Feline idiopathic cystitis in cats – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: PDSA, International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your cat has this – it can become serious. It is a common urinary condition that can cause painful or difficult urination in cats.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet today.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show your vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Feline idiopathic cystitis is a common condition affecting cats that causes lower urinary tract signs such as painful urination, blood in the urine and urinating in unusual places.^[2] It is usually triggered by stress.^[1] If left untreated, it can lead to a urinary blockage, which may be severe, life-threatening and an emergency.^[2]

Signs

Difficulty passing urine or straining
Passing urine more frequently, often in small amounts
Blood in the urine
Urinating outside the litter tray or in unusual places
Overgrooming
Behaviour changes
Pain when peeing
Very frequent litter tray use
Restlessness or meowing around the litter tray
Being unable to pee

Causes and risk factors

Stress
Males
Neutered cats
Indoor cats
Overweight cats
Cats that do not do much exercise
Cats that live with other cats

How a vet finds out

Physical examination
Urine tests
X-rays
Ultrasound
Questions about your cat’s lifestyle
Ruling out other causes such as bladder infection and bladder stones

How vets treat it

Pain relief
Diet change
Medication
Rest
Anti-inflammatories
Environmental changes to reduce stress

What the experts say

“To diagnose FIC, your vet will first need to rule out some other possible causes such as infection of the bladder and bladder stones. Your vet will examine your cat, ask you some questions about their lifestyle, and probably run some blood and urine tests.”
— PDSA [1]

“Difficulty passing urine. Your cat may strain ; Passing urine more frequently, often in small amounts ; Blood in the urine ; Urinating outside of the litter tray and in unusual or inappropriate places ; Overgrooming ; Behaviour changes”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [2]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

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Common questions

What is feline idiopathic cystitis?

Feline idiopathic cystitis is a common condition affecting cats that causes signs of lower urinary tract disease, including painful or difficult urination.^[2]

When is it an emergency?

If your cat strains and repeatedly tries to pee but passes no urine, contact your vet immediately for an emergency appointment; this can be life-threatening if left untreated.^[1]^[2]

How may a vet treat it?

There are no medications available that specifically treat FIC; in some cases medication may have benefits, while dietary and environmental changes may be used.^[2]

Sources

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages