What to do if your cat is peeing blood

Blood in your cat’s urine is a common symptom with many underlying causes, ranging from minor to life-threatening. It’s difficult for cat owners to know if their pet is experiencing an emergency simply by looking at their cat’s litter box. If you have a cat, read on to learn:

• Why is my cat’s urine bloody?
• How is bloody urine diagnosed and treated?
• Is blood in cat urine a medical emergency?

A cat peeing blood can be caused by urinary tract issues, such as feline idiopathic cystitis and bladder stones, as well as any disorder affecting blood clotting function. Veterinary care is necessary to get an accurate diagnosis and to determine appropriate treatment.

Blood in the urine is medically described as hematuria. Urine with blood in it can appear in a variety of colors depending on how much blood is present. Colors can include amber, orange, brown, or red. Blood clots may also be present. When the concentration of blood cells in the urine is low, the color of the urine may not look any different from normal.

Bloody urine usually occurs due to either a urinary issue or a bleeding problem. Cats with lower urinary tract disease often show other symptoms, such as:

• Urinating in unusual locations, such as in the bathtub
• Frequent urination, often in small amounts
• Excessive licking of the genitals
• Straining to urinate
• Painful urination

If a cat is peeing blood due to a clotting problem, other clinical signs may include:

• Pale gums
• Rapid breathing
• Blood in vomit, stools, or gums
• Weakness or lethargy

Whole blood or blood proteins such as hemoglobin and myoglobin can also cause urine to look bloody.

Why do cats get bloody urine?

There are a variety of health issues that can cause urine to appear bloody. These causes vary from mild to immediately life-threatening. Urinary issues associated with bloody urine include:

• Feline idiopathic cystitis (inflammation of the bladder)
• Kidney or bladder stones
• Urinary crystals
• Urinary obstruction
• Prostate inflammation
• Urinary tract infection
• Kidney infection
• Urinary tract tumors

Feline idiopathic cystitis, a response to stress, is a common cause of bloody urine that comes and goes on its own. Urinary crystals and stones are also common and can irritate the lining of the urinary tract, leading to bloody urine. A cat with a partial urinary tract obstruction may pass only a few drops of blood while straining to urinate, potentially indicating a life-threatening emergency. Urinary tract infections are rare in otherwise healthy adult cats.

Injuries, exposure to toxins, and bleeding disorders can also contribute to bloody urine. Examples of these include:

• Trauma to the abdomen
• Exposure to rat poison
• Venomous snake bite
• Blood clotting disorders
• Immune mediated hemolytic anemia (when the immune system attacks red blood cells)
• Immune mediated thrombocytopenia (when the immune system destroys platelets, resulting in decreased platelet levels)

It’s important to talk to a vet right away if you notice your cat has bloody urine, even if they are not displaying other symptoms.

Because of the wide variety of potential reasons for blood in your cat’s urine, a definitive diagnosis from a veterinarian is necessary. A diagnosis may involve:

• Discussion of medical history
• Physical examination
• Urinalysis and urine culture
• Blood tests, including clotting profiles
• Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasounds

Diagnostic tests are usually required to determine what is causing the bloody urine. Many cases of a cat peeing blood are caused by feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), where stress leads to bladder inflammation. As the bladder wall becomes irritated and exposed to urine, bloody urination can result. FIC is not caused by a bacterial infection.

The proper treatment for bloody urine varies depending on the underlying issue, so making a definitive diagnosis is essential. Treatment options may include:

• Stress and lifestyle management
• Nutritional management
• Flushing the urinary tract to remove crystals
• Toxicity treatment
• Antibiotics, pain medications, or other medicines
• Surgery
• Antivenom for snake bites
• Managing other underlying health conditions
• Fluid therapy and supportive care in a hospital

Treatments can vary from a simple change in diet or managing stress at home to requiring surgery or toxicity treatments in a hospital. Since some conditions associated with bloody urine are emergencies, it’s important to seek treatment as quickly as possible if you notice bloody urine from your cat.

A cat peeing blood can indicate an emergency, especially if other symptoms are present. Seek emergency care if your cat has clinical signs such as:

• Straining or inability to urinate
• Spending a lot of time in the litter box
• Bleeding from other areas of the body
• Pale gums
• Rapid breathing while at rest
• Collapse or sudden lameness

“Prompt care is recommended any time you notice bloody urine because it can be hard to tell if it’s an emergency or not,” states Dr. Jo Myers, a vet on the Vetster platform. “Even if it turns out not to be an emergency, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

What should I do if my cat has bloody urine?

Talk to a vet right away if you notice that your cat has bloody urine, even if they seem fine otherwise. Your cat may be having a medical emergency and need emergency care. Bloody urine may be expected from time to time if your cat is prone to certain urinary tract issues, such as FIC or urinary crystals. If your cat has any of these conditions, talk to a vet about home management for long-term care. If you have questions about your cat’s urinary health, you can talk to a veterinary professional through an online virtual care appointment on Vetster.

Is a cat peeing blood an emergency?

Bloody urine is a symptom of a variety of health conditions ranging from mild to immediately life-threatening. It can be difficult to know if a cat is having a medical emergency, so it’s best to seek care as quickly as possible just in case.

Can blood in cat urine go away on its own?

Some cats that are prone to urinary conditions may experience occasional bloody urine that comes and goes on its own. However, unless you have been directed otherwise by a veterinarian, it’s best to seek veterinary care right away if your cat has blood in its urine. Bloody urine can be caused by medical emergencies as well as many painful conditions that require veterinary treatment.

Can stress cause cats to pee blood?

Feline idiopathic cystitis is a common condition associated with stress that can lead to bloody urine. Many other medical issues can cause bloody urine in cats, so it’s important to get a diagnosis and treatment from a veterinarian and not assume your cat is simply stressed.