Cats are normally very discreet when eliminating, so if your normally fastidious cat begins urinating outside her litter box or demonstrating signs of pain or difficulty when urinating, it may be a sign of illness or stress. Most cat peeing problems are discovered quickly---there is no mistaking the smell of a urine-marked house---but most issues can be diagnosed and treated easily.
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Pain
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Painful urination (dysuria) can be caused by urinary tract infections, bladder stones or tumors. If your cat is vocalizing during urination and passing urine that contains streaks of blood, contact your veterinarian.
Inappropriate Urination
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If your cat is urinating outside the litter box, she could have a urinary tract infection. Often, cats will choose to urinate on smooth surfaces like tile.
Increased Amount
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Some medical conditions can cause increased urination. If your cat is drinking more water and urinating more frequently than usual, it could be a warning sign of diabetes, kidney disease or a bladder infection.
Decreased Amount
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Straining and passing small amounts of urine are a sign of a bladder problem. Bladder stones can cause a urethral blockage in male cats, a serious medical condition. If your cat is showing signs of extreme distress when urinating, seek veterinary help at once.
Incontinence
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A urinary tract infection can cause incontinence. Your cat may lick at her genitals frequently and smell of urine.
Spraying
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Spraying is usually a behavioral problem rather than a medical one. It can be territorial, stress-related or simply a result of a litter box change. Spaying/neutering can help reduce the chance of this behavior.
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