Urinary incontinence in cats
What to do
Causes
When to worry
Prevention
Home treatment
Vet treatment
Risk
Other causes of urinary incontinence in cats
Urinary incontinence in cats
Urinary problems are common in cats, but actual incontinence is rare. It most commonly results from spinal or tail injuries.
Incontinence is when your cat passes or leaks urine without control. Controlling the passage of urine requires a combination of voluntary actions (ones your cat can control) and involuntary reflexes (ones they can’t). Voluntary control can be affected by serious damage to any part of the spine. Reflexes can be affected by damage to nerves near the base of the tail. If the bladder is very distended, it can lead to overflow and leakage. All of these problems are very serious and require urgent veterinary care.
What to do if your cat is leaking urine
See a vet straight away if your cat:
Is leaking urine
Seems to be in pain or is not acting normal
Handle your cat gently and carefully, as they may be injured. Wrapping their body up in a thick towel may make things easier and safer.
Most common causes of urinary incontinence in cats
Tail pull injury
Damage to the spine and/or pelvis: road traffic accidents
Partial urinary blockage
Damage to the bladder due to chronic or severe urinary tract disease
When to worry about urinary incontinence in cats
Urinary incontinence in cats is usually due to severe disease. We recommend contacting a vet straight away.
Urinating outside of the tray without leaking can sometimes have serious causes as well. Discuss this with a vet as soon as possible.
How to prevent urinary incontinence in cats
Neutering a cat reduces how far they roam, as well as fighting and other behaviours that put them at risk of injury.
Encouraging regular water intake and providing a balanced diet reduces the risk of chronic urinary problems.
Signs that your cat has urinary incontinence
Finding spots of urine where they've been sitting
They have wet patches on their back legs or around the penis or vulva
They show signs of pain when their tummy is touched
How to help at home for urinary incontinence in cats
Your cat needs to see a vet in order to find the cause of the urinary incontinence and to start veterinary treatment as soon as possible.
If your cat has been diagnosed and is under treatment for urinary incontinence, it's very important to clean them frequently to avoid skin damage from the urine. A damp cloth or pet cleansing wipe works well.
Vet treatment for urinary incontinence in cats
Treating incontinence caused by spinal or nerve damage is difficult.
Pain relief is crucial and anti-inflammatories may help.
Bone fractures may need to be stabilised.
Recovery of bladder control after pelvic injury can take time. The bladder may need to be manually expressed during the recovery period.
Partial blockages must be relieved as soon as possible by passing a urinary catheter.
Cats at higher risk of urinary incontinence
Cats who roam outdoors are at higher risk for injuries that can lead to incontinence.
Other causes of urinary incontinence in cats
Rarely, kittens are born with an abnormal structure of the ureters or urethra, leading to incontinence
Conditions that affect nerve and muscle function, such as dysautonomia or lower motor neuron disease, can affect bladder control
Tumours can disrupt control of urine if they affect the bladder, urethra or the nerves in the area
