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  • Urinary Blockage in Cats

    Black and white cat in kennel with hunched posture, possible urinary blockage symptoms.

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    Emergency Steps

    1

    Signs of urinary blockage include vocalizing/crying, frequent trips to the litter box, not able to pass urine, vomiting, excessive licking of the genital region, blood in urine, slow heart rate, collapse, and shock.

    2

    Urinary blockage most often occurs in male cats. Common causes of urinary blockage include:

    • Urinary crystals
    • Urethral mucoid plug
    • Urinary tract stone
    • Inflammation/spasm of the urethra
    3

    Take your cat to the veterinary hospital immediately! This is a medical emergency!

    • If left untreated, the body will begin to reabsorb the waste product normally removed by the urine — this buildup quickly becomes toxic and will lead to death.
    4

    Carry your cat by holding the body behind the back legs so you don’t place pressure on the bladder or use the cat’s carrier.

    Cat Urinary Blockage FAQs

    What are the Signs of Urinary Blockage in Cats?

    Signs of blockage include:

    • Blood in the urine
    • Crying, particularly when a cat goes to the litter box
    • Coma
    • Depression (hiding, unresponsive, or refusing food)
    • Going in and out of the litter box
    • Lethargy
    • Loss of appetite
    • Slow heart rate
    • Squatting to urinate with nothing or only small drops present; frequently squatting
    • Swelling of the genital region
    • Trying to urinate outside the litter box or in the house

    What are the Causes of Urinary of Urinary Blockage in Cats?

    • Urinary crystals
    • Urethral mucoid plug
    • Urinary tract stone

    How Can I Prevent Urinary Blockage in Cats?

    Increase water consumption. Put water fountains around the house; cats love drinking from these. Feed canned food. Adhere to a special diet prescribed for a cat with a history of bladder infection or stones. Always make sure your cat is passing urine. Finish all antibiotics prescribed for a urinary tract problem. Have one more litter box in the house than number or cats in the house.

    Download the FREE Red Cross Pet First Aid App

    Pet First Aid App. The free Pet First Aid App provides guidance on your pet's health, what to do in emergencies and how to include your pets in your preparedness plans.

    The American Red Cross Pet First Aid app puts veterinary advice for everyday emergencies in the palm of your hand. With videos, interactive quizzes, and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know pet first aid. Get the app and be prepared to act when called upon. iOS App, Google Play, or text "GETPET" to 90999.

    Help Save Pet Lives with an American Red Cross Pet First Aid Class

    Be prepared for any pet emergency! Sign up for our 35-minute Cat and Dog First Aid Online course. Learn the basics in caring for cats and dogs through a variety of topics – from understanding and checking your pet's vital signs, to preventative care for cats and dogs, to caring for the most critical emergency situations - including breathing and cardiac emergencies, wounds, bleeding, and seizures.

    Our pet first aid online course can be good for: Pet Owners, Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers, and Dog Trainers, Animal Shelter Staff & Volunteers, Groomers, Pet Retail Employees, Other Pet Care Providers, and more!

    Register Now!

    You love your pets and want to keep them happy - heart. Our Cat and Dog First Aid Online Training can help. Learn how to provide a healthy lifestyle and deliver first aid to your pet. Register today! American Red Cross

    Information Provided Deborah C. Mandell, BS, VMD

    Dr. Debbie Mandell

    Pet First Aid information provided by Dr. Debbie Mandell, Professor of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; American Red Cross National Pet Care Advisor for the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. Visit redcross.org/take-a-class/scientific-advisory-council to see how we work, members, sub councils, scientific reviews, and recent research.

    About Red Cross Training Services

    More than 4.6M people turn to us, the trusted training provider for First Aid, CPR, BLS and more, every year to gain lifesaving skills. Trust us to deliver unmatched lifesaving training that will provide you the confidence and skills to act when moments matter. Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross with the mission to spread knowledge and educate as many members of the national community in lifesaving procedures. Our services include training courses for CPR and AED, First Aid, BLS (Basic Life Support), Babysitting, Caregiving, Lifeguarding Water Safety, and more.