How To Treat A Cat Urinary Infection

Introduction

As a cat parent, you’re likely well aware that your cat uses their litter box more than usual when they have an infection. Therefore, it’s important to know what the signs of a cat urinary tract infection are and how to treat them.

Is your cat frequently going in and out of the litter box?

If your cat is going to the bathroom more often than usual, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Cats are creatures of habit and usually urinate at the same time every day. If your pet suddenly starts using the litter box more often or seems to need to go more than once a day, it’s worth talking with your veterinarian about what’s causing these changes in behavior.

If you notice that your cat is behaving abnormally when she visits her litter box, you should consult with a vet immediately for treatment options for UTI in cats.

What is a urinary tract infection?

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common in cats. They usually develop from a bacterial infection and may be caused by a urinary blockage.

The symptoms of UTI include:

Urinating more frequently than normal (also known as polyuria)
Urinating in unusual places or outside the litter box (also known as inappropriate urination)
Blood in the urine (hemorrhagic cystitis) or cloudy urine

If your cat has any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet right away—you don’t want to risk developing kidney damage!

Cat urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli bacteria.

The most common type of E. coli to cause an infection in cats is Escherichia coli (E. coli), also known as enteric bacteria and formerly called enterobacteria. E. coli is a type of bacteria that can be found in the intestines of humans and animals, as well as in soil, water, food and other materials that come into contact with those organisms. The digestive tract contains a large population of good bacteria that aid digestion and help prevent infection by invading organisms such as viruses or parasites; however there are some strains that have been shown to cause illness when ingested (e.g., Salmonella).

How do you know if your cat has a UTI?

There are a few signs and symptoms that can help you determine if your cat has a urinary tract infection.

Your cat may be reluctant to urinate or will have trouble urinating. This can be due to pain or discomfort when they try to go.
If you look closely at your cat’s litter box, it will likely contain urine that appears cloudy or contains blood in it.
As a result of the infection, your cat may experience a fever, which is another sign that something might be wrong with their urinary tract health.
A swollen belly could also indicate an infection in the kidneys or bladder—both areas where UTIs generally tend to infect first before moving on through other systems of the body (such as the liver). This swelling may cause some discomfort for your pet as well as make them feel sluggish overall because they won’t feel like eating much while they’re dealing with this issue either way!

Blood in urine can be a sign of a UTI.

When blood is present in your cat’s urine, it can be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Blood in the urine may be seen as little red flecks or streaks throughout the urine. Or sometimes you might see large clots of blood in the toilet bowl when your cat urinates. Either way, this is a serious condition that requires immediate attention from your veterinarian.

Blood in the urine means that there has been spread of an infection to either one or both kidneys. This type of infection is called pyelonephritis (pye-luh-nef-rih-tis) and needs treatment with antibiotics as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the kidneys.

Treatment options for a cat urinary tract infection.

Medication. If a cat urinary tract infection is caught early, it can be treated with antibiotics. Your veterinarian may recommend an oral pill or liquid that your cat swallows, or he might prescribe injections. This treatment generally lasts between one and four weeks, depending on the severity of the infection and how many times before this your cat has been diagnosed with a UTI.
Litter box hygiene. Good hygiene is key when it comes to preventing UTIs in cats—after all, they’re caused by bacteria infecting their urine in the first place! One way you can help keep things clean is by keeping their litter box clean and dry at all times; this means scooping out waste twice per day (more often if necessary). You should also wash your hands before petting them after touching their litter box so as not to transfer any bacteria from there onto them (or vice versa).

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on how much your cat uses their litter box.

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on how much your cat uses their litter box. If your cat is urinating or defecating in an area other than the litter box, it’s time to take them to the vet. The following are some things that you can look for:

How often they use the litter box?
How much they are using the litter box?
How often they urinate?
How often they defecate?
Amount of water intake (measure this by checking food/water bowls).

Conclusion

Cats are very independent creatures, and that means it can be hard for them to let you in on what’s wrong. Pay attention to your cat’s bathroom habits and their level of activity. If you see signs of a UTI or any other illness, take them to the vet as soon as possible.