Evaluation of a therapeutic diet on recurrence of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)
Background and purpose of the trial
The most common cause of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) in cats is idiopathic feline interstitial cystitis (FIC) associated with stress. Other causes of LUTD can be ruled out with radiographs, ultrasound, and a urinalysis with culture. Lower urinary tract signs (LUTS), including pain to urinate, straining to urinate, presence of blood in urine, frequent urination, and inappropriate urination are common in cats, and inappropriate elimination is responsible for millions of cats being relinquished to shelters or euthanized. The current recommended management of FIC in cats is multimodal with stress reduction and appropriate diets considered most beneficial. Diets higher in sodium are thought to be of benefit as they lead to increased water consumption and urine dilution which may reduce the risk of urethral obstruction in male cats. In addition, it has been shown that feeding diets or supplements containing natural stress-relieving substances like L-tryptophan or dried hydrolyzed casein may lessen stress in some cats. The objective of this study is to evaluate if Royal Canin Multifunction Urinary SO + Calm dry/wet and RC Urinary SO Moderate Calorie dry/wet (increased sodium) will improve the clinical signs of cats with feline idiopathic (or interstitial) cystitis (FIC).
condition(s)
eligibility information
Inclusion criteria
- ≥Two episodes of FIC in the past six months (FIC is defined by at least two clinical signs described by the owner questionnaire: straining, urinating small amounts, frequent urination, crying while urinating, urinating outside of the litter box, discolored urine, abnormal/increased licking in the perineal area)
- Indoor only or indoor/outdoor cats
- Owner willing to feed assigned diet with no other foods
- Owner willing to comply with rechecks and questionnaires
Exclusion criteria
- Outdoor only
- BCS 8-9/9 and 1-3/9
- Current urethral obstruction
- Current urolithiasis
- Comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, chronic enteropathy, adverse food reaction, obesity, etc.
- Medications such as Zylkene, Calming Care, Feliway (two weeks washout then can be included in the study) but short-term pain control (e.g. meloxicam, gabapentin, buprenorphine) is acceptable
- Cats that are already on therapeutic lower urinary tract diets containing calming nutrients (e.g. Hill’s c/d Stress) – two weeks washout then can be included in the study
- Discuss if any environmental changes are expected during the study (e.g. moving, new cats in the household) and if so, exclude from the start
Enrollment Deadline
Enrollment ends June 30, 2027
contact information
Please contact Dr. Cerna if you are interested in enrolling to the study.
