Urinary problems in cats

Written by Liz Palika Reviewed by Kristin Westafer, DVM

Overview

The urinary system includes the bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra. Problems with the urinary system are fairly common in cats. Cats can get infections of the bladder or kidneys. Also, obstructions of the urethra as well as bladder or kidney stones can occur, as well as inherited or congenital problems. Cystitis is a general term that refers to irritation and inflammation involving the bladder.

Urine is the way the body gets rid of waste products, toxins, and other substances. Since the excretion of wastes from the kidneys through the bladder to the outside of the body is necessary for life, problems with the urinary tract system can be serious, especially if they prevent urine from leaving the body. In addition, irritation, inflammation, or infection involving the kidneys can be very uncomfortable, painful, and cause your pet to feel extremely poor.

Sometimes cats can develop non-infectious problems that can involve the urinary system. It is now known that stress can induce an inflammatory reaction in the bladder and cause frequent, painful urination as well as urinary blockage; this condition is called feline urologic syndrome (FUS). Stressors like a new cat or kitten in the family, a new baby, a new significant other, new household, or any other major change can trigger your cat to develop urinary problems. Cats can also develop behavioral problems that cause them to urinate outside the litter box even though they have no medical condition.

Symptoms

Symptoms of urinary tract disease can be subtle, as cats often hide signs of illness, but others will be more easily noticeable.

Change in thirst – either an increase or a decrease in drinking habits can be cause for alarm
Painful urination, may vocalize when trying to urinate
Straining to urinate
Blood in the urine
Inability to urinate despite frequent attempts to do so
Changes in litter box habits, including avoiding the litter box
Digging in the litter box more than normal without urinating or defecating
Frequent trips to the litter box
Urinary leakage or dripping
Incontinence
Urinating outside the litter box
Fever
Abdominal pain and discomfort
Lethargic, or unwillingness to move or participate in normal activities
Increased hiding behavior or decrease in amount of human interaction

There are a number of problems that can be associated with urinary system disorders, so any abnormal behavior in your cat should be reported to your cat's veterinarian.

Cause and prevention

Preventing urinary system disease can begin with breeding only healthy cats that have no known urinary tract diseases or disorders. By feeding your cat only a good quality diet, you can also potentially prevent some stone (or crystal) formations in the kidneys or bladder. Fresh water should always be available, too, so the cat can drink when thirsty which will help keep the urinary tract flushed. Feeding a diet of good quality canned cat food may also help prevent urinary tract disease because of increased water consumption.

Determining the cause of urinary system disorders can be very difficult. Although bacterial infections of the urinary tract are uncommon in cats, they can occur. Feline urologic syndrome (sometimes referred to as idiopathic cystitis, meaning the cause is unknown) can be quite painful and can cause some cats to avoid their litter box because they associate the litter box with pain and discomfort. Stress can also trigger FUS. Renal (kidney) disease can also cause significant urinary system distress and should be considered as a potential cause for any sudden urinary problems.

Behavioral problems can be caused by any number of things, but are often a result of inappropriate litter box management or sudden stressful changes in the household. You should always have one litter box for each cat in the household plus an additional litter box (for example, if you have four cats, you should have five litter boxes.) Litter boxes should be kept in a well-ventilated, secluded, quiet area. Litter boxes should be scooped every 24-48 hours and litter should be completely replaced at least once a week. If the litter box smells dirty to you, it is very unpleasant to your cat as well. Changing your litter box management may completely resolve your pet’s behavioral inappropriate urination, however, counseling with a veterinary behaviorist may also be recommended by your regular veterinarian.

Treatment

The first line in treatment for almost all urinary system disorders is to try to determine the cause of the problem; significant medical problems are often ruled out first, especially if your cat’s symptoms or age alert your veterinarian that something serious could be going on.

Increasing the water intake and changing the diet is helpful if your cat has been diagnosed with kidney, bladder, or urethral stones. Water intake can be increased by discontinuing the feeding of dry food and mixing water into canned food. Laboratory tests can help guide your veterinarian to chose appropriate medication and treatment. The medication should be given as prescribed, for as long as prescribed, and make sure you bring your cat in for all follow up visits in case your cat’s problem has not completely resolved.

If your cat has developed a behavioral problem, consult with your veterinarian regarding correction of the problem and the potential need for medication. Tell your veterinarian’s receptionist that your pet might have a behavioral problem, so that they can schedule you enough time with your veterinarian. Identification of the problem and working with your cat to correct it is always the first step.

Costs of treatment vary. The initial examination usually runs between $30 and $50, and a urinalysis to determine the correct medication may run $20 to $75. If surgery and hospitalization are required for a urinary blockage or severe cystitis, then costs may run a couple of hundred dollars per day.

The future

Most cats with a tendency towards developing cystitis can live long lives but may require numerous veterinary visits, medication, or special urinary tract food. An appropriate diet is important, of course, as is paying attention to the cat's behavior. Any increase or decrease in thirst as well as any changes in the litter box should be immediately brought to the veterinarian's attention before a problem becomes a habit.