---
title: "Feline Idiopathic Cystitis"
description: "Understand Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), how environmental stress triggers bladder inflammation, and steps to relieve symptoms."
date: "2020-05-19T09:34:55Z"
author: "Just Cats Clinic"
image: "/img/100052f1"
canonical: "/feline-idiopathic-cystitis/"
---

# Feline Idiopathic Cystitis


## Understanding Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)

With all of the changes in everyone's household these days, some of our feline friends are having trouble adjusting to
the new normal. From owners being at home instead of at work to the kids running around all day, our cats are having to
adapt. While many cats are enjoying the adjustments to their daily routine, others struggle to deal with the stress of
the environmental and household changes. In some cats this can lead to inappropriate urination around the
house—certainly the last thing anyone wants to deal with right now! Anytime your cat is urinating outside of the
litter box, contact your vet right away. There are numerous, some life-threatening, causes of inappropriate elimination.
In this blog, we'll talk about one of the most common disorders called FIC—Feline Idiopathic Cystitis.

## What is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis?

FIC is a syndrome describing when a cat is exhibiting a symptom of urinary discomfort and there are no physical concrete
findings on diagnostic testing like stones. Symptoms can include straining to urinate, bloody urine, inappropriate
elimination, urinary blockage (life-threatening emergency), or licking at the urinary opening. A variety of issues in
the bladder cause these symptoms, so it's important to contact your vet right away if you notice any one of them in your
cat.

Unlike a tumor or bladder stones, FIC seems to be a psychological problem in response to stress in some cats. If the
diagnostic workup of your affected cat comes up negative, FIC may be the culprit, especially in younger cats.

## So How Does a Psychological Problem Manifest in the Bladder?

The urinary bladder is lined with glycoproteins that insulate the tissue of the bladder from the urine itself. If the
lining of the bladder becomes patchy, then the bladder tissue is exposed to abrasive crystals and all the toxins and
irritants the kidneys remove from the bloodstream. This exposure results in inflammation. The lining becomes patchy when
cats experience anxiety and stress.

## How Do We Diagnose It?

![Cat undergoing examination for Feline Idiopathic Cystitis](/img/89bfb64e)

Diagnostic testing will be necessary to rule out more concrete issues like blockages, stones, and tumors. Testing may
include lab work (CBC and Chemistry), urinalysis, urine culture, X-ray, and/or ultrasound.

## How Do We Treat FIC?

The best treatment for an active flare-up of FIC is to manage the symptoms and make the cat more comfortable until the
episode subsides. Medical management may include anti-spasmatics to help with urinary spasms and pain medication. FIC is
very painful and proper pain control is crucial to recovery.

At any point, FIC, especially in male cats, can turn life-threatening with a partial or full blockage. If you see your
cat straining in the litter box, seek emergency help immediately.

## Why Do Some Cats Get FIC?

Cats that get FIC seem to be extra reactive to changes in their world and more prone to anxiety in general. Some common
triggers for FIC include:

- Stress among the owner(s) or people in the household ranging from arguments, sickness, or stress/pressure
- Someone new to the family—person or new pet
- Construction projects in the house or outdoors nearby
- Significant weather changes or events—loud storms, earthquakes, natural disasters
- Moving—new environment, new furniture, changing the layout of a room in the house, changing location of cat's areas
  like litter box/food
- Changes in any way to food, schedules, daily routine

## Can We Prevent Future Episodes of FIC?

One of the best ways to prevent future episodes of FIC is environmental enrichment. Stress can be minimized by providing
options for the cat for playing, resting, eating, and eliminating. Options allow the cat to pick the area it's most
comfortable with based on what its particular needs are. Providing a more private area of the house as an option for
your cat's basic needs (food, water, bedding, litter box) allows them to have alone time when they feel they need it or
to be out and social when they want to. Simply providing this option for them can decrease their stress levels overall
and hopefully help avoid further FIC issues.

![Cat resting comfortably in an enriched indoor environment](/img/f7a048f9)

Cats should also be able to freely move around the household with options for elevation, climbing, and scratching in
multiple places. Toys should be regularly rotated to prevent boredom—including different types of toys. For your cat's
resting areas, give different options allowing for warmer or cooler depending on their particular preference—maybe a
bed near a window for a sunbeam and a bed in a quiet bedroom that isn't used often.

Litter boxes should be on each floor of the home, and there should be a litter box for each cat plus one extra. Be sure
to keep them cleaned regularly with a no-scent light detergent and scooped regularly. Unscented litter is always best.
Boxes should be in private and quiet areas; for example, you wouldn't want to put a litter box next to your loud washing
machine that shakes when it washes a load. This could cause a litter box aversion and/or anxiety.

![Cat utilizing clean litter box area](/img/fcd9d2bf)

Multi-cat households should ensure each cat has their own food and water bowls and areas. Try not to change food type or
brand often. If you need to change food, then a slow transition is best. There are prescription diets formulated to help
with urinary inflammation and crystals—be sure to ask your veterinarian if a diet change is right for your cat before
making any adjustments. Canned food is definitely better than dry whenever possible. The increased water content of wet
food, and some argue the aroma and interaction with the owner, all plays a part in making canned food the better option
for FIC cats.

For more information on ways to engage with your cat, check out our blogs:

- [Keeping Up with Your Cat: A Guide to Entertainment for the High Energy Feline](/keeping-up-with-your-cat-a-guide-to-entertainment-for-the-high-energy-feline/)
- [Beating the Winter Blues](/beating-the-winter-blues/)

While FIC can be a frustrating diagnosis for owners, it's important to remember that your cat is not out to get you. By
working together with your veterinarian and getting your FIC cat on a prevention plan, your FIC incidents can decrease
and hopefully lead to a happier household.