BE AWARE that urinary tract infections (UTI) can cause severe harm to your cat or kitten, especially males. If you notice them struggling to urinate, treat it as a CAT EMERGENCY and seek veterinary care immediately!!
Male Cat UTI
If your cat is male and showing symptoms of a UTI, he should go to the vet immediately. A blocked urethra in a male cat is a medical emergency that can lead to kidney failure or bladder rupture and death if not treated promptly.
UTI in Female Cats
In female cats, if there are clinical signs, such as straining to urinate, urinating outside of the litter box, frequent smaller urinations, or blood in the urine, for longer than 1-2 days, she should go to the vet. UTIs can be quite uncomfortable and, if left untreated, may move into the kidneys (termed pyelonephritis) and cause infection throughout the body.
Why Male Cats are at Higher Risk:
Narrower urethra: Male cats have a narrower urethra than female cats, making them more prone to blockages.
Urethral plugs: Male cats are more susceptible to developing urethral plugs, which are clumps of material that can block the urethra and prevent urination.
Medical Emergency: A blocked urethra in a male cat is a medical emergency that can lead to kidney failure or bladder rupture if not treated promptly.
Cat UTI Recovery
Urinary issues in cats can be complex and serious, so the first step should be to make an appointment with your veterinarian for immediate care. The underlying cause of your cat’s urinary symptoms will dictate which treatment is prescribed, but may include increasing your kitty’s water consumption, antibiotics or medication to relieve symptoms, urinary catheter or surgery for male cats to remove urethral blocks.
