Could Your Cat Have a Urinary Tract Infection?

PetSmart - Margaret Dinchak/Pets.com
June 2, 2009

Has your cat suddenly started urinating in areas outside her litter box like, say, on a carpeted area or a piece of upholstered furniture? Your cat could be exhibiting symptoms of a urinary tract infection.

According to vet experts, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria in the bladder or urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body). They are uncomfortable and can make urinating a painful ordeal for your cat. It is simple for your veterinarian to test for and treat in the early stages. However, UTIs left untreated for a long time can be life-threatening.

Symptoms include:

• Frequent urination without passing much liquid
• Straining or difficulty urinating
• Blood in the urine
• Foul smelling urine
• Urination outside the litter box or in inappropriate places
• Tender lower abdomen (in the area of the bladder)
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Howling or crying during urination
• Excessive licking of the genital area

Other signs of UTI

Signs of an UTI are easy to overlook and are often times confused with behavioral problems. If your cat has sudden, unexplained changes in litter box habits such as urinating outside the box or in inappropriate places, it is important to rule out possible medical causes.

Health Meter is another way to spot the signs of an oncoming UTI. It is a diagnostic cat litter with an Early Detection System that determines if your cat’s litter box woes are cause for concern. It detects microscopic changes in your cat’s urine and alerts you that a visit to the veterinarian is necessary by changing color. You can find Health Meter in most pet retail stores.

Treatment

If a UTI is present your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and may recommend a specially formulated prescription diet to aid in treatment.

Prevention

A good way to prevent UTIs is to encourage your cat to drink more water. Since cats enjoy drinking from flowing water, try using an automatic pet waterer to encourage your cat to drink more fluids if you’re having trouble. Be sure that your cat has ample access to their own clean litter box. If you have multiple cats in your household, set up one litter box per cat and clean them daily.

Related articles: Read more on urinary tract infections in cats.

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