Is Your Kitty Anxious? Be Aware of This Condition, Say Vets
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Cats are known to be skittish—but if yours is noticeably anxious, researchers are warning that you might want to be aware of one particular feline health condition.
New research from the University of Montreal's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has revealed a critical link between anxiety/stress and recurring bouts of a painful bladder condition—feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC).
The team are urging cat owners and veterinarians to prioritize stress reduction for our more anxious furry companions.
FIC is a leading cause of emergency vet visits and is characterized by acute bladder inflammation, painful and sometimes bloody urination in cats, according to the researchers.
Traditionally, without detectable bacterial infections, stones or tumors, the condition is labeled as idiopathic—that is, with no "organic" cause. However, the team's study of 33 cats challenges this.
A tabby cat hides and appears nervous.
A tabby cat hides and appears nervous."A similar condition with the same symptoms occurs in women and is often linked to high levels of stress or anxiety," said veterinary behaviorist professor Marion Desmarchelier in a statement.
"Some cats end up being euthanized because of it. The disease itself is not fatal, but the cost of repeated emergency treatments can be too much for some families."
FIC has a high recurrence rate, with about half of affected cats having repeat episodes.
A Connection With the COVID-19 Pandemic
The University researchers also shed light on the connection between stress and cat health observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When human companions stayed home, many cats—who are often known for their love of routine—found themselves disrupted.
"We were home all the time during the pandemic," said paper co-author Marianne Caudron in a statement. "Dogs were thrilled because they got lots of walks, but we saw twice as many cases of idiopathic cystitis in cats."
This observation prompted the team to launch their study, the results of which are published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior.
The research involved 33 cats diagnosed with FIC. Their owners completed a questionnaire about their cat's behavior—including their levels of aggression and fear—and details about their living environment.
"We initially thought that anxious, aggressive cats would be more prone to recurrent cystitis, but it's actually the fearful, withdrawn ones that seem to be at greater risk," explained Desmarchelier.
Treatment Should Focus on Mental Well-Being
The study's authors advocate that the scope of FIC treatment should be expanded to include addressing cats' mental health.
"We believe this condition is caused by stress and anxiety— and therefore should no longer be called idiopathic cystitis, but instead 'cystitis secondary to anxiety,'" Desmarchelier said.
The study offered several practical ways to reduce feline stress, including increasing water sources in the home for cats, setting up an extra litter box than the number of cats in the home, offering a variety of toys and providing safe access to the outdoors.
While these changes weren't shown to prevent all recurrences of cystitis, researchers believe they are crucial for risk reduction and overall well-being.
Desmarchelier concluded with a hopeful message: "Taking a cat to the vet twice a year for a urinary blockage costs a fortune. But it doesn't have to be this way—there are solutions. That's the message we want to get across."
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about cats? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Reference
Caudron, M., Laroche, P., Bazin, I., & Desmarchelier, M. (2025). Association between behavioral factors and recurrence rate in cats with feline "idiopathic" cystitis. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 78, 90–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2025.02.005
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
The reasons aren't fully clear, but overdose deaths are down in Kern, US
Overdose deaths, specifically from opioids, are on the decline across the nation and data from the Kern County Coroner's Office shows local deaths are down as well. According to KCSO, there were 189 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Kern County in 2024, down from 297 in 2023, a roughly 36% decline. The decline is part of a broader trend nationally. Opioid overdose deaths declined sharply from 2023-2024, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the CDC, 48 states and the District of Columbia all saw decreases in overdose deaths from December 2023 to 2024, a 26% decrease nationwide. California's reported overdose deaths dropped by 24%, the most of any West Coast state. Only Nevada and South Dakota saw an increase in overdose deaths, both by less than 4%. It's not entirely clear what's driving the decline, and experts are pointing to a range of factors. "Over the past, I'd say this calendar year, we have seen an increase in the people who are coming into our treatment system," said Ana Olvera, an administrator with Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. "More people have accessed our treatment system than in years past, even coming out of COVID, which is a good sign for us," Olvera said. The increased availability of treatment programs and the overdose reversal drug naloxone were likely contributors to the decrease, she said, as well as reduced stigma about seeking treatment. Olvera also pointed to the passage of Proposition 36, which increased penalties for certain crimes. "Just from that — working with the courts and people who are eligible for this program that have a treatment-mandated felony — we have seen an increase of folks who are eligible and who come into our system of care," Olvera said. BHRS and other health care providers have increased their treatment options, Olvera said. The county's 24-hour substances-use-disorder hotline, which helps connect people with treatment, has seen higher call volume over the