What Are the Causes of Feline Incontinence?

If Kitty stops peeing in the litter box, your nose will soon notice. Feline incontinence results from various physical issues, so treatment depends on the diagnosis. Take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as you realize he has a problem. It's possible that your cat is suffering from inappropriate elimination, which is behavioral rather than physical.

  1. Bladder Infections

    • Bladder infection is one common cause of inappropriate urination, occurring most often in female cats. Also known as cystitis, cats with an infected bladder constantly feel the urge to pee. The cat might not be able to hold her urine, so she voids wherever she happens to be. Symptoms of bladder infection include blood in the urine, crying out when urinating and straining to pee. Your vet diagnoses a bladder infection via urinalysis, with treatment consisting primarily of antibiotic therapy.

    Feline Obesity

    • Large, fat felines are at highest risk for urinary incontinence, especially as they age. If your vet determines that your cat's weight is the primary reason he isn't using the litter box, she'll probably recommend putting your cat on a strict diet and exercise program. No more treats for Kitty, and if he's fed free-choice, that might have to change. Your vet might prescribe special weight control cat food.

    Primary Sphincter Mechanism

    • As cats age, their muscles weaken. That includes the urethral muscle. Weakening of this muscle -- a condition affecting the primary sphincter mechanism -- often results in urinary incontinence. Large, older spayed females cats are more likely to develop primary sphincter mechanism problems than males. Your vet might prescribe phenylpropanolamine, which can increase bladder muscle tone. Although phenylpropanolamine is no longer produced in the United States, a compounding pharmacy can fill your prescription.

    Structural Abnormalities

    • Urinary incontinence can result from structural abnormalities in the cat's urinary tract. A cat might be born with an ectopic ureter, in which one of the tubes that bring urine from the kidneys to the bladder bypasses the controlling sphincter muscles. If that's the case, surgical correction is necessary.

    Chronic Diseases

    • Certain diseases cause cats to drink excess water and subsequently urinate more frequently. It's possible your cat won't always make it to the litter box. These diseases include diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, kidney failure and liver ailments. Your vet will perform various tests to make a diagnosis, analyzing blood and urine samples and possibly conducting X-rays or ultrasounds. Depending on the cause, your cat receives appropriate medication, such as daily insulin for diabetes, along with dietary changes. Your vet will monitor your pet regularly if he's diagnosed with any of these chronic diseases.