Oh no! Your cat has been making a lot of trips to the litter box to pee lately, and now they’re straining and crying out when they urinate. Maybe they’ve even become frightened of the litter box and started peeing on your carpet! These are all red flags that may lead to concerns that your cat has a urinary tract infection (UTI). Urinary tract infections in cats aren’t very common, but are known to occur if bacteria is introduced to the bladder by way of the urethra. This article will help you understand the symptoms and causes of urinary tract infection (UTI) and offer some treatments.

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What Are The Symptoms of Cats With a UTI?

Cats may have a pretty predictable bathroom routine, but cats with a UTI might begin exhibiting unusual behavior relating to urination. They might be drinking a lot more water and trying to urinate frequently, but unable to pass more than a little bit of urine at a time. They might also loss control and urinate when they’re not supposed to. All of this can lead to confusion and anxiety that causes them fear or avoid the litter box. Cats with a UTI can also just seem “sick”, showing signs of lethargy or vomiting. 

Common Symptoms of UTI in Cats include:

• Struggling To Urinate
• Urinating More Frequently
• Urinating In Inappropriate Places
• Drinking More Water Than Usual
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Bloody or Cloudy Urine

What Are The Causes of UTI in Cats?

Essentially, urinary tract infections in cats occur when bacteria reaches the bladder by traveling through the urethra of the cat. This is fairly uncommon and UTI in cats might be caused by an underlying disorder, such as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). UTI in cats should be treated by a veterinary professional. They can lead to bladder stones, kidney failure, and additional health disorders.

Treatments for Cats With Urinary Tract Infections

The first step to treating a cat with a UTI should be seeking veterinary care. Your veterinarian may recommend a urinalysis. Depending on what testing reveals, there are a number of treatments for UTI in cats. Your veterinarian may recommend treatments including:

• Medicine / Antibiotics
• Dietary Changes
• Increased Fluid Consumption
• Surgery or Therapy
  

Home Remedies for Cats With Urinary Tract Infection

Once you’ve talked to a veterinarian, you may be able to provide relief to cats with a UTI with home remedies. If your veterinarian is okay with it, you might consider treatments such as:

• Giving your cat more water
• Cranberries and/or cranberry juice
• Tasty fluids like bone broth to promote hydration
• Adding extra litter boxes
• Dietary supplements recommended by your veterinarian