Frosty weather and cystitis in cats

25/02/2008 by Arielle.

I wrote an article a few weeks ago (although probably months ago, considering how fast the time is flying!), about frost and cold weather causing cystitis in cats due to the ground freezing which results in them being unable to scratch and use the ground.

Our little cat Shadow has just suffered with a bout of cystitis or bladder infection. She left some bloody urine in our bathroom and has been drinking more than normal. I immediately gave her some antibiotics and changed from her regular dry food to tinned food so that she gets enough moisture in her diet.

We have just had yet another very cold snap and I still feel that it is due this that she has her cystitis, but for another reason that I have only just thought about. I put both our cats out every night. They are used to this routine and as we do not have the luxury of a catflap, they stay out all night and come in ravenously hungry each morning. There are so many puddles around that they are able to at least get some water to drink but with the cold snap we are having, every drop of water must be frozen (even the water bowl I put out for them), that it means a good 11 hours with no water which I am sure has also caused the bladder infection in little Shadow!

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