A Cat Behavior survey in the United States conducted by Harris Interactive(R) revealed some startling results regarding our four-legged feline friends and their owners.

The Cat Behavior Survey sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., (manufacturer of Hill's(R) Prescription Diet(R) and Hill's(R) Science Diet(R) pet foods) attempted to discover if cat owners* really understand the number one reason why cats are being taken to the veterinarian.

One major culprit is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), a serious disorder that affects the urinary bladder or urethra of cats. Although a recent study published in Veterinary Economics found FLUTD as the number one reason cats are presented to the veterinarian (outside of routine care)(1), the Cat Behavior Survey uncovered that less than half of cat owners (46%) would take their cats to a veterinarian for urinating outside of the litter box (inappropriate elimination) -- one of the classic warning signs of FLUTD. Besides inappropriate elimination, additional warning signs of FLUTD -- straining to urinate, urinating more frequently and/or cats crying out when urinating -- can be misinterpreted as "behavioral problems," often sending cats to shelters rather than to the veterinarian for the care they require. Although the survey found about one out of every ten cat owners (9%) says their cat has experienced each of these symptoms, owners still aren't taking the proper action. This is important for cat owners to know because a 2006 study published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that from 1996 to 2004, animal shelters took in nearly 20 percent more cats and had to euthanise nearly 14 percent more cats than previously reported.(2) Inappropriate elimination is also the number one behavioral reason why cat owners relinquish their cats to animal shelters.(3) If cat owners were more educated about FLUTD, perhaps this number would decrease and owners would first seek proper treatment to improve their cats' quality of life before surrendering their pets to the shelter. "In my practice, I see cats with FLUTD on a daily basis, proving that owners need to be educated about this condition," said Dr. Craig Prior, a veterinarian in Nashville, Tennessee. "In fact, I encourage owners to start preventive care, such as feeding a therapeutic pet food with balanced nutrition and low salt levels to preempt any signs."

The Cat Behavior Survey found a disconnect between what cat owners say they are aware of versus their actual knowledge related to FLUTD. According to the survey, about a quarter of cat owners (28%) are somewhat familiar with what FLUTD is, yet 39 percent of cat owners could not correctly identify a factor that predisposes cats to the condition. In fact, 51% of cat owners incorrectly selected diet as an influencer of FLUTD. The survey showed that although 83 percent of cat owners would take their cats to the veterinarian if their cat was experiencing trouble while urinating, about 1 in 4 cat owners who actually experienced this situation instead chose to wait and see if the behavior stopped before taking more action. Dr. Prior explains, "Once you see the first symptoms of bladder problems, cat owners should take immediate action and call their veterinarian. This way, vets can assure owners their cats aren't misbehaving and instead can work towards resolving the problem." Arden Moore, pet expert, cat lover and author of The Cat Behavior Answer Book: Practical Insights & Solutions for Your Feline Questions, has devoted an entire chapter on cats and bladder health in her new book. "Educating cat owners about the behavioral warning signs of FLUTD can literally save lives," said Arden Moore. "Education on this topic will raise awareness of the disease and ultimately keep cats in their homes and connected to their families rather than in a shelter."

About FLUTD

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a term used to describe various problems affecting a cat's urinary bladder or urethra. FLUTD, if not properly treated, can have serious, even fatal, consequences. While FLUTD may occur in cats of any age, it is most frequently seen in middle-aged, overweight cats. The occurrence of FLUTD is the same in male and female cats, although neutered male cats are at an increased risk of
urinary obstruction. Changing a cat's standard food to therapeutic offerings with controlled levels of nutrients can help manage the three primary urinary problems in cats: feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), struvite stones, and calcium oxalate stones.

About the Survey

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. between March 22 and March 26, 2007 among 2,754 U.S. adults 18 years of age and older. Figures for region, age within gender, education, household income and
race/ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was
also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. With a pure probability sample of 2,754, one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points. The sampling error for sub-samples is higher and varies. However, that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and, therefore, no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Evidence-Based Nutrition

Research and Clinical Studies In a recent study sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., 36 cats were fed two different foods; one contained high levels of sodium and one contained controlled levels of sodium. The study found that cats with undetected kidney disease had a progressive decline in renal function when fed the high sodium food. This is an important finding as some pet food companies address FLUTD by increasing sodium levels to heighten water consumption and urine output. To avoid this potential health hazard, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. has developed a new therapeutic food with healthy salt levels for cats with FLUTD.

SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.