Have you noticed blood in your cat’s urine recently? If you have, don’t panic! Let’s review why your cat has blood in their urine and what to do about it, so you can you be an educated and prepared cat owner.
How Do I Know if My Cat Has Blood in their Urine?
Healthy urine is yellow in color, either pale or amber toned, and is clear. Usually, when a cat is peeing blood it’s easy to spot by the color of the urine being reddish or darker in color, but sometimes it is less obvious. Cloudy urine or urine tinted orange can also be an indicator of blood in the urine.
Your cat may also be meowing during bathroom breaks or have unusual bathroom habits, all of which are signs to check their urine.
Why Does My Cat have Blood in its Urine?
There are three main reasons that this could be happening to your kitty. The least likely is a bacterial infection, which is caused by bacteria traveling up the urethra and causing inflammation.
Urinary stones or kidney stones are also a common culprit in cats. These stones are formed from mineral crystals in the urine. Stones are incredibly painful to pass and often lead to chronic infections of the urinary tract. They can sometimes block the urethra, causing kidney failure and even death.
The third common cause of blood in your cat’s urine is called a urethral stricture. This is described as a widespread inflammation and irritation of the urethra and the tissues involved in the entire lower urinary tract. This is often caused by stress, so it can be a serious problem for anxious kitties.
What To Do When My Cat Has Blood in its Urine
Anytime you see blood in your cat’s urine, it should be considered an emergency. A blocked urethra keeps urine from leaving the body and can be fatal for cats in less that 72 hours. Even if it is a “minor” condition, knowing what caused the issue and how to prevent it next time is important to keep your kitty safe. For example, cats that have passed stones are much more likely to get them again and will need a specialized diet to combat this.
Keep giving your pets the best of the natural life!
