Emergency — phone the vet now
Within hours
Blood in a cat's urine
Blood in cat urine, especially with straining, is an emergency in male cats — phone the vet now to rule out blocked bladder.
Recognise the signs
- Pink or red urine in tray
- Straining, vocalising in tray
- Going outside the tray
- Licking genitals
- Frequent visits with tiny output
First aid steps
- Phone the vet immediately, especially for male cats.
- Confirm the cat is producing urine — straining with no output is emergency (see cat-blocked-bladder).
Do NOT
- Do not press the abdomen.
- Do not give human medications.
- Do not delay for male cats — straining is potentially blocked bladder.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Male cat straining with no urine — emergency
- Vomiting, weakness, distended belly
- Persistent or worsening signs
Common causes
- Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
- Stress cystitis
- Urinary crystals/stones
- UTI (less common in cats than dogs)
- Tumour
What the vet will need to know
- Sex and neuter status
- Litter habits and frequency
- Diet and water intake
- Any stress events in the household
- Photo of tray
Aftercare
- FLUTD: prescription urinary diet, stress management, environmental changes (multiple trays, fountains, Feliway).
- Stones: surgery, then long-term diet.
- Recurrence common — long-term plan needed.
Prevention
- Wet food predominantly to increase water intake.
- Multiple trays in multi-cat homes.
- Manage stress.
- Water fountains.
Breed-specific notes
- Higher FLUTD risk in male and overweight cats.
Frequently asked questions
Why is FLUTD so much worse in male cats?
Narrow urethra means crystals and mucus plugs cause full obstruction more easily.
Can stress alone cause bloody urine?
Yes — feline idiopathic cystitis is a common stress-related condition that produces bloody urine without infection.
Will my cat need lifelong urinary food?
Often yes after a flare-up, particularly in stone-forming cats. The vet will guide based on cause.