Discovering blood in your cat’s urine can be frightening. In veterinary terms it’s called haematuria, and while it may be as subtle as pink tinged urine, it can also be a sign of life threatening disease. Below you’ll find an Australian focused guide explaining why cats pee blood, the warning signs to look out for, when to seek urgent veterinary help, and how you can monitor your cat’s urinary health at home. Throughout the article we link to helpful resources and products on Michu to help you care for your feline friend.
Recognising the Signs of Urinary Trouble
One of the first steps in protecting your cat’s urinary health is recognising abnormal toileting behaviours. Greencross Vets lists difficulty and pain when urinating, meowing or vocalising in the litter box, frequent attempts to urinate, urinating only small amounts or nothing at all, and visible blood in the urine among the warning signs of urinary tract disease. Cats may also urinate outside the litter tray, have a firm tummy or groom their genital area excessively. Pittwater Animal Hospital similarly warns that blood in urine, frequent urination, straining or vocalising during urination, inappropriate urination and genital licking are not normal and indicate that you should see a vet.
When to treat it as an emergency: Blood in cat urine always warrants veterinary attention. A blog from GSVS notes that if your cat is straining to urinate with little or no output or crying while urinating, especially in male cats, this is a veterinary emergency. Male cats have narrower urethras and can develop blockages that become fatal within 24-48 hours. Even when your cat seems otherwise normal, subtle signs like increased litter box visits or excessive grooming of the genital area suggest discomfort, so err on the side of caution and call your vet.
Common Causes of Blood in Cat Urine
Bleeding in the urinary tract can originate anywhere from the kidneys to the urethra. Several Australian veterinary sources highlight that Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is not one disease but a collection of conditions affecting the bladder and urethra. Below are the most common causes:
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Idiopathic (stress related) Cystitis - FLUTD is idiopathic in the majority of cases; bladder inflammation may be triggered by stress, concentrated urine or other factors. The Cat Clinic notes that stress can lead to bladder wall inflammation without infection.
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Urinary Crystals and Bladder Stones - Cats can develop crystals and stones (struvite or calcium oxalate) that irritate the bladder lining and cause bleeding. Greencross Vets lists stones among the common causes of FLUTD.
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Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) - While less common in cats than dogs, bacterial infections account for roughly 5-15 % of FLUTD cases. Bacteria can inflame the bladder lining and cause haematuria.
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Urethral Plugs/Obstruction - Accumulations of crystals, mucus and inflammatory material can block the urethra. Male cats are at high risk because of their narrow urethras. Obstruction leads to straining and is a life threatening emergency.
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Anatomical Defects or Neoplasia - Tumours, polyps or congenital abnormalities of the bladder or urethra can cause bleeding.
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Kidney Disease or Trauma - Conditions affecting the kidneys such as chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney disease, or injury may cause blood in the urine.
Risk Factors for FLUTD and Haematuria
Certain cats are more susceptible to urinary problems. Greencross Vets identifies neutered males, middle aged or overweight cats, those lacking exercise, living indoors or on dry diets, and cats in multi cat households or stressful environments as high risk. Indoor cats that don’t get enough water or exercise may produce concentrated urine that encourages crystal formation. If your cat fits these categories, pay extra attention to their toileting habits and consider preventive strategies.
Diagnosis: How Vets Investigate Blood in Urine?
Veterinarians take a systematic approach to determine why your cat is peeing blood. Pittwater Animal Hospital explains that diagnostic workups often include urinalysis and urine culture, blood tests, X rays and ultrasound. Greencross Vets adds that vets may perform a physical exam, assess urine pH and concentration, look for crystals, bacteria or inflammatory cells, and use imaging to identify stones or tumours. In some cases, a biopsy may be required to diagnose bladder wall thickening or neoplasia.
While your vet performs these tests, you can support them by providing details on when you first noticed blood, any changes in drinking, appetite or behaviour, and whether your cat is straining or vocalising. Keeping track of litter box use will help guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Treatment: What to Expect?
The right treatment depends on the underlying cause. After diagnosis, your veterinarian may recommend:
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Fluids and Pain Relief - Many cats receive intravenous fluids and analgesics to flush the bladder and relieve discomfort.
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Antibiotics - If a urine culture confirms infection, a course of antibiotics is prescribed.
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Dietary Changes - Prescription diets that acidify or alkalinise urine can dissolve certain stones. Greencross Vets explains that struvite stone diets reduce magnesium and phosphorus, while calcium oxalate diets include potassium citrate to create a more alkaline urine.
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Stress Reduction and Environmental Enrichment - Because idiopathic cystitis is often stress related, treatment includes minimising stress and encouraging play and exercise.
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Surgery - Large stones, tumours or severe obstructions may require surgical removal or even a perineal urethrostomy (widening the urethra) for recurrent.
