Urinary Tract Infections in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 09/16/2016Updated: 10/08/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Urinary Tract Infections in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What are Urinary Tract Infections?
Sometimes, urinary tract conditions can be associated with other diseases, including chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. However, in many cases, there doesn’t seem to be an underlying cause at all – in this case, the technical diagnosis would be “feline idiopathic cystitis” (FIC).
Feline lower urinary tract disease, or FLUTD, is the umbrella term for urinary tract conditions in cats.  A feline urinary tract infection (UTI) is typically characterized by painful and difficult urination. Urinary tract infections in cats can range from mild to fatal, so it is important that you consult a vet right away if you suspect your cat is suffering from a UTI.
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Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in Cats
Cats are notorious for hiding their symptoms from their owners. But if you suspect your cat may have a UTI, it is imperative that you don’t ignore it. If your cat is exhibiting any these symptoms, consult a vet immediately. An ignored UTI can lead to a urethral blockage, which can be fatal.
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Urinating outside of the litter box
  • Yowling while urinating
  • Frequent grooming of the genitals
  • Excessive urinating with little or no urine
  • Swollen penis
  • Gritty particles on the penis
Causes of Urinary Tract Infections in Cats
The cause of UTI in cats can be difficult to pinpoint, particularly if the cat does not suffer from any type of bladder or kidney disease. This means that the bladder is inflamed, but there is no easily identifiable reason as to why. About 65% of cats who suffer from UTI and other urinary tract conditions are diagnosed with FIC.
Despite that, there are suspected causes of FIC:
  • Defects in the lining of the bladder
  • Inflammation of neurogenic structures in the bladder wall
  • Stress levels and abnormal reactions to stress
However, urinary tract infections in cats are often associated with other diseases of the bladder:
  • Urolithiasis: stones present in the bladder
  • Urethral obstruction: blockage of the urethra in male cats-- a severe condition
  • Bacterial infections: typically uncommon, usually prevalent in older cats
  • Neoplasia: tumor present in the bladder or urethra
Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections in Cats
Cystocentesis
Your vet may collect a sample of your cat’s urine , called cystocentesis. This process will involve inserting a needle directly into the bladder to collect an uncontaminated sample of urine. In order to reach an accurate diagnosis, the urine must be free from contaminants found in the environment.
The urine may be sent to a lab to allow for cultures to grow. This way, the vet can see the specific type of bacteria present in your cat’s urine, which will aid with diagnosis and treatment.
Basic Urinalysis
The urinalysis will reveal the amount of blood present in the urine, as well as the urine’s pH balance, glucose, and protein levels. The vet will then analyze the urine using a microscope, looking for bacteria and uroliths, or stones in the urinary tract.
X-Ray
Your vet may perform an X-Ray on your cat in addition to the urine culture and urinalysis. Any crystals or stones in the bladder will show up on an X-Ray.
Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Cats
One important part of treating a UTI is increasing your cat’s water intake. For general cases of FLUTD, treatment will vary based on the cause of the infection.
Urolithiasis
Surgery is sometimes required to remove stones from the bladder. A change in diet may help dissolve certain types of bladder stones. If this is possible, your vet will prescribe a special diet that will help break up the stones and keep them from coming back.
Urethral Plugs
Urethral plugs must be removed right away, as they can cause kidney failure in as little as 2-3 days. In this case, your cat will be administered anesthetic and the vet will remove the blockage. Because your cat will have a urinary catheter after this procedure, your cat will be kept overnight or even for a few days.  Your vet may prescribe painkillers and a special diet to help prevent blockages from coming back.
Bacterial Infection
This type of infection, typically clears up easily with the use of antibiotics. The vet will determine which type of drug to prescribe based on the type of bacteria present in the urine.
Neoplasia (Tumors)
Unfortunately, by the time symptoms start to appear, neoplasia will likely already be at an advanced stage, making removal of the tumor impossible. Fortunately, though, this disease is quite rare in cats, and usually affects older cats. Chemotherapy treatment might help manage the tumor’s size. Your vet may also prescribe NSAID pain relievers, which can reduce tumor inflammation. 
FIC
There are many options when it comes to treating FIC. One way to relieve symptoms of FIC is by increasing your cat’s water intake. Switch dry food to wet, canned food. You will also want to ensure that your cat is not under high amounts of stress.
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Recovery of Urinary Tract Infections in Cats
Your cat’s recovery will depend on the underlying cause of the infection. Generally, cats will start to show improvement within 2-3 days of treatment, if the case is not serious.
Always follow your vet’s treatment instructions. Be sure to provide clean water at all times. Encourage drinking where you can and ensure that litter boxes are clean. This can help reduce your cat’s stress and may speed up recovery.
