Frequent urination (pollakiuria) in cats can indicate a variety of conditions that occur both in normal health and in pathological processes. Some of these conditions are of medical interest, while others may be behaviorally related. The difference in these manifestations can be established based on a number of factors, the most important of which is the owner's observation of the cat's behavior. Below are the possible causes and symptoms of certain conditions manifested by frequent urination.
1. The most important and common cause is urinary tract infections.
Although this painful condition is very common in both cats and cats, it does not diminish the severity and danger of the problem. In many cases, frequent urination can be caused by various diseases and is just a symptom, including feline urolithiasis, which consists in the formation of stones or sand in the bladder, which irritate the bladder mucosa and give frequent urge to urinate. In addition to an increased urge frequency, almost all causes are accompanied by pain syndrome (dysuria) in addition to frequent urination, the appearance, and also urination in the wrong places (outside the litter box).
2. Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis)
Bacterial inflammation of the bladder and urinary tract infections often occur at the same time, and therefore the causes and external manifestations can be similar. The main difference is that bladder inflammation occurs as a primary process, usually as a result of a bacterial infection, dietary disturbances or stressful situations.
3. Urinary incontinence in a cat (weak bladder)
Urinary incontinence does not lead to frequent urination as such, constant urine leakage as the bladder fills can create the illusion of natural urge. Urinary incontinence can develop as a neurological disorder with age, with diseases of the nervous system, the spine after injuries. In fact, the act of urination occurs in such cases as soon as the pressure in the bladder rises. This condition is especially common in older cats. Incontinence is less common in spayed cats, especially when the cat gets up from a prone position to a standing position, since cats often sleep on beds, the owner often perceives the detected wet place as a behavior disorder.
4. Increased amount of urine due to thirst
The most common cause of increased thirst in cats is diabetes mellitus. Most often, the diabetic condition develops in adult cats, as well as in overweight animals. Frequent urination is one of the early signs of diabetes, which also includes, in addition to thirst, symptoms such as weight loss, apathy, vomiting, acetone odor from an animal in severe cases. An increase in urination in a cat in such cases occurs due to a large amount of generated urine, which needs to be excreted, and outwardly such an animal visits the toilet more often.
5. Kidney disease accompanied by renal failure
Renal failure is one of the most dangerous conditions for a cat's health. It develops as a result of the kidneys losing their structure and the impossibility of full reabsorption of water in the tubules. This leads to increased urine production. Renal failure develops as a result of chronic inflammatory processes, infectious diseases, with age. The loss of more than 70% of its function by the kidneys leads to irreversible consequences and the accumulation of toxins in the blood. In addition to frequent urination, the cat will experience loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy and drowsiness, trembling, and a decrease in body temperature.
6. Tagging the territory
Despite the fact that most of the causes of increased urge are painful in nature, they are often associated with behavioral factors. It is known that cats can mark territory with their own urine, doing it in non-designated areas, usually this happens when there are several animals in the house or if the owners bring the smell of other animals from neighbors. Such cases, when the owner of the increased urge is associated with a particular disease, the reasons may be exclusively of a behavioral nature.
In any case, if you suspect a disease of the urinary system, a number of tests should be performed: urinalysis, blood biochemistry to fully understand the nature of frequent urination in a cat.
When we have pets, in particular cats, we must remember that health is a very important aspect. A living being requires attention and care. And how you take care of your cat, her life will depend. It's good when the cat is energetic, she has an excellent appetite and there are no signs that something is wrong with her. But if you suddenly notice that your pet has begun to behave differently, something bothers her, she has become less active, eats poorly, then this means that not everything is in order with her health and something needs to be done. The first is to observe how often the cat began to go to the toilet in a small way. Perhaps this is the essence of such changes in her behavior.
Healthy cat condition
Frequent visits to the litter box can be a sign that your pet is sick. It is considered normal if the cat goes to the toilet 2-3 times a day. That should be enough for her. At the same time, the process of urination does not give her any discomfort. The urine is light yellow or orange in color, without a pungent and unpleasant odor. The most innocuous reason for a cat to pee frequently is because she drinks a lot of water, perhaps because of the heat or because she has eaten salty food. Also, the reason for frequent urge to the toilet can be old age. Muscles weaken with age and urine can be poorly retained. In these cases, there is no reason for strong excitement.