years, she said. "The call center is how most people access treatment in our substance use system," Olvera said. The average number of calls has increased from 908 in the 2018-2019 fiscal year to 1,272 in 2023-2024. From July 2024 to April of this year, there were 1,061 calls. There's no doubt overdose deaths are dropping, but exactly why is still a matter of conjecture. The Opioid Data Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tracks information related to opioids and its researchers have said there's no single explanation for such a steep, nationwide decline in overdose deaths. "Ascribing a single national explanation for the drop in overdoses is not grounded in data," the lab said in a February analysis. Even with the large decline in deaths, the mortality rate from drug overdoses remains high, with most states still recording death rates higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the CDC and the California Department of Public Health shows overdose deaths peaking in 2023 before dropping sharply in 2024. According to CDPH, Kern County's opioid-related overdose deaths reached an all-time high of 321 in 2023. That was up from 308 in 2022 and 274 in 2021. As of April 30, Kern had seen 50 fentanyl-related deaths so far this year, according to KCSO.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
RFK Jr.'s HHS Shakeup Spares Dr. Plescia, Backer Of Vaccine Credentials
Despite firing every member of the federal vaccine advisory committee, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has retained one key figure with a radically pro-passport past. Kennedy, who recently disbanded the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), kept Dr. Marcus Plescia in a top post at HHS as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Office of Science and Medicine. Plescia's past comments in favor of vaccine passports place him well to the left of even the Biden White House's stance during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Plescia — then serving as chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials — told The New York Times that vaccine passport credentials were 'going to be necessary,' calling it 'perplexing' that the federal government was keeping its distance from such a proposal. His remarks came even as White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki assured reporters that 'there will be no federal vaccinations database and no federal mandate requiring everyone to obtain a single vaccination credential.' Plescia's position, made public at the time through The New York Times' reporting, stood in contrast not only to Biden's hesitancy but also to an ongoing wave of state-level opposition. Governors from Texas, Florida, and Mississippi issued orders banning or opposing any form of vaccine credentialing, arguing it violated basic liberties and privacy. Kennedy's implicit decision to retain contrasts with his other decisions. On June 9, the new health secretary made headlines for his sweeping removal of the 17-member ACIP panel, citing what he called a 'crisis of public trust' caused by conflicts of interest and pharmaceutical industry influence. 'The committee has become… little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine. It has never recommended against a vaccine—even those later withdrawn for safety reasons.' Kennedy wrote in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, adding that many members had received 'substantial funding from pharmaceutical companies.' But the retention of Plescia — whose support for vaccine passports predates the Biden administration's relatively more cautious approach — raises questions. Plescia's 2021 endorsement of vaccine credentials aligned more with European-style digital health passes and apps like those trialed by Cathay Pacific Airlines and implemented by companies such as Walmart. 'There is going to have to be some kind of system where [vaccination status] is verified,' he said, arguing it was the only way to safely reopen businesses and restore public trust. The White House was unwilling to go that far at the time, concerned about the ethical implications and civil liberties involved. Instead, Psaki emphasized the government's position that any such system should 'meet key standards, including accessibility, affordability and privacy,' but would ultimately be left to the private sector. President Biden never fully implemented a vaccine passport system, but he did issue an executive order requiring nearly every private sector employee to get the COVID shot, which in turn prompted companies to create systems of verification for employees and customers. RFK Jr., a longtime COVID vaccine critic, ran a presidential campaign and later accepted his appointment to HHS on promises to dismantle what he called medical 'fascism.' His decision to purge the ACIP panel came after immense pressure from MAHA allies, including Dr. Mary Talley Bowden of Houston, who slammed the secretary for not taking more aggressive policy action to date, The Dallas Express reported. Kennedy's shakeup alarmed some congressional figures. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician, said, 'Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion. I've just spoken with Secretary Kennedy, and I'll continue to talk with him to ensure this is not the case.' Kennedy was contacted for comment in the production of this story, but he did not respond. A spokesman for HHS did not immediately respond. Plescia's HHS bio describes his duties as follows: 'He advises the Assistant Secretary and OASH leadership across scientific and medical issues covering the full suite of public health priorities. He oversees staff and program work focused on state and federal health systems, infection-associated chronic conditions, vector borne disease, data-driven decision making and healthcare innovation.' The bio qualifies him for the job by saying, '[He] has widespread experience in medicine and public health. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine and practiced for over 20 years in a variety of settings serving homeless, urban poor and rural underserved populations.'
