How to Treat a Urinary Tract Infection in a Cat

Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable and painful for animals. They are more common in cats than in dogs and can be caused by bladder stones, bacterial infections or stones in the urinary tract. A cat with a urinary tract infection may strain to urinate, urinate in unusual places, or produce cloudy or bloody urine. Urinary tract infections often recur and can lead to more serious kidney infections if left untreated.

Things You'll Need

  • Medicine
  • Wet food
  • Water
  • Extra litterbox
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your cat to the vet as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. Your vet will do a physical exam to check for anatomical abnormalities; a urinalysis to test for the presence of blood, bacteria or crystals in the urine; and X-rays if a blockage is suspected. If the vet finds a blockage, the cat will be sedated and a catheter will be placed into the urethra to remove the blockage. This procedure requires antibiotics and a hospital stay. If a bacterial infection is causing the infection, antibiotics will be prescribed and your cat will be monitored as an outpatient.

    • 2

      Give your cat antibiotics or other prescribed medication. Keep your cat as comfortable and as calm as possible during recovery, and watch for signs of reaction to the medicine.

    • 3

      Clean your cat's water bowl daily and provide access to fresh, clean water at all times. Water moving through the urinary tract system flushes the cat's bladder and urethra, which dilutes toxins and other irritants to aid in your cat's recovery.

    • 4

      Make dietary changes that promote the right pH balance for urine, and feed the cat smaller meals more often during the day. Give your cat wet food to promote water intake and urine output. Canned, wet food is 78 percent water, whereas dry food is only 5 percent to 10 percent water. Cats tend to get most of their water from food because they don't feel the need to drink water often. Talk to your vet about limiting the animal's magnesium intake as well.

    • 5

      Provide an extra litterbox in your house so your cat will not have to hold his urine for any reason. An extra box also provides convenience for your cat's frequent urge to urinate. Make sure to clean all litterboxes often; cats have a strong sense of smell and will often not use a dirty litterbox.