The cat pisses often
And if, nevertheless, the reason is not in the use of a large amount of liquid and not in old age? Then why does the cat often piss? Perhaps something is bothering her, and in this way she tries to draw attention to herself and to the fact that she is in pain. Don't punish her. Show understanding and increased care in relation to her, because the animal cannot say what exactly bothers him, and is not able to help itself. First, watch your cat closely. If her general condition does not indicate that she may be ill with something, then the reason must be sought in her psychology. But if you notice that your pet has become lethargic and weak, his urine has an unpleasant odor, purulent or bloody discharge is present in it, it becomes dark or unclear in color, if you notice that the urination process is painful, then it's time to sound the alarm - your cat is seriously ill. In this case, the sooner you determine what is wrong with your pet and start treatment, the better for his health and life.
Possible diseases
There are several diseases, the symptom of which may be that the cat pisses very often and little. These are diseases of the genitourinary system. Some of them can be very devious. What disease your cat has can be determined, of course, only by a veterinarian after examining and passing all the necessary tests. It is strongly not recommended to engage in treatment, to give any medications on your own without a doctor's prescription, without even knowing what happened to your cat. Your pet can only get worse and you will waste time.
Pollakiuria, its causes and symptoms
So, the cat often pisses, what to do? Pollakiuria is the frequent urination in animals. Psychological and physiological factors can influence its development. If we consider pollakiuria from the side of psychology, then, of course, we must understand that cats, like humans, are exposed to stress. Any change in the cat's life that has become a serious stress for her can become the impetus for a behavioral disorder. This can be a change of residence, renovation, the birth of a child in the family in which she lives. Such changes are sometimes negatively perceived by the cat, and she, in turn, simply begins to take revenge by going to the toilet in the wrong places.
Consider the physiological reasons why a cat pee frequently. It can be renal failure, which is characterized by bad breath, heavy breathing and very poor general condition of the animal. The next reason is diabetes mellitus. It smells like acetone. The cat has constant thirst, weakness, deterioration of the coat is observed. Also, the cause is kidney stones, in which it is very difficult for the animal to go to the toilet, and urine comes out with blood, and this is accompanied by vomiting, fever, lethargy. If you miss the moment and do not start treatment on time, then the animal may not survive.
Cystitis
The most common and difficult to treat disease in cats and cats is cystitis - an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder. This disease can be provoked by eating poor-quality, cheap feed, as well as various infections, the formation of kidney stones. Also, it is not safe for the owners to come into close contact with sick animals, as there is a high probability of infection. Initially, it is almost impossible to recognize the disease, only over time the symptoms become more obvious. Cystitis is divided into two types: acute and chronic. Chronic cystitis is most common in older cats. Acute develops into a chronic one, and if your cat is not treated in time, purulent processes may occur that can lead to peritonitis.
Cystitis symptoms
They are as follows:
- The cat pees often and little by little.
- Urination is accompanied by pain.
- The urine has a characteristic specific ammoniacal odor and becomes dark in color.
- Hard abdomen, pains on pressure.
- Sitting on the litter box, the animal wants, but cannot go to the toilet in a small way.
- Vomit.
- Thirst.
The causes of this disease
Let us consider in more detail the causes of cystitis in cats, because there are a lot of them, and the owners need to know them to prevent the disease:
Cystitis treatment
To make an accurate diagnosis, an ultrasound scan is performed on the animal, blood and urine are taken for analysis. Only after that, the veterinarian prescribes treatment, which includes antispasmodics and antibacterial drugs without fail. Cystitis is mostly treated with antibiotics. Also, in some cases, a veterinarian may prescribe potassium permanganate or furacilin. In parallel with this, it is necessary to take homeopathic and diuretics and do not forget about vitamins, which will also not be superfluous for your pet. In especially severe and neglected cases, you have to do an operation. Therefore, in order to prevent the development of cystitis in your cat, carefully consider her diet and, if possible, watch how often she runs to the litter box.
Hematuria in cats
Why does a cat often pee in small portions of blood? In this situation, your animal has hematuria. It is with this disease that urination is accompanied by bloody discharge. The causes of hematuria can be very many: trauma and blows to the genitals, hypothermia, poisoning, worms, falls, a reaction to some drugs. The urine then becomes reddish, and with an advanced form of the disease, blood clots appear in it. Also symptoms of the disease are vomiting of blood, lethargy, painful sensations when trying to pee. As soon as you notice these signs, immediately take the animal for all the necessary tests (urine and blood tests, ultrasound, abdominal x-ray, vaginal smear, etc.) and an appointment with the veterinarian.
Treatment
If your cat frequently pees with blood, under no circumstances treat it yourself. After the examination and testing, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment for your pet. Usually, it necessarily includes antibiotics, pain relievers, vitamin K1, and when the body is dehydrated, glucose or saline is injected. If it is required to remove stones, then they resort to surgical intervention. To prevent the onset of this disease, as with cystitis, you need to monitor your cat's diet. You should also not let her go outside to avoid contact with infected animals. Remember to give her worm medicine regularly.
When the treatment is over, and your pet's illness is over, it is important to remember that if you do not adhere to the rules of caring for him, a relapse may occur, and the disease will begin to progress with renewed vigor. This is especially true for cystitis.
Veterinarians, in order to prevent these seriously curable diseases, recommend taking preventive measures. The main thing is to feed your pets with quality food and provide them with the most healthy food. If you want your cat to be healthy and energetic, then in no case should you feed her with cheap food. It contains chemicals that absolutely do not have any useful properties, but can only harm and lead to such serious diseases that it will be very difficult to cure later. Prevent a sick cat from sleeping in a cold place and getting hypothermic. Make sure your cat is drinking enough clean water. Also, in order to avoid infection with various infections, veterinarians are advised to be sure to vaccinate their pets. And if your cat has been diagnosed with one of these diseases, then periodically show it to a specialist for insurance. After all, you see, it is easier to adhere to these precautions than to endanger the health and life of your beloved animal.
If the cat has begun to visit the litter box more often on "wet" cases, you should pay close attention to this, since frequent urination can be a symptom of the disease.
Normal amount of urination in cats
Normally, the daily amount of urination depends on the age and sex of the animal:
- very small kittens up to 3 months old can urinate only once a day;
- from 3 to 5 months, the frequency of urination gradually increases and can reach 6 times a day;
- an adult cat urinates 1-2 times a day, but the frequency of visits to the litter box may increase with estrus and pregnancy;
- an adult cat urinates 3-4 times a day, a castrated cat - up to 5-6 times.
The difference in frequency of urination between cats and cats is explained by differences in the structure of the urinary tract, which is further narrowed in neutered cats. Each animal has an individual rate, which does not differ much from the average, but it is she who serves as a guide when it comes to changing the frequency of urination.
Situations in which increased urination is normal
In a number of situations not related to the development of the disease, there is an increase in the frequency of urination (pollakiuria):
- In old age - with age, cats and cats have a weakening of the bladder sphincter, and they urinate more often.
- During the period of sexual heat - cats during estrus, as well as cats in a state of sexual arousal, mark the territory with small portions of urine. In this case, labels are produced in various places, not only in the tray.
- When stressed, this is due to reflex contraction of the bladder muscles, which causes stress, especially prolonged stress. It is important to correctly identify the source of stress and remove it if possible. If this is not possible, then the cat can be sedated and paid more attention to the pet.
- As a result of hypothermia - under the influence of low temperatures, an increase in urination occurs, which is normalized when the animal warms up. The danger of exposure to hypothermia is the possibility of infection, including its own conditionally pathogenic flora due to temporary suppression of the function of the immune system caused by hypothermia.
- Under the influence of medications such as diuretics or corticosteroids.
- With increased fluid intake (at elevated ambient temperatures or as a result of eating salty foods). In this case, the frequency of urination should be normalized within 24 hours.
Eating salty foods will increase the amount of water consumed and the frequency of urination.
Frequent urination as a sign of illness
Pollakiuria may also indicate the development of:
- Urolithiasis. It is characterized by the formation of stones in the renal pelvis and bladder as a result of metabolic disorders. The stones injure the lining of the urinary tract, causing it to become inflamed, and also obstruct the flow of urine. If, in case of a violation of the outflow of urine, you do not help the pet in time, it may die within 3-5 days. The symptoms of urolithiasis are:
- Cystitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder, which can develop against the background of hypothermia, stone injury with urolithiasis, the spread of an infectious process from the renal pelvis and ureters, as well as from the urethra. Symptoms characteristic of cystitis:
- mucus, blood or pus appears in the urine, it becomes cloudy;
- soreness when urinating, the cat may meow while in the litter box;
- the cat often and for a long time licks the crotch area;
- the pet urinates in a different place, since the use of the litter box is associated with pain;
- fever;
- unpleasant pungent urine odor.
- Pyelonephritis - inflammation of the renal pelvis. Pathology is caused by the spread of microbial flora from the lower parts of the urinary system or the drift of bacteria with blood from other existing foci of inflammation. Also, the cause may be the presence of stones in the renal pelvis. The symptoms of pyelonephritis are:
- fever with an increase in temperature above 40 ° C;
- severe intoxication:
- lack of appetite;
- lethargy;
- apathy;
- vomit;
- severe pain in the lumbar region - the cat meows bending;
- painful urination along with its frequency - the cat screams while in the tray;
- the urine is cloudy, with an unpleasant odor, contains an admixture of pus, and possibly blood.
- Renal failure - characterized by the death of a part of the nephrons and their replacement with connective tissue, as a result of which there is a pronounced decrease in renal function. Kidney failure symptoms:
- frequent urination with an increased amount of urine;
- thirst;
- dehydration;
- lethargy, general depression;
- swelling;
- anemia;
- increased blood pressure;
- ulcerative lesion of the oral mucosa;
- constipation;
- the smell of urine or acetone from the mouth and from the cat's fur;
- itchy skin;
- urine is excreted in large quantities, weakly colored, watery.
- Tumors. With tumors located inside the urinary tract, the formation of their partial, and then complete obstruction is characteristic. Also, an externally located tumor can compress the bladder, prompting it to empty. Symptoms are very different, depending on the type of tumor, its location and size. Commonly found:
- the appearance of blood in the urine;
- unpleasant putrid odor from urine during the decay of the tumor;
- loss of body weight;
- volumetric formations on palpation of the abdomen;
- general oppression;
- lack of appetite;
- anemia;
- fever;
- the appearance of pain syndrome (with violations of the outflow of urine, as well as with germination and compression of the nerve trunks by the tumor).
- Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disease caused either by insufficient production of the hormone insulin in the cells of the pancreas, or by a loss of sensitivity of the receptors of the body's cells to it, which leads to a high content of glucose in the blood, urine and its deficiency in the cells. In this case, there are:
- increased appetite;
- thirst and increased water intake;
- an increase in the amount of urine separated (frequent urination in large volumes);
- slow healing of small skin lesions;
- frequent infectious diseases, purulent infections of skin wounds;
- with decompensation of the course of the disease, there may be:
- the smell of acetone from the mouth;
- coma;
- convulsions.
- Diabetes insipidus. It develops as a result of damaging effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary system of skull injuries, hemorrhages, infections and tumors. As a result, the synthesis of antidiuretic hormone by pituitary cells is disrupted. This hormone is responsible for water-salt metabolism, and when it is lacking, the reverse absorption of water in the tubules of the nephrons is impaired. Rare. Symptoms:
- increased amount of urine discharge, watery urine;
- dehydration;
- weight loss;
- general weakness;
- a decrease in body temperature is possible.
- Hyperthyroidism - excessive function of the thyroid gland with an increase in the content of its hormones in the blood. More common in older cats. Symptoms:
- increased appetite;
- thirst, increased water intake;
- an increase in the amount of urine separated;
- increasing weakness due to a decrease in muscle mass;
- regular diarrhea;
- vomit;
- cardiopalmus;
- in advanced cases, shortness of breath.
- Cushing's Syndrome. It is caused by an increase in the production of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands or the intake of its synthetic analogs for therapeutic purposes. The symptoms are:
- lethargy;
- thirst, increased water intake;
- an increase in the amount of urine separated;
- increased appetite;
- decrease in muscle mass;
- an increase in the size of the abdomen;
- the formation of areas of symmetrical baldness;
- thinning, dry skin.
- Pyometra - purulent inflammation of the endometrium (the mucous membrane of the uterus), accompanied by the accumulation of pus in its cavity and the development of intoxication. The main reason is endometritis against the background of a violation of hormonal regulation with the further addition of bacterial flora. Symptoms:
Thus, pollakiuria is a valuable diagnostic feature of many diseases. With some of them, it will appear among the very first symptoms, for example, cystitis and pyometra, which will allow an attentive owner to start treating a sick cat as early as possible. With pathologies of the endocrine system, pollakiuria develops gradually against the background of other symptoms, so it is important to know the normal frequency of urination in your cat in order not to allow the smooth development of the disease to go unnoticed.
Video: different causes of frequent urination in cats
What symptoms do you need to see a doctor urgently?
The appearance of a number of symptoms against the background of pollakiuria requires an urgent visit to the veterinarian:
Some diseases, the manifestation of which is pollakiuria, can have a chronic course, their symptoms are subtle or are not present in full, as, for example, in the acute form of the same diseases, for example, in pyelonephritis. Therefore, even if there are no other symptoms and outwardly the cat behaves as usual, but frequent urination persists for more than a day - you should contact your veterinarian and get tested.
Drugs for treating urinary tract disorders in cats
For the treatment of diseases of the urinary system, the following groups of drugs are used:
- Antibacterial drugs - destroy or damage bacterial cells, causing their death:
- Ciprofloxacin.
- Sulfonamides are broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs that additionally have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antipyretic effects:
- Sulfadiazine;
- Sulfadimezin;
- Urosulfan;
- Sulfapyridazine.
- Nitrofurans - active against bacteria, protozoa, fungi:
- Furagin;
- Furazolin;
- Furadonin.
- Antispasmodics:
- No-shpa;
- Platyphyllin;
- Papaverine.
- Pain relievers - to relieve pain;
- Meloxicam;
- Diuretics - used to accelerate renal filtration:
- Diakarb;
- Furosemide.
- Phytopreparations:
- Cyston;
- Kanephron;
The vast majority of medicines for the treatment of diseases of the urinary system are prescription drugs, they can only be prescribed by a doctor.
Table: An overview of medications used to treat urinary tract diseases in cats
| A drug | Compound | Operating principle | Admission rules | Price, rubles |
| Combined broad-spectrum antibacterial drug. It is not prescribed for allergies to penicillin antibiotics. | V / m or s / c at a dose of 8.75 mg / kg a course of 3-5 days once a day | 910 for 40 ml | |
| Enrofloxacin | Broad-spectrum antibacterial drug. Do not appoint to animals:
| Cats exclusively in the form of subcutaneous injections of 5 mg / kg once a day | 310 for 100 ml 2.5% solution |
| Ciprofloxacin | Broad-spectrum antibacterial drug. Do not apply:
| 5-15 mg / kg twice a day course 5-14 days | 113 for 10 tablets of 15 mg |
| Urosulfan | Urosulfan | Antimicrobial agent with antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. High activity against staphylococcus and Escherichia coli. Low toxicity. Does not apply when:
| 0.03 g / kg body weight 1-2 times a day for a course of 5-6 days | from 30 |
| Sulf 120 |
| Combined broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent | 1 tablet per 4 kg of body weight; the daily dose is divided into 2 doses; give with food. Treatment continues for 2 more days after the symptoms disappear. | 160 for 6 tablets |
| Papaverine | Papaverine | An antispasmodic drug, less bitter in tablets and painful in injections than No-shpa, therefore it is preferable | 1-2 mg / kg; the dose is the same for tablets, i / m and s / c injections. The daily dose is calculated for 2 administrations. |
|
| Furagin | Furagin (furazidin) | Broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent; when used together with antibiotics, it prevents the formation of resistant strains. Does not apply when:
| 5-10 mg / kg; course for at least 5 days; repeated course not earlier than 10 days after the end of the first course, if necessary | from 114 |
| Lasix | Furosemide | Loop diuretic; mainly used to eliminate the accumulation of fluid in cavities and soft tissues; when using, monitoring is necessary:
| 2-4 mg / kg IV or IM. The course is rarely prescribed, mainly used to quickly get rid of excess fluid, applying situationally, for example, after a dropper | from 37 |
| Diakarb | Thiazide diuretic, the action is milder than that of furosemide; exerts its effect regardless of blood pH, removing sodium and chlorine ions. Do not apply when:
| 1-2 mg / kg tablets every 12 hours; take one hour before meals. The course is individual. | from 85 |
| Alcohol tincture of Lespedeza | It has a diuretic, anti-inflammatory effect, reduces the level of nitrogenous toxins in the blood in case of renal failure. Do not use in case of allergy to the product, pregnancy - due to alcohol. | 1-2 ml per animal by mouth 2-3 times a day before meals; Shake the bottle, measure the dose and leave it in a dark place for half an hour to weather the alcohol. The course is 3-4 weeks. | from 172 | |
| Meloxicam | A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with a pronounced anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effect. Do not apply when:
| Administered orally with food: the first day of treatment 1 mg / kg; on the following days 0.05 mg / kg. The course is not more than 10 days; while maintaining the need for pain relief - change the analgesic. | 923 for 15 ml |
Photo Gallery: Medicines for the Treatment of Urinary System Disorders in Cats
The antibiotic enrofloxacin, which is part of Baytril, has a broad spectrum of action and is highly effective in the treatment of urinary tract infections. 
Sinulox has been successfully used to treat urinary tract infections; due to the inclusion in the composition of clavulanic acid, it has an extended spectrum of action 
Lespeflan is a herbal preparation with a diuretic, anti-inflammatory effect 
Loxicom is intended for pain relief; to reduce the irritating effect on the gastric mucosa, give it after eating
Video: urinary incontinence in animals
The use of traditional medicine
Traditional medicine is used in conjunction with drug therapy in agreement with the attending veterinarian:
- Lingonberry leaf infusion - has diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects:
- Pour a tablespoon of crushed dry leaves with one glass of boiling water.
- Heat in a water bath for 30 minutes.
- Strain hot.
- Give 1.7 ml per kg of body weight 30 minutes before meals 4 times a day.
- Collection according to Yordanov - has a diuretic, anti-inflammatory effect, as well as the ability to dissolve calculi:
- Take the mixture:
- peppermint leaves - 10 g;
- field horsetail - 15 g;
- black elderberry flowers - 10 g;
- juniper fruit - 15 g.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of the collection with a glass of boiling water and leave under the lid for 1 hour.
- Apply 30-50 ml 2-3 times a day.
- Take the mixture:
Rules for caring for sick animals
For the speedy recovery of the pet, the following conditions must be met:
It is necessary to pay attention to the quality of food and its quantity. Improper natural feeding promotes stone formation. Overeating, and especially frequent feeding, contributes to the constant alkalization of urine, since immediately after a meal, urine shifts to the alkaline side for 2-4 hours. When fed 5-7 times a day, urine becomes permanently alkaline. Lack of calcium in food with natural nutrition contributes to the violation of mineral metabolism and the formation of phosphate stones.
Veterinarian Kubyshkina Veronika Yurievna
www.vet-vrn.ru/blog/vladeltsam-na-zametku/zabolevaniya-mochevydelitelnoy/
I am Olesya. I am 38 years old; I have a higher medical education; I work in the pharmaceutical industry. I like to write on the topic of medicine, pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicine; and also translate texts on this topic that are not yet very complex.
Frequent urination in cats is called pollakiuria. Normally, the cat goes to the toilet in a small way 3-4 times a day, does not feel discomfort and pain, urine is light, without impurities and odor. If a cat pees often and little by little, you need to observe him to determine the cause of this behavior, since these may be behavioral features of the animal, but a serious illness is not excluded. Especially if incomprehensible symptoms join the frequent urination and the pet behaves suspiciously. In this case, you need to urgently contact your veterinarian.
Pollakiuria reasons
The most harmless reason why a cat often goes to the toilet a little bit is the instinct of the owner of the territory. The animal marks places that it considers property. You can determine that this is so by the following criteria:
- the cat leans sideways against the surface that he decided to mark;
- his tail twitches;
- urine has a specific odor.
This is a feature of the behavior of cats, therefore, treatment of the animal in this situation is not required.
Psychological factors
Animals are prone to stress and nervous strain. Any changes in the cat's life that disrupt the usual rhythm of existence and are perceived negatively can provoke changes in the pet's behavior. Frequent trips to the toilet a little bit is one of the changes, so the animal tries to attract attention or takes revenge on the owner for the inconvenience caused to him. The causes of behavioral disorders can be the birth of a child in the family, the arrival of guests, a change in feeding place, or repairs made in the house.
A neutered cat is also in a stressful state for the first time after the operation, peeing often and little by little. The disorder is temporary; you can help the animal by providing a calm environment, feeding your favorite dishes, attention and affection. Over time, the pet will adapt, and urination will return to normal.
Physiological causes
Diseases of the genitourinary system are more likely to bother males. The most common is cystitis, which occurs in adults, kittens do not get sick for up to a year. Cystitis is acute and chronic. Symptoms: the cat often pees, urine smells of ammonia, urination causes him discomfort, which is noticeable in his behavior. The animal meows plaintively, can go to the toilet past the tray, hunches down when walking.
Factors provoking cystitis: metabolic disorders, kidney stones, infections. The main reason is poor nutrition. Owners who feed the pet with industrial feed should be especially careful. A cat that eats cheap, poor quality dry food and does not drink enough water is more likely to develop cystitis or urolithiasis. Other causes of frequent urination include:
- 1. Formation of stones and sand in the kidneys. In case of illness, the urine is dark, with blood, it is excreted drop by drop. Concomitant symptoms: lethargy, depression, lack of appetite, possible vomiting and fever.
- 2. Renal failure. Cats over the age of 8 are ill. The disease is easily recognized by a fetid odor from the mouth, pale mucous membranes, and heavy breathing. The condition of the disease is extremely serious, without intensive therapy, the animal dies.
- 3. Diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by constant thirst, decreased activity, the smell of acetone from the mouth and a heavy gait. The pet's hair dulls and is taken in lumps.
- 4. Urinary incontinence is not an independent disease, but a symptom of a developing internal pathology caused by injuries, problems of the nervous system, and sluggish chronic processes.
To establish the cause of pollakiuria, it is necessary to examine the animal by a veterinarian; it is impossible to determine the problem independently on the basis of visible symptoms alone. The doctor will prescribe the tests and examinations required for each specific case. Animals die without emergency treatment with severe kidney damage.
The cat is sick: does not eat or drink, constant vomiting - possible causes
Frequent urination in a cat may indicate serious inflammation and other disorders of the urinary system. For the owner, the main thing is not to miss the alarm signals from the pet, to contact the veterinarian in a timely manner, and to pass the necessary tests for the appointment of treatment. One of the most noticeable alarms is that the cat goes to the toilet frequently. Frequent urge for a little, or pollakiuria can be caused by a number of reasons that should be considered.
How often should a cat go to the toilet?
An adult cat goes to the toilet in large quantities, on average, 1 time in 24 hours. It is normal for a cat to have a bowel movement at least once every 2 days. A pregnant cat goes to the toilet more often, as the growing embryos put pressure on other organs.
Cats kept on a natural diet can walk much less often than pets on ready-made food. The increased fiber content increases the number of trips to need. An alarming situation is when an adult cat does not go to the toilet due to great need for more than 4 days.
On a small adult cat walks, on average, from 2 to 4 times a day. When eating dry food, the number of trips to the toilet for a small amount can be reduced. It is important to ensure that the cat is getting enough fluids to avoid illnesses caused by inadequate water intake.
Frequent urination
If the cat often goes to the toilet on a small one, this may be a symptom of a disease of the urinary system, cystitis, urolithiasis. At the same time, the cat runs to the toilet often and, in terms of the volume of urine, is small. Perhaps she goes to the toilet with blood.
Frequent urge to use the toilet can be the result of heavy drinking during a hot period, or diabetes. When incontinent or marking territory, the cat will often visit the litter box with the usual amount of urine and no spotting.
Cystitis
The main symptom of cystitis is that the cat goes to the toilet a little often, and in small portions, possibly with blood and pus. The process of urination is accompanied by twitching, painful meowing. Often the cat does not pee in the tray, licks the crotch, walks bent over.
Cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder, affects cats 1 year and older. Cystitis can occur in an acute form (within a few days), or become chronic (last for months). Cystitis is a dangerous disease because it can cause toxicosis, extensive inflammation, and even death.
Causes of cystitis:
- Colds, drafts, etc.
- The presence of sand and kidney stones.
- Metabolic disease.
- Violation of the mineral balance.
- Sexual infections.
- Complications during childbirth.
- Inappropriate nutrition (excess dry food, insufficient fluid intake, lack of protein).
More information about the causes of chronic cystitis can be found in this video:
Urolithiasis disease
A common reason why a cat begins to go to the toilet is often small, is urolithiasis. Urolithiasis is triggered by the formation of stones in the cat's bladder and kidneys. It is generally accepted that the main category susceptible to this disease are neutered and middle-aged cats. But a cat can get this disease at almost any age.
Symptoms of urolithiasis:
- The cat (kitten) visit the litter often, not always successfully.
- Urine is excreted in drops, little by little.
- There are traces of blood in the urine.
- Vomiting (at the onset of the disease it may not manifest itself strongly, then more often).
- Elevated temperature.
- The lethargic and apathetic state of the cat.
Some breeds are genetically more susceptible to urolithiasis, for example: Scottish Fold, Siamese, Persian. The risk group may be animals that have: obesity (which explains the predisposition in castrated cats), who have had infectious diseases, with an improper drinking regime (the amount of water drunk should correspond to the type of food of the cat).
You can learn more about the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of urolithiasis from the following video:
If your cat frequently goes to the toilet due to stress
Often times the cat goes to the toilet more times than it needs to walk due to stress. Stress contributes to a decrease in immunity, susceptibility to diseases and inflammation of organs, in particular, the urinary system.
Stress is characterized in cats by frequent low-volume urination, possibly with blood. The state of the animal is alarming, possibly aggressive. Urination under stress can contribute to a blockage in the urinary tract.
Factors contributing to the development of stress:
- Diet changes.
- New home, owners.
- Changing the usual litter box can make your cat unwilling to use it.
- Change in sleeping place.
- Changes in the owner's relationship with the cat (the owner should spend more time at work, etc.)
- A tray that is not cleaned in a timely manner can be a signal for a cat to look for another place to send needs.
- A new pet appears in the house.
If your cat goes to the toilet frequently due to diabetes
If the cat often does not go to the toilet because of heavy drinking during the hot period, it should be checked for diabetes. A diabetic cat who drinks a lot of fluids will not show blood in the urine. Often, castrated cats, which are obese, leading to hormonal disruptions, are susceptible to diabetes.
Frequent urination due to incontinence (enuresis)
Sterilized and older animals are most susceptible to incontinence. The cat begins to run to the toilet often and little by little. Incontinence often accompanies age-related changes in the bladder, spinal injuries, and stress. Urine leaks with increasing pressure in the bladder. Thus, a weakened bladder provokes frequent urge.
Cats mark territory
In this case, frequent urination is not associated with the disease. Cats (or kittens) can often and little by little write past the litter box, and in different corners of the house. This behavior is associated with the desire to designate their territory, especially if other animals are present in it.
Helping your pet
It would be a mistake to diagnose yourself. In the early stages, diseases of the urinary system are successfully treatable. For any distressing behavioral reactions in your cat, contact your veterinarian immediately for diagnostic procedures and treatment. In case of delay in contacting a specialist, there is a risk that the pet will acquire a chronic form of the disease, up to death.
Analyzes prescribed by a veterinarian for suspected diseases of the urinary system:
- Blood chemistry.
- General urine analysis.
- X-ray.
- Analysis for hormones.
- Analysis for the level of acetone, acid-base balance.
- Studies of the ratio of urine and fluid intake.
It is necessary to observe preventive measures for the functioning of the organs of the genitourinary system, such as: regular check-ups, exclude unacceptable foods from the diet, physical activity, the correct balance of fluid intake (in accordance with the type of diet). Prompt contact with a veterinarian contributes to the reliability of the treatment.
