Why does a cat often go to the toilet little by little, how many times a day does a kitten or an adult cat pee. What to do if your cat has frequent urination: causes and treatment

If the cat begins to visit the litter box more often for “wet” matters, you should pay close attention to this, since frequent urination may be a symptom of a disease.

Normal amount of urination in cats

Normally, the daily number of urinations 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 during estrus and pregnancy;
• an adult cat urinates 3–4 times a day, a neutered cat urinates up to 5–6 times.

The difference in the frequency of urination between male and female cats is explained by differences in the structure of the urinary tract, which is further narrowed in castrated cats. Each animal has an individual norm, which does not differ much from the average, but it is this that serves as a guideline 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 - as cats age, the bladder sphincter weakens and they urinate more often.
• During the period of sexual heat - cats during heat, as well as cats in a state of sexual arousal, mark the territory with small portions of urine. In this case, marks are made in various places, not only in the tray.
• When stressed, this is due to a reflex contraction of the bladder muscles, which causes stress, especially prolonged stress. It is important to correctly identify the source of stress and, if possible, remove it. If this is not possible, then the cat can be given a sedative and pay more attention to the pet.
• As a result of hypothermia - under the influence of low temperatures, increased urination occurs, which normalizes when the animal warms up. The danger of exposure to hypothermia is the possibility of infection, including from one’s own opportunistic 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 consumption (at elevated ambient temperatures or as a result of eating salty foods). In this case, the frequency of urination should normalize within 24 hours.

Eating salty foods will increase the amount of water consumed and increase the frequency of urination.

Frequent urination as a sign of illness

Pollakiuria may also indicate the development of:

• Urolithiasis. Characterized by the formation of stones in the renal pelvis and bladder as a result of metabolic disorders. Stones injure the mucous membrane of the urinary tract, causing inflammation, and also obstruct the outflow of urine. If the outflow of urine is disrupted, if help is not provided to the pet in a timely manner, it may die within 3–5 days. Symptoms of urolithiasis are:
  
• Cystitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder, which can develop against the background of hypothermia, injury from stones during 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 appear in the urine, it becomes cloudy;
  • pain when urinating, the cat may meow while in the tray;
  • the cat often licks the perineal area for a long time;
  • the pet urinates elsewhere because he associates using the litter box with pain;
  • fever;
  • unpleasant pungent odor of urine.
• Pyelonephritis - inflammation of the renal pelvis. The pathology is caused by the spread of microbial flora from the underlying parts of the urinary system or the introduction of bacteria with the blood from other existing foci of inflammation. The cause may also be the presence of stones in the renal pelvis. Symptoms of pyelonephritis are:
  • fever with a temperature above 40 o C;
  • severe intoxication:
    • lack of appetite;
    • lethargy;
    • apathy;
    • vomit;
  • severe pain in the lumbar region - the cat meows while bending;
  • painful urination along with its frequency - the cat screams while in the tray;
  • the urine is cloudy, has an unpleasant odor, contains an admixture of pus, and may also contain blood.
• Renal failure - characterized by the death of some nephrons and their replacement with connective tissue, resulting in a pronounced decrease in kidney function. Symptoms of kidney failure:
  • frequent urination with an increased amount of urine;
  • thirst;
  • dehydration;
  • lethargy, general depression;
  • swelling;
  • anemia;
  • increased blood pressure;
  • ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa;
  • constipation;
  • the smell of urine or acetone from the cat’s mouth and fur;
  • skin itching;
  • urine is excreted in large quantities, weakly colored, watery.
• Tumors. Tumors located inside the urinary tract are characterized by the formation of partial and then complete obstruction. Also, an externally located tumor can put pressure on the bladder, prompting it to empty. Symptoms are very different and are determined by the type of tumor, its location and size. Usually found:
  • the appearance of blood in the urine;
  • unpleasant putrid odor from urine during tumor disintegration;
  • weight loss;
  • volumetric formations upon palpation of the abdomen;
  • general oppression;
  • lack of appetite;
  • anemia;
  • fever;
  • the appearance of pain (with disturbances in 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 pancreatic cells, or by loss of sensitivity of body cell receptors to it, which leads to high levels of glucose in the blood, urine and its deficiency in cells. The following appears:
  • increased appetite;
  • thirst and increased water consumption;
  • increased amount of urine output (frequent urination in large volumes);
  • slow healing of minor 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. Develops as a result of damaging effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary system from 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 with its deficiency, the reabsorption of water in the nephron tubules is disrupted. Rarely seen. Symptoms:
  • increased amount of urine output, 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 consumption;
  • increased amount of urine output;
  • increasing weakness due to decreased 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 by taking its synthetic analogues for therapeutic purposes. The symptoms are:
  • lethargy;
  • thirst, increased water consumption;
  • increased amount of urine output;
  • increased appetite;
  • decreased muscle mass;
  • increase in abdominal size;
  • formation of areas of symmetrical baldness;
  • thinning, dry skin.
• Pyometra is a 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 due to a violation of hormonal regulation with the further addition of bacterial flora. Symptoms:
  

