UTI in Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, Cost (2026 Guide)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause painful, frequent urination in cats. Symptoms include blood in urine, straining in the litter box, and accidents outside the box. Requires antibiotics - cannot resolve on its own.

Your cat is making repeated trips to the litter box, straining, and producing only drops of bloody urine - these are signs of a urinary tract problem that needs immediate veterinary attention. Here's how to recognize UTIs, what treatment involves, and the critical difference between infection and blockage.

What Is a UTI in Cats?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria (most commonly E. coli) invade the bladder or urethra, causing inflammation and pain. However, true bacterial UTIs are actually less common in cats than in dogs. Most cats with urinary symptoms have a condition called FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease), which includes UTIs, bladder stones, crystals, and idiopathic cystitis (inflammation without infection).

FLUTD Categories:

Bacterial Infection (15-20%): Actual UTI requiring antibiotics
Urinary Crystals/Stones (15-20%): Struvite or calcium oxalate crystals
Idiopathic Cystitis (55-65%): Bladder inflammation without infection - most common
Urethral Obstruction (<10%): Blockage preventing urination - EMERGENCY

Symptoms of UTI in Cats

🚨 Common UTI Symptoms

Classic Signs:

• Straining to urinate (looks like constipation)
• Frequent trips to litter box with little/no urine
• Blood in urine (pink, red, or brown urine)
• Crying or meowing during urination
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Strong-smelling urine
• Excessive licking of genital area

🚑 EMERGENCY - Go to ER Immediately:

• Male cat cannot urinate at all (blockage - fatal within 24-48 hours)
• Straining with NO urine produced
• Swollen, hard, painful abdomen
• Crying in pain, hiding
• Vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite
• Weakness or collapse

⚠️ Urinary blockage is a life-threatening emergency. Do NOT wait until morning.

UTI vs. Urinary Blockage: Critical Difference

Feature	UTI/Cystitis	Urinary Blockage
Who Gets It	Any cat, more common in females	Almost exclusively MALE cats
Can They Urinate?	Yes - small frequent amounts	NO urine at all
Urgency	Vet visit within 24 hours	EMERGENCY - NOW
Outcome if Untreated	Worsens, kidney damage possible	Death within 24-72 hours
Treatment Cost	$150-400	$1,000-3,000

How UTIs Are Diagnosed

Diagnostic Tests

• Urinalysis: Checks for bacteria, blood, crystals, white blood cells. Most important test.
• Urine Culture & Sensitivity: Identifies specific bacteria and best antibiotic (takes 3-5 days). Done if UTI suspected or doesn't respond to initial treatment.
• Bloodwork: Checks kidney function (see cat kidney values guide), especially if chronic UTIs
• X-rays or Ultrasound: Checks for bladder stones, tumors, or anatomical abnormalities

Typical Urinalysis Findings in UTI

• Bacteria present
• High white blood cells (WBCs) - indicates inflammation/infection
• Red blood cells - blood in urine
• Elevated pH (often >7.0)
• Crystals may be present (struvite common with UTI)
• Protein in urine

Track your cat's urinary health

Use VetLens to monitor symptoms, track urinalysis results over time, and share detailed reports with your veterinarian for better urinary care management.

Try VetLens Free

Treatment for Cat UTIs

Antibiotics

Common Antibiotics for Cat UTIs:

• Amoxicillin/Clavamox: First-line choice, broad spectrum. 7-14 days.
• Enrofloxacin (Baytril): Fluoroquinolone, effective but more expensive. 7-10 days.
• Cephalexin: Alternative if allergic to amoxicillin. 10-14 days.
• Trimethoprim-sulfa: Older option, still used for resistant infections.

⚠️ CRITICAL: Complete the entire antibiotic course even if symptoms improve after 2-3 days. Stopping early causes resistant infections.

