5 Toilet Problems That Indicate Your Cat Needs to See a Vet

Watching your cat poop and pee may not sound like the most fun part of being a pet parent, but it's important to keep an eye on your kitty's toileting habits from time to time. Believe it or not, what goes on in your cat's litter box can be a big indicator of their health. In fact, many unusual urinary and faecal issues can actually be early signs of more serious conditions. Here are just five toilet problems that indicate you should take your furry friend to see a vet.

1. Increased urination 

Does your cat seem to be urinating more often? If so, there could be something wrong with their urinary system. Urinary tract infections, for example, are fairly common in cats, but your furry friend should make a speedy full recovery if you get them to a vet for antibiotics. You should also note that most cats aren't particularly keen on keeping hydrated and tend to get most of their moisture from food. So, if your cat is peeing more often, this can also be a sign that they're drinking more than you'd expect. In turn, excessive thirst can be a sign of health problems like diabetes. 

2. Straining while urinating or defecating 

If your cat is straining while urinating or defecating, this is another sign you may want to book a veterinary appointment. From constipation to bladder stones, straining is a sign that there's a blockage somewhere in your cat's system. The longer this blockage goes without treatment, the more chance your kitty could need serious surgery in the future. 

3. Diarrhoea 

Diarrhoea isn't just unpleasant for you as a litter box cleaner; it's also a possible sign of health problems. Short and infrequent bouts of diarrhoea are often nothing to worry about, especially if you know what caused them (for example, eating expired food). That aside, repeated, intense or prolonged loose stools can be a symptom of infections, intestinal diseases, parasites or worms and even cancer. On top of this, if diarrhoea continues too long, it can also lead to dehydration. 

4. Urinating outside the litter box 

If your cat starts urinating outside of their litter box, they may not be doing it to spite you. Cats sometimes urinate outside of their litter boxes when they have an infection. These infections make it difficult for cats to hold their pee, which means they may not make it to the litter box in time.

5. Blood in the urine

If there is blood in your cat's urine, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. Blood in urine can be a sign of multiple problems, ranging from treatable urinary tract infections to cancer and serious diseases. In the latter cases, blood often appears in the later stages of the disease when immediate treatment is crucial. As such, it's not worth the risk of waiting and monitoring your cat's condition.

If you have questions, contact a company like Findon Vet Surgery.


Share