Changes in the litter tray can be easy to miss. A cat may start visiting more often, stay in the tray longer, pass only tiny amounts of urine or suddenly urinate somewhere else in the house.
These changes are not always a behaviour problem. They can be signs that something is affecting the bladder, urethra, kidneys or wider urinary system. Because several different conditions can produce similar symptoms, the safest approach is to notice changes early and know which signs require urgent veterinary care.
Quick summary
- Frequent litter tray visits, straining, small urine amounts, blood, vocalising, accidents and excessive licking can all be urinary warning signs.
- These signs do not diagnose one specific condition.
- Repeated straining with little or no urine can indicate urethral obstruction and requires immediate veterinary treatment.
- Male cats are at higher risk of urethral obstruction because of their narrower urethra.
- Daily nutritional support may complement good hydration and routine care, but it does not treat urinary disease.
Why urinary signs can look similar
The term feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) describes a group of problems affecting the bladder and urethra rather than one single disease. Causes can include feline idiopathic cystitis, urinary stones, urethral obstruction and, in some cats, bacterial infection or other conditions.
The Cornell Feline Health Center lists difficult or painful urination, increased frequency, crying while urinating, blood in the urine, inappropriate urination and frequent licking of the genital area among the common signs of lower urinary tract disease. International Cat Care similarly notes that straining, passing small amounts and blood in the urine can occur with lower urinary tract problems.
Because these signs overlap, it is not possible to tell from symptoms alone whether your cat has cystitis, stones, infection or another urinary problem. Veterinary examination and, where appropriate, urine testing or imaging may be needed to identify the cause.
7 signs of urinary problems in cats
1. Frequent trips to the litter tray
A cat that suddenly begins returning to the litter tray again and again may be feeling urgency or discomfort. You may notice repeated visits within a short period, even when very little urine is produced.
The important clue is a change from your cat's normal pattern. There is no single number of daily litter tray visits that is normal for every cat, so knowing your own cat's routine matters.
2. Straining or spending a long time trying to urinate
Watch for prolonged squatting, repeated attempts to urinate or obvious effort in the litter tray. Straining can sometimes be mistaken for constipation, particularly when the owner cannot see whether urine is being produced.
Emergency warning
If your cat repeatedly strains but produces little or no urine, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. A urethral obstruction can become life-threatening. Do not wait for a supplement, diet change or home remedy to work.
The MSD Veterinary Manual notes that male cats are particularly predisposed to urethral obstruction. This does not mean female cats should be ignored—abnormal or painful urination in any cat deserves attention.
3. Passing only small amounts of urine
Instead of the usual urine clumps, you may notice many tiny clumps or only a few drops. This can occur when a cat feels frequent urgency or is having difficulty passing urine normally.
If small urine amounts are accompanied by repeated straining, pain, vomiting, weakness or an inability to settle, treat the situation as urgent.
4. Crying or vocalising while urinating
Cats often hide discomfort, so crying, yowling or suddenly jumping out of the litter tray can be significant. Vocalising during urination may indicate pain and should prompt veterinary advice, especially when it is new.
5. Blood in the urine
Blood may appear as pink, red or rust-coloured urine, but it is not always obvious to the eye. Blood in the urine can occur with several urinary tract conditions and should not be dismissed as a minor irritation.
If you can safely do so, take a photo of the litter or urine colour before cleaning the tray. This can help you describe the change accurately to your veterinarian.
6. Urinating outside the litter tray
When a previously reliable cat starts urinating on the bathmat, floor, bed or other unusual places, it is tempting to assume the behaviour is territorial or emotional.
Sometimes it is behavioural—but pain, urgency or a negative association with the litter tray can also be responsible. Medical causes should be considered before treating a sudden change as “bad behaviour.”
7. Excessive licking around the urinary area
Frequent licking around the genital or lower abdominal area can be another sign that your cat feels irritation or discomfort. Look for a noticeable increase rather than normal grooming.
Overgrooming may have many causes, so this sign is most meaningful when it appears alongside litter tray changes, discomfort or changes in urine.
Other changes worth watching
Not every urinary or kidney problem begins with straining. Changes in thirst, urine volume, appetite, body weight or energy can also be important.
For example, some kidney conditions can lead to increased drinking and larger volumes of urine rather than difficulty urinating. Reduced appetite, vomiting, weight loss or low energy are also reasons to arrange veterinary assessment when they persist.
What could be causing the signs?
Lower urinary tract signs can arise from several conditions. The MSD Veterinary Manual describes feline idiopathic cystitis as a common diagnosis made after other causes have been excluded, and recognises the role of stress and environmental factors in some affected cats.
Other possible causes include urinary stones, urethral plugs or obstruction, infection, anatomical problems and less common diseases. That is why treatment should be based on a diagnosis rather than assuming every cat with urinary symptoms has a UTI.
What will a veterinarian check?
The exact work-up depends on your cat's age, sex, symptoms and medical history. A veterinarian may examine the bladder, assess hydration and pain, and recommend tests such as urinalysis, urine culture, blood tests, radiographs or ultrasound.
The purpose is to separate conditions that can look similar at home but need very different treatment. A blocked urethra, for example, is an emergency, while other conditions may require pain relief, diet changes, environmental management or other targeted care.
What can you do while monitoring your cat?
If your cat is otherwise comfortable and your veterinarian has not identified an emergency, simple observation can make changes easier to detect:
- Check the approximate number and size of urine clumps.
- Notice whether your cat spends longer than usual in the tray.
- Watch for crying, licking or repeated trips.
- Track changes in thirst, appetite, weight and energy.
- Keep litter trays clean so urine changes are easier to notice.
- Take photos or short notes when something looks different.
For a broader everyday routine covering hydration, litter tray setup, stress and nutrition, read our guide: How to Support Your Cat's Urinary & Kidney Health Every Day.
Where daily nutritional support fits
A urinary supplement belongs in the wellness and maintenance part of the routine—not the emergency or diagnosis part.
MIHIJO Urinary & Kidney is designed for daily nutritional support of urinary tract health, normal urinary function and healthy kidney function. The formula combines cranberry, dandelion, pomegranate and plantain extracts with sodium citrate in pre-measured sachets, with chicken liver powder for palatability.
It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure urinary infection, urinary blockage, stones or kidney disease. Cats with diagnosed urinary or kidney conditions, prescription diets or medication should be assessed by a veterinarian before supplementation.
Daily urinary & kidney support—made simple
Pre-measured sachets designed to complement hydration, balanced nutrition and regular veterinary care.
Explore MIHIJO Urinary & KidneyWhen to contact a vet—and when it is an emergency
Arrange veterinary advice promptly if you notice blood in the urine, painful urination, repeated accidents outside the tray, frequent urination, a major change in thirst or urine volume, or persistent changes in appetite, weight or energy.
Seek emergency care immediately if your cat repeatedly attempts to urinate but produces little or no urine, becomes severely distressed, vomits, becomes weak or collapses.
Urinary signs are easier to act on when you know what is normal for your cat. Paying attention to litter tray habits is one of the simplest ways to spot a change early.
Sources
- Cornell Feline Health Center — Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
- International Cat Care — Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
- MSD Veterinary Manual — Lower Urinary Tract Disease in Cats
- MSD Veterinary Manual — Urethral Obstruction in Small Animals
Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any medical condition. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
