Urinary Issues in Cats

Urinary issues in cats can be quite concerning and potentially serious. It’s important to be aware of warning signs that might indicate a problem with your cat’s urinary system. Knowing your cat’s normal bathroom routines can help you spot when something is off.

Some common warning signs of urinary issues in cats include:

Frequent Urination:

If your cat is making more trips to the litter box than usual, it could indicate a urinary problem. Daily scooping of the litter box can help you better understand what is normal usage for your cat. On average cats urinate between 2-4 times a day and a healthy deposit should be about a handful size

Straining to Urinate:

If your cat appears to be straining, squatting for an extended period, or producing only a small amount of urine, it might be experiencing discomfort while trying to urinate. This is especially noticeable if you cat is going to litter box frequently. Think of it like this if you’ve ever had a UTI and right after you’ve gone to the washroom it still feels like you gotta go, so you walk back to the bathroom.  This would be what your cat would appear to be doing.

Crying or Vocalization:

Cats in pain may vocalize more than usual, especially while attempting to urinate. Knowing what is normal for your cat is important. If they are normally chatty and suddenly stop that could also be a sign that something is up.

Blood in Urine:

If you notice pink, red, or orange discoloration in your cat’s urine, it could be a sign of blood, which might indicate various urinary issues. Suspected blood in the urine needs to be addressed with your vet.

Licking Genital Area Excessively:

Cats might lick their genital area excessively when they’re experiencing discomfort or irritation in that area. If they look to be overgrooming an area and have any of these other symptoms definitely connect with your vet

Urinating Outside the Litter Box:

Cats that suddenly start urinating outside of their litter box, especially on cool surfaces like tile or bathtub, might be associating the litter box with pain. this could also be a sign of a lack of control or urgency to go and they have no time to get to litter box. This could also be a way for your cat to tell you they don’t like the litter substrate

Strong Odor:

All pee has a smell. That being said we as owners tend to know what the “normal” smell is. If your cat’s urine has a notably strong and unpleasant odor, it could be a sign of an underlying issue.

Lack of Urination:

If your cat isn’t urinating at all, it’s a serious concern and requires immediate veterinary attention. This is again where knowing your cat’s regular schedule is important. Urinary issues can hit fast and hard so if your cat has gone 24 hours or more without urinating please contact your vet ASAP

If you observe any of these warning signs in your cat, it’s crucial to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Urinary issues can range from minor infections to life-threatening blockages, so early diagnosis and treatment are essential for your cat’s health and well-being. Your veterinarian will be able to perform a thorough examination, including urinalysis and possibly other tests, to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.