Signs of a UTI in Cats: How to Spot Trouble Early [2025]

You know your cat better than anyone, so it’s easy to spot when something’s off. Picture her crouched by the litter box, straining but unable to go, or even leaving little puddles on the floor. These moments can stir up real worry, because the signs of a urinary tract infection can look like bad behavior or stress—yet there’s usually a medical cause.

Fast recognition gives your cat the best shot at quick relief and a healthy recovery. By noticing changes in habits, behavior or mood, you’ll be ready to seek help before things get worse. Here, you’ll learn the clear signs of a UTI in cats and why acting early matters for both comfort and peace of mind.

Common Signs of Urinary Tract Infection in Cats

Spotting the early signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in your cat helps prevent pain and health risks. Cats rarely act out for no reason. If you see changes in their bathroom habits or behavior, it often points to an issue needing your attention. Here are the most common signs of a urinary tract infection that will help you know when to call your vet.

Frequent Litter Box Trips: How Often is Too Often?

Cats are creatures of habit, and you probably know your cat’s usual routine. One of the earliest signs of something wrong is frequent trips to the litter box. You might notice your cat going in and out, squatting but producing only a small amount of urine, or none at all.

Too many visits—think more than three to four in a few hours—can signal discomfort. Some cats won’t pass any urine, which is a medical emergency. Keep an eye out if your cat is spending lots of time in the box or seems restless about using it.

Straining or Crying During Urination: Listen for Distress

Cats hide pain, but a UTI can cause so much discomfort it’s hard for them to mask it. If your cat strains to urinate, arches her back, or stands in a crouched, tense pose, those are clear signs of pain. While in the box, some cats may cry out, whimper, or meow more than usual.

Physical cues include:

• Long periods of squatting without result
• Tense facial expressions
• Hesitant movement before and after urinating

These behavior cues scream “help” in their own way, alerting you something’s off.

Blood in the Urine: What It Looks Like

Spotting blood in your cat’s urine is alarming, but catching it early speeds up help. Blood may show up as pink, red, or brownish stains in the litter clumps. Check for wet patches that seem dark or rusty in color, or look for tints on your cat’s fur right after she leaves the box.

Some types of litter make spotting blood harder. If you’re unsure, press a tissue into any wet patch or clump; if it changes color to pink or red, that is blood. Blood in cat urine is a common sign of a UTI or other illness. Get in touch with your veterinarian as soon as you notice it, as explained by Cornell Feline Health Center for more on urinary issues.

Urinating Outside the Box: More Than Misbehavior

No one likes to step in a puddle, but when your cat suddenly starts peeing outside her litter box, don’t rush to scold her. Urinating on the floor, blankets, or furniture happens when cats can’t make it to the box in time or connect it with pain. Your cat might crouch in corners or behind furniture, or you may spot small wet spots in odd places.

What you might notice at home:

• Wet spots near the box or in favorite, soft areas
• Stronger or different smell from your cat’s urine
• Increased cleaning or hiding after urinating

UTIs are only one possible cause, but accidents always deserve attention. Catching this early saves your flooring and your cat’s comfort.

Licking the Genital Area Excessively: More Than Cleanliness

Cats love grooming, but when you see your cat licking her genital area far more than usual, it’s a signal. A UTI can make the area sore or itchy, so cats try to soothe themselves by licking. Watch for licking right after coming from the litter box, or if it interrupts their play, eating, or time with you.

Red flags include:

• Licking for more than a few seconds at a time
• Aggressive or frantic licking that seems out of character
• Signs of wet or matted fur in that area

If you notice this kind of licking alongside any of the other signs of a UTI, it’s time to call the vet. For an in-depth review on why cats lick themselves and what it may mean, PetMD’s article on urinary tract infections in cats gives helpful insight.

Other Subtle or Unusual Symptoms to Watch For

Not all signs of a UTI in cats show up in the litter box. Some symptoms whisper, rather than shout. These less obvious changes can slip past even sharp eyes if you’re not watching for them. Paying close attention to your cat’s mood, appetite and scent can make all the difference.

Lethargy and Hiding: When Your Cat Withdraws

Cats love quiet corners, but a sudden need for extra alone time isn’t just personality. When you notice your cat hiding under beds or in closets more than usual, take note. Heavy sleep or low energy can be the body’s way of coping with pain or illness. Cats cannot explain when they feel sick, so they do their best to stay out of sight and rest. This behavior is one of the first changes in mood when health is off.

If your social cat starts avoiding people or other pets, or you see a shift in play habits, connect these dots with possible illness. Check for other signs of a UTI. As the team at VCA Hospitals points out, any marked change in energy or willingness to interact can be a signal to reach out to your vet.

Loss of Appetite: Eating Less as a Red Flag

A healthy cat usually shows up at mealtime. If she turns up her nose at food or leaves more in the bowl each day, something’s off. Pain in the bladder or discomfort while moving can dull her appetite. Even a mild drop in eating gives you a clue that her body needs help.

How can you track this? Keep a routine for feeding. Count how much food gets eaten each day. If snacks are ignored or your cat walks away from a once-favorite treat, log these changes. Early loss of appetite adds another piece to the puzzle of UTI symptoms, and it’s a clear sign of discomfort.

• Watch for other subtle changes that link with less appetite, like sudden weight drop or scruffy fur.
• Write down what you notice to give your vet a full timeline.

If mealtimes keep getting skipped, your cat could be struggling with more than just a picky mood. Learn more about what appetite loss might mean from UrgentVet’s guide on sick cat symptoms.

Strong-Smelling Urine: Scent Signals Trouble

If the litter box starts to stink more than usual, listen to your nose. Normal cat urine has a distinct but not harsh scent. A UTI can shift that to something sharp, sour or even sweet. This happens because bacteria changes the chemistry in the bladder, often making the odor much stronger or strange.

Spotting a new smell isn’t always easy—your nose can get used to regular odors. Try cleaning the box and noting if the unusual scent comes back quickly. If it does, and it lingers around the house, that’s not normal.

Extra tips for checking urine scent:

• Scoop the litter daily to track changes.
• If the smell almost hits you as you clean, jot it down.
• Talk to your vet if this occurs along with other signs of UTI.

Need help sorting normal smells from warning scents? WebMD’s advice on cat urinary tract problems outlines what to expect and what requires a call to the clinic.

Photo by MÖV Frame

Risk Factors That Make UTIs More Likely in Cats

Spotting early signs of urinary problems takes more than watching your cat’s mood or bathroom habits. Risk factors can shape not only who’s at risk but also help you know which signs of a UTI might appear first. Knowing these key contributors could help you spot illness before it takes a toll. Here’s how age, gender, what your cat eats, drinks, and chronic health issues all play into urinary trouble.

Age and Gender Considerations: Why Some Cats Face Higher UTI Risk

Age and gender shift your cat’s risk for bladder infections. Older cats, for instance, face a bigger threat because their immune systems aren’t as strong. Hormonal changes in senior years can also affect the bladder wall, making it easier for germs to take hold.

Female cats have shorter, wider urethras than males. That helps bacteria travel to the bladder with less effort. As a result, females are more likely to develop classic signs of a UTI like frequent urination and straining. Male cats, especially those that are neutered, are most at risk for urinary blockage. Their thin, long urethras plug up fast. When a male cat shows any signs of UTI, like crying in the litter box, skip waiting and call the vet.

• Older cats: Weakened immunity, slow healing, thin bladder walls
• Female cats: Shorter urethra, bacteria move fast
• Male cats: Thin urethra, prone to blockages—a medical emergency

Diet and Hydration: Feeding Habits That Matter

What your cat eats and drinks matters for bladder health. A dry food-only diet can set up the bladder for trouble, because it doesn’t supply enough moisture. Cats with low water intake often produce highly concentrated urine, which stresses the bladder lining and gives germs the perfect place to multiply. Wet food or frequent access to fresh water helps flush out bacteria and minerals that can cause stones.

Salt, minerals, and even the pH of your cat’s food can play a role. Diets high in magnesium, for example, can lead to crystals in the urine, which sets the stage for infection. Keeping hydration up is key. Encourage drinking by setting out several water bowls or using pet fountains. Hydration tips and feeding advice from PetMD on urinary tract health can help you balance meals to protect against UTIs.

• Dry food only: Less moisture, urine gets concentrated
• Low water intake: Increases risk for crystals and infection
• High mineral diets: Lead to urinary stones and foster infection

Chronic Health Issues: How Illness Raises UTI Odds

Diabetes, kidney disease, and even stress ramp up the chance for a UTI. Diabetes causes more sugar in the urine, creating an ideal spot for bacteria to grow. Kidney disease changes urine makeup and weakens the bladder’s defenses, leaving cats more open to infection.

Chronic stress plays its own role by affecting hormone levels and immune function. You may notice signs of chronic illness before full-blown UTI symptoms. Loss of appetite, changes in thirst, or even mood swings can come first. A full rundown of how illnesses like diabetes fit into urinary risks for cats is detailed in Winn Feline Foundation’s diabetes and urinary tract info.

• Diabetes: Sugary urine fuels germs
• Kidney problems: Weakens bladder health
• Stress: Affects immunity, raises infection risk

If you keep these risk factors in mind, you’ll start to notice patterns and signs of urinary issues sooner—giving your cat a better chance for fast help and a healthy bladder.

What to Do If You Spot UTI Signs in Your Cat

Discovering signs of a UTI in your cat can make you feel helpless, but you’re not alone. Acting at the right moment can steer your cat toward comfort and faster healing. Here’s how to judge what needs urgent action, prepare for your visit to the vet, and simple ways to help your cat stay healthy after a scare.

When to Seek Veterinary Care: Urgent vs. Less Urgent Signs

Not every sign should send you rushing to the animal hospital, but never wait if you see red flags. Some symptoms mean your cat needs help right away. Others can wait a bit, but prompt care always matters with urinary issues.

• Act fast and call your vet if you notice:
  • No urine coming out, despite straining
  • Crying in pain when trying to pee
  • Blood clots or a full blockage (no urine at all)
  • Vomiting or collapse
  • Swollen abdomen

These are emergencies. Male cats are at extra risk for blockages, which can turn fatal within hours. For more on why you shouldn’t wait with blockages, see PetMD’s advice on cat urinary blockages.

• Book a prompt vet visit if your cat:
  • Is urinating often, even if small amounts
  • Has blood-tinged urine but is still active
  • Is licking the area a lot but otherwise okay
  • Urinates outside the box, with no other severe illness signs

Early treatment not only relieves pain but avoids future complications. Even “mild” symptoms can quickly grow worse.

Preparing for the Vet Visit: What to Bring and Expect

Getting ready makes the visit smoother for both you and your cat. Bring a list of what you’ve seen—dates, times, and what has changed. Keep notes on the type of litter used, any changes in diet, and recent stress at home.

Pack these for the visit:

• A sample of fresh urine (if possible) in a clean container
• A written timeline of symptoms
• Your cat’s diet details and list of medications
• Questions you have about treatment and next steps

Expect the vet to do a physical exam, check temperature, and possibly order urine tests or bloodwork. Your cat may need X-rays or an ultrasound if stones or blockages are suspected. Handling tips: bring a familiar towel, keep your voice calm, and cover the carrier during travel for comfort.

For a rundown of what to expect during a vet appointment and details on possible tests, check out the American Veterinary Medical Association’s guide to veterinary visits.

Preventive Tips for Cat Urinary Health

Once your cat feels better, take steps to help prevent future UTIs. Small daily changes can cut the risk of repeat illness.

• Hydration helps flush bacteria. Serve wet food or add extra water bowls in easy-to-reach spots.
• Use clean, low-dust litter. Keep boxes spotless to encourage good habits and quick spotting of changes.
• Lower stress. Give your cat safe spaces and keep routines steady.
• Encourage more bathroom breaks. Offer at least one box per cat plus an extra, and place them in quiet, low-traffic areas.
• Diet matters. Talk to your vet about urinary health diets or supplements made for bladder support.

For extra tips on reducing risk of UTIs at home, the Cornell Feline Health Center’s cat bladder health tips are a solid resource.

Photo by needtofly

Taking these practical steps means you’re looking out for your cat’s long-term health. A little preparation and watchful care can keep those worrying signs of a UTI from returning.

Conclusion

Stepping in early when you notice the signs of urinary discomfort in your cat can spare her needless pain and put you in control of her recovery. Trust your read on changes, big or small. It’s not about panic; it’s about catching health concerns before they become bigger problems. By watching for these signals and acting with care, you give your cat relief, comfort, and a quick path back to her normal self.

Thank you for taking the time to learn what matters for your cat’s health. If you’ve noticed anything off, call your vet—it’s the first step toward peace of mind. Every small action you take helps your cat stay safe and loved.

Has your cat shown any signs of urinary problems before? Share your story or tips below to help other readers who want to keep their cats healthy and happy.