A veterinary surgeon has issued a warning to cat owners, highlighting a crucial check that most overlook. Dr Alex Crow, a content creator and chief veterinary officer at The Net Vet, shared his advice on TikTok under the handle @Alex_thevet, where he regularly provides tips for animal lovers.
The Litter Tray Audit
According to Dr Crow, cat owners should pay closer attention to their pet's litter tray. In a recent video, he explained: "If I had to pick the single most important check most cat owners overlook, it would be this. And as a vet, it's one of the first things that I ask every owner in clinic. I call this the litter tray audit."
He emphasized that cats hide illness exceptionally well, but their litter tray can reveal a lot. Dr Crow outlined four key things to audit every time you scoop:
1. Amount of Urine
A sudden increase in urine volume can be an early sign of chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. Conversely, a decrease may indicate dehydration or, in male cats, a life-threatening obstruction.
2. Frequency
Visiting the tray more often, especially with little or no output, could signal bladder stones, inflammation, or a urinary tract infection, all of which are painful.
3. Straining or Blood
A cat straining to urinate, crouching for long periods, or producing blood-tinged urine is in serious distress. For male cats unable to pass urine, this is a medical emergency that can be fatal within 24 to 48 hours if untreated.
4. Position
Unusual posture or urinating outside the tray is not misbehavior but often the first sign of pain, urinary disease, or arthritis, making the tray difficult to access.
Dr Crow urged pet owners to consult a vet if they notice any of these signs. "Cat urinary disease can go from mild to critical in just hours. Volume, frequency, straining and position: the litter tray audit. Two minutes a week that could save your cat's life."
In his caption, he added: "I run through the same four checks on it every single time I see a cat in clinic, and I’m always surprised how few owners know about them. Volume. Frequency. Straining or blood. Position. Two minutes a week and you’ll catch most early kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, lower urinary tract disease, and the kind of male-cat blockages that can kill them in under 48 hours."
