Cat UTIs: Common Symptoms and Treatment Options

If your cat is peeing outside the litter box, howling when they go or if you notice signs of blood in their urine, they might have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Learn how to spot the signs of a cat UTI, what you can do to help your kitty get better and help prevent future infections.

What Is a Cat UTI?

A urinary tract infection in a cat typically happens when bacteria gets into any part of the urinary system and cause an infection. The urinary system includes the kidneys, both ureter tubes, the bladder, the urethra and the genitalia in both male and female cats.

Cat UTIs are a subset of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), an umbrella term encompassing a number of health issues affecting the bladder and urethra that are caused by infections or obstructions of the urethra, including stones and crystals. It can enter the urethra when a cat uses a litter box that hasn't been cleaned in quite some time. Staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria can also be responsible.

In young, healthy cats, both the urinary system and the immune system usually work together to expel the bacteria and prevent an infection. UTIs are more likely to happen to cats with either a compromised immune system or a compromised urinary system, which may be caused by the following conditions:

• Advanced age
• Anatomical abnormalities in the urinary system or the genitalia
• Incontinence
• Systemic illnesses such as diabetes or kidney failure
• Thyroid issues
• Tumors
• Urinary stones, crystals or other blockages
• Urine that doesn't have a (slightly) acidic pH level- (Bacteria causes urine to become alkaline, but urine that is too acidic can cause Calcium Oxalate stones)

Medications that weaken the immune system, use of a bladder catheter or even stress can also cause a cat to develop a UTI.

Cat UTI Symptoms

Some cats are asymptomatic, meaning they show no outward signs of a urinary tract infection. But typically, if your cat has a UTI, you'll see some, if not all, of the following signs and symptoms:

• Blood in the urine
• Discharge from the genitals
• Drinking more often
• Urinating more often
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Hiding or acting withdrawn
• Howling or meowing while trying to urinate
• Loss of appetite
• Straining to urinate
• Urine that's darker than normal

These symptoms could also potentially indicate other more serious urinary health issues, including cystitis, bladder stones or a urinary tract blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to have your cat examined by a vet so they can receive the correct diagnosis and begin treatment right away.

Can Male Cats Get UTIs?

Male cats can and do get urinary tract infections, although less commonly than female cats. However, male cats are more susceptible to urinary blockages that can make it difficult or even impossible to urinate properly. This is an extremely dangerous and potentially fatal condition.

A male cat exhibiting UTI symptoms should be treated as an emergency and taken to a veterinarian immediately. So should any cat, male or female, with UTI symptoms who goes more than eight hours without urinating more than a few drops.

Complications of Cat UTIs

Left untreated, a cat with a UTI or other FLUTD issue can develop urinary blockages, which can lead to a ruptured bladder and kidney disease. Kidney stones may also develop from an untreated infection located in the bladder. Stones and crystals can cause pain, inflammation and either partial or complete urinary blockages, which can in turn cause the bladder to expand and rupture, leading to loss of kidney function, blood toxicity — and even death.

Diagnosing Urinary Tract Infections in Cats

Diagnosing a cat with a urinary tract infection typically involves:

• A thorough physical examination
• A urinalysis
• A urine culture to determine appropriate antibiotics
• An ultrasound or X-ray (if obstructions are suspected)

Your vet will check your cat from nose to tail for signs of any underlying illnesses, and also feel the bladder and kidneys to check for blockages and a pain reaction from your cat. They'll also run a urinalysis to check the urine for bacteria and the presence of blood or crystals, as well as other things that can tell them if there's an infection, including the urine's pH level and enzyme count. They may need to keep your cat for a few hours to collect a urine sample, or they may send you and your kitty home with some non-absorbent litter so you can collect a sample yourself.

Alternatively, your vet may instead do a cystocentesis to collect a fresh, uncontaminated urine sample. This procedure involves using a small needle to draw urine directly from the bladder. It's a quick and relatively painless procedure that should cause your cat no more discomfort than getting a shot. If your vet detects any signs of crystals, stones or other obstructions during the exam or urinalysis, they'll likely recommend doing an X-ray or ultrasound to confirm their findings.

The cost of diagnosing UTIs in cats typically runs between $200 and $300. ¹ This doesn't include additional testing or procedures that might be needed to check for underlying illnesses that led to the infection. Your vet will also likely recommend a follow-up examination within two or three weeks of beginning treatment to retest your cat's urine and make sure the infection is gone, which may cost another $200 to $300.¹

Cat UTI Treatment

Antibiotics are usually the first line of treatment for cat UTIs. Most often veterinarians prescribe a course of liquid amoxicillin that you can give your cat orally at home. If your kitty won't take oral medication, your veterinarian may choose to give your cat an injectable antibiotic that will stay in your cat's system for up to two weeks. Depending on the type of antibiotic used and the amount based on your cat's weight, the antibiotics may cost between $10 and $30.²

Your vet might also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce inflammation at the infection site and help your kitty's pain and discomfort. Anti-inflammatory drug prescriptions for cats typically cost in the $10 to $14 range or more, depending on the amount you purchase.³

If your cat also has urinary crystals or stones, they will need to be placed on a prescription diet. Prescription cat food for UTIs is nutritionally formulated to maintain the pH balance of the urine at a level that will help dissolve existing stones and crystals and keep new ones from forming. These diets generally cost between $75 and $100 per month and may be required for the rest of your kitty's life to maintain their urinary health.¹

Cats with recurrent urinary obstructions may need hospitalization and surgery to remove the obstruction and prevent it from coming back. This is most likely with male cats. The cost of hospitalization and surgery ranges from $1,500 to $4,500, depending on how long the kitty needs to stay and the type of procedure that's needed.⁴

The table below lays out cat UTI treatments and their average costs.

Cat UTI treatment costs

Home remedies for UTIs in cats

While there are no effective home remedies for cat urinary infections, it's important to understand that these are not a substitute for veterinary care. Since UTI symptoms are shared with other, more serious conditions and because the complications of a UTI that isn't properly treated can be so severe, you should always have your kitty checked out by a vet as quickly as possible if they display signs of a possible UTI.

With that in mind, here are some additional things you can do for your kitty at home to help them recover:

• Provide plenty of fresh, clean water. Increasing your cat's fluid intake will help them flush the bacteria from their system.
• Feed them wet food instead of dry. Wet cat food has more moisture content, which will also help increase fluid intake. Canned food is also higher in protein and doesn't contain the carbohydrates found in dry kibble, making it a better choice for cats with urinary issues.
• Feed them fruits and vegetables. Supplementing their food with small amounts of fruits and veggies will provide them with antioxidants and micronutrients that will help support their overall health. (Ask your veterinarian for a list of safe fruits and vegetables – i.e., no grapes/raisins, citrus, onions, etc.)
• Add apple cider vinegar to their food or water. Half a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar per day will help increase the acidity of their urine, which will help kill bacteria as well as prevent the formation of crystals. However, if your cat has kidney disease, this may interfere with their body's ability to process acid, so you should first consult your vet.

Preventing Cat UTIs

While you may not be able to completely prevent your cat from ever getting a urinary tract infection, you can certainly help protect and support their urinary health and reduce the likelihood that they'll get an infection by doing the following:

• Switch them to a high-protein, low-carb diet.
• Always provide fresh, clean water.
• Add apple cider vinegar to their food or water.
• Keep their litter box clean.
• Keep appointments for annual or biannual health checkups.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Contact your vet as soon as you notice changes in their urine or litter box behavior.

If structural abnormalities are behind your kitty's recurrent UTIs, you may need to talk to your vet about surgery to correct them.

Other Common Questions About Cat UTIs

Do you still have questions about cat UTIs? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Can cranberry juice help UTIs in cats?

There's a lot of debate over the effectiveness of cranberry juice or supplements as a remedy for cat urinary tract infections. While some studies have found that cranberries are effective at killing some strains of E. coli, they have no impact on other types of bacteria that may be responsible for UTIs. So, while cranberries and cranberry products should never replace prescription antibiotics to treat UTIs, there's evidence that they might help as an addition to your kitty's overall treatment regimen.

However, there are some potential drawbacks of cranberry juice and other cranberry products for cats that you need to be aware of:

• Cranberries contain oxalates, which are compounds that can actually increase your cat's risk of developing urinary stones or crystals, as well as the potential for kidney stones.
• A lot of the cranberry supplements available for cats have added vitamin C to increase the acidity of the urine. But vitamin C can also increase oxalate production in the body, again increasing the likelihood of stones and crystals.
• There is no established standard dosage for giving cranberries or cranberry supplements to cats, and no clinical studies along these lines.

The bottom line on cranberries for UTIs in cats is that you should read product labels carefully and always talk to your vet before giving cranberries or any dietary supplements to your cat.

How long does it take a cat to recover from a UTI?

The length of time it takes for a cat to get over a urinary tract infection depends on a number of factors that are unique to each individual cat. Your cat's age, the severity of the infection, the strength of their immune system, how quickly they begin treatment and the type of treatment they receive can all impact how quickly they recover. But with mild infections and no complications, you can generally expect the infection to clear up within a couple of weeks.

How long can a cat UTI go untreated?

If you notice UTI symptoms in your male cat, you should treat it like an emergency and get your cat to your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian to begin treatment as soon as possible. Female cats with UTI symptoms who aren't showing signs of an obstruction, such as not producing more than a few drops of urine, should still be seen by your regular vet. You should make an appointment with them right away and start providing the home remedies listed above while waiting to keep the appointment.

But your cat shouldn't go more than a few days without receiving treatment. The longer they go untreated, the more the infection can spread and cause other complications. UTIs also cause your cat pain and discomfort. The sooner they begin treatment, the sooner they'll feel better.

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Expert Reviewer

Dr. Kathy Wentworth, V.M.D.

Dr. Kathy Wentworth was the Medical Director of the VCA PetPoint Medical Center and Resort, located in Irvine, California. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine and became board-certified as a Diplomate in Canine and Feline Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2010.

Author Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a freelance writer and novelist who has been writing pet content since 2013. Her work has appeared on Forbes.com, Hill's Pet, Chewy, AKC.org and more.