What should I do if my cat can’t urinate? ——A complete guide to cause analysis and solutions
Recently, pet health topics have become increasingly popular on major social platforms, especially the issue of abnormal urination in cats, which has triggered widespread discussions. The following are statistics related to cat urinary health among hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days:
| Hot topic keywords | search volume index | Main discussion platform |
|---|---|---|
| Cat anuria symptoms | 18,700 | Zhihu/Xiaohongshu |
| Male cats have difficulty urinating | 15,200 | Douyin/Baidu Tieba |
| Spontaneous cystitis in cats | 12,500 | Weibo/Bilibili |
| Cat litter box refusal behavior | 9,800 | Douban/Pet Forum |
1. Danger signs of difficulty urinating in cats

When a cat shows the following symptoms, attention needs to be paid immediately: frequent access to the litter box but no urine discharge, painful cries when urinating, significant abdominal distension, and increased frequency of licking the genitals. Data shows that more than 60% of urinary system problems are ignored by their owners in the early stages.
| Hazard level | Symptoms | Recommended processing time |
|---|---|---|
| urgent | No urination for 24 hours | Send to hospital immediately |
| high risk | Blood in the urine/sudden decrease in urine output | Seek medical attention within 6 hours |
| warning | Abnormal urination posture | 24 hours observation |
2. Analysis of common causes
According to clinical data from pet hospitals, the main causes of cats having difficulty urinating include: urinary tract stones (35%), spontaneous cystitis (28%), urethral embolus obstruction (20%) and other causes (17%). Because the urethra is more slender in male cats, the incidence rate is three times that of female cats.
3. Family emergency treatment plan
The following measures can be taken before sending the cat to the hospital: apply warm water to the cat's lower abdomen (the temperature does not exceed 40°C), increase the supply of drinking water (use a mobile water dispenser), and replace low-dust cat litter. But please note,Never press on the bladder forcefully, which can lead to organ damage.
| emergency measures | Operational points | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Hot compress | 10 minutes/time | avoid genitals |
| Give water | Syringe feeding | avoid choking |
| environmental adjustment | Reduce stressors | keep quiet |
4. Professional treatment plan
Veterinarians usually adopt the following treatment process: catheterization (acute phase), urinalysis, X-ray/B-ultrasound examination, and antibiotic treatment (if necessary). The cost of treatment varies greatly depending on the severity of the disease, ranging from 500 yuan to 5,000 yuan. It is recommended to make financial preparations in advance.
5. Long-term preventive measures
Preventing recurrence requires a multi-pronged approach: ensure 200ml of drinking water intake every day (wet food is better), use special food for the urinary system, keep the litter box clean (clean it twice a day), and reduce environmental stress. Clinical data shows that standardized prevention can reduce the recurrence rate by 70%.
Recently, pet medical experts have reminded that hot weather in summer will reduce cats’ drinking water, and the incidence of urinary system diseases will increase by 40% compared with usual levels. It is recommended that owners pay special attention to their cats’ urination. If abnormalities are found, be sure to seek medical treatment promptly to avoid delayed treatment that may lead to serious consequences such as kidney failure.
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