A cat owner’s guide to feline urinary tract infections

While urinary symptoms like frequent urination or urinating outside the litter box are common in cats, they’re rarely caused by urinary tract infections. There are other lower urinary tract diseases with similar symptoms, such as idiopathic cystitis or urinary crystals, that are actually more common in young and otherwise healthy cats. Read on if you’re a cat owner and have ever wondered:

• How do I know if my cat has a UTI or other urinary tract issue?
• How are UTIs in cats diagnosed and treated?
• How do cats get urinary tract diseases and infections?
• How can I support my cat’s urinary health?

It’s crucial to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your cat’s urinary symptoms to create an effective treatment plan. This is done with a urinalysis, a urine culture, and other diagnostic tests. Prompt veterinary care is recommended to prevent complications. Some urinary conditions are emergencies, so it’s always best to seek veterinary advice when you notice urinary symptoms in your cat.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when an infectious organism, usually bacteria, affects a part of the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Though UTIs can affect any area of the urinary tract, the term “UTI” is most commonly used to describe a bacterial infection in the bladder.

A UTI is also commonly referred to as “cystitis,” but it’s important to understand that the meaning of cystitis is much more broad and indicates only that the bladder is inflamed without specifying why.

What types of urinary tract diseases affect cats?

There are many conditions that can affect a cat’s urinary tract other than infection. These conditions share many clinical symptoms and are impossible to differentiate at home without diagnostic testing with a vet. These conditions include:

• Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)
• Kidney or bladder stones and crystals
• Urinary tract cancer

Bacterial urinary tract infections are rare in young, otherwise healthy cats. However, feline idiopathic cystitis, or sterile inflammation of the bladder, is very common. The formation of crystals and stones in the kidneys or bladder can also occur, as well as cancer anywhere within the urinary tract.

UTIs and other urinary issues share similar clinical symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Blood in urine
• Frequent urination, often in small amounts
• Urinating outside of the litter box
• Straining to urinate
• Overgrooming or licking the genitals
• Urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control
• Painful urination or vocalizing while urinating

Urinary symptoms among different urinary conditions in cats can look the same. These symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening, and some cats have no obvious symptoms at all. If your cat shows any kind of urinary symptom, it’s important to get veterinary care quickly to treat or prevent a potential medical emergency.

Unproductive straining, which is when a cat is straining to urinate and is either unable to do so or only produces very small amounts of urine, is a clear sign that a cat needs emergency attention. It can be difficult to know if your cat’s straining is unproductive. Some cats urinate in inappropriate locations, such as in a sink or bathtub, when experiencing urinary problems. This habit can make it easier to observe the color of the urine and to make sure a straining cat is actually producing urine. If you’re unsure about whether or not your cat is straining, talk to a vet for advice.

Are UTIs in cats an emergency?

It’s impossible to know if your cat’s urinary symptoms are due to a UTI without going to the vet, but signs of an emergency include:

• Unproductive straining
• Vocalization while using the litter box
• Blood in the urine

It can be challenging to tell the difference between straining to urinate and straining to defecate, so it’s best to seek veterinary care any time straining is noticed.

Bloody urine can occur due to a number of reasons, some of them requiring veterinary emergency care. Talking to a vet any time you notice your cat straining or blood in the litter box is the safest course of action. Even if the UTI is not an emergency, prompt medical treatment is needed to prevent infections from getting worse or spreading to the kidneys. Kidney infections can lead to life-threatening complications, such as sepsis or kidney failure.

After a physical exam, a veterinarian will likely recommend a urinalysis. The urine is examined  for evidence of bacteria, crystals, blood cells, proteins, and other factors that can point to the underlying health issue. When a UTI is suspected, a urine culture is often recommended to check for bacterial growth. The type of bacteria found can determine which type of antibiotic is used for treatment.

Other diagnostic tests are likely to be recommended for an accurate diagnosis, such as blood tests or a CT scan. Appropriate medical treatment cannot be determined until the underlying problem is accurately diagnosed. “While it may seem unnecessary or even excessive for what the owner might think is a routine UTI, these additional diagnostics are important,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “We can’t just assume symptoms are due to a UTI, especially since UTIs are uncommon in young and otherwise healthy cats. Furthermore, the most common cause of feline urinary symptoms — idiopathic cystitis — is a diagnosis by exclusion, meaning everything else must be ruled out.”

While UTIs are uncommon in young and otherwise healthy cats, when they do occur, they’re usually bacterial infections that require antibiotics for successful treatment. If your cat is prescribed antibiotics, always finish the entire course as instructed, even if symptoms go away. If the course is not completed, the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections can increase, making the UTI more likely to recur and more difficult to treat later.

Antibiotics are also used to treat a UTI that’s due to an underlying illness, such as diabetes mellitus, but changes to the treatment plan for the underlying illness are usually necessary to prevent recurrence of the UTI.

For other urinary tract conditions, antibiotics are rarely effective. Other treatments may include:

• Pain medication
• Anti-inflammatories
• Flushing stones and crystals from the urethra
• Urinary catheter placement and hospitalization
• Surgery
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Trouble-shooting litter boxes problems
• Change in diet
• Stress management

In cases of kidney infections or urethral obstruction, hospitalization may be required for additional treatments, such as fluid therapy, IV medications, and surgery. Follow-up visits for repeat urinalyses may be recommended to make sure treatments have been successful. A special diet formulated for urinary conditions in cats may be recommended along with lifestyle changes to reduce environmental stressors at home.