Thus, pollakiuria is a valuable diagnostic sign for many diseases. In some of them, it will appear among the very first symptoms, for example, cystitis and pyometra, which will allow the attentive owner to begin treatment of the 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 so as not to allow the smooth development of the disease to go unnoticed.

Video: Different Causes of Frequent Urination in Cats

What symptoms require immediate medical attention?

The appearance of a number of symptoms against the background of pollakiuria requires immediate contact with a veterinarian:

Some diseases, the manifestation of which is pollakiuria, may 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 the cat outwardly behaves as usual, but frequent urination persists for more than a day, you should contact a veterinarian and get tested.

Drugs for the treatment of urinary tract diseases in cats

The following groups of drugs are used to treat diseases of the urinary system:

• Antibacterial drugs - destroy or damage bacterial cells, causing their death:
  • Ciprofloxacin.
• Sulfonamides are broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs that additionally have anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and antipyretic effects:
  • Sulfadiazine;
  • Sulfadimezin;
  • Urosulfan;
  • Sulfapyridazine.
• Nitrofurans - active against bacteria, protozoa, fungi:
  • Furagin;
  • Furazolin;
  • Furadonin.
• Antispasmodics:
  • No-shpa;
  • Platyfillin;
  • Papaverine.
• Painkillers - to relieve pain;
  • Meloxicam;
• Diuretics - used to accelerate renal filtration:
  • Diacarb;
  • Furosemide.
• Herbal medicines:
  • Cyston;
  • Canephron;

The vast majority of medications for the treatment of diseases of the urinary system are prescription drugs and can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Table: overview of drugs used in the treatment of diseases of the urinary system in cats

Photo gallery: medications for the treatment of diseases of the urinary system in cats

The antibiotic enrofloxacin, which is part of Baytril, has a wide 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 of clavulanic acid, it has an extended spectrum of action Lespeflan is a herbal preparation with a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. Loxicom is intended for pain relief; to reduce the irritant effect on the gastric mucosa, it should be given after meals

Video: urinary incontinence in animals

Use of traditional medicine

Traditional medicine is used in conjunction with drug therapy in consultation with the attending veterinarian:

• Infusion of lingonberry leaves - has diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects:
  1. Pour a tablespoon of crushed dry leaves into one glass of boiling water.
  2. Heat in a water bath for 30 minutes.
  3. Strain while hot.
  4. Give 1.7 ml per kg of weight 30 minutes before meals 4 times a day.
• Collection according to Jordanov - has a diuretic, anti-inflammatory effect, as well as the ability to dissolve stones:
  1. Take the mixture:
     • peppermint leaves - 10 g;
     • horsetail - 15 g;
     • black elderberry flowers - 10 g;
     • juniper fruits - 15 g.
  2. Pour 1 tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water and leave covered for 1 hour.
  3. Use 30–50 ml 2–3 times a day.

Rules for caring for a sick animal

For a speedy recovery of your pet, the following conditions must be met:

It is necessary to pay attention to the quality of food and its quantity. Improper natural feeding contributes to the formation of stones. Overeating, and especially frequent feeding, contributes to the constant alkalization of urine, since immediately after eating, the urine shifts to the alkaline side for 2–4 hours. When feeding 5–7 times a day, the urine becomes constantly alkaline. Lack of calcium in natural diets contributes to disruption 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.

Caring owners are alarmed when they the cat walks often into the tray. It is important to establish the cause in time. Frequent trips to the toilet can be a sign of certain diseases.

Why does a cat often walk in a big way?

