Cat straining in the litter tray

Recognise the signs

• Frequent trips to the litter tray with little or no output
• Straining posture — squatting for prolonged periods
• Small spots of urine or blood-tinged urine on litter
• Crying, vocalising, or appearing painful in the tray
• Licking at the genitals excessively
• Urinating outside the litter tray in unusual places (peri-litter accidents)
• Passing small, hard, dry faecal pellets or no faeces for two or more days
• Bloated or painful abdomen when gently touched
• Lethargy, reduced appetite, or vomiting — suggests bladder is full and toxins building (emergency)
• Crying when lifted or abdomen touched — pain sign
• Distinguishing urinary from faecal straining: urinary straining typically involves a lower crouching posture; defecation straining involves a higher squat with tail raised

First aid steps

1. 1. Observe the cat carefully — note whether any urine or faeces is being produced, how much, and the colour (blood-tinged urine appears pink or red).
2. 2. Note the last time the cat produced a normal amount of urine or a normal bowel movement.
3. 3. Check whether the cat is male or female — male cats have a much narrower urethra and are far more prone to complete obstruction.
4. 4. Phone your vet as soon as the surgery opens, or use an out-of-hours emergency line if it is outside hours.
5. 5. Do not give any human pain medication (paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin) — these are toxic to cats.
6. 6. Ensure fresh water is freely available — hydration helps urinary tract health.
7. 7. Keep the cat calm and comfortable. Avoid stressful situations, as FIC is strongly stress-triggered.
8. 8. If the cat has not produced any urine for more than a few hours and appears distressed, lethargic, or is vomiting — treat as an emergency and contact a vet immediately, not just the next day.

While transporting to the vet

• Keep the cat in a secure, comfortable carrier lined with a familiar-smelling blanket.
• Avoid sudden braking or loud music.
• Note any urine produced during transport and its appearance.
• Phone ahead so the vet knows to prepare for possible urinary obstruction assessment.

When it can usually wait

• A cat that is producing some urine, eating and drinking normally, and is otherwise well can wait for a same-day vet appointment — but do not leave it until the next day.
• A cat that is passing occasional small stools and seems bright and comfortable may wait a few hours for a vet appointment, but still needs to be seen today.

Common causes

• Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) — the most common cause of straining to urinate; inflammation with no bacterial infection, strongly linked to stress
• Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) — umbrella term covering FIC, uroliths, and urethral plugs
• Urinary tract infection (UTI) — more common in older cats and females
• Urethral plug (mucus, crystals, debris) — especially in male cats, can cause complete obstruction
• Bladder stones (struvite or calcium oxalate uroliths)
• Constipation — straining to pass faeces; may be mistaken for urinary straining
• Megacolon — severe chronic constipation with loss of colonic motility
• Perineal hernia — rare; affects defecation
• Anal sac disease — discomfort causing scooting or straining posture

What the vet will need to know

• Is the cat male or female, and is the cat neutered?
• When was the last time a normal urine or faecal output was observed?
• Is any urine being produced? What colour — normal yellow, pink, or red?
• Has the cat vomited? Is the cat eating and drinking?
• Any recent stressful events (new pet, house move, changes in routine)?
• What diet does the cat eat — wet food, dry food, or both?
• Any previous episodes of urinary or bowel problems?
• Any blood seen in litter tray?

Aftercare

• If FIC is diagnosed: increase water intake by feeding wet food, using water fountains, and adding low-sodium broth to water.
• Reduce stress: use Feliway diffusers, ensure the cat has hiding places and multiple litter trays (one per cat plus one extra).
• Feed a prescription urinary diet if recommended by your vet.
• Increase the number of litter trays if multicat household — competition for the tray is a stress trigger.
• If the cat had a urinary blockage and was unblocked: strict follow-up monitoring of urinary output at home; contact vet immediately if straining recurs.
• If constipation was the cause: follow the vet's dietary and laxative recommendations; consider a higher-fibre diet or wet food.
• Monitor daily — observe the litter tray every day for normal output.

Prevention

• Feed a primarily wet food diet — increased moisture intake is the single most effective prevention for FLUTD.
• Provide a water fountain — cats drink more from moving water.
• Maintain at least one litter tray per cat plus one extra; clean trays at least once daily.
• Reduce environmental stress — provide safe hiding spaces, vertical territory (cat trees), and a predictable routine.
• Keep the cat at a healthy body weight — obesity increases FLUTD risk.
• Annual vet health checks allow early detection of urinary problems.
• Prescription urinary diets (e.g., Royal Canin Urinary S/O, Hill's c/d) recommended for recurrent cases — only use under vet guidance.

Breed-specific notes

• Persian cats — higher incidence of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) which can affect urinary function.
• Male cats of any breed — narrow urethra makes them significantly more prone to life-threatening urinary blockage.
• Neutered male cats — slightly increased risk of urethral obstruction, particularly those fed dry food only.
• Manx cats — spinal abnormalities can affect bladder and bowel control.

Frequently asked questions

Related topics

• Cat unable to urinate (blocked bladder)
• Blood in a cat's urine