Additional Treatments

• Pain Medication: Buprenorphine or gabapentin for discomfort
• Anti-Spasmodics: Prazosin to relax bladder/urethra
• Urinary Acidifiers: May help prevent crystal formation
• Increased Water Intake: Wet food, water fountains, flavored water
• Special Diet: Prescription urinary diet (c/d, s/o) if crystals present
• Stress Reduction: Feliway diffusers, separate resources if multi-cat home

Treatment Cost Breakdown (2026)

Service	Cost Range
Veterinary Exam	$50-100
Urinalysis	$40-80
Urine Culture & Sensitivity	$100-200
Antibiotics (7-14 day course)	$20-60
Pain Medication	$20-40
X-rays (if needed)	$100-250
Total (Uncomplicated UTI)	$150-400

Emergency Blockage Treatment: $1,000-3,000+ including hospitalization, catheterization, IV fluids, monitoring.

Recovery Timeline

Days 1-2: Symptoms may persist. Keep giving antibiotics.
Days 3-5: Noticeable improvement - less straining, more urine volume, less blood.
Days 7-10: Symptoms should be resolved. Continue antibiotics as prescribed.
Day 14: Complete antibiotic course. Recheck urinalysis if symptoms persist.

Prevention Strategies

• Increase Water Intake: Feed mostly wet food, use water fountains, add water to food
• Keep Litter Boxes Clean: Scoop daily, 1 box per cat plus one extra
• Reduce Stress: Minimize changes, use Feliway diffusers, provide hiding spots
• Maintain Healthy Weight: Obesity increases UTI risk
• Consider Urinary Diet: Hill's c/d, Royal Canin Urinary SO (especially if history of crystals)
• Regular Vet Checkups: Annual urinalysis for senior cats (7+)
• Monitor Litter Box Habits: Catch problems early

Risk Factors

Cats at Higher Risk:

• Senior cats (10+ years) - weakened immune system
• Diabetic cats (see cat diabetes guide) - sugar in urine promotes bacterial growth
• Obese cats
• Cats with kidney disease (see cat kidney values)
• Male cats (higher blockage risk, though females get UTIs more)
• Indoor-only cats (less urination frequency)
• Multi-cat households (stress, competition for litter boxes)
• Cats with previous UTI/FLUTD history (30-50% recurrence rate)

When to Call Your Vet

Call During Business Hours:

• Blood in urine
• Frequent trips to litter box
• Urinating outside litter box
• Straining but producing some urine

GO TO EMERGENCY VET NOW:

• Cannot urinate at all (especially male cats)
• Crying in pain
• Vomiting, lethargy
• Hard, swollen abdomen

Track Your Cat's Urinary Health

Monitor UTI recovery with VetLens:

✓ Log litter box visits and urine appearance
✓ Track urinalysis results over time
✓ Monitor medication compliance
✓ Share detailed symptom logs with your vet

Try VetLens Free Today

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my cat has a UTI?

Common signs include straining to urinate, frequent trips to the litter box with little urine produced, blood in urine, urinating outside the litter box, crying during urination, and excessive licking of the genital area.

Can a cat UTI go away on its own?

No. UTIs require veterinary treatment with antibiotics. Untreated UTIs can progress to kidney infection, bladder stones, or complete urinary blockage (life-threatening emergency in male cats).

How much does it cost to treat a cat UTI?

Typical cost: $150-400 including exam ($50-100), urinalysis ($40-80), urine culture if needed ($100-200), and antibiotics ($20-60). Emergency blockage treatment costs $1,000-3,000.

What antibiotics treat cat UTIs?

Common antibiotics include amoxicillin, clavamox, enrofloxacin (Baytril), and cephalexin. Treatment typically lasts 7-14 days. Always complete the full course even if symptoms improve.

Can male cats get UTIs?

Yes, but male cats are more prone to urinary blockage than infection. Male cat urinary issues are emergencies - if your male cat cannot urinate, go to the ER immediately.

How can I prevent UTIs in my cat?

Prevention strategies: ensure fresh water availability, feed wet food to increase hydration, keep litter boxes clean (1 box per cat plus one extra), reduce stress, maintain healthy weight, and monitor for symptoms.

UTI in Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Cost