Increased Urination in Cats

A feline's urinary system performs the important function of purifying the blood of toxins, then excreting urine to carry the toxic waste out of the body. Considering its purpose, urinating is pretty important for the cat. However, increased urination, or urinating outside of the litter box, is a sign there's something wrong, and the cat should be examined to determine the cause of the increased potty habits.

  1. Causes

    • VetInfo lists five common medical causes and one behavioral cause for increased urination. A sudden increase in urination could indicate the feline is suffering from a bladder or urinary tract infection. Incontinence, particularly in older cats, may also cause urine increase. Increased urination is a symptom of the serious conditions of diabetes and kidney disease. Finally, the cat may be urine marking "territory" in its home to say it's in charge.

    Related Symptoms

    • Drinking and urinating excessively may mean diabetes.

      Noticing symptoms other than increased urination can help the vet diagnose the underlying cause. For example, increased urination with blood in it suggests infection. An incontinent cat urinates when getting up. A cat suffering from diabetes drinks more water, becomes listless, and loses weight and the sheen in its coat. If the cat's increased urination is due to kidney disease, the feline will have abnormally bad breath, become depressed and immobile, and may vomit frequently and suffer from seizures.

    Behavioral Problems

    • Cats are creatures of habit and territorial by nature, and the increase in urination may be the cat's way of acting out. If the cat is just urinating more to assert its authority, the owner may notice the animal urinating on purpose, in complete control of the urination and in the same spots (outside of the litter box). Usually, VetInfo reports, these spots are areas in the home favored by other pets or the cat's owner himself.

    Diagnosis

    • "Go ahead, try and take a urine sample."

      To determine the cause for the increased urination, veterinarians can collect urine for testing three separate ways: via catheterization, syringe or from the cat's owner. Upon collection, the vet will visually examine the urine for abnormal cloudiness, coloring, blood and the presence of crystals. She will perform a "Specific Gravity" test, analyzing and counting all substances dissolved in the urine. A dipstick test quickly checks the "protein, blood, glucose, bilirubin and ketones in the urine," according to VetInfo, and a microscopic examination assesses the blood cell counts and presence of bacteria.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for increased urination in cats depends on its underlying cause. The feline will most likely be placed on antibiotics for infection. The diabetic feline needs to eat a special diet, possibly have daily blood glucose testing and insulin therapy, as well as any other prescribed medication. Kidney disease also dictates the cat eat a special diet, take any prescribed medications and, in severe cases, receive intravenous fluid therapy on a regular basis. If the cat's just mad, well, there may not be much the owner can do. However, removing stressors and keeping kitty happy may help.