- A high sodium diet is one of the most common causes of bladder stones in cats. Salt can fall out of the urine solution and begin to form stones. The treatment for this to change the diet to one of lowered sodium content.
- Urinary tract or bladder infections also contribute to the formation of stones. Bacteria breakdown the solid parts of the urine and allow minerals to fall out of solution as well. The treatment for this is to treat the infection.
- Certain breeds are predisposed to developing stones, though it's not understood why. If a cat within a certain breed develops stones, they may be surgically removed and the cat placed on a specially formulated diet, based on the type of mineral that the stones were composed of.
- Stones can develop in the kidneys and move down the urinary system to the bladder. Other times the symptoms of kidney stones may be mistaken for bladder stones. Stones that form in the kidneys almost always have to be surgically removed and will require a specialized diet to prevent recurrence
- Female cats are more susceptible to bladder stones than male cats due to a shorter urethra and the higher tendency to experience urinary tract infections.
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