How to Obtain a Urine Sample From a Cat

Obtaining a urine sample from your cat at home can be beneficial for your cat's health and avoids the hassle, stress and expense of a veterinary office visit. A veterinarian may need a urine sample to check the pH of urine, to look for urinary tract infections or crystals in the urine. Ask your vet if you can bring in a urine sample instead of having the urine drawn at the office.

Things You'll Need

  • Litter box
  • 1 to 2 cups non-absorbent litter
  • small plastic container, at least 3 inches in diameter, with lid
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Empty your current litter pan into the trash and clean and dry it thoroughly.

    • 2

      Pour 1 to 2 cups of non-absorbent cat litter, such as NoSorb, into the pan until it is approximately 1 inch deep in the pan.

    • 3

      Place the litter box with the non-absorbent litter in an enclosed area, such as a bathroom. Close the cat in the room with the litter box and a dish of water.

    • 4

      Check in on the cat every 15 to 30 minutes to see if she has urinated in the litter box. The cat will usually use the box within a couple of hours, depending on the last time she peed.

    • 5

      Once the cat has urinated, pour the urine from the litter box into the plastic container, and put the lid on it. If possible, deliver the sample immediately to your veterinarian, as urine begins to break down immediately. If you do need to wait, store the sample in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.