It is considered normal when a pet defecates once a day or every other day, when fed dry food or natural food. It all depends on nutrition. If you give your pet canned or jelly food, then he can visit the tray up to 3 times a day.

If the cat often goes to the toilet loose stools, she probably ate something unusual. Diarrhea can be a symptom of some infectious diseases, diseases of the digestive system or the presence of helminths, so this delicate problem should not be ignored. Kittens up to a month old go to the toilet up to 6 times a day. There is no need to worry when the baby is healthy, alert, there is no mucus or blood in the stool and there are no other alarming symptoms.

If you are worried, then what? the cat often goes to the toilet, contact your veterinarian. He will examine your pet, rule out possible diseases and give nutritional recommendations.

Why does a cat often walk "small"

The norm is to go to the toilet 2-4 times a day. Reasons why a cat often goes to the toilet small:

• Cystitis . With this disease the cat often goes to the toilet. Urine may be mixed with pus or blood, and is released in drops a little at a time.
• Urolithiasis disease . Due to the formation of stones in the bladder or kidneys the cat often goes to the toilet. Urine is released in small portions.
• Stress . A change of home, new owners, moving the tray to another place, the appearance of another animal in the apartment - all this can lead to frequent urination. Wherein the cat often goes to the toilet for a little while to a place not intended for this purpose.
• Large amount of liquid . The cat walks often in the tray if he drinks a lot of water.
• Enuresis . This disease is characterized by urinary incontinence. Neutered and old cats are susceptible to it.
• Marking territory . Not only adult cats, but also kittens can mark their territory.

What to do if your cat, cat or kitten often goes to the toilet

If the cat often goes to the toilet, it is better to consult a veterinarian.

It is necessary to exclude dangerous diseases that threaten the pet’s life. You don't have to go to a veterinary clinic for this. Call us and have a veterinarian come to your home.

In fact, there are not so many reasons why a cat pees often. The simplest of them is that he just began to drink more. It’s worth observing the cat’s behavior a little: if he really began to appear at the water bowl more often, then you don’t need to worry. Perhaps your pet just needs to drink more liquid during this period, and that’s why your cat pees a lot.

Truly alarming symptoms can be called:

• the animal tries to pee not only in the tray, but also on the furniture;
• the cat's urine becomes dark in color with pus;
• the pet often pees with blood;
• It hurts the cat to go to the toilet;
• the animal became weak and drooping.

If at least one of the points applies to your situation, then you need to consider more serious intervention than simple observation. In 99% of cases in which a cat pees very often, the diagnosis can be determined in advance. This is usually cystitis. Yes, this is a disease that can overcome a person.

It is impossible not to notice the fact that the cat is peeing more than usual. But what can be called the norm? It is difficult for doctors to give a specific number, because all animals are different and have their own characteristics. On average, 2-3 trips to the toilet per day are enough to get rid of accumulated toxins in the body. If the cat pees much more often - two, three, or even four times, you urgently need to sound the alarm.

What to do?

There are several treatment options for your pet..

Self-treatment

If your cat is urinating a lot, the most valuable thing you can do for her is to show her more attention and care than usual. If the increased frequency of urination is associated with an increase in fluid in the diet, there is no need to panic. Try to observe the cat's behavior for a week. Most likely, the constant thirst will quickly subside, and your furry friend will return to his previous lifestyle. But this should only be done if the animal really feels well and is not in pain.

If you find symptoms typical of a pet in the list above, you should urgently contact a specialist. But more about this in the paragraph below. You are required to have a lenient attitude towards the beast. If a cat pees everywhere, there is no need to scold him. He does this not out of harm, but in order to somehow relieve the incessant pain.

Doctors' intervention

As soon as you notice alarming signs of illness in your cat, you need to contact a veterinary clinic as soon as possible. Provide the doctor with all the data and tell about all your observations. To make treatment more effective, you can write down in advance what you want to tell the veterinarian. Take the animal's passport to the clinic, if you have one.

At the animal hospital, specialists will conduct an examination and, most likely, take blood and urine tests. Once diagnosed, a cat who pees frequently will be prescribed treatment. Find out all the details from your doctor in order to provide your furry friend with the help you need. Do not stop treatment when the first improvement occurs and continue to visit your veterinarian regularly.

