I have two cats, one (F) is about four and the other (M) is less than 18 months. Both fixed as small kittens, have had both since they were 8-12 weeks, no other known health issues.

A couple of years ago before we got M, F started having urinary issues. We have pretty litter and saw red/pink in the box so took her to the vet and she had an infection which they treated and told us to get her Hill’s prescription urinary/stress food and buy her a tall cat tower so she has space to get away from the dogs in case they stress her out. Did those two things and she’s never had a problem since.

Then this week M started showing signs of urinary distress. Straining, couldn’t pee, threw up. It was evening on Monday so I had to take him to the emergency vet with the holiday but I guess it’s good I did cause he had a 106 fever and a big urinary blockage. He’s actually still there I don’t get to pick him up until tomorrow morning, though thankfully everything’s going as expected and he’ll be just fine. It was $$$$$ that I didn’t have though and the vet mentioned he’d have to get on the special Hills food too.

I know he’s a boy cat who was fixed early (like as soon as he was 2 pounds) so these things happen, but it just weirds me out that both of them are young, healthy cats with no other issues and have both developed urinary issues before being like, 2-3 years old. I looked around and it seems like other people have had issues with Pretty Litter or other silica based litters causing urinary problems in their cats?? Can anyone speak to this?

I’ll also say with M it could be stress related. Cheating ex-wife left me lol, a different problem, moved out beginning of July and took F with them, so I’m betting M misses his friend and his other person. But we’re beginning of September now so I guess I didn’t realize it could be that delayed.

If that’s the case that it’s the litter though, would also love recs for other clumping litter that doesn’t smell too bad.