What is Feline Urinary Tract Disease? Urinary Care Guide for Cat Owners

Has your cat been going in and out of the litter box repeatedly, struggling to urinate, or even passing blood in the urine? These seemingly small changes can be early warning signs of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) — one of the most common yet serious health problems in cats. 

This guide will help you understand more about the common symptoms, causes and how to treat or prevent recurrence and protect your cat’s urinary health.

What Is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)?

FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) is not a single disease, but a group of conditions affecting a cat’s lower urinary tract — including the bladder and urethra. It covers issues such as urethritis, bladder inflammation (cystitis), urinary blockage, urinary crystals and bladder stones.

Among all FLUTD cases, Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) is the most common form, accounting for 60–70% of cases. Severe cases, especially those involving urethral blockage, can become life-threatening and require urgent medical attention.

6 Major Causes of Urinary Problems in Cats

1. Blocked Urethra (Urethral Obstruction)

Most common in male cats, whose narrow urethra can easily become blocked by urinary crystals, stones, mucus plugs, or inflammation. If urine cannot pass at all, the condition can rapidly progress to uremia or kidney failure. Breeds like Persian and Siamese cats have a higher risk of urinary blockage.

2. Bladder Inflammation (FIC)

When the bladder environment becomes abnormal — such as imbalanced pH, urine being overly concentrated or diluted — the bladder lining becomes irritated, leading to inflammation. FIC often causes frequent urination, blood in urine and painful urination. 

3. Kidney Stones

Urinary minerals can build up over time and form crystals. If they accumulate, they may harden into bladder stones, causing difficulty in urinating.

4. Overweight

Excess weight increases metabolic stress and reduces activity levels, causing cats to urinate less frequently and increasing the risk of urinary stasis and infections.

5. Inadequate Water Intake

Cats naturally drink little water, and a dry-food-only diet can lead to highly concentrated urine, increasing the likelihood of crystals, stones, and bladder inflammation.

6. Psychological Stress

Stress from moving homes and loud noises can disrupt the cat’s autonomic nervous system. Stress hormones affect bladder function and are a major trigger for FIC (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis).

Common Symptoms of Cat Urinary Tract Disease

• Difficulty or pain while urinating

• Frequent litter box visits with little output

• Blood in urine (pink or red urine)

• Urinating outside the litter box

• Excessive licking of the genital area

• Crying, straining, or hunching while urinating — a medical emergency

• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

• Avoiding belly touches due to pain

How to Treat Feline Urinary Tract Issues

The exact treatment depends on the cause, but commonly includes:

• Emergency care: If your cat cannot urinate, seek veterinary help immediately.

• Medication: Your vet may prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or other treatments depending on the diagnosis.

• Dietary changes: Switch to a urinary care dry food, urinary care wet food, or low-calorie urinary formula.

Daily Care: 5 Key Ways to Prevent Recurrence

1. Increase water intake & add more wet food

Provide multiple water bowls or a fountain. Add wet food, canned food or extra water to dry food to keep urine diluted and reduce crystal or stone formation.

2. Feed a balanced urinary-support diet

Choose veterinary urinary formulas (e.g., Royal Canin Veterinary Diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet) to control minerals such as magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce urinary stress.

3. Keep litter box clean & comfortable

Ensure clean, dry litter boxes in quiet areas. Use litter your cat prefers (texture, size, absorbency, odour control) to reduce litter-box stress and encourage regular urination.

4. Use Urinary Supplements

Urinary supplements are not medications, but they play a supportive role in managing cat urinary disease. They help reduce urinary discomfort and lower recurrence risk by supporting the repair of the bladder’s protective lining and reducing irritation and inflammation. 

5. Reduce stress & keep the environment stable

Avoid frequent household changes or loud noises. Provide playtime, enrichment, and hiding spaces. When necessary, cat calming products may be used to relieve stress and reduce inappropriate urination behaviours.

Early Detection Protects Your Cat’s Health

FLUTD and urinary blockage are serious conditions, especially in male cats. By monitoring urination habits, improving hydration, using a urinary-support diet and keeping stress low, you can greatly reduce the risk of recurrence and help your cat stay healthy and comfortable.