Lack of Bladder Control in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 10/01/2016Updated: 06/16/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Lack of Bladder Control in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What is Lack of Bladder Control?
Lack of bladder control is referred to as urinary incontinence in and is a term used to describe a portion of the lower urinary system failing to operate adequately. The urinary system is controlled by nerve receptors, smooth muscles, and pressure from inside the bladder. When the urinary system is compromised by an infection, bladder stone, mass, or abnormal hormone levels, the feline will strain to control urinary leakage. The feline will often urinate at inappropriate times and the skin around the genitals will develop a rash from the highly acidic urine soaking his/her fur. Lack of bladder control in cats can be frustrating for cat owners, but more importantly, will cause your cat a great deal of distress and must be addressed by a veterinary professional. 
If your cat is having a difficult time making it to the litter box, dribbles urine, or leaves puddles around the home, she could be suffering from lack of bladder control. Lack of bladder control in cats is a medical condition resulting from underlying issues that are causing the feline to lose control of her bladder muscles. 
The bladder is a hollow organ that stores filtered waste until it has reached full capacity. Once the bladder is full, the muscle contracts, sending messages to the brain, which gives the cat the “urge” to urinate. In a cat with a healthy bladder, the feline can control the sphincter muscles until the appropriate time and location. However, those with underlying disease or infection, may no longer have full control of these muscles. 
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Lack of Bladder Control in Cats
The first signs of lack of bladder control a cat owner will notice are puddles of urine on the carpet, furniture and around the home. A pet owner may first believe lack of bladder control to be a behavioral problem, known as periuria (urinating in inappropriate places). Periuria is a feline behavioral disorder that the cat controls, whereas urinary incontinence is uncontrollable, with symptoms including: 
  • Wet fur surrounding the vulva or penis
  • Rash or inflamed skin around the external urinary organs
  • Damp fur along the feline’s underbelly and legs
  • Involuntary dribbling of urine
  • Urinating at inappropriate times
  • Puddles of urine around the home and in the cat bed
Types 
There are several types of lack of bladder control in cats. 
Paradoxical Incontinence
Lack of bladder control is caused by an obstruction of the urethra, preventing urine to be voided from the body. Paradoxical incontinence is commonly caused by bladder stones and reflex dyssynergia.  
Overflow Incontinence
Lack of bladder control is caused by impaired muscle function and a disorder of the lower bladder neurons. The bladder literally overflows with urine because the neurons fail to signal the brain and pressure in the bladder becomes too great for the sphincter muscle. Overflow incontinence is usually caused by neurological problems or illness.
Urethral Sphincter Incompetence
Lack of bladder control is caused by the weakening of the urethra. The sphincter muscle that holds urine until the bladder is completely full has become weak and now leaks urine when resting, or upon abdominal pressure or coughing. Urethral sphincter incompetence is a more common problem for felines that have given birth, are pregnant, or have reached a mature age. Even in these cats, it is a rare condition.
Urge Incontinence
Lack of bladder control is caused by continuous contractions of the smooth muscles surrounding the bladder. Urge incontinence is usually caused by bacterial bladder infections, urinary crystals, urinary stones in felines.  It is often associated with frequent urination and blood in the urine.
Causes of Lack of Bladder Control in Cats
Lack of bladder control in cats can be caused by a variety of reasons affecting the lower urinary system including:
  • Bacterial infections
  • Yeast infections (very rare)
  • Uroliths (bladder stones) 
  • A urethral plug
  • Trauma 
  • A mass causing pressure on the bladder
  • Nerve damage 
  • Lesions surrounding the brain or spinal cord, preventing signals from reaching the bladder from the brain. 
  • Ectopic ureter (a birth defect)
  • Kidney disease
  • Manx syndrome in Manx cats
  • Diabetes
  • Dementia
  • Weaker muscles, which are more common in older females who have given birth
Diagnosis of Lack of Bladder Control in Cats
Diagnosis of lack of bladder control in cats will begin with a physical examination and review of the feline’s medical history. During the physical examination, the veterinarian may palpate (feel) the bladder to detect the presence of stones and to assess the level of urine the bladder is holding. At this time it is important to relay the symptoms you noticed at home, when your cat began the inappropriate urination, and any new changes in the household. (New changes in the household, paired with inappropriate urination could be a sign of periuria, so the veterinarian will want to rule this possibility out). Additional diagnostic tests the veterinarian may perform include:
  • Urinary analysis 
  • Blood test 
  • Ultrasound
  • X-ray
  • Biopsy 
Treatment of Lack of Bladder Control in Cats
The treatment of lack of bladder control in cats will depend on the underlying condition. 
Bladder Infections
In the case of urinary incontinence caused by an infection, your veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic and anti-inflammatories, as well as a prescription diet and bladder supplements.
Urinary Tract Stones / Bladder Stones
In the case of stones, your veterinarian may choose to have the stones removed via surgery or have them broken down with shock wave therapy. A dietary change may also work in the case of certain stones.
Mass
In the case of a growth or mass, the veterinarian may choose to have a biopsy done to reveal whether it is malignant or benign. Chemotherapy or surgery may follow.  
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Recovery of Lack of Bladder Control in Cats
Recovery and management of lack of bladder control in cats again will depend on the underlying condition. The key to recovery in bladder control problems is detecting the problem early. Once your veterinarian has pinpointed the problem, your cat can make her way to a proper recovery and a better quality of life. Frequent check-ups should be expected with the veterinarian to ensure the prescribed treatment is proving to be effective. 
Lack of Bladder Control Average Cost
From 420 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000
Average Cost
$500
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Lack of Bladder Control Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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cat
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Nine Months
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3 found this helpful

