Feline Incontinence

If provided with a litter box, most cats will use it consistently. However, if a cat is leaking urine, then she could be experiencing feline incontinence. A veterinarian can help figure out why this is happening and offer treatment options.

  1. Feline Incontinence

    • In feline incontinence, the cat accidentally leaks urine. This is not the same as a cat urinating in the house outside of the litter box or urinating frequently.

    Urethral Blockage

    • Feline incontinence can be caused by a urethral blockage. If a cat has a bladder stone or a tumor that is partially blocking the urethra, it could cause urine to build up in the bladder until it leaks out involuntarily.

    Hormones and Disease

    • If a cat is female and spayed, she could be leaking urine as a reaction to hormones. Feline incontinence is also associated with the feline leukemia virus, according to Washington State University.

    Aging

    • As a cat ages, the muscles that hold in the urine could weaken, leading to incontinence. Some cats experience senility when they are older. If this happens, a cat could just not realize he is leaking urine.

    Treatment

    • Surgery can remove a urethral blockage that is causing feline incontinence. When no other cause can be found for the incontinence, medications may be given that improve muscle tone near the bladder to help hold in the urine.