has for example suddenly become incontinent due to an accident as an adult. We recommend using washable nappies, as they are more economical and stay in place better with velcro than the disposable ones. We also recommend using panty liners inside the nappies to help absorb urine to keep it away from the skin and fur. Nappies must be changed regularly, and cats must be allowed nappy free time at regular intervals throughout the day to give them chance to clean themselves and have a rest from the restriction of the nappy. We have found that this is a sure fire way of preventing urine burns, scalds, and smell. An outdoor catio, or large pen indoors is an ideal space for nappy free time, we use daily fresh washable puppy pads and blankets in our crates. Its also a good idea to use a pet safe cleansing product such as Leucillin to clean the skin and genitals at least once a day to ensure optimal hygiene. For assistance and advice using nappies, please get in touch via email to heidisccfoundation@outlook.com
Nappies without the use of liners do become saturated and they aren’t as absorbable as when used in conjunction with liners, which is why we recommend using them. If nappies aren’t changed frequently or a cat has diarrhoea, of course this can be very unhygienic and difficult to manage which is why its so important to address the gut health and diet before using them. Hygiene and good husbandry is really important when taking care of an incontinent cat.
If incontinence is caused by an internal abnormality, there are surgical procedures that may help rectify issues but as with any surgery this does carry risk and can cause further nerve damage. Ultimately it is sensible to treat each cat individually and discuss with your vet to decide what’s the right course of action. An example of abnormality causing incontinence is genitourinary dysplasia where the uterus and urethra of a female cat are merged and causes loss of control over urination, however they can still control their bowels.
For more help and support with feline incontinence please get in touch
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