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Peeing Blood in Cats
What is Peeing Blood?
If your cat’s urine changes from its usual yellow to a brown or brownish-red, this may indicate the condition known medically as hematuria, or blood in the urine. Hematuria may be accompanied by crying when using the litterbox, or missing the litter box entirely. Blood-tinged urine is a sign to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Dehydration
- Physical trauma
- Urinary cancer
- Urinary crystals
- Urinary tract infection
Why Peeing Blood Occurs in Cats
Cats may end up with blood in their urine for a number of reasons, some of which have a simple fix while others have a more complicated treatment plan. Some of the more common reasons include:
Dehydration
Felines in the wild get the largest percent of their moisture from the prey that they eat. Housecats who are fed dry food are not getting as much hydration from their food, and they must supplement with fresh water more often. As cats have a low thirst drive, they may not be motivated to drink, particularly if ill or as they age, and in those circumstances, it may be advised to add wet food to the diet as well.
Physical Trauma
In some cases, physical trauma can cause internal bleeding which leaks into the urine at some point along the urinary tract. In these situations, your cat may also show signs of pain or weakness and may be reluctant to eat. If you believe your cat is bleeding internally due to trauma, the cat should be taken to the veterinarian right away.
Urinary Cancer
The tumors and ulcers that form when cancer attacks the urinary system can cause hematuria to develop. Although fairly rare compared to the other possibilities, this should always be ruled out; this is particularly true for senior cats or cats that continue to exhibit blood in the urine after antibiotics.
Urinary Crystals
Microscopic crystals may clump together in your cat’s urine and cause larger crystals that are unable to pass through the urinary tract, and that can cause damage to the tissue membranes. These crystals, as they grow larger, may develop into bladder stones and can potentially be fatal if left untreated.
Urinary Tract Infection
Known by a number of different names, including feline interstitial cystitis (FIC), feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), or feline urologic syndrome (FUS), infections in the urinary tract can cause your cat a great deal of pain. Many cats attempt to find a new place to go to the bathroom where it won’t hurt, making it more likely for the cat to soil the house when it is experiencing this condition. A urinary tract infection can occur at any point along the urinary tract, including within the bladder itself.
What to do if your Cat is Peeing Blood
If you notice blood in your cat’s urine, you should definitely contact your veterinarian, and they will most likely wish to examine your pet as quickly as possible. If bloody urine is followed by an inability to urinate, a distended abdomen, or lethargy and pale gums, it should be treated as an emergency, and the cat should be transported to the nearest veterinary clinic right away. Once you are in the clinic, your cat will likely undergo a complete physical with a focus on the condition of the abdomen, as well as standard diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count, biochemical profile, and, of course, a urinalysis.
The examining vet may also wish to get a clearer image of how the urinary system is functioning by utilizing x-ray or ultrasound technology in order to uncover obstructions such as bladder crystals and stones, If any growths are located within the urinary tract, a tissue sample will be taken, and a biopsy performed to see if it is cancerous or benign.
Prevention of Peeing Blood
Dehydration on its own can cause bloody urine, and many of the other conditions that lead to hematuria are often triggered or made worse by a lack of hydration, so one effective way to help protect your cat from these disorders is to ensure proper hydration. Felines do not have a high thirst drive in general as they typically receive a large portion of their hydration from the foods they eat in the wild, so sometimes they need to be convinced to drink water.
Switching to a wet food diet quite often will help with hydration for cats that are reluctant to drink water, as can adding an ice cube in with the food. Keeping several water bowls throughout the house full of clean, fresh water may encourage your cat to drink more on their own, and sometimes adding a very small amount of tuna juice or chicken broth may make the water more enticing to your cat.
Cost of Peeing Blood
Treating a feline for a cancerous condition can be very costly. For example, to treat bladder cancer the cost may average at $6000. To remove ureter stones, the expense may be $1200.
