Veterinarian explains in detail the causes and symptoms of hematuria in cats

Are you concerned about the color of your cat's urine? It is now well known that cats frequently suffer from urinary issues.

So, what should you do if you discover blood in your cat's urine? Depending on the cause, hematuria (blood in the urine) can be life-threatening. We will explain the causes and symptoms of hematuria in detail.

Causes of Hematuria in Cats

The primary cause of feline hematuria is urinary tract disease. What exactly are urinary tract diseases? We will explain some of the most common ones.

Cystitis

Cystitis can be considered the number one cause of hematuria in cats. While some feline cystitis is bacterial in origin, a large portion is idiopathic cystitis, where the cause is unclear. It is believed that stress may trigger idiopathic cystitis.

Urolithiasis

Urolithiasis refers to diseases caused by stones (calculi) forming in the bladder, urethra, kidneys, or the ureters that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Although there are various components to feline uroliths, struvite and calcium oxalate account for the vast majority.

Urinary Tract Tumors

Tumors can form in the kidneys, bladder, or other parts of the urinary tract. Because tumors stimulate blood vessel development, blood vessels concentrate around the tumor site. As the tumor grows and destroys surrounding cells, constant bleeding occurs. Renal lymphoma and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are the primary urinary tract tumors, and their prognosis is generally poor.

Additionