Cat UTI Treatment: How Do We Treat Them?

Cats are curious creatures who are naturally exposed to bacteria that may sometimes lead to painful urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections can affect both male and female cats, though they may be more common in females. But without proper guidance, how do we know if our cat has UTI? And if they do have it, what's the best treatment?

As responsible cat parents, it's our job to understand cat UTI  and find out how to prevent it from happening altogether, relying on the expertise of veterinary medicine for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Let''s take a closer look.

Cats are a joy to have in our homes. Quirky and finicky yet fun and endearing, cat parents have a long list of reasons for why they fell in love with their feline family members. However, one of the most frustrating things about being a cat parent is trying to spot if they're in pain.

An inherent trait from their days in the wild, cats are very good at hiding pain. In the primeval rules of the wild - weakness usually makes an animal an easy target for predators. So, even as sheltered house pets, cats still exhibit these traits and will naturally do what they can to never openly display pain or discomfort. This makes it hard to tell if they're fighting off an infection or just not in the mood for playtime. Additionally, some cats may be asymptomatic, meaning they show no outward signs of a urinary tract infection; owners should therefore monitor their behaviour closely.

But when it comes to cat urinary tract infections, it's crucial for cat parents to spot its signs and symptoms early. When left untreated, it may get worse and may lead to surgery. UTIs are less common in young, healthy cats with strong immune systems, but are more frequent in older cats or those with underlying health issues.

Knowing what to look for and educating yourself in risk factors and treatment options can help you see beyond what your cat wants you to see and get them feeling better right away or in the most ideal scenario, avoid cat UTI altogether. 

What Is Cat Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) & What Causes It?

Cat urinary tract infections occur when bacteria invade the cat's urinary system, affecting the bladder, urethra, or even kidneys. A urinary tract infection occurs as a type of urinary tract disease, which includes various health issues affecting the urinary system such as infections, obstructions, and inflammation.

The most common cause of this infection is the presence of bacteria in the faeces of the cat, which then travels up to the urinary tract through the urethra, which is the tube where urine passes through to leave the body.

The bacteria that cause the infection are called feline uropathogenic E. coli or FUEC. This bacterium is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of cats.  UTIs are not contagious to other pets or humans.

There are certain factors that can make your cat more at risk for UTI:

Cats diagnosed with UTI are more likely to be male or senior cats. 

This is because male cats have a narrow urinary tract, which puts them more at risk for infections. As for older cats, they are also more likely to develop infections because of chronic illnesses and a compromised immune system. If your cat is older than 6 or 7 years old, part of their overall care should include regular visits to the vet at least 2 to 3 times a year to monitor any health issues and get immediate treatment.

Overweight or obese cats are also more prone to bladder infections.

Because overweight cats have a little bit more difficulty reaching certain parts of their body when cleaning themselves, bacteria in their anus and vulva may not be cleaned properly and may ascend upwards into the bladder.

Cat UTI is also found most commonly in kittens. 

It's not clear why this happens but it's thought to be due to a number of factors, including stress, diet or heredity. Kittens are also more likely to develop UTI than adult cats because their immune systems aren't fully developed yet. 

Sometimes, it's in your cat's DNA.

A cat with a genetic predisposition for UTI might also be more likely to develop it than other cats.

Certain health conditions can also make your cat prone to UTI. 

Certain health conditions can increase your cat's vulnerability to UTIs. Issues such as diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and bladder stones often compromise urinary health, while stress or immunosuppressive medications can further weaken their natural defences. If your cat has a history of these conditions or thyroid concerns, it is best to consult your veterinarian. They can provide tailored advice on dietary management and preventative care to help keep your cat comfortable and healthy.

Why Is It Important to Treat Cat UTI Early?

Early detection is vital for a swift and successful recovery. Most feline UTIs are easily managed with a veterinarian-prescribed course of antibiotics, typically clearing the infection within one to two weeks.

Prompt intervention also prevents life-threatening complications. If left untreated, UTIs can lead to dangerous urinary blockages, particularly in male cats, which may cause kidney failure or a ruptured bladder. In rare cases, chronic inflammation may even be linked to more serious issues like urinary tract tumours. Seeking professional veterinary guidance early ensures your cat receives the targeted care they need to stay safe and comfortable.

💡Petz Park Alert

If your cat is straining, crying out in pain and unable to pass urine despite repeated efforts, it's likely that they're suffering from urethral blockage. Do not delay, take them to the vet clinic immediately.

These environmental and dietary factors are known to cause cat UTI:

• Being kept in an unclean, stressful environment
• Eating too much canned food
• Eating too much dried food
• Not being fed enough water
• Being kept in a dirty litter box
• Litter box aversion

Cat UTI Symptoms Checklist

Common symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in cats include difficult or painful urination, blood in the urine, and urinating outside the litter box. Because feline symptoms can be subtle, close observation is key. If you notice lower urinary tract signs such as straining, frequent trips to the litter box, or discoloured urine, it is important to seek a veterinary diagnosis.

Take your cat to the vet should you notice any of these common symptoms:

☑ Abnormal urinary habits; either too little urine, too frequently or outside of the litter box

☑ Licking the urinary opening more frequently than usual

☑ Traces of blood in their urine

☑ Straining or crying out in pain while passing urine

☑ Cloudy urine

☑ General signs of lethargy

☑ Strong ammonia odour in urine

☑ Litter box avoidance

☑ Abdomen is distended or hard to the touch

☑ Drinking more water than usual

☑ Vomiting and incontinence

Cat UTI Treatment

Treating a cat with a urinary tract infection (UTI) requires prompt veterinary intervention, including a thorough physical examination, urinalysis, and often a urine culture to ensure an accurate diagnosis. These diagnostic steps help identify the specific bacteria involved and guide the most effective treatment plan.

In Australia, the combined cost of a veterinary consultation and necessary diagnostic tests can be high, often taking a significant portion of a monthly pet care budget. While the specific totals vary by clinic, these upfront costs are an investment in your cat's immediate relief.

Antibiotic therapy is the primary treatment for bacterial UTIs. While a standard course of antibiotics is generally affordable, the cost can become costly if your cat requires a longer duration of treatment, sometimes six weeks or more, to fully resolve a persistent infection. It is vital to complete the entire prescribed course to prevent the infection from returning.

If your veterinarian detects urinary crystals or stones, they may recommend a prescription urinary diet. Transitioning to these specialised foods can be pricey, as they often involve a higher monthly expense than standard retail cat food.

Seeking help at the first sign of straining or frequent litter box trips is the best way to keep costs manageable. If a UTI is left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening urinary blockages, particularly in male cats. Emergency procedures, hospitalisation, and surgery for these complications are significantly more costly and can quickly take you out of budget.

Always follow your veterinarian's guidance to ensure your cat receives the most effective care while managing the financial aspects of their treatment.

Petz Park Tip

Not sure how to collect urine for your cat's urine test?

If you have a litter box with a catching tray at the bottom, that should work well enough. With a pair of surgical gloves that you can easily buy at the chemist's, you can scoop out a urine sample and place it inside a sterile container. Make sure you take it to the vet immediately. If you don't have a litter box with a catching tray, there are other methods that may work better for your cat. Ask your vet to share their cat urine-catching tricks and tips.

How To Prevent Cat UTI

While it's found that most cats at some point in their lives will develop UTI, there are plenty of practical ways for you to make sure that your cat's urinary system stays healthy and bacteria-free:

• Keep your cat hydrated and increase fluid intake. This is the best and easiest way to ensure that any bad bacteria gets flushed out of their body. Encourage fluid intake by always providing fresh water and offering a canned food diet or wet food, which helps maintain hydration and supports urinary health.
• Consider a prescription diet if recommended by your veterinarian. For cats prone to urinary issues, a prescription diet can help maintain urinary health by controlling urine pH and preventing stones and crystals.
• Practice good urinary health habits. Preventing urinary tract infections involves proactive care, such as monitoring your cat's urinary habits, encouraging hydration, and seeking veterinary advice at the first sign of trouble.
• Try probiotic supplements for cats. Probiotics are known to help keep cats healthy and strengthen their immune system.
• Power up your cat's diet with Urinary + Kidney Cat Supplements. With anti-inflammatory ingredients like Nettle Seed Extract and antibacterial Cranberry Extract that helps prevent E. coli bacteria from entering the urinary tract, the Petz Park Urinary + Kidney Supplement is packed with all the healthy goodness specially designed to help keep your favourite feline friend UTI-free. For best results, make it part of your cat's regular diet!
• Try giving your cat slightly warm bone broth. As carnivores, they're going to love the taste of it and, aside from being yummy, it's filled with vitamins and nutrients like Vitamin A & K, collagen, Omega fatty acids, Iron, Manganese, Selenium and Zinc.
• Maintain a healthy weight for your cat. Aside from being prone to cat UTI, overweight cats are also at risk for other cat diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. Keeping your cat at a healthy weight supports overall urinary health and helps prevent urinary tract infections.
• Take your cat to regular vet check-ups. Regardless of age or health condition, part of making sure your cat lives the best and healthiest life possible is to take them to the vet clinic for regular check-ups even when they're not visibly sick. This is especially more important for older cats or cats with compromised immune systems.
• Keep your cat's litter box clean. Litter box duty isn't everyone's favourite thing to do but keeping it clean and changing it regularly is the best way to avoid bacterial infections.
• Feed a balanced diet of dry food and wet food. Including wet food or a canned food diet helps increase fluid intake, which is beneficial for urinary tract health and preventing urinary tract infections.

What keeps your cat free from infections? A balanced diet, plenty of water, quality food supplements, a clean loving home and regular visits to the clinic. Prevention is key to avoiding future infections and maintaining your cat's urinary health.

Sound familiar? Of course! Because these are the basics of what we need to stay from infectious diseases too - and your cats are no different. With the symptoms and treatment information listed above, you now have the valuable knowledge you need to give your cat a long, beautiful, UTI-free life.

*This information is intended as general information only. It was not written or intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please seek professional guidance from your pet's veterinarian before taking any action that could affect your pet's health.