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3 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
My cat suddenly can not find his balance and he can’t walk without stumbling. Also he can no long stand long enough for him to use his litter box. Today my husband found him laying in our restroom in a puddle of his own urine. When we adopted him we noticed that he was a little blind in his right eye but was fine for the most part. Just recently he has started with his off balance, he is constantly moving his head side to side and now the incompetence.
Dec. 3, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
3 Recommendations
Hello, so sorry to hear about your cat. There are many reasons he may be acting like this. I would be best for him to see a vet. Neurological issues in young cats can be due to a virus, bacteria or something else. You vet can examine him and run some test to see exactly what is causing these issues. I hope your cat starts to improve soon.
Dec. 3, 2020
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Domestic shorthair
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Eighteen Years
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5 found this helpful

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5 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Urinating Outside Litterbox
My cat is 18 years old, was diagnosed with diabetes 11 years ago and possible kidney disease (early stage) 5 months ago. She is also almost blind due to cataracts. Just today she started having accidents of dribbling pee before she made it to the litter box. Is this a possible UTI? Or related to her other medical issues?
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. While the signs that you are describing are not uncommon with both diabetes and kidney disease, those diseases can also predispose her to infections, and since it seems to have come on sort of suddenly, I would be suspicious of a UTI. It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pet and see what might be causing this, and let you know what treatment might help.
Oct. 11, 2020
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Idk
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One Year one month
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7 found this helpful

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7 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Urinating In House
Cant control his bladder He doesn't pee in his litter box And whenever we try to touch him around his belly his just hisses
Sept. 8, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Male cats are somewhat prone to urinary tract problems and blockages. He may be showing signs of an early urinary tract infection or inflammation, and those can worsen very quickly to the point where they cannot urinate. It would be best to have your cat seen as soon as possible by a veterinarian so that they can analyze his urine and see what might be going on with him before it becomes an emergency. I hope that he feels better soon and everything goes well for him.
Sept. 8, 2020
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domestic short hair
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Jessi
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16 Years
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15 found this helpful

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15 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Straining To Urinate
My girl is almost 16,5 weeks ago she started displaying signs of uti, so I had a trip to the vets,the felt abdomen and said she had idiopathic cystitis, she was given 2 injections, pain killer and anti inflammatory, a course of pills for 5 days. We do the course and nothing changed, still dribbles and constantly in and out the tray and licking. I wasn't happy so called the vet back, they said they didn't feel she needed further medical treatment and maybe change diet to a urine care by hills. A few days later she stopped pooping she would strain but nothing was produced as well as constantly still trying to pee. I again ring vets and make another appointment, again a feel of abdomen and a diagnosis of idiopathic cystitis, I was given loxicom and some stool softner. Told only to give the anti inflammatory with food as it can make them ill. We had this for a week, now she had stopped eating and just picking the jelly off food, she also stopped drinking. Things were not improving after finishing the course, so they suggested an ultrasound of bladder and full blood work, I just Want this sorted for her. I'm preparing myself for the worse with her age, but ultrasound and bloods came back clear, just shown a thickened bladder lining. I go to pick her up, she did a pee in the carrier, but as soon as we get home she is back to going in and out the tray and producing a dribble. By now I'm stressed as she still doesn't seem to be drinking.im adding water to wet food which is still being left. This past weekend she stopped peeing altogether and started to pee a few drops on the bed, she was also now squatting wherever and trying to pee but doing nothing. They ask me to get a urine sample as it's the one thing not tested, but now she's not peeing at all,so they take her in, as she had a uterine tumour a few years back they want to do a full xray and get a pee sample, again xray clear no masses no blockages as she had peed while under sedation, urine sent to lab,another pain killer given and another course of loxicom, we get home and she instantly goes to tray but does no pee, we can't figure whether now it's psychological, all night she didn't urinate so vet wanted her back today. They press her bladder and she pees over the table a stream, they say her bladder feels less imflamed than yesterday when it was like a rock, vet seemed concerned she had a floppy tail as she just wasn't moving it just drooped down, so they Test for reaction by squeezing parts, and yes she has feeling in it. Another pain killing injection and to update tomorrow, I also get given some hills veterinary and purina urine foods to try, I get home and again she is trying to wee and nothing comes. Have tried to think what triggered this but just can't as nothing changed, the other cats have are 3 yrs old so nothing changed there, have bought a plug in to see if that alters things as I'm all out of ideas only option now is to put her in a room alone with the plug in to see if she stops stressing away from the other 2 cats. I just don't know what else I can do
Sept. 5, 2018
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Taby
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Rascal
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8 Years
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2 found this helpful

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2 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
My cat rascal is an 8 yr. Old Male we have been fight with his health the last couple of weeks. He had lost wieght and his nose is always running so we took him to the vet. After they worked him and put him on an antibiotic he stopped eating so we took him in again.had him tested for cancer and he was clean. They pumped him full of more meds and sent more antibiotics home. He finally started to eat. This morning I woke to him having urinated all over my bed.
Sept. 2, 2018
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Tuxedo cat
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Sally boo
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6 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Urinating Outside Litterbox
We rescued a senior cat and later found out she has kidney disease. We have been able to keep her relatively healthy despite the kidney disease. It has been 4 years now and she has now been urinating on herself constantly. And lately she has not been able to hold her bowels. My vet has checked her multiple times but has no answers for the urinating other than its just another symptom of kidney disease. The smell is a constant issue now, we are at a loss. Does anyone anyone solutions? We have tried medications, laser therapy and specialized food.
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tabby
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Richie
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4 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Incontinence
Our cat has all of a sudden started urinating uncontrollably. He will stand in a trance like position. Then dribbles will come out. He then licks his private area erratically. He seems ok normally but this is out of character. He's around 4, desexed, and was a stray. We're very concerned as we have kept him vaccinated regularly, but now have realised he's 3-4 months overdue for his enteritis flu shots. We do live in an area however where he may have a tick, or, licked or bitten a cane toad as he did that last year this time.
Lack of Bladder Control Average Cost
From 420 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000
Average Cost
$500
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