Remember that male cats straining to urinate need emergency care; do not delay calling your vet or the nearest animal emergency hospital.
Home Care and Prevention
Preventing urinary problems revolves around hydration, nutrition, environment and regular monitoring:
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Keep Your Cat Hydrated - Encourage drinking by providing multiple water stations, a water fountain or feeding wet cat food rich in moisture. Greencross Vets notes that feeding canned food increases water intake and helps manage FLUTD.
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Use Comfortable and Clean Litter Boxes - Stress can trigger cystitis, so ensure there are enough litter trays (one per cat plus one extra) placed in quiet areas. Choose a deluxe litter box with ample space and ventilation to help cats feel secure. Remember to scoop daily and clean weekly; Michu’s FAQs recommend daily scooping and full litter replacement weekly to keep things hygienic.
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Reduce Stress and Boredom - Provide scratching posts, toys and climbing structures to help cats exercise and relieve stress; our article on monitoring your cat’s health via the litter box explains how environment affects urinary health. Creating predictability with regular feeding, playtime and cleaning routines also helps.
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Support a Healthy Weight - Overweight cats are more prone to FLUTD. Use portion control, interactive feeders and healthy treats made from natural ingredients to maintain a lean body condition.
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Enrich their Diet - Dietary fibre and probiotics support digestive and urinary health. Our blog on how long cats can go without pooping covers normal bowel habits and emphasises the importance of a balanced diet.
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Regular Veterinary Check ups - Annual health checks catch kidney disease and urinary problems early. Discuss risk factors with your vet and consider urinalysis as part of routine care.
Monitoring Urinary Health at Home
Advances in litter technology mean you can now monitor your cat’s urine at home. Michu’s Health Monitoring range uses colour changing indicators to highlight abnormalities like blood or abnormal pH levels. The Health Monitoring Litter & Indicator is designed for proactive pet parents. It includes:
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Health Monitoring Tofu Cat Litter - A flushable tofu based litter with built in pH testing that changes colour when the urine is too acidic or alkaline. It’s plant based, biodegradable and safe, making it an eco friendly choice for Australian households.
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Health Monitoring Pellets - Pellets sprinkled over your regular litter that detect potential urinary issues like UTIs, acidosis, kidney stones, diabetes and even blood in the urine. They work with any litter type and activate instantly, allowing you to monitor your cat’s health without replacing the entire litter system.
If you’d like to understand the science behind these products and how to interpret the colour changes, read our blog Why Monitoring Your Cat’s Health Starts at the Litter Box, which explains how pH changes can signal urinary issues and how the indicator granules work.
Important: While health monitoring litter provides valuable information and peace of mind, it does not replace veterinary diagnostics. If you notice a colour change or see blood, schedule a vet appointment right away.
Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Stress and Support Urinary Health
Because stress is a major trigger for idiopathic cystitis, consider making your home a feline oasis:
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Bond with Your Cat - Positive interactions release oxytocin (the “love hormone”), strengthening the bond between you and your cat. Our article Should You Cuddle a Cat? explains how to read body language and create safe, affectionate moments.
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Provide Enrichment - Offer scratching posts and climbing trees. If you’re unsure why cats scratch, check our guide on keeping your litter box clean and other behaviour articles. A stimulating environment reduces boredom and helps maintain a healthy weight.
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Use Aromatherapy and Air Purification - Household odours can stress some cats. The Negative Ion Deodoriser neutralises odours and freshens the air naturally, creating a calmer environment.
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Quality Time and Play - Regular play sessions with toys keep cats active and help reduce stress; giving them a cat tree or interactive toy encourages exercise and mental stimulation.
The Michu Difference
Michu was founded in Melbourne by a passionate, female owned team dedicated to creating innovative, eco friendly cat products that blend into your home décor. We listen to our customers and collaborate with vets to ensure our products are safe and effective. Whether it’s our health monitoring litter, stylish deluxe litter boxes, premium wet cat food or nutrient packed healthy treats, our goal is to help you provide the best care for your feline companion.
For more answers to common questions about cat care, visit our FAQs or browse our informative blogs. We’re here to support you and your cat through every stage of life.
Final Thoughts
Blood in your cat’s urine should never be ignored. While the most common cause in Australia is idiopathic cystitis linked to stress, other serious conditions like stones, infections, tumours or kidney disease can also be responsible. Watch for warning signs such as straining, frequent litter box visits, pain and changes in urine colour. Seek veterinary care promptly especially for male cats and follow your vet’s guidance on diagnostics and treatment. At home, focus on hydration, stress reduction, a balanced diet and routine monitoring. With early intervention and ongoing care, most cats with urinary problems recover well and return to their happy, playful selves.
Need more help? Read our in depth article on curing UTIs in cats for specific home care tips, or explore topics like blood in cat stool if you notice other concerning symptoms. Michu is always here to help you and your cat live your best lives together.