Can I treat my cat’s UTI at home?

The treatment of UTIs in cats requires antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian. Giving your cat antibiotics without a vet’s instruction can complicate the diagnostic process later and delay appropriate care, allowing the condition to become worse. Never give “leftover” antibiotics or antibiotics meant for a human in an attempt to clear a cat’s UTI. Some human medications are dangerous for cats, and even if the medication is safe for animals, the antibiotic may not target the bacteria causing the infection. An incorrect dosage of a medication meant for animals can also be harmful to your cat.

A cat with a UTI may also have another urinary condition that led to the infection. This condition must also be treated in order to treat the UTI.

UTIs are more common in older cats with other underlying illnesses, such as diabetes mellitus, especially if the illness isn’t being managed well. Veterinary care is necessary to identify if a UTI is present and to address any underlying causes.

A healthy urinary tract is naturally good at defending itself against infections from bacteria it’s exposed to daily. If your cat develops a bacterial UTI, especially if it recurs, it’s important to find out why the urinary tract isn’t healthy or behaving normally.

Bacteria that enter the urethra can travel to the bladder and establish there, leading to a bladder infection. UTIs are uncommon in cats overall, but they happen more frequently in females because their urethras are shorter and wider.

UTIs in cats are associated with a variety of other health concerns that can increase the risk of infection. These concerns include:

• Urinary stones or crystals
• Stress
• Dehydration
• Feline leukemia virus
• Feline immunodeficiency virus
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Kidney disease or kidney failure
• Prostate inflammation
• Urinary tract cancer
• Birth defects of the genitals or urinary tract

Long-term use of steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs may also contribute to the development of a UTI.

Urinary health is important for a cat’s overall well-being and quality of life. Cat owners can help promote urinary health in their pets by:

• Keeping stress levels low at home
• Providing an adequate number of litter boxes
• Cleaning litter boxes regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing other health conditions that can lead to UTIs
• Providing clean water bowls and fountains throughout the home

Stress is a major contributing factor for feline idiopathic cystitis, which is a common cause of urinary symptoms in cats. Keeping the home as stress-free as possible is an important factor for your cat’s urinary health. This includes keeping an adequate number of litter boxes in the home and scooping them regularly. A household should have one more litter box than the number of cats that reside there. In general, cats prefer clean, unscented litter, and large, uncovered litter boxes.

Making sure your cat stays hydrated is also important for their urinary health. Many cats prefer drinking from fountains rather than from bowls, so offer a variety of choices. Healthy cats automatically drink enough to stay hydrated, but make it easy for them by providing plenty of water sources throughout the home and managing any other health conditions that may contribute to dehydration.

UTIs in healthy cats are rare but tend to occur more commonly in senior cats. Seniors are more likely to develop medical conditions that can contribute to poor urinary health. Other urinary issues, such as stones and cystitis, are far more common in cats than UTIs but share common symptoms.

Is my cat at risk for a urinary tract infection?

UTIs are rare in young and healthy cats, so most cats are not at risk. Obese cats, cats using immunosuppressive drugs, and cats living with health conditions that weaken the immune system or make it hard for the cat to stay hydrated are more at risk for UTIs. Cats that do not have access to fresh water may be at risk for urinary tract infections. Female cats are at a slightly higher risk than males due to having a shorter urethra for bacteria to travel through.

Talk to a vet if your cat is showing symptoms of a UTI, such as blood in the urine, frequent urination, or straining to urinate. If a cat is unable to urinate or is straining unproductively, talk to a veterinarian immediately, as this is a medical emergency. UTIs and other urinary tract conditions need to be addressed by a vet to receive adequate treatment and relieve symptoms. In addition, prompt treatment will prevent the condition from getting worse. If your cat is showing signs of a UTI or you are worried about your cat’s risk of a urinary condition, you can talk to an online vet on the Vetster platform.

How can you tell if a cat has a UTI?

Urinary tract infections and other urinary conditions in cats share common signs, such as frequent urination, bloody urine, straining to urinate, or urinating outside the litter box. Without diagnostic testing, it is impossible to know if a cat’s urinary symptoms are being caused by an infection or another condition.

Can a dirty litter box cause a UTI in cats?

While stories connecting dirty litter boxes to UTIs are easy to find, this is not backed up by evidence. Dirty litter boxes may contribute to stress or cause a cat to eliminate elsewhere in the house, but unless the cat has mobility problems that cause it to come into contact with the soiled litter, it’s unlikely that a dirty litter box would actually cause a UTI. A healthy urinary tract is naturally good at defending itself against the bacteria it’s exposed to every day, but you can still help your cat’s urinary health by keeping their litter boxes clean and providing multiple boxes in quiet areas of the house.

Can a UTI in cats go away on its own?

Successful treatment of UTIs in cats requires antibiotics from a veterinarian. UTIs are most common in older cats with underlying illnesses, so even if they go away, they’re likely to recur if the underlying condition isn’t properly managed. It may be possible for a UTI to resolve on its own if the underlying illness is successfully managed. However, when urinary symptoms go away on their own, it’s often because they weren’t due to a UTI. It is impossible to know what condition is causing a cat’s urinary symptoms without diagnostic testing, so it’s always best to consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Is a UTI in a cat an emergency?

UTIs in cats are not necessarily emergencies, though they require prompt treatment to prevent them from becoming worse or spreading to the kidneys. However, UTI symptoms can also occur in a cat with a urinary blockage, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. It’s best to talk to a vet any time you notice urinary symptoms.