Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in cats aren’t as common as many owners think, but when they occur, they are painful and can lead to more serious problems. Australian vets frequently see cats with lower urinary tract signs (straining, blood in the urine, frequent trips to the litter box), but studies show that true bacterial UTIs account for less than 3 % of cases; most are caused by feline idiopathic cystitis or bladder stones. Because the signs of cystitis, bladder stones and infection look very similar, never try to self medicate, make an appointment with your vet so they can run a urinalysis and culture to diagnose the cause.
What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria from the environment or the cat’s own skin/faecal flora ascend the urethra and multiply in the normally sterile bladder. Female cats and older cats with chronic kidney disease or diabetes are more likely to develop bacterial UTIs. Cats with indwelling urinary catheters, perineal urethrostomy surgery or immunosuppressive therapy are also at higher risk.
Symptoms to Watch For
Cats are masters at hiding pain, so you need to be observant. Signs that warrant a vet check include:
- Straining or vocalising when urinating, visiting the litter box frequently or producing only drips.
- Urinating outside the litter box or blood tinged urine.
- Excessive licking around the genitals and decreased appetite or playfulness.
- In male cats, complete inability to urinate, a blocked urethra is life threatening and requires immediate emergency care.
Diagnosis
Your vet will palpate your cat’s abdomen and collect a urine sample (ideally via cystocentesis) to measure specific gravity, pH and look for crystals or bacteria under a microscope. A urine culture identifies the bacteria and the antibiotics that will kill it. For cats with risk factors or recurrent issues, your vet may recommend blood tests, x rays or ultrasound to look for stones or kidney disease.
Why You Shouldn’t Guess?
Research shows that bacterial UTIs are uncommon in young healthy cats; empirical antibiotic treatment is rarely indicated. Over prescription of antibiotics can drive resistance and doesn’t help cats with stress related idiopathic cystitis. Analgesics (such as NSAIDs or opioids) should be provided while culture results are pending.
Evidence Based Treatment
Veterinary Care
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Culture directed Antibiotics - The International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) recommends selecting antibiotics based on culture and susceptibility results. Simple UTIs may only require a 3-5 day course of amoxicillin or trimethoprim sulfonamide. Cats with complicating factors (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes, urolithiasis) often need treatment for 7-14 days. Do not change antibiotics without veterinary advice if improvement is slow; persistent infections warrant further investigation rather than blind switching.
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Analgesia and Supportive Care - Pain relief is essential. Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opioids can ease discomfort and reduce urethral spasm. Cats with urethral obstruction require hospitalisation for catheterisation, fluid therapy and monitoring of electrolytes and kidney values.
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Address Underlying Causes - In recurrent or complicated UTIs, your vet will search for predisposing factors such as stones, tumours, or anatomical defects. Surgery or dietary dissolution may be needed for stones, while diabetic or hyperthyroid cats require management of those conditions.
Home Care and Prevention
While only a vet can cure a UTI, there’s plenty you can do to support recovery and reduce recurrence:
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Increase Water Intake: High moisture diets help dilute the urine and flush bacteria. Feeding a quality wet cat food keeps your cat hydrated. Provide multiple water stations or a circulating fountain.
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Encourage More Toilet Trips: Keep litter boxes clean and easily accessible. The general rule is one litter box per cat plus one extra. Michu’s deluxe container litter boxes have high sides to reduce mess but offer plenty of space for older or large cats to enter comfortably and promote regular urination.
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Reduce Stress: Environmental stress can trigger idiopathic cystitis. Ensure your cat has safe hiding places, vertical spaces like wooden cat trees and enrichment toys. Separate resources in multi cat households.
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Monitor Urine pH at Home: Early detection of pH shifts can help you spot problems before they become symptomatic. Michu’s health monitoring tofu cat litter is a flushable tofu based litter with built in pH indicator; it stays odour free and instantly changes colour to show whether the urine is acidic, alkaline or even contains blood. The litter clumps tightly, flushes safely and contains no dust or chemicals. If you already have a favourite litter, try Michu Cat Health Monitoring Pellets; you simply sprinkle the plant based granules over any litter and they change colour to indicate UTIs, stones or diabetes. Both products are environmentally friendly and designed for proactive Aussie pet parents.
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Provide Appropriate Diet: Some urinary stones form in alkaline urine, others in acidic urine. Your vet may recommend prescription diets or supplements. For everyday feeding, Michu offers natural tofu cat litter for clumping and odour control and cat grass kits to provide fibre that aids digestion and hairball passage. Treats should complement your cat’s diet; check out Michu’s healthy treats for nutritious options.
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Maintain Hygiene: Scoop waste twice daily and completely change litter every week. Deep, soft litter encourages cats to dig and eliminates odours. For kittens or smaller cats, kitten tofu litter provides a softer texture. Adding a negative ion deodorizer can neutralise smells without harsh chemicals.
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Regular Vet Checks: Senior cats (over 10 years) or cats with chronic kidney disease or diabetes should have routine urinalysis as subclinical bacteriuria is more common. Michu’s health monitoring blog explains how colour changing litter gives you an early warning of urinary problems; however, it’s a screening tool, not a diagnostic test, always consult your veterinarian if the litter indicates abnormal pH.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cranberry or probiotics to treat UTIs?
Evidence for non‑antibiotic prevention (such as cranberries, D‑mannose or probiotics) is limited in cats. These products may be safe but should be discussed with your vet and used alongside, not instead of, culture‑directed therapy.
How long should a cat be on antibiotics?
Studies show that shorter courses (3–5 days) are usually effective for simple infections. Complicated infections may require 7–14 days. Finishing the prescribed course is crucial even if symptoms improve.
Are UTIs Contagious?
Bacterial UTIs arise from the cat’s own flora and are not contagious to other pets or humans. However, stressors or diet that predispose one cat may affect others in the household.
How can I prevent recurrences?
Address underlying health issues, provide a stress‑free environment, feed a moisture‑rich diet and use health‑monitoring litter to detect pH changes early. Ensuring adequate litter box hygiene and using spacious, comfortable boxes like the XXL BoBa Deluxe Cat Litter Box encourage regular urination.
Bringing It All Together
UTIs in cats are less about “curing” at home and more about working with your vet and preventing recurrence. By understanding that true bacterial infections are uncommon and require culture‑directed antibiotics, you’ll avoid unnecessary medication and safeguard your cat’s kidneys. Supporting hydration and nutrition using appropriate feeding accessories check out our feeding range for bowls and fountains that encourage drinking reducing stress with enrichment and scratchers and monitoring urine pH with Michu’s health‑monitoring litter range empowers you to care for your cat proactively. Mentioning the brand once more for clarity, Michu doesn’t just sell litter we provide tools and advice to help Aussie cat owners keep their companions healthy and happy.
For more pet‑care tips, explore our urinary health blog posts and FAQ section. Remember, if you suspect a UTI, call your veterinarian right away; early intervention saves lives and protects against painful complications.