Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC): Signs, Risks & Treatment

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the most common cause of feline lower urinary tract disease and a leading reason for inappropriate urination in cats. It is a painful and distressing condition, so recognising the signs early and consulting your vet promptly is essential. Recent studies show stress plays a crucial role in flare-ups, so managing your cat’s environment is key to treatment.

How to Recognise If Your Cat Has FIC

If your cat exhibits any of the following signs, contact your vet immediately, as these symptoms often indicate a urinary tract issue like FIC:

• Frequent urination or attempts to urinate
• Blood in the urine, with urine appearing pink or red
• Pain during urination, often causing your cat to vocalise
• Difficulty passing urine, spending a long time in the litter tray
• Inappropriate urination outside the litter tray, sometimes in multiple locations associated with pain
• Male cats may adopt a standing posture while urinating, similar to spraying behaviour, due to pain
• Agitation or anxiety, especially surrounding urination
• Withdrawal or depression
• Aggression linked to urination episodes
• Loss of appetite
• Over-grooming of the lower abdomen and inner thighs, sometimes leading to hair loss

Risk Factors that Make Cats More Susceptible to FIC

Certain factors increase the likelihood of your cat developing FIC. Your cat may be at increased risk if it is:

• Neutered
• Under 10 years old
• Drinking little water
• Fed very frequently throughout the day
• Generally inactive or obese
• Kept exclusively indoors or with limited outdoor access
• Of black and white or Persian breeds
• Living in multi-cat households or high-cat-density neighbourhoods
• Experiencing changes in social or physical environment, such as new pets or people, moving home, or renovations
• Having resources placed or managed in ways causing stress

Effective Treatment and Management of FIC

Once diagnosed, your vet will recommend the best medical treatment to ease your cat’s pain and inflammation. Alongside medication, increasing fluid intake is important to support bladder health. Here are some practical ways to encourage your cat to drink more:

• Separate food and water bowls, as cats prefer them apart rather than side-by-side
• Experiment with bowl types and placement—wide and shallow ceramic or glass bowls are often preferred as cats dislike whiskers touching bowl sides
• Offer water in different containers or glasses that your cat favours to encourage drinking
• Provide running water with a commercial drinking fountain or by leaving a tap dripping gently
• Offer water from alternative sources, such as rainwater collected outdoors if your cat has access
• Make water bowls easily accessible without your cat needing to pass other pets, especially other cats
• Choose a calm, well-lit location for water bowls to encourage drinking

Since cats with FIC need to urinate frequently, provide free access to litter trays tailored to your cat’s preferences. The rule of thumb is one tray per cat plus one extra. Even if your cat accesses the outdoors, keep at least one indoor tray in case outdoor access is prevented by weather, neighbours, or other stressors. Avoid strong scented cleaners or ammonium-based products on trays and avoid tray liners that may deter usage.

Reducing your cat’s stress is vital for treatment success. Stressors can be subtle or obvious—living with many cats, changes in routine, or environmental disruptions. Consulting your vet or a qualified behaviourist can help identify hidden stress sources and tailor a personalised plan. Provide easy access to resources such as hiding spots, elevated resting areas, and quiet zones. Every cat is unique, so an individualised approach ensures the best outcome and welfare.