Cat urine problems – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. Urine problems in cats can be linked to bladder infections, FIC, bladder stones, a blocked bladder, a tumour, nerve problems or injury.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Unable to pass any urine
Struggling to pee and seeming distressed

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the 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 can mean

Urine problems can be linked to urinary-tract conditions ranging from minor to life-threatening.^[1] Possible causes include bladder infections, FIC, bladder stones, a blocked bladder, a tumour, nerve problems or injury.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Visiting the litter tray or going outside more than usual
Peeing in strange places
Smelling of urine
Discomfort or pain
Excessive cleaning around the private parts
Low energy
Hiding away
Drinking more than usual

Possible causes

Bladder infections
Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)
Bladder stones
Blocked bladder
Tumour
Nerve problems
Injury

What the experts say

“UTI (bladder infections) ; FIC (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis) ; Bladder stones ; Blocked bladder ; Tumour ; Nerve problems. Injuries to the spine can damage the nerves ; Injury. A severe blow like a road accident can even burst the bladder or ureters”
— PDSA [1]

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?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What can urine problems in cats mean?

They can be linked to urinary-tract problems ranging from minor to life-threatening.^[1]

What signs can come with urine problems?

A cat may visit the litter tray more than usual, pee in strange places, seem uncomfortable or painful, smell of urine, clean around their private parts excessively, have low energy or hide away.^[1]

When should I contact a vet immediately?

Contact your vet immediately, for an emergency appointment, if your cat is struggling to pee and seems distressed.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

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

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