Urinary tract infections can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat has a urinary tract infection or is at risk, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Trupanion. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Urinary Tract Infections Average Cost
From 344 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
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Urinary Tract Infections Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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domestic short hair
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Cinnamon Bun (CB)
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4 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Anxious
Little Elimination
Eliminating Outside Of Litter Box
Frequent Trips To Litter Box
Enflamed Bladder
My cat CB (female) started to use the litter box more and more frequently, with little urination. Looking back now, I realize this coincided with a switch in food (Iams to Halo). She eats BW wet food alongside this. She developed what my previous vet diagnosed as a UTI not long after this, just after moving several states to stay with my father for a month while I left the country. Vet gave me antibiotics (mixed wrong), which they rectified a week later, but it seemed like she had developed a habit of cycling to each litter box—this time urinating a normal (or what I thought was normal) amount. I’m in the process of moving, and between houses, we are staying at my father’s again. She seems to have developed another UTI, and is again peeing very little in the litter box, as well as outside of it. A new vet gave her antibiotics and a steroid (both injections), and nothing has changed in a little over a week. I’ve also switched her food again to Hill’s Science Diet UTI as of four days ago. I’m not sure what to do. The next step is to go to the vet again to do a urine sample for crystals, but I’m also hoping this food will eliminate or at least lessen the formation of these potential crystals. All in all, she’s a happy cat. She doesn’t yowl, there is no blood in the urine, just small amounts and often outside of the litter box. She plays, purrs, and is internally motivated so playing *with* her is sometimes less rewarding that giving her the means to entertain herself. She was an adopted stray very young and seems to be far more nervous than her littermate, BB, who has experienced no health issues outside of a tapeworm once. I’m worried this is just a high anxiety cat that won’t improve, or that she is simply choosing to eliminate wherever she pleases, with or without the litter box. I don’t want to remove her, as she is bonded with BB, and for fear that whoever takes her will return her given her urinary issues, or worse that she will be euthanized. I’m desperate for answers.
Aug. 30, 2018
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Cat
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Romeo
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2 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Straining To Urinate
My vet who treated my cat Romeo only looked at his urine for a few hours? Is this right? Also he has prescribed onsior and it has been helping. He hasn't been able to urinate without it for a week. What should I do about this. He said he had a uti. But how long should he be having trouble.
Aug. 8, 2018
0 Recommendations
If Romeo was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection he should have received an antibiotic as well, Onsior (robenacoxib) is indicated for use for a maximum of three days and lists cystitis as a possible adverse reaction. Without examining Romeo I cannot confirm what the specific cause is, but if there is no improvement you should return to your Veterinarian for a follow up examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 8, 2018
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short hair
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Boy
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11 Days
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0 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Licking Genitals,Vomiting,Blood
My male cat seems to be having these uti symptoms vomiting ,licking,.meowing and dosent eat and just lays around I looked at his genitals and th out it was swollen and saw some blood but it's horrible for me to see him like that I can't afford that big cost what can I do? Can I get somethi g online to help him?
July 31, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without examining Boy I cannot determine the specific cause of the symptoms, I understand that money can be tight but there isn’t always an at home solution; in this case it is possible that he will require a course of antibiotics which would only be available from a local Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 31, 2018
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🤷‍♀️
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Lulu
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3 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
I have a female cat 3 years old she was treated 3 or 4 weeks ago for a unitary tract infection is it normal for blood to still be in urine it’s a normal amount for her but it’s still a little pink
July 18, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
It isn't normal for the urine to still be bloody or pink that long after the infection was treated, and she may have an infection that isn't clearing up normally. It would be a good idea to have her urine checked to make sure that there isn't any residual infection occurring.
July 18, 2018
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tabby
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Lex
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3 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
Peeing Outside Litter
Very Small Pees
Cat had blood in urine, took her in and diagnosed with a UTI (red & white blood cells in her urine). They weren't able to culture test, but after 14 days of Clavaseptin treatment took her back - still blood in urine so cultured then, came back negative. Currently finishing 10 days worth of Zenequin but not sure what to do from here ... Crystals came back positive in the second urinary analysis ... Do we re-culture? If so, will the lab re-plate the sample for free usually? Do we change her diet to dissolve the crystals and call it a day?
July 16, 2018

0 Recommendations
Typically a laboratory won’t do a second test for free, but they may do so at a lower cost but it depends on the laboratory and whether your Veterinarian passes any savings onto you. If urinary crystals were found in the second urinalysis it would really depend on the type of crystals found; an x-ray may be useful to check for any stones. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 17, 2018
To add - Her pees have also been at best the size of a ping pong ball. Doesn't seem to strain, but then again she's clearly not passing her normal amount. Is it possible they are small due to the crystals that are present, or is it more likely an underlying bacterial infection that wasn't found during the culture test?
July 16, 2018
Lex's Owner
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Oriental
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M
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8 Years
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My oriental cat has been having uti for some time,a scan last year showed something vets were not sure what.A further scan a yr later has showed bladder oxiate stones.Operated on,bladder ruptured twice,inflammation and bacteria infected,painful to pee now,urine has blood in it,feeding through her neck.Can this improve?
Urinary Tract Infections Average Cost
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Average Cost
$500
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