Cystitis in cats has become common. And it can be serious.

Cystitis is the inflammation of the bladder and can cause pain on urination. A pretty unpleasant situation for anyone to be in, especially as urine needs to be expelled frequently.

Some cats will cry when they attempt to urinate, but not all will, as cats are stoic.

However, they are likely to spend some time trying to urinate, with frequent attempts.

As the area is sore, they will lick the urethra, which may also show reddening.

They will not be as active as normal, as the pain as well as a full bladder will occupy their mind. Appetite is also likely to reduce.

When most people are faced with this situation, they take their cats to their vet. No-one wants to see their beloved cat suffer.

The common veterinary solution is antibiotics as the first round of treatment. This does help in most cases. However, because the cause has not been treated, as soon as the antibiotics are stopped, the condition returns.

Another course, perhaps with stronger drugs, are the next veterinary treatment, but still the cause has not been addressed.

In addition, antibiotics destroy the delicate gut microbiome, creating additional problems.

Steroids have little to no effect and have serious consequences.

Most vets call this condition idiopathic, which means they don't know the cause.

Yet to those in the know, the cause is very clear.

Diet is at the core of the majority of poor health in anyone and everyone.

Commercial cat food is ultra processed, of very poor quality and is laced with synthetic supplements and preservatives. It's cheap as chips to make. It keeps cats alive, but it doesn't keep them healthy.

Typical commercial cat food contains:

• low grade meat, more likely meat by-products, from dubious sources (road kill and rendering plants)
• isolated plant proteins 
• cheap filler (such as melamine or carbohydrates)
• synthetic supplements to make up the shortfall
• chemicals to preserve, colour, flavour

and is cooked at very high temperatures, which destroy what little nutrition there is.

Can anyone seriously believe that this 'food' is healthy?

When you change the diet to one that is similar to a wild cats diet, quality raw meat and bones, you can often see immediate  improvement. 

A cats natural diet provides their body with the nutrition they need to be healthy, to ward off any disease. It's a win-win for you and your cat because this is so affordable. And it's the one thing that only you can do.

When the cystitis is serious, when the cat is not eating and the bladder is full, it can be an emergency.

Change the diet before it gets to that stage.

However, if it has become an emergency, a homeopathic vet or homeopath may provide a more holistic approach.

Homeopathy works by working in accordance with what the body is already trying to do. Generally, homeopaths can work at a distance, suggesting the appropriate homeopathic remedy to be purchased locally.

Cystitis in cats is a serious condition with well known causes. Make sure it doesn't trouble your cat again by feeding the appropriate feline diet.