If your cat repeatedly enters the litter tray, assumes the position to urinate but only passes a few drops or is unable to urinate at all, it needs urgent veterinary assessment. This behaviour may indicate pain or inflammation of the urinary tract, but it could also be a sign of a blockage in the urethra – a potentially serious condition that requires immediate attention.
Urinary obstruction is more common in male cats because their urethra is narrower, although any cat having difficulty urinating should be examined. If your cat strains without producing any urine, vocalises, licks its genital area excessively, is restless or keeps going in and out of the litter tray, contact a vet as soon as possible.
At Benivet Benissa, we recommend that you don’t wait to see if the problem resolves itself. You can request a veterinary practice in Benissa to assess whether there is an obstruction, inflammation of the bladder, stones, crystals or any other urinary disorder.
Why does my cat strain when urinating?
Difficulty or pain when urinating may be linked to various diseases of the feline lower urinary tract. Among the most common causes are idiopathic feline cystitis, urinary crystals or stones, urethral plugs, urinary tract infections and, less commonly, anatomical abnormalities or masses.
Idiopathic feline cystitis causes inflammation of the bladder without a specific cause always being identifiable. It can lead to frequent visits to the litter tray, pain, blood in the urine, urination outside the litter tray and the passing of small amounts of urine.
When the urethra is blocked, urine cannot pass through properly. This condition can rapidly worsen the cat’s condition and affect kidney function and electrolyte levels, so it must be treated as a veterinary emergency.
Signs of a possible urinary obstruction
See your vet straight away if you notice one or more of the following signs:
- He goes into the litter tray lots of times but can’t manage to wee.
- He only passes a few drops of urine.
- He strains for a long time to wee.
- He meows, whinges or shows signs of pain in the litter tray.
- He repeatedly licks his genital area.
- He’s peeing outside the litter tray.
- There is blood in the urine.
- He is restless, hides or behaves differently.
- Their abdomen feels tight or sore.
- He’s listless, won’t eat or is vomiting.
- He has not passed a normal amount of urine for several hours.
Sometimes, the straining to urinate is mistaken for constipation. If you cannot tell whether your cat is trying to defecate or urinate, it is safest to seek advice straight away, especially if it is a male or if you cannot find any recent urine in the litter tray.
What should I do if my cat can’t urinate?
If you suspect that your cat is unable to urinate, contact a veterinary practice immediately. Do not press on its abdomen, do not attempt to empty its bladder, and do not administer antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or human medicines on your own.
Nor should you wait until the following day if you keep trying to urinate without success. A complete blockage can lead to a build-up of toxic substances, kidney damage and potentially serious heart problems.
During the journey, keep your cat calm inside a carrier. Tell the veterinary team when you last saw your cat urinate normally, how many times it has used the litter tray, whether it has passed any urine, and whether it is vomiting, listless or has lost its appetite.
What evidence may be needed?
The vet will examine the cat and carefully palpate its bladder to assess whether it is enlarged, tense or tender. They will also check its hydration, temperature, mucous membranes, heart rate and general condition.
A key piece of evidence is the veterinary urinalysis, which enables the concentration of urine to be analysed and blood, crystals, inflammatory cells, proteins, glucose or other abnormalities to be detected.
The following may also be recommended veterinary blood tests to assess kidney function, electrolyte levels and the patient’s general condition, particularly where urinary obstruction is suspected.
The veterinary ultrasound in Benissa can help to examine the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract, whilst the veterinary radiology It may be useful for detecting certain types of kidney stones.
Depending on the results, the case may require assessment by the veterinary urology to determine the course of treatment and reduce the risk of further blockages.
How is a urinary obstruction treated?
When the urethra is blocked, treatment aims to restore the flow of urine, manage pain and correct dehydration or metabolic abnormalities. To do this, it may be necessary to sedate or anaesthetise the cat, insert a urinary catheter, administer fluid therapy and keep the cat under observation.
The protocols for veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia They enable pain to be managed and the necessary procedures to be carried out in a way that is tailored to each patient’s clinical condition.
After the blockage has been cleared, some cats need to stay in veterinary hospitalisation to monitor urine output, kidney function, electrolyte levels, pain and the condition of the bladder and urethra.
Can urinary problems in cats be prevented?
Prevention depends on the cause. For some cats, it may be advisable to increase their water intake, feed them wet food, provide several water bowls, keep litter trays clean, minimise stressful situations and use a specific urinary diet where clinically indicated.
Changes to the diet should be made in accordance with the vet’s recommendations. An assessment of veterinary nutrition for cats It can help to select a suitable diet based on the type of crystals, the composition of the urine, the patient’s weight and medical history.
It is also important to manage weight, encourage physical activity, ensure there are sufficient resources in households with several cats, and monitor any changes in the frequency, volume or location of urination.
When to make an appointment in Benivet Benissa
Contact us immediately if your cat repeatedly tries to urinate but produces only a small amount, is unable to pass urine, appears to be in pain, vocalises whilst in the litter tray, has blood in its urine, is vomiting, has stopped eating or seems listless.
At Benivet Benissa, we can assess whether you have cystitis, an infection, crystals, stones or a urinary obstruction, and carry out the necessary tests to determine the most appropriate treatment.
If your cat is having trouble urinating and you live in Benissa, Calpe or the Marina Alta, you can contact Benivet Benissa to request veterinary care.
Benivet Benissa
Av. del País Valencià, 10, 03720 Benissa
Tel. +34 622 325 271
Email: info@benivetbenissa.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-18:30 - Sat 10:00-13:00
