Emergency — phone the vet now Within hours

Cat unable to urinate (blocked bladder)

Get to an emergency vet now — a fully blocked male cat can die within 24–48 hours.

Cat

Recognise the signs

Repeatedly visiting the litter tray and producing no urine, or only drops
Crying or vocalising while in the tray
Excessive licking of the genital area
Restlessness, hiding, off food
Vomiting in later stages
Hard, painful belly when gently touched
Collapse or weakness (late stage — kidney failure)

First aid steps

Call your nearest 24/7 emergency vet immediately — Vets Now or your practice's out-of-hours line.
Note the time of last confirmed urination — the vet will ask.
Place the cat in a carrier with a soft towel and travel without delay.
Keep the cat warm and as calm as possible during transport.

Do NOT

Do not press or squeeze the abdomen to try to force urine out — you can rupture the bladder.
Do not give any human painkillers — paracetamol is fatal to cats, ibuprofen highly toxic.
Do not wait overnight 'to see if it resolves' — toxins build up rapidly.
Do not assume straining means constipation in a male cat — assume bladder until proven otherwise.

While transporting to the vet

Phone ahead so fluids and a catheter can be prepared on arrival.
Do not stop to offer food or water.
Drive smoothly — sharp braking is very painful with a distended bladder.

When to phone the vet immediately

No urine produced in 12+ hours with straining
Vomiting alongside straining
Collapse, weakness or unresponsiveness
Cold paws and ears or pale gums

Common causes

Urethral obstruction by crystals or a mucus plug (mostly male cats due to a narrower urethra)
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
Stress-related cystitis

What the vet will need to know

Sex and neuter status
Time of last confirmed urination
How long straining has been observed
Any vomiting, hiding, or refusing food
Current diet (wet/dry, recent changes)
Any past history of FLUTD or crystals

Aftercare

Most cats are hospitalised on a urinary catheter and IV fluids for 24–72 hours.
A prescription urinary diet — usually wet food — is typically required long-term.
Reduce household stress: multiple litter trays, water fountains, Feliway, no sudden routine changes.
Follow up with urine and blood rechecks as advised by your vet.

Prevention

Feed wet food rather than dry-only — increases water intake.
Provide one litter tray per cat plus one extra, in different rooms.
Use a water fountain — many cats drink more from running water.
Manage stress in multi-cat households.
Watch litter habits — early straining caught quickly saves lives.

Breed-specific notes

Male and neutered male cats highest risk due to narrower urethra.
Overweight indoor cats and Persians slightly higher incidence.

Frequently asked questions

Can a female cat get a blocked bladder?

It is possible but much rarer — females have a wider urethra. A female showing the same signs still needs urgent vet attention as the underlying cystitis is equally painful.

How quickly does a blocked cat die without treatment?

Most fully obstructed cats deteriorate within 24–48 hours, with kidney failure and dangerously high potassium causing heart problems. This is one of the few true 'minutes count' emergencies in cats.

Will my cat need surgery?

Most cases are resolved by sedation and unblocking with a urinary catheter. Surgery (perineal urethrostomy) is reserved for cats that re-block repeatedly.