One reason that cat owners bring their pets to the vet for sick care is litter box trouble. Whether it’s frequent urination, accidents outside the box, or straining to go, these behaviors are often signs of a cat urinary problem, and they should never be ignored. Pet Care & Surgery Center uses feline urine testing as one of the first steps to figure out what’s going on. Testing for urinary issues is a simple way to learn a lot about your cat’s health, and it often provides the answers veterinarians need to begin effective treatment quickly.

Signs Your Cat May Have a Urinary Problem

Cats are notorious for hiding discomfort, so spotting a urinary issue early means paying attention to subtle changes, including:

• Straining or vocalizing during urination
• Frequent trips to the litter box
• Producing little or no urine
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Blood in the urine
• Excessive licking of the genital area
• Lethargy or irritability

If you’re seeing any of these signs, your cat should be evaluated by a vet as soon as possible, especially male cats who are at higher risk for life-threatening urinary blockages.

Urine Testing for Feline Health Issues

Urine testing refers to analyzing your cat’s urine to check for signs of infection, inflammation, crystals, or other abnormalities. A veterinarian will use results for identifying the underlying cause of urinary symptoms and guiding treatment. Testing the urine of your cat can reveal:

• Crystal or stone formation.
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Kidney Function
• Presence of blood
• And more

This diagnostic testing can be performed from a clean sample collected at home, in the clinic, or via direct collection by a veterinarian for the most sterile results. If you do manage to collect urine from your cat at home, make sure to store the container in the fridge if not immediately dropping it off.

Feline Urinary Conditions That May Be Diagnosed

FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease)
An umbrella term for various lower urinary problems like inflammation, crystals, or infection.

FIC (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis)
Painful bladder inflammation without an infection, possibly worsened or caused by stress.

Feline UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)
Bacterial infections that are more common in older female cats and can cause discomfort and blood in the urine.

Crystals or Stones in Cats
Certain diets or imbalances can lead to crystal formation, which may develop into bladder stones or lead to urethral blockages.

Urinary Obstruction in Cats
Complete or almost complete blockages, which do not allow urine to pass. This condition should be treated immediately, as it can become deadly within a couple of days.

It is also possible that the veterinarian will only be able to identify symptoms and not the direct cause, as many urinary conditions display the same signs. Treating symptoms of cat urinary issues should take priority over finding the source, as diagnosis can be very difficult in some cases.

Caring for Cats with Urinary Problems in Pittsburg, KS

If your cat is showing signs of a urinary issue, they should see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Urine testing is a fast way to uncover what’s going on and get your cat on the path to feeling better. Pet Care & Surgery Center evaluates and treats urinary conditions in cats in Pittsburg and from areas like Frontenac and Radley. Schedule an appointment if you are worried about your feline pet’s health.