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My Dog or Cat Is Struggling to Pee. When Is It an Emergency?
Changes in the way your dog or cat urinates can be easy to miss, especially in the early stages.
Your dog may stop more often on a walk. A male dog that normally lifts his leg may suddenly squat or posture differently. Your cat may spend longer in the litter tray, return to it repeatedly, or appear to be straining.
Sometimes these changes are caused by something relatively straightforward, such as a urinary tract infection. But they can also be a sign of bladder stones, a blockage or another urinary problem that needs urgent treatment.
The important thing is knowing what to look for.
How can I tell if my pet is not peeing properly?
Most pet owners do not actually watch their dog or cat urinate every time, so it can be difficult to know whether they are passing a normal amount.
Often, the first clue is a change in behaviour or routine.
With dogs, you may notice:
Asking to go outside more often than usual
Stopping much more frequently on a walk
Squatting or lifting their leg repeatedly
Staying in the urinating position for longer
Straining or appearing uncomfortable
Producing only a few drops when you do see them urinate
Changing their normal urinating posture
If you are concerned, take your dog outside on a lead and deliberately watch them try to urinate. Check whether urine is actually being passed and whether the stream looks normal.
With cats, you may notice:
Repeated trips to the litter tray
Spending longer than usual in the litter tray
Straining while in the tray
Very small urine clumps in clumping litter
Fewer urine clumps than you would normally expect
No obvious urine in the litter tray
Licking around the genital area more frequently
Cats that toilet outside can be more difficult to monitor, so changes in behaviour, appetite or energy levels may be particularly important.
What other changes in urination should I watch for?
Any noticeable change from your pet’s normal routine is worth paying attention to.
Signs can include:
Urinating more often than usual
Taking longer to urinate
Straining or repeatedly trying to urinate
Passing only small amounts
A urine stream that is thinner, interrupted or spurting
Producing little or no urine
Changing posture when trying to urinate
Blood or a pink tinge in the urine
Licking more frequently around the penis or vulva
Appearing uncomfortable, restless or unsettled
If you can see your pet’s urine, it can also be useful to notice its colour and whether there is anything unusual in it.
Occasionally, owners may see very small grains or stone-like material in the urine. This can indicate urinary stones and should be assessed promptly.
When is difficulty urinating an emergency?
If your dog or cat is repeatedly trying to urinate but producing little or no urine, seek veterinary attention urgently.
A complete urinary obstruction means urine cannot leave the bladder. Pressure then builds within the urinary system, and the pet can become seriously unwell.
Pets may also be in significant pain, even when they are not showing obvious signs of it.
This is why repeated straining with little or no urine should never be ignored.
Cats can be especially difficult to read
Cats are very good at hiding pain and illness.
A cat with a urinary problem may not immediately appear seriously unwell. You may simply notice that they are spending more time in the litter tray or visiting it more often.
It is also common for owners to think their cat is straining to pass faeces when they are actually trying to urinate.
Other warning signs can include:
Hiding
Becoming unusually vocal
Seeking more attention than normal
Becoming quiet or lethargic
Losing interest in food
Repeatedly entering and leaving the litter tray
Licking around the genital area
If you are unsure whether your cat is actually passing urine, it is safer to have them checked.
What can cause a dog or cat to struggle to urinate?
There are several possible causes.
Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections can cause inflammation and discomfort, leading to more frequent urination, straining or passing small amounts at a time.
Bladder stones
Bladder stones can develop in both dogs and cats.
Some remain small, while others may grow large enough to irritate the bladder or move into the urethra and cause a blockage.
Pets that have had stones before can also be at risk of developing them again.
Urethral obstruction
The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
A stone, inflammatory material or other blockage can prevent urine from passing through it.
This is a medical emergency.
Polyps or tumours
Growths within the bladder or urinary tract can sometimes affect normal urine flow.
These are seen more commonly in older pets, but any persistent urinary change should be investigated rather than assumed to be age-related.
Injury or rupture of the urinary tract
Trauma or severe urinary disease can occasionally damage the bladder or other parts of the urinary system.
If urine leaks outside the urinary tract, this is a serious emergency.
How does a veterinarian work out what is wrong?
The first priority is usually to determine whether your pet is able to pass urine safely and whether there is any sign of obstruction.
Depending on the situation, investigations may include:
A physical examination
Urine testing
Blood testing
Ultrasound
X-rays or other diagnostic imaging
Ultrasound can be particularly useful because it allows the veterinarian to assess the bladder wall and look for signs of inflammation, stones, polyps, tumours or other abnormalities.
The tests recommended will depend on your pet’s symptoms and how unwell they are.
What should I do if my pet is still urinating, but something seems different?
Do not wait until your pet becomes obviously unwell.
If your dog or cat is still passing urine but their normal pattern has changed, arrange a veterinary assessment.
Changes such as more frequent urination, straining, blood in the urine or altered posture can all indicate that something is causing discomfort or interfering with normal urination.
Early investigation can help identify the cause before the problem becomes more serious.
What if my pet has had urinary stones before?
Pets that have previously developed urinary stones may be more likely to develop them again.
For these pets, ongoing monitoring can be important.
The goal is to identify stones while they are still small, before they become large enough to cause pain, obstruction or require more complicated treatment.
Depending on the type of stone, your veterinarian may recommend regular urine testing, imaging, dietary changes or other monitoring.
When should I seek urgent veterinary care?
Seek urgent veterinary attention if your dog or cat:
Is repeatedly trying to urinate but producing little or no urine
Appears unable to pass urine
Appears painful or distressed when trying to urinate
Is lethargic or weak
Stops eating
Has blood in the urine together with straining or difficulty urinating
Has visible grit or stone-like material in the urine
Is repeatedly straining in the litter tray and you are unsure whether urine is being passed
The key message
A change in the way your dog or cat urinates should never be dismissed.
Sometimes the cause may be relatively minor. In other cases, difficulty passing urine can become a serious emergency very quickly.
If your pet is straining, repeatedly attempting to urinate, passing only small amounts or you cannot tell whether urine is being passed at all, seek veterinary attention promptly.
The sooner the cause is identified, the sooner your pet can receive the treatment they need.
