From the kitty medical records –

“Keeps going to litter box and producing nothing.  Seems to be in deep thought when in the box then looks behind himself and nothing there.”

Among the most common concerns we deal with at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals are urinary issues of cats.  Sometimes healthy cats miss the litter box now and then, sometimes healthy cats miss the litter box MORE than now and then and sometimes a litter box issue is a red flag for a serious health concern.

If your cat is not using the litter box 100% of the time, let’s get him or her in for a medical consultation and examination.  Most urinary conditions of cats, though frustrating, are treatable, and some urinary conditions of cats are even curable.

Possible Causes of Abnormal Urination in Cats

• Non-Obstructive Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease - By far the most common urinary condition of otherwise seemingly healthy cats who urinate inappropriately is feline lower urinary tract disease or idiopathic cystitis.  This is a condition that causes urinary bladder inflammation and discomfort, bleeding of the lower urinary tract and an extreme urgency to urinate.  This is a medical condition with treatment options.  It can become frustrating because signs tend to come and go and respond to some treatments but not others.  Recently, stress has been implicated as a large contributor to signs of feline lower urinary tract disease.
• Obstructive Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease – This is a medical emergency!  If your cat is unable to urinate or straining to urinate, he needs to be brought in to Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital or the Animal Emergency Clinic right away.
• Urinary Stones – Like dogs, cats can develop stones in their urinary tract.  They can be painful and cause inflammation and infection, and at their worst can cause a urinary tract obstruction, which is a medical emergency.
• Urinary Tract Infection – Urinary tract infections are uncommon in young, otherwise healthy cats, but they do occur.  They are more common in older cats and cats with other medical issues such as diabetes.
• Urinary Tract Cancer – Thankfully, cancer of the urinary tract is very uncommon in cats, though it does sometimes occur.
• Diseases that Cause Excessive Urination – Diseases that cause excessive urination can cause urinary issues in cats, as they need to urinate so often and at such a large volume, that they are not always able to reach the litter box in time!  Excessive urination and excessive drinking always warrant a trip to the veterinarian!  Many diseases can cause these signs, and most of them are treatable.  Among the most common diseases that cause excessive urination and excessive drinking in cats are kidney disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism.

Remember, when your cats urinate outside of their litter box or show other urinary abnormalities, they are NEVER being naughty, they SOMETIMES have an underlying medical issue and the situation should ALWAYS be discussed with your Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals medical team!