Blood in your cat’s urine (hematuria) is a sign that something is wrong with its urinary tract. The urine may look pink, red or brown, or you may notice red spots in the litter. It always needs a vet check, and in some cases, it’s an emergency.
Emergency: if your cat, especially a male cat, is straining in the litter box, going back repeatedly and passing little or no urine, crying, licking its genitals or vomiting, it may have a urinary blockage. A blocked cat can die within a day or two. Go to a vet immediately.
Signs to Watch For
Blood in the urine often comes with other signs of urinary discomfort:
- pink, red or brown urine, or red spots in the litter or on surfaces;
- straining to pee;
- peeing frequently, in small amounts;
- crying while peeing;
- peeing outside the litter box, often on cool, smooth surfaces such as baths, sinks or tiles;
- licking the genital area more than usual.
Use a light-colored litter, or temporarily a non-absorbent litter your vet recommends, to make it easier to spot blood.
Possible Causes
- feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), inflammation of the bladder without a clear cause, often linked to stress. It’s the most common cause in young and middle-aged cats. Read more about cystitis in cats;
- bladder stones or urinary crystals;
- urinary tract infections, which are more common in older cats and cats with diabetes or kidney disease;
- a urethral plug or blockage, especially in male cats;
- injury, such as a fall or a road accident;
- poisoning, especially with rodent poisons that stop blood clotting;
- kidney problems;
- tumors of the bladder, which are less common and usually seen in older cats.
What Your Vet Will Do
Your vet will examine your cat, feel its bladder and usually test a urine sample. They may also recommend blood tests, X-rays or an ultrasound to look for stones or other problems. Treatment depends on the cause, and may include pain relief, a special urinary diet, medication or, for blockages and some stones, a procedure or surgery.
If you can, bring a fresh urine sample. Ask your vet how to collect one, for example with a special non-absorbent litter.
What You Can Do
- contact your vet as soon as you notice blood in your cat’s urine;
- make sure your cat has easy access to fresh water and a clean litter box;
- don’t give any human medicines, painkillers or home remedies such as cranberry products without your vet’s advice;
- follow your vet’s treatment plan exactly, including any special diet.
How to Support Urinary Health
- Encourage your cat to drink more water. Feed wet food, offer several water bowls in different places and try a cat water fountain.
- Keep litter boxes clean, with one box per cat, plus one extra, in quiet places.
- Reduce stress, which plays a big role in cystitis. Keep a regular routine, provide hiding places and perches, and consider a pheromone diffuser. Read more: how to calm a stressed cat.
- Keep your cat at a healthy weight and encourage play.
- Feed the diet your vet recommends, especially if your cat has had urinary problems before.