Frequent urination (pollakiuria) in cats can indicate a variety of conditions that occur both in conditions of normal health and in pathological processes. Some of these conditions are of medical interest, while others may be behavioral. The difference in these manifestations can be established based on a number of factors, the most important of which is the animal owner’s observations of the cat’s behavior. Below are possible causes and symptoms of certain conditions manifested by frequent urination.

1. The most important and common cause is urinary tract infections.

Despite the fact that this painful condition is very common among both cats and cats, this does not reduce the seriousness and danger of the problem. In many cases, frequent urination can be caused by various diseases and is just a symptom, including urolithiasis in cats, which consists of the formation of stones or sand in the bladder, which irritate the mucous membrane of the bladder, and gives a frequent urge to urinate. In addition to increased frequency of urge, almost all causes are accompanied by pain (dysuria) in addition to frequent urination, the appearance of urine, as well as urination in inappropriate places (outside the cat litter box).

2. Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis)

Bacterial inflammation of the bladder and urinary tract infections often occur simultaneously, and therefore both the causes and external manifestations may be similar. The main difference is that bladder inflammation occurs as a primary process, usually as a result of a bacterial infection, dietary disorder or stress.

3. Urinary incontinence in cats (weak bladder)

Urinary incontinence does not lead to frequent urination as such; constant leakage of urine as the bladder fills can create the illusion of a natural urge. Urinary incontinence can develop as a neurological disorder with age, with diseases of the nervous system and spine after injuries. In fact, the act of urination occurs in such cases as soon as the pressure in the bladder increases. This condition is especially common in older cats. Incontinence is less common in sterilized cats, especially during those moments when the cat gets up from a lying position to a standing position. Since cats often sleep on beds, the owner often perceives a detected wet spot as a behavior disorder.

4. Increased urine output due to thirst

The most common cause of increased thirst in cats is diabetes. Most often, the diabetic condition develops in adult cats, as well as overweight animals. Frequent urination is one of the early signs of the development of diabetes, which also includes, in addition to thirst, symptoms such as weight loss, apathy, vomiting, and an acetone smell from the animal in severe cases. An increase in urination in a cat in such cases occurs due to the large amount of urine produced that needs to be excreted, and outwardly such an animal visits the toilet more often.

5. Kidney diseases accompanied by renal failure

Kidney failure is one of the most dangerous cat health conditions. It develops as a result of the kidneys losing their structure and the inability to fully reabsorb water in the tubules. This leads to increased urine output. Kidney failure develops as a result of chronic inflammatory processes, infectious diseases, and with age. Loss of more than 70% of kidney function leads to irreversible consequences and 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. Marking the territory

Despite the fact that most causes of frequent urges are of a painful nature, it is often associated with behavioral factors. Cats are known to mark territory with their own urine in undesignated areas, usually when there are multiple animals in the house or if owners bring in the scent of other animals from neighbors. In such cases, when the owner associates frequent urges with a particular disease, the reasons can be exclusively behavioral in nature.

In any case, if you suspect a disease of the urinary system, a number of tests should be performed: urine analysis, blood biochemistry to fully understand the nature of frequent urination in a cat.

Frequent urine production in cats occurs for various reasons - pathological or physiological. However, no matter what they are, the owner must immediately react to this phenomenon and show the four-legged pet to the veterinarian.

Causes of the disease

Urine excretion is a necessary physiological process through which waste and toxins are removed from the body. A pathological condition in which a cat pees more often than usual indicates a malfunction of the urinary system and is called pollakiuria in veterinary medicine.

This term refers to excessively frequent urine output that goes beyond the cat’s daily norm while maintaining a normal volume. Pollakiuria is not an independent disease, but a harbinger of diseases of various organs and systems.

Pathological causes of frequent urination include:

• cystitis;
• urolithiasis disease;
• diabetes;
• urinary tract infections;
• renal and liver failure;
• prostatitis;
• bakvaginitis (in cats);
• malignant and benign tumors, due to which compression of the bladder occurs and its mechanical emptying;
• central diabetes insipidus;
• purulent inflammation of the uterus (pyometra);
• hyperthyroidism;
• Cushing's syndrome;
• kidney pathologies (nephrosis, amyloidosis);
• urinary incontinence;
• Addison's disease.

Often, a cat pees more often than usual due to stressful situations that he has had to endure.

A change of place of residence, the appearance of another pet in the house, noisy companies, and even a regular car trip to the veterinary clinic can negatively affect the animal’s psyche and lead to a reflex contraction of the bladder. When the cat calms down, he will go to the litter box as before.