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Peeing Blood Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Lucky
2 Years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
Hi I have a tabby & it just start peeing blood It is crying and biting I’m sure it is in pain because this cat is super mellow and never bite anyone before
Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/cat/symptom/why-is-my-cat-peeing-blood
Sept. 24, 2018
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N/a
Carter
4 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
My cat just peed and it was all red thid is the first time this has happend and he is nuterd and they thaught he had lukemia borderline but nothing like this has happend he is about 4 years old
Sept. 5, 2018
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Unknown
Tabs
17 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
Lethargic
Senior cat adopted from shelter two years ago seemed healthy and happy until I got home and realized he had tapeworms, had that treated and an onslaught of issues began to arise. After multiple trips and tests found major food allergies. After trying several brands over the past two years based on bloodwork testing started a new wet cat food grain free chicken a month ago. It appears he is no longer tearing his fur out, but still wearing diapers as he would just defecate in his cat bed and continue to sleep in it. However I’ve noticed the diaper seems to have dark brown spots. I assume blood. He also won’t stand for long periods of time to finish his can of wet cat food he will eat half then fall over and just lay there. If I move the food to his mouth he will gladly finish from where he is. Same with his water, most the time he will get up out of bed to drink from his water bowl next to him then plop back down. He is not very mobile right now (I can hear and feel clicks in his joints) but still purring and snuggling when I sit with him. He is 17 at this point and I feel it would just be best to put him down rather than put him through another slew of testing.
Aug. 29, 2018
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American Shorthair
Mila
5 Days
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine, Constant Urination
Hello! I took my cat in this week for a possible UTI. We couldn’t get any pee from her so we put her on antibiotics and pain meds until we could get a pee test this upcoming week. But now 4 days after we started treatment, she started going more often and is now peeing a little bit of blood. Should I take her in again for an emergency visit? Thank you in advance.
Aug. 5, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
If Mila is getting her antibiotic as prescribed, you may be okay to continue that medication and keep your appointment for this upcoming week, as that should be treating any existing infection. If she continues to have blood in her urine or continues to be going more often, you may want to have her recheck sooner than her original appointment, but if she is eating and drinking and seems comfortable, you should not have to take her to an emergency clinic.
Aug. 5, 2018
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tabby
Kitten
15 Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
My 15 year old cat has been peeing blood for months now, even after antibiotics. Although she otherwise seems fine I am concerned she lives in daily pain and I am thinking it is time to euthanize her, as we wouldn't put her through surgery at her advanced age. My question is, is constant blood associated with constant pain?
Aug. 3, 2018
5 Recommendations
It depends on the underlying cause of the blood since there are various conditions which may cause the presence of blood which may include urinary tract infections, tumours, poisoning, hormonal conditions, kidney disease, urinary stones among others; you should visit your Veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and to see if this is something treatable or manageable. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 3, 2018
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mane coon
Tank
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
I have a male rescue mane coon named tank who is a big but smallish for a mane coon. I started noticing he was peeing blood in my tub i freaked out. He never changed character and stayed affectionate and playful. I started giving him cat food specifically for urinary tract health and he stopped peeing blood in the bathtub. One night we were out of food and i had my son pick some up. He got a cheap bag of cat food and within days the blood was back. So we always get the good stuff now.
dsh
Crystal
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
Hello, I have a 12 yr old tabby female cat. Took to vet about a month ago. She was always drinking and urinating on my floor.well the urine was a large amount that seemed dilute at times then brownish other times. She was found to be diabetic and had a uti. Was put on insulin, and on zenaquin for uti. Checked glucose levels and she is on correct dosage. Rechecked urine and infection is gone. But still seems to be drinking a lot and peeling on floor. Just took her back to vet. And had her. X rayed and urine sent back to lab. X rays didn't show any abnormalities. Well vet just called with results. Plus 3 for blood, no crystals, wbcs or signs of infection. Vet sugested a more extenstive lab test and ultrasound. The lab results should be in 3 days, and ultrasound next week. What is most likely the diagnoses, cancer?
Long haired
Precious
16 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine Decreased Appetite
Noticed cat has blood in urine, Vet sent sample off to have reviewed. Suspected bladder infection and over active thyroid. Test came back clear. Six weeks of antibiotics and nothing has changed. She is eating and seems happy and loving, but has started to pee in bathtub. Always small, 9lbs at heaviest but now down to 6lbs
Tom
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
Tom was seen by his vet yesterday for a suspected tapeworm. The vet examined him and noticed his bladder seemed a bit full. He told us to keep an eye on him and if he did not urinate by morning to bring him back. He went back this morning, but urinated in his crate. The vet examined him again and said he still had urine in his bladder. He took a urine sample to rule out crystals. The test came back with no crystals. So we are just watching him to ensure he is urinating. Tonight I noticed blood in his urine. Could this be from the urinalysis?
stray
Loki
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
Frequent Urination
Thirst
My cat has been peeing everywhere but the litter box and he has blood spots in his urine,it looks like he strains to urinate sometimes but will still pee on furniture he's peed on since this started which is a week now, I'm not too sure what it is but I'm gonna try wet food and make sure he's hydrated but if it doesn't clear up in a week then the vet we go
