Updated September 25, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.
Quick answer: Frequent trips to the litter box, straining, blood in the urine, and peeing outside the box are often blamed on a urinary tract infection (UTI), but in young and middle-aged cats a bacterial infection is actually uncommon. The most common cause is feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), stress-related bladder inflammation. Bladder stones and urethral plugs are also common. True UTIs are more likely in older cats and cats with kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. A male cat straining with little or no urine is an emergency.
Emergency: urinary blockage
Go to a vet immediately if your cat, especially a male, is straining in the litter box with little or no urine, crying, licking its genitals, vomiting, or lethargic. A blocked urethra can be fatal within a day or two.
Signs of urinary problems
- Frequent trips to the litter box, passing small amounts
- Straining or crying while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Licking the genital area
Causes
- Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC): the most common cause in cats under about 10. Linked to stress, indoor living, and low water intake.
- Bladder stones (struvite or calcium oxalate)
- Urethral plugs of crystals and mucus, mainly in males
- Bacterial UTI: more common in cats over 10 and cats with kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism
- Tumors or anatomical problems, less commonly
How vets diagnose it
- Urinalysis for blood, crystals, concentration, and bacteria
- Urine culture, ideally from a sample taken directly from the bladder with a fine needle (cystocentesis). This is the only way to confirm a bacterial UTI.
- X-rays or ultrasound to look for stones
- Bloodwork for kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease
Treatment
- Bacterial UTI: antibiotics chosen based on culture. International guidelines support short courses for simple bladder infections.
- Bacteria without symptoms: often don’t need treatment, according to current guidelines.
- FIC: pain relief, more water intake, and reducing stress. Antibiotics don’t help FIC.
- Stones: struvite stones can often be dissolved with a prescription diet. Oxalate stones usually need removal.
- Blockage: emergency hospitalization and a urinary catheter.
Home care that helps
- More water: wet food, water fountains, several water bowls, or water added to food.
- Litter boxes: one per cat plus one, in quiet spots, scooped daily, with an unscented litter your cat likes.
- Reduce stress: predictable routines, hiding and perching spots, play, and gradual introductions to changes.
- Prescription urinary diets if your vet recommends one.
- Healthy weight and activity.
What to avoid
- Human urinary pain relievers (AZO, phenazopyridine): toxic to cats, damaging red blood cells.
- Leftover antibiotics: they won’t help FIC, may hide a problem, and breed resistant bacteria.
- Cranberry as treatment: no good evidence it treats UTIs in cats.
- Apple cider vinegar or acidifying remedies: can upset the stomach, and over-acidifying urine can promote oxalate stones.
- Waiting if your cat is straining without producing urine.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cat UTI go away on its own?
FIC episodes often settle in a week or so, but true infections need antibiotics, and blockages are emergencies. A vet visit is the only way to know which is which.
Why does my cat keep getting UTIs?
Repeated “UTIs” are often actually recurring FIC. Ask your vet whether a culture has confirmed infection.
Are male cats more at risk?
Male cats aren’t more likely to get cystitis, but their narrow urethra makes them much more likely to become blocked.
Sources
- Weese JS, et al. ISCAID guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bacterial urinary tract infections in dogs and cats. Vet J. 2019
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline lower urinary tract disease
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Feline lower urinary tract disease
- Buffington CAT. Idiopathic cystitis in domestic cats: beyond the lower urinary tract. J Vet Intern Med. 2011
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.