Another factor in portioned urination is when cats reach a certain age when they begin to become sexually active. Leaving marks is normal and has nothing to do with illness. Thus, the cat shows that he is the master of his territory.

Other signs that can cause urine leakage include old age, extreme thirst, hypothermia, and taking certain medications (anticonvulsants, cortisone, diuretics, etc.).

Which breeds are more susceptible

Pollakiuria can occur in any animal, regardless of age and gender. Due to their anatomical characteristics, representatives of breeds such as Siamese, Scots, British, and Persians are most susceptible to this pathology.

Main symptoms

Signs of urinary dysfunction are visible to the naked eye: the cat pees more often than usual. If the volume of daily urine output is exceeded, then we are no longer talking about pollakiuria, but about polyuria. This can be understood by the litter in the cat's litter box.

For example, if you used to change it once a week, and recently - 2-3 times a week, it means that a serious failure has occurred in the cat’s body. For reference: the normal volume of urine excreted in an adult cat is on average 28 ml (about half a tea cup) for 2-3 visits to the litter tray per day.

Frequent urination may be accompanied by other signs - increased thirst, discharge of blood and pus along with urine, fever, weight loss. Due to frequent urination, the water-salt balance is disturbed and the appearance of the pet worsens.

The fur on the hind legs, belly, and lower part of the tail is constantly wet, emitting an unpleasant odor. For cats, which are naturally very clean animals, this causes considerable discomfort, forcing them to constantly lick themselves.

It is worth observing the cat's condition. Perhaps the dry food is too salty or she has eaten too much of it. If pollakiuria is associated specifically with the diet, then within a day urination will normalize.

Diagnostics in a veterinary clinic

To make a correct diagnosis, a veterinarian needs to conduct the necessary diagnostic tests. After a visual examination of the animal and collection of anamnesis, the specialist prescribes for the cat:

• blood and urine tests;
• Ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder, abdominal cavity;
• radiography;
• seeding on nutrient media (in case of possible bacterial infection);
• studies on the hormonal antidiuretic complex.

When conducting diagnostics, the veterinarian excludes factors such as increased salt intake, medications, and infusion therapy.

Treatment method and prognosis

There is no single treatment regimen for pollakiuria. Therapeutic procedures are prescribed after diagnosis. As mentioned above, pollakiuria can be a sign of a dangerous disease, so treatment will be aimed at eliminating it.

Thus, for diabetes mellitus, insulin therapy is an important stage of treatment. With the help of drip infusion of polyionic drugs, the water-salt balance is restored. The key to successful treatment and recovery or maintaining quality of life at a satisfactory level is nutritional correction and quality care.

It often happens that the pet will be limited in physical activity for the rest of its life, take appropriate medications and eat exclusively special medicinal food.

If pollakiuria is caused by stress, then, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the source of psycho-emotional stress. To reduce the negative effects of stress, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-anxiety medications, such as Stop-Stress.

Cat marks are an unpleasant phenomenon, but an animal cannot be punished for it. The best way out would be castration or the sedative phytohormonal remedy Kot Bayun.

Antispasmodics are indicated to relieve pain; antibiotics and sulfa drugs are used to eliminate infections.

The prognosis for pollakiuria again depends on the underlying disease. If, for example, we are talking about an infection, then one course of antibiotic therapy is enough. But with malignant and benign diseases, veterinarians are no longer so optimistic in their forecasts.

What to do at home

The pet owner must follow the veterinarian's instructions. Self-medication is dangerous to health! Uncontrolled use of drugs or replacement of conservative treatment with folk remedies can cause irreparable harm to the cat’s health.

A sick furry should be provided with good care and adequate nutrition. It would also be useful to take vitamins, which are also prescribed by a specialist.

Prevention measures

Any disease can be prevented using the simplest preventive measures that are known to every experienced cat owner:

• water quality control (bottled, filtered, not raw tap water);
• reasonable physical activity - sedentary animals are more susceptible to pathologies of the urinary system;
• preventing the development of obesity;
• balanced diet enriched with nutrients;
• regular preventive examinations at the veterinarian, allowing to identify the disease at the initial stage;
• avoiding hypothermia.

To prevent diseases of the genitourinary system, it is recommended to give your cat the herbal preparation KotErvin 2 times a year.