When something seems off with your cat’s bathroom behavior, it’s worth paying attention. Urinating outside the litter box, straining, or frequent trips without results can all be signs of a cat urinary issue and may require more than just a surface-level exam. East & West Animal Hospital takes feline urinary problems seriously because they can signal infections, bladder inflammation, or even life-threatening obstructions. One of our most powerful tools in diagnosing the root cause? A simple but highly informative urinalysis. Let’s dive into how to recognize urinary issues in cats and how urinalysis helps veterinarians get to the bottom of them.

Signs of Urinary Health Problems in Cats

Cats don’t always show pain in obvious ways, so changes in litter box habits can be one of the first clues. If you notice any of the following signs, especially in male cats who are more prone to urinary blockages, contact a veterinarian immediately. A fast response can prevent serious complications.

• Straining or vocalizing while urinating
• Lack of urination
• Frequent, small amounts of urine
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Blood-tinged or cloudy urine
• Licking the genital area excessively
• Unexplained restlessness or hiding

Feline Urinary Conditions

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
An umbrella term for urinary issues like inflammation, crystals, or stones. FLUTD may sometimes be the diagnosis if a veterinarian can determine symptoms but not the cause of an issue with a cat’s urinary system.

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis is bladder inflammation in cats with no identifiable cause. FIC is thought to be triggered or worsened by stress or environmental changes, but the exact cause is unknown.

Cat Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Caused by bacterial invasion of the urinary tract, a feline UTI is more common in older female cats or those with other medical conditions.

Urinary Obstruction in Cats
A feline urinary obstruction is a life-threatening emergency where the urethra becomes blocked, often by crystals, mucus, or inflammation. An obstruction is mostly seen in male cats. Please reach out to a veterinarian immediately if your feline is showing symptoms like not urinating or pain while urinating. This condition can become life-threatening in as little as 48 hours.

Urinalysis: How Veterinarians Diagnose Urinary Issues

Urinalysis is one of the most prevalent diagnostic tools veterinarians use to determine what’s going on when your cat is showing urinary symptoms. This simple test can tell a vet a lot about your cat’s internal health.

What Can a Urinalysis Detect?

• pH Balance of the Urine: Identifies risk for crystal or stone formation
• Presence of Blood: Could indicate inflammation, trauma, or infection
• White Blood Cells and Bacteria: Potential signs of a urinary tract infection
• Glucose: Clues to diabetes or kidney problems
• Crystals: Predicts risk of stone formation or obstruction
• Specific Gravity: Indicates how well the kidneys are concentrating urine

A urinalysis may be paired with additional diagnostics, such as bloodwork or imaging, depending on your cat’s symptoms and history.

Treatment for Cat Urinary Issues in San Marcos, CA

Urinary issues in cats can be painful, confusing, and, if ignored, dangerous. With the right diagnostic tools and early detection, they’re also very treatable. East & West Animal Hospital uses diagnostic tools like urinalysis to diagnose feline urinary issues in San Marcos and for pet cats from surrounding areas like Oceanside or Vista. If you notice that your cat is having problems in the litter box, contact us to schedule an urgent appointment.