Does My Cat Have a UTI? What to Watch For and What to Do

Cats are famously private about pain, which means urinary discomfort often shows up as subtle behavioral changes before it becomes obvious. The following signs all warrant attention:

Early warning signs (book a vet appointment promptly):

• Visiting the litter box more often than usual, even if producing very little urine.
• Passing small spots or dribbles instead of a normal stream.
• Visible blood in the urine - pink, red, or brownish-tinged.
• Urinating outside the litter box, especially in unusual spots like sinks, bathtubs, or soft surfaces.
• Excessive licking of the genital area.
• Appearing uncomfortable or restless, particularly when crouching in the litter box.

Signs that need same-day veterinary care:

• Straining repeatedly with little or no urine produced.
• Crying out or vocalizing when trying to urinate.
• Complete loss of appetite combined with lethargy and urinary straining.

Signs that are a medical emergency - go immediately:

• A male cat straining in the litter box repeatedly and producing no urine at all.
• Any cat that appears to be in severe distress, is unresponsive, or has a distended, painful abdomen.

This last scenario, a urethral obstruction, is a life-threatening condition. Without emergency treatment, a blocked cat can deteriorate swiftly. If you are unsure whether your cat is producing urine or not, treat it as an emergency.

Before knowing what to do, it helps to understand one key fact: Most cats with urinary signs do not have a bacterial infection. Younger adult cats are far more likely to be suffering from feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), a stress-triggered inflammation of the bladder with no bacteria involved, than from a true UTI. True bacterial urinary tract infections are most commonly seen in older cats, especially senior females, and in cats already managing chronic illnesses like kidney disease or diabetes. This distinction matters because the treatment is completely different.

Step 1: Don't wait and see for more than 24 hours

Urinary symptoms can escalate quickly, especially in male cats. Even if signs seem mild or intermittent, call your vet the same day. Episodes that appear to resolve on their own often recur and can have different underlying causes each time.

Step 2: Collect observations before your appointment

Your vet will ask specific questions. Before you go in, take note of:

• When the signs started and how frequently they are occurring
• Whether you have actually seen urine produced (and what it looked like)
• Any recent changes at home, new people, pets, furniture rearrangements, construction noise, or diet changes
• Your cat's current diet (wet vs. dry), water intake habits, and any medications, new or changed.

These details meaningfully shape the diagnostic plan.

Step 3: Expect diagnostic testing

Modern clinical guidelines from the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) are very clear: antibiotics should only be prescribed when urinary signs are accompanied by a confirmed positive urine culture. Responsible vets follow this protocol to protect your cat and avoid contributing to antibiotic resistance.

Testing will typically include:

• Urinalysis - examining a urine sample for blood, protein, white blood cells, crystals, and bacteria
• Urine culture and sensitivity - the gold standard for definitively identifying a bacterial infection and determining which antibiotic will work
• The sample is ideally collected via cystocentesis (a fine needle directly into the bladder), which prevents contamination and ensures accurate results.

Your vet may also recommend imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) to check for bladder stones, masses, or structural abnormalities, particularly if signs are recurrent or severe.

Step 4: Follow the full treatment plan

If a bacterial infection is confirmed, complete the full antibiotic course as directed, even if your cat appears better before it ends. If the diagnosis is stress-related cystitis, your vet will focus on environmental and dietary management rather than medication, and your role at home becomes central to recovery.

Regardless of the underlying cause, these evidence-based strategies support urinary health and can reduce the frequency of flare-ups:

• Increase water intake. Hydration is one of the most effective tools you have. Offer multiple fresh water stations, consider switching to wet food, or try a cat water fountain. Dilute urine physically flushes irritants and is less hospitable to bacterial growth.
• Optimize litter box setup. The general recommendation is one litter box per cat, plus one extra, kept clean and placed in low-traffic, accessible areas. A cat avoiding the litter box is often responding to discomfort or stress.
• Reduce environmental stress. Cats are highly sensitive to household changes. Consistent feeding times, safe vertical spaces, hiding spots, and dedicated daily play sessions all reduce the underlying anxiety linked to idiopathic cystitis.
• Monitor, log, and report changes. If your cat has had previous urinary episodes, keep a log. For accurate monitoring, applications like PerkyPet provide a structured platform to log clinical observations, including elimination habits, hydration levels, and behavioral changes, ensuring you have precise data to share with your veterinarian.

Some cats need closer monitoring because their risk of true infection is significantly elevated:

• Senior cats (10+ years old), particularly females
• Cats with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism
• Cats who have previously had a urethral obstruction or urinary catheterization
• Cats with known bladder stones or structural abnormalities

If your cat falls into one of these categories, earlier intervention is recommended. Your vet may also recommend periodic urine monitoring even when your cat seems well, since some of these cats can have silent bacterial growth with no outward signs.

Trust your instincts as a cat owner. You notice things no one else will. If something about your cat's litter box habits seems off, take it seriously. Partner with your veterinary team, give them the observations you have gathered, and let diagnostics lead the way. Never give medications intended for humans to your pet.

At PerkyPet, our commitment is to give you the knowledge your cat's health deserves, grounded in the same evidence-based guidelines that guide veterinary specialists worldwide.