The term ‘incontinence’ is often used to describe a cat that loses control of its bladder or bowels. There are many reasons for bladder incontinence, but most cases are due to age, illness, or injury. In some cases, there may not be anything you can do to prevent this condition from occurring in your cat- but don’t despair! There are plenty of things you can do to minimize it for your pet if it does happen.
What is Bladder Incontinence?
Cat incontinence is a relatively rare problem that mainly affects older female cats who have been spayed or neutered. If your Ragdoll cat has this condition, they have no control over their urination, as opposed to healthy cats who may urinate outside of its litter box for other reasons. Male cats may also present with this issue, although less so than females.
Symptoms of Incontinence in Ragdoll Cats
- Involuntary urine leakage
- Wet hair on the lower abdominal area, or between the rear legs
- Wet spots or puddles in the bedding or sleeping area
- Urinary tract infections
- Inflammation of the skin around the genitals
- A smell of ammonia from the stale urine
- Staining on the hair on the lower abdominal area, or between the rear legs
- Wet spots left as the cat rises
What are the common causes of incontinence in Ragdoll Cats?
There are many causes of incontinence in cats, but the most common ones include urinary tract infections (UTIs), injury, surgery, and diseases.
Weak bladder — This is a common problem for older female cats who have been spayed. The surgery can result in a hormonal imbalance that can cause incontinence. The bladder sphincter becomes weak, which results in them urinating involuntarily.
Diabetes — your cat will tend to drink more water, since the disease will make them more thirsty and can make it hard for them to get to their litter box quickly.
Urinary tract infection — Urinary tract problems can range from mild to severe, and can impact both males and female cats. If your cat is experiencing a urinary tract infection, they will likely need to urinate more frequently than usual and the process of urination can become very difficult for them.
Laziness — If your cat is not using the litter box, it may be because of the environment or their training. If you have a large house and the cat’s litter box is a long way from where it is resting, it could opt to go elsewhere to relieve itself out of sheer laziness. Cat incontinence is involuntary, but laziness can be mistaken for incontinence.
Other causes include bladder stones, tumors, and neoplasia. In some cases, no specific cause can be identified. If your cat has any of these problems, it’s important to get them checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can get the treatment they need to improve their health.
How is Incontinence Treated?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to treating incontinence in ragdoll cats, as each individual cat will respond differently to various treatments. However, some common methods used to treat incontinence in ragdoll cats include dietary changes, bladder training, and medication. There are a number of natural remedies that can be found at your local pet store or online retailer to help with incontinence in cats.
Help support your pet's urinary health with Leaks No More urinary tract medicine for dogs and cats. This product can gently and naturally support temporary relief for incontinence issues in your dog, cat, or small pet.
If your elderly cat is experiencing bladder issues then look at changing their litter box to one that they can easily get in and out of and place more of them around the home. Find the best litter boxes for senior cats here.
It is important to work with a veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your cat if they are experiencing incontinence, as each individual may require a different approach.
