Why is a pet fountain important?

Because of a serious disease in cats and other pets called Urethral Obstruction a pet fountain is very important. Many cats are prone to a blockage in their urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder, which can lead to a very serious condition and can, and often does result in death. Cats, dogs and other pets are prone to this condition.

The obstruction is a pasty substance called Matrix as well as small ‘stones’ called Calculi, but how and why some cats produce it is not known. It is thought that diet is a factor, as can be stress but what is known to prevent the disease is increased water intake.

If there isn’t enough water available, or no attractive sources of water a pet may not drink enough. This leads to a very concentrated urine and it is in that the matrix tends to develop.

As still very much ‘wild’ creatures, cats crave moving water. When fresh, running water is available cats will drink more which dilutes their urine making them less prone to obstruction-forming matrix.

Symptoms to be aware of  with urinary blockage are:

• Straining repeatedly in the litter box (often mistaken for constipation)
• Crying or howling for no apparent reason or other expressions of distress
• Licking in the vicinity of the genitals or below the base of the tail
• Unusual anti-social behavior

In advanced cases when the cat has not been able to urinate for twenty four hours or more, he will be in extreme pain, clearly ill and close to death. Get him to a vet immediately.

But before that happens:

• Have several watering places throughout the house
• Feed canned food, which has a high water content.
• Get a good pet fountain not made of plastic
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