What Are the Causes of a Cat's Frequent Urination?

Frequent or excessive urination is one of the first signs of chronic disease in cats. If your cat is visiting the litter box more often than usual or is not always able to get to the box in time, don't put off making an appointment with your veterinarian. The chronic diseases that cause excessive or frequent urination in cats are easier to manage when they're caught early.

  1. Normal Urination

    • A healthy cat normally urinates between two and four times a day.

    Polydipsia and Polyuria

    • Polydipsia (excessive drinking) usually accompanies frequent or excessive urination (polyuria) in cats.

    Causes of Frequent Urination

    • Diabetes, hyperthyroidism and liver or kidney failure are the most common causes of frequent or excessive urination in cats. Urinary tract and bladder infections, too, can cause a cat to urinate more frequently than usual.

    Older Cats

    • Older cats, over the age of 10, are more likely to develop the chronic diseases that cause excessive or frequent urination than younger cats are.

    Diagnosing the Problem

    • Blood tests and urinalysis are necessary to diagnose kidney and liver failure and diabetes in cats. Blood tests reveal hyperthyroidism. Urinalysis and urine culture and sensitivity are used to diagnose urinary tract and bladder infections. Your veterinarian might also want to do other tests or radiographs to better understand the cause of your cat's frequent urination.

    Back to Normal

    • When cats begin treatment for the disease that is causing their frequent or excessive urination, the number of times they urinate each day and the amount of urine they pass should both return to normal.