Cat Can’t Pee: What To Do At Home

If a cat doesn’t pee for more than two days or screams when trying to urinate, he should be taken to the vet immediately.

What can be done urgently before the vet examination

If there is no possibility of getting the cat to the vet quickly, first aid should be provided by the cat’s owners at home.

First aid when a cat can’t pee is as follows: a warming compress or heating pad is placed on the abdomen and perineum area.

The heating pad and compress should be warm, but not hot! You can put the animal in a bath with warm water, making sure the water does not reach the heart area.

It is forbidden to massage the cat’s stomach – this can cause serious complications.

Make sure the cat drinks enough water and if he refuses to drink, force-feed him pure water from an eyedropper. Add some chicken broth to his food to increase his fluid intake. Play with the pet for a while, as this will activate all systems of the body. Play carefully so that the pet is not overtired.

Emergency medical care

First aid when a cat can’t pee at the vet clinic consists of inserting a catheter. Only a professional should place the catheter, after first flushing the bladder with antiseptics. This operation is painful, so it is performed under general anesthesia. After catheterization, the veterinarian conducts several tests to find the cause of urinary retention.

Important: the catheter must not be inserted often – swelling of the urinary tract occurs after this procedure. If the doctor has inserted a catheter for several days, it is necessary to keep the cat in a special collar during this time, so that it does not injure itself and does not remove the catheter.

Diseases causing a prolonged urinary blockage in cats

If a cat can’t pee for more than 2 days, it could be a symptom of the following diseases:

1. Cystitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder. The disease is caused by an infection entering the bladder or by mechanical damage to the mucosa. Animals of all breeds and ages are prone to cystitis. Because of the anatomical characteristics of male cats, they get the disease more often than females. The presence of the disease is indicated by the fact that the cat hasn’t peed. It hurts when the cat urinates, screams violently and rubs itself against the side of the litter tray. Over time, the fear of pain makes the cat stop going to the litter box at all. In such cases, a visit to the vet should not be delayed.
2. Urethritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urethra. The disease usually develops together with cystitis. Urethritis most often affects castrated cats. If a neutered cat can’t urinate, and after a long sweat there are only drops of urine in the litter box, in which you can see blood, the animal should be urgently taken to the doctor.
3. Urolithiasis is a pathology in which sand crystals and urinary stones form in the urinary tract and bladder itself. Sand and stones pass through the ureter, irritate and traumatize the mucosa, causing inflammation – the cat cannot go to the toilet without pain, blood appears in the urine. In severe cases, the patency of the urinary tract is completely impaired. Urolithiasis is a disease that requires urgent treatment. Only urgent surgery can solve the problem and save the pet’s life.
4. Kidney diseases. The list of congenital and acquired diseases of this organ is large – cats are prone to kidney disease. Poor kidney function leads to irregular urination. The diagnosis and treatment regimen should be made by a veterinarian based on the results of tests.
5. Dysfunction of the sphincter and bladder walls. The disease develops as a result of the central nervous system dysfunction of older cats. It usually manifests as incontinence – older cats urinate under themselves. In some cases, poor urine defecation develops. The diagnosis can be made by a veterinarian.
6. Polyps of the urethra and bladder are benign growths that resemble warts. They can block the urinary tract and interfere with the outflow of urine. Several tests (X-rays, ultrasound) are needed to diagnose them. The disease is treated surgically.
7. Traumatic damage to the urinary tract. It is urgent to show the cat to the vet if it has fallen from a height or if it has been involved in a car accident.
8. Congenital abnormalities. Urinary retention may be due to the peculiarities of development of the cat’s internal organs. In these cases, problems with urination appear at a fairly early age. It is necessary to detect them in time.

Cat is having trouble peeing – alarming symptoms

Untimely urine drainage can provoke life-threatening conditions for the cat. Stagnant urine rapidly multiplies pathogenic bacteria. The bladder may not be able to take the strain. Equally dangerous to the health and life of the pet is general intoxication of the body.

That is why it is so important to learn how to identify the first symptoms of painful and difficult urination in cats. The following signs of trouble peeing should alert the owner:

• cat sits in the litter box for a long time, twisting, and choosing a position, but in the end, the litter box is dry;
• the animal screams while trying to urinate;
• cats are constantly licking the urethra area and meowing pitifully;
• traces of blood, pus, and white flakes are visible in the urine;
• sudden change in the color or odor of urine;
• urinary disorders are followed by fever, lethargy, lethargy, refusal to drink, or excessive thirst;
• the animal refuses to play, becomes aggressive, restless;
• the abdominal wall becomes painful and tense;
• cats meow and scratch when you try to pick them up.

If one or more of these symptoms occur, the animal should be seen by a vet to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Methods of treatment

This article is based on the expert opinion of the head of the veterinary clinic

A little earlier we looked at what to do if a cat can’t pee – we were talking only about first aid. Self-treatment in such cases is putting the pet’s life in danger.

It is up to the veterinarian to decide on a treatment option. In some cases, only emergency surgery can save the cat’s life, which is why it is so important not to delay the visit to the doctor.

The treatment regimen is prescribed by a veterinarian, taking into account the anamnesis and the final diagnosis.

Depending on the nature of the disease, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, diuretic, analgesic, antihistamine, and hormonal drugs are prescribed.

All that is required of the owner is to strictly follow all medical prescriptions, provide a comfortable environment for the animal, follow a drinking regime, and adhere to the diet recommended by the doctor.

Special diet

Regardless of the diagnosis, a sick cat will need a corrective diet. Foods that irritate the kidneys and the urinary system must be eliminated from the pet’s diet.

Cheap dry food of the “economy” and “premium” classes falls under the ban. These products contain a lot of salt, preservatives, flavorings, and colorants. Of the expensive dry food, only special brands designed for animals with urological diseases and cystic fibrosis are allowed.

Foods that should not be given to sick cats:

1. Pork is a fatty meat that thickens urine.
2. Milk is a source of magnesium, which makes it difficult for urine to flow.
3. Salt.
4. Raw fish – contains phosphorus. Can provoke bladder stone formation.
5. Raw meat. Protein foods overload the kidneys.

Until the animal’s condition stabilizes, the cat’s diet should be light, caloric, and natural. It is necessary to monitor the observance of the drinking regime – the cat should always have a sufficient amount of fresh drinking water.

Preventing trouble peeing in cats

Urinary problems are especially common in neutered, spayed, aged, weakened, and obese cats.

Preventive measures should include:

• regular examinations by a veterinarian and strict fulfillment of all prescriptions issued by the doctor;
• control of the animal’s weight. Obesity causes the failure of many body systems, the excretory system in the first place;
• adherence to a corrective diet;
• control over the observance of the drinking regime;
• prevention of animal hypothermia;
• total rejection of salt in cat food and other salty foods: smoked meats, sausages, salty meat, and fish.

Attention to the pet will allow loving owners to timely identify and eliminate the problems associated with the fact that the cat can’t pee.