Understanding UTIs in Dogs and Cats

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Based on a presentation by Jamie Senthirajah, DVM — Veterinary Medical Center, University of Minnesota

Please note that we at TailRings.com are not veterinarians, nor do we have any veterinary training. If you need medical advice for yourself or your pet, please contact a qualified doctor or veterinary clinic for care.

If you've ever watched your pet strain to use the litter box or squat repeatedly with little result, you know that sinking feeling. Something's not right. Lower urinary tract issues are among the most common health concerns for both dogs and cats, and knowing what to look for — and what to do — can make a real difference in how quickly your pet gets relief.

Here's what Dr. Senthirajah from the University of Minnesota's Veterinary Medical Center wants every pet owner to know.

The Anatomy Behind the Problem

Before diving into symptoms and treatment, it helps to understand what's going on inside. The urinary tract is made up of several key components:

1. Kidneys — remove waste and regulate fluids, electrolytes, and hormones
2. Ureters — move urine from the kidneys to the bladder
3. Urinary Bladder — stores and releases urine
4. Urethra — allows urine to pass from the bladder out of the body
5. Prostate (males only) — provides nutrients
   

(Click image to enlarge ↗)
Urinary anatomy and functions — image courtesy of Dr. Jamie Senthirajah, DVM

Issues in any of these areas can cause lower urinary tract symptoms, but UTIs specifically tend to affect the bladder and urethra.

Clinical Signs — What to Watch For

There are five primary symptoms of a lower urinary tract issue:

1. Painful or difficult urination (dysuria) Your pet may vocalize — whine, cry, or meow — during urination. This is a clear sign something is uncomfortable.

2. Increased frequency with small amounts of urine (pollakiuria) If your pet is trying to go frequently but producing very little, that's pollakiuria. This is different from producing large volumes of urine each time (polyuria), which can indicate a kidney issue. When describing symptoms to your vet, be specific: "My cat is trying to go to the bathroom frequently" means something very different from "My cat is producing a large volume of urine each time."

3. Blood in the urine (hematuria) This can be difficult to spot on dark flooring or grass, but if you live somewhere with snow, you may notice it more easily.

4. Straining to urinate (stranguria) Similar to dysuria, this involves visible effort with little or no result.

5. Urinating in inappropriate locations (periuria) Sometimes this indicates a urinary issue, but it can also be behavioral. Context matters.

Note: If your pet is leaking urine while at rest or overnight, that's a separate issue from a UTI and warrants its own conversation with your vet.

Your pet may show one symptom or several. The more detail you can provide to your vet, the faster a diagnosis can be made.

⚠️ When It's an Emergency

If your pet is straining but producing no urine at all — go to an emergency vet immediately. This could indicate a urinary blockage, which is life-threatening.

If your pet is producing some urine but not a normal amount, call your vet and get an appointment as soon as possible.

What to Do Before the Vet Visit

A little preparation goes a long way toward a faster diagnosis:

1. Try to prevent your pet from urinating before the exam. A full bladder makes it much easier to collect a urine sample. Bringing your own sample is acceptable, but one collected by your vet is preferable.
2. Consider oral pre-medications for anxiety if needed. Gabapentin for cats and Trazodone for dogs can help. Ideally give the medication about two hours before the appointment, and if possible the night before as well.
3. Skip food before the appointment — water is fine. In rare cases sedation may be needed for diagnostics or treatment, and an empty stomach is safer.
4. Bring any current medications and medical records.

For male pets specifically: When you arrive, your vet technician will assess the size of the bladder. A large bladder combined with straining to urinate is a strong indicator of a blockage, which will require hospitalization. Blockages are relatively rare but serious.

Things to note before your appointment:

• How frequently is your pet trying to urinate?
• How long has this been going on — a day or a couple of weeks?
• Is there any unusual color or smell to the urine?
• When did they last urinate?
• When were they spayed or neutered?
• (Cats specifically) Has anything stressful happened recently? Moving, new pets, changes to the environment, how often you're cleaning the litter box, how many litter boxes you have, weight changes, dehydration, or even a new visitor in the home
• What is your pet's current diet? Any recent food changes?
• What medications are they currently taking?
• Any other symptoms — vomiting, weight loss, decreased appetite, increased drinking or urination volume (polydipsia and polyuria)? Most UTIs shouldn't cause polydipsia or polyuria, so these can help rule things out.

Possible Causes

In dogs: UTIs occur more commonly in female dogs due to their anatomy, though males can get them too. Male dogs are more prone to prostatic disease. Both males and females can develop bladder stones or masses.

In cats: The breakdown is striking:

• 60–70% of cases are caused by Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)
• 20% are caused by bladder stones
• 10% are caused by urinary crystals or urethral plugs
• Small percentages are caused by masses or tumors

It's worth noting that only about 3–10% of healthy adult cats will ever develop a UTI.

Types of UTIs

Sporadic UTI Occurs in otherwise healthy pets with no underlying disease — fewer than 2 UTIs in 6 months, or fewer than 3 in 12 months. These can be age-related, as both younger and older pets tend to have weaker immune systems.

Recurrent UTI Two or more UTIs in 6 months, or three or more in 12 months. Recurrent UTIs often point to an underlying cause such as:

• Endocrine disease (diabetes)
• Kidney disease
• Bladder stones or tumors
• Anatomic abnormalities
• Immunosuppressive factors such as chemotherapy

Subclinical UTI Bacteria shows up in a lab test but the pet has no symptoms. This is typically discovered incidentally during bloodwork. It's generally not treated, as doing so can contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) By far the most common cause of UTI symptoms in cats. All other causes should be ruled out before FIC is considered. FIC is a sterile inflammation of unknown cause that typically resolves on its own within 2–7 days, with or without treatment. Stress is a major trigger — moving, new pets, environmental changes, litter box issues, weight, or dehydration can all set off a cycle of stress that leads to bladder inflammation and clinical signs.

Diagnostics

The three most common tests for a UTI are:

1. Urinalysis and urine culture — always recommended as a first step
   
   
   (Click image to enlarge ↗)
   Urine collection with ultrasound guidance — image courtesy of Dr. Jamie Senthirajah, DVM
   
   
2. Abdominal radiographs — to check for stones or other structural issues
3. Bloodwork — to assess overall health and rule out underlying conditions

These tests aren't cheap, but when you factor in multiple office visits, repeated testing, and the ongoing stress on your pet, getting everything done at once is actually more cost-effective — and leads to a faster diagnosis.

Additional tests may include liver function panels, ultrasound, or a BRAF test (a canine urine test for certain conditions).

Treatments

Supportive care includes:

1. Pain management — Gabapentin for both cats and dogs, or Buprenorphine for cats. Some drowsiness is normal and expected.
2. NSAIDs — provided there are no kidney, GI, or liver issues. Possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite.
3. Sedation — used on an individual basis for pain management. Its effectiveness is still a topic of ongoing discussion in veterinary medicine.
4. Fluid therapy and hydration — the more water your pet drinks, the less concentrated the urine, which reduces bladder inflammation and the formation of stones and crystals. Placing extra water bowls around the house or using a pet water fountain (especially for cats, who are notoriously picky drinkers) is one of the best things you can do for prevention. Foods with extra moisture, such as Purina Hydra Care, are also a great option.
5. Environmental enrichment — reducing stress is particularly important for cats with FIC. Pheromone products like Feliway can help calm stressed cats. Regular playtime is essential for working off stress. If you have a safe outdoor space, fresh air and stimulation can make a real difference.
6. Antibiotics — used selectively and only when there's a compelling clinical reason. Overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance and may actually prolong symptoms by adding stress. Antibiotic treatment is always handled on an individual basis.

Treating the underlying condition is equally important for preventing recurrence and is managed on a case-by-case basis by your veterinarian.

Monitoring After Treatment

Follow your vet's specific recommendations closely. Regardless of what those are, seek emergency care immediately if your pet:

• Has not urinated in over 12 hours
• Appears lethargic
• Has a decreased appetite
• Is vomiting
• Appears to be in pain

These can be signs of a urinary obstruction, which is a serious emergency. Obstructions are more common in males and can occur even when everyone — you, your vet, and your pet — did everything right.

The Bottom Line

The more information you can give your vet, and the faster you can get your pet in for care, the better the outcome. Early intervention saves time, money, and most importantly — your pet's comfort.

A note from TailRings: We carry Feliway calming collars and plug-in diffusers, as well as several pet water fountains to help keep your cats and dogs well-hydrated. Prevention really is worth its weight in gold when it comes to your pet's health. Browse our pet health collection [here].

Article based on a presentation by Jamie Senthirajah, DVM — Veterinary Medical Center, University of Minnesota

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