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
US Could Make Childbirth Free, To Tackle Falling Birth Rates
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. America could make childbirth free for privately-insured families, in an effort to tackle declining birth rates. The bipartisan Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act, which would designate maternity care as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act, was introduced in the Senate in May. If passed, insurance companies would be required to cover all childbirth-related expenses, including prenatal care, ultrasounds, delivery and postpartum care, without any co-pays or deductibles. Medicaid, America's government‐funded health insurance program, already covers these costs. Democratic New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who has cosponsored the bill, told Newsweek: "Even with insurance, the costs associated with having a baby can be astronomical, and expenses are even greater for women who have health complications during pregnancy, a high-deductible insurance plan, or gaps in their coverage. By requiring insurance companies to fully cover care throughout pregnancy and a year postpartum, this bill will make childbirth more affordable for families." It comes amid growing concerns about America's population. Fertility rates are projected to average 1.6 births per woman over the next three decades, according to the Congressional Budget Office's latest forecast released this year. This number is well below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman required to maintain a stable population without immigration. The Donald Trump administration has made this issue one of its priorities, the White House exploring giving women a "baby bonus" of $5,000, according to an April New York Times report. Many trying to tackle this global issue have called for public health policies and financial plans to help make it easier for couples to have children in society. The financial crisis and its effect on housing, inflation and pay is generally named as a major contributor to people's decisions to delay having children, to have fewer children or not to have them at all. Republican Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, who introduced the bill along with Gillibrand, Democratic Virginia Senator Time Kaine and Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, said she hopes her bill will help change this. "Bringing a child into the world is costly enough without piling on cost-share fees that saddle many mothers and families with debt. This legislation would take away some of the burden for childbearing generations," she said in May. "By relieving financial stresses associated with pregnancy and childbirth, hopefully more families will be encouraged to embrace the beautiful gift and responsibility of parenthood." Would Making Childbirth Free Help Birth Rates in America? Pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care average a total of $18,865 with average out-of-pocket payments totaling $2,854, according to KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research organization, based on data from claims between 2018 and 2022. Financial concerns are repeatedly cited as a reason for not having children. Indeed, just a few days ago, the United Nations Population Fund warned of a global birth rate crisis, after finding that one in five had not had or did not expect to have the number of children they wanted. Some 39 percent said this was because of financial limitations. But Suzanne Bell, who studies fertility and related behaviors with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said that while "making childbirth cheaper or free is incredibly important," she does not think it will effect the birth rate. "The cost of raising a child, in particular the cost of child care, is very high and far outweighs the cost of childbirth," she told Newsweek. "We desperately need policies that support families with the cost of child care, especially families with low incomes." Beth Jarosz, a senior program director U.S. programs at the Population Reference Bureau, agreed that "reducing health care costs is important, but may not be enough to move the needle on births." "The cost of childbirth is just one of the many costs of having a child, and people are also reeling from the much bigger costs of child care, housing, and other necessities," she told Newsweek. Theodore D Cosco, a research fellow at the University of Oxford's Institute of Population Aging, called the bill "a step in the right direction" but said the same as Bell and Jarosz. "Parents generally aren't deciding whether to have children based on a $3,000 delivery bill, they're looking at the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent actually raising the child," he told Newsweek. But he added: "The policy certainly carries some symbolic weight, signaling bipartisan support for families and could potentially help build momentum for broader reforms, such as child care subsidies or paid parental leave." Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva Is It Just About Money? The other concern is that, while financial concerns are generally accepted as a major contributor to declining birth rates, they are not the lone cause. Bell said that even the policies she calls for "are also unlikely to increase the birth rate, as evidence from other countries with much more supportive policies suggest." Norway is considered a global leader in parental leave and child care policies, and the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) ranks it among the top countries for family-friendly policies. But it too is facing a birth rate crisis. Norway offers parents 12 months of shared paid leave for birth and an additional year each afterward. It also made kindergarten (similar to a U.S. day care) a statutory right for all children aged one or older in 2008. The government subsidizes the policy to make it possible for "women and men to combine work and family life," as Norway's former Minister of Children, Equality, and Social Inclusion Solveig Horne said at a parental leave event in 2016. And yet, Norway's fertility rate has dropped dramatically from 1.98 children per woman in 2009 to 1.44 children per woman in 2024, according to official figures. The rate for 2023 (1.40) was the lowest ever recorded fertility rate in the country. Financial barriers "are only part of the picture," Cosco said, "psychological, cultural, and structural factors matter too." Newsweek spoke to several experts about Norway specifically, who all cited recent culture changes. For example, "young adults are more likely to live alone" and "young couples split up more frequently than before," Rannveig Kaldager Hart, a senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's Centre for Fertility and Health said. He went on to speak about "intensive parenting," which refers to the modern parenting style in which parents invest time, money and energy into creating successful adults. The expectations of this parenting style "may cause some to postpone or have fewer children than they otherwise would," Hart said. Nevertheless, backers of the American bill seem to believe that it may be part of the solution. "Being pro-family means fostering an economy that makes it feasible to raise a child. But too often, parents find themselves dealing with sky-high medical bills following the birth of a child. This legislation would eliminate out-of-pocket maternity costs for families with private health insurance and prohibit private carriers from imposing cost-sharing on beneficiaries, empowering parents to focus on what matters most," said Hawley.
