Urinary Tract Infections in Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in cats and can cause significant discomfort if left untreated. Learn how to identify UTI symptoms, treatment options, and ways to prevent recurring infections through diet and hydration.

Key Points:

• Symptoms of UTIs in cats (frequent urination, blood in urine, straining)

• How vets diagnose and treat UTIs

• Dietary changes to prevent future UTIs (wet food, urinary health formulas)

• Importance of encouraging water intake in cats

1. Symptoms of UTIs

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be uncomfortable for cats. Signs include:

• Frequent Urination: Cats may attempt to urinate more often, but pass only small amounts.

• Blood in Urine: Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is a common sign of UTI.

• Straining to Urinate: Cats may show discomfort when urinating​.

  
  

2. Diagnosis and Treatment

Vets will typically diagnose a UTI through a urinalysis or urine culture. Treatment usually involves antibiotics to clear the infection. In more serious cases, additional diagnostics like x-rays may be needed​.

3. Dietary Changes

Feeding wet food or specific urinary health diets (like Hill’s c/d or Royal Canin Urinary SO) can reduce the likelihood of future UTIs by promoting more dilute urine and reducing the formation of crystals​.

4. Encouraging Water Intake

Increasing water consumption helps prevent UTIs by flushing the urinary tract. You can encourage your cat to drink more by providing fresh water sources, using cat water fountains, or adding water to their wet food​.