Cat Urinary Problem

"Cat urinary problem or changes in the way your cat urinates almost always indicates some types of medical problem. Male cats in particular should be seen by a veterinarian to ensure that there is nothing blocking the urine from leaving the body. In females and males urinary problems can be a sign of infection or even a behavioral issue."�

A cat urinary problem can be caused by many things. Most common is a urinary tract infection. Bladder stones can also cause problems. Less common are tumors and anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract. If caught early, most urinary problems are easily treated and not too serious. If untreated, however, they can become serious. Take your cat to the vet if she shows symptoms of a cat urinary problem.

Symptoms of a Cat Urinary Problem

Symptoms of a cat urinary problem may include:

More frequent urination
Straining to urinate
Dribbling urinate
Blood in the urine
A litter trained cat having “accidents” in the house
Licking the genitals after urination (in an attempt to relive pain, itching, and burning sensation)

The symptom that gets the most attention is when a litter trained cat begins to urinate in the house. Owners often assume the cat is doing this on purpose or that it is a behavioral problem, and want to punish the cat for doing it. But it’s often a medical problem. Take your cat to the vet to rule out any health problems first. If your cat gets a clean bill of health, then talk to your vet about how best to deal with the behavior.

Symptoms and Common Causes
Feline Uriniry Problems

Symptom of Cat Urinary Problem	Possible Cause and Action
Your cat strains to urinate or urinates in small amounts. Urine may contain blood and your cat may be vomiting.	Urinary Tract Infection or there is something blocking the urinary tract such as a bladder stone. If your cat is acting normally (behavior, appetite) then see a veterinarian. If male cat and behavior is not normal then seek emergency care to check for blockage.
Urine that has some blood in it	Injury to the bladder. See veterinarian.
Cat leaking urine, particularly when lying down	Incontinence problem. See veterinarian and test for FeLV (feline leukemia virus) and endocrine (thyroid) problems.
Urine spray and urination outside of the litter box	Behavioral problem. See our guide to changing behavior.
Frequent Urination	In older cats it could be a sign of kidney disease or hypothyroidism
Cat Urine dark yellow color	See veterinarian who will check for liver disease. Usually accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, desire not to eat.

Diagnosing a Cat Urinary Problem

To diagnose a cat urinary problem, your vet will need to perform a urinalysis. This is a test that checks for the presence of blood, protein, sugar, and other substances in the urine. The urine can also be cultured to see if there is bacteria growing in it. The culture takes a couple of days, so your vet may go ahead and prescribe antibiotics for your cat without waiting for the results if he or she thinks your cat has a urinary tract infection.

The vet may also take x-rays of your cat to check for bladder stones. An ultrasound could also be used for this purpose. These tests would also show any tumors or anatomical abnormalities, if present.

Treating a Cat Urinary Problem

Treating a cat urinary problem is often as easy as prescribing a short course of antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. After a couple of weeks, the urine should be tested again to make sure the infection is all cleared up. In stubborn cases, antibiotics may need to be used for longer periods of time.

If your cat frequently suffers from feline urinary tract infections you might want to consider adding a natural remedy to the diet that promotes balance in the bladder and urinary tract. One product made specifically for this purpose is PetAlive UTI-Free Formula. It is made specifically for this problem and contains ingredients such as:

Arctostaphylos uva ursi helps to maintain normal pH levels in the urinary tract. (Larsson B, Jonasson A, Fianu S. “Prophylactic effect of UVA-E in women with recurrent cystitis: a preliminary report.” Current Therapeutic Research 1993;53(4):441-443. ) This herb contains the glycoside arbutin as the main active constituent.
Berberis vulgaris contains berberine as a main constituent, known for its restorative effect on the bladder and urinary tract. (Li SY, Ling LH, Teh BS, et al. “Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties of the bis- benzylisoquinolines: in vitro comparisons of tetrandrine and berbamine.” Int J Immunopharmacol 1989;11(4):395-401.)

If bladder stones are present, they can sometimes be broken up with medication, but often must be surgically removed. If your cat is prone to forming stones, your vet may recommend a special diet that will help prevent them.

If your cat has a tumor, your vet will talk to you about the best way to treat it. It will depend on the type, size, and location of the tumor.

Anatomical abnormalities may be able to be corrected surgically. It will depend on the exact nature of the problem.