What to Do When a Cat Strains but Cannot Urinate

1 Common Symptoms of Feline Urinary Disease

Feline urinary disease includes urethral infection, urethral stones, cystitis, bladder stones, nephritis, kidney stones, and declining kidney function. These typically cause three or more of the following:

1. Frequent trips to the litter box, increasing over time — more than 10 times a day.

2. Longer time squatting, but only a few drops or none at all — sometimes mistaken for constipation, so scoop and observe.

3. Crying or whimpering in the box, a sign of pain.

4. Decreasing daily urine volume; litter clumps get smaller and fewer.

5. Red streaks in the litter — blood from a damaged urethra (hematuria).

6. Urinating outside the box in small amounts.

7. Refusing belly touches, possibly screaming when pressed.

8. Frequent licking of the urethral opening.

9. A swollen, hard, full bladder in the abdomen.

2 What to Do When a Cat Cannot Urinate

If the cat often cannot urinate and matches at least three of the above, take it to a vet promptly to find the cause and treat it accordingly.

Inflammatory infection is usually treated with anti-inflammatories, diuretics, and fluids. A full blockage needs veterinary catheterization, then anti-inflammatory injections and IV fluids for hydration. Once the cat can urinate, continue with hydrochlorothiazide and cefadroxil for diuresis and anti-inflammation; keep water available and the environment clean to reduce infection.

If stones block urination, the crystals are serious — get an X-ray to locate and size them, and follow the vet’s plan. Later, support with diet to reduce crystals, more water, and diuretics to flush them out.

Cats are sensitive and stress raises the risk of urinary syndrome, so comfort your cat, watch for abnormalities, and see a vet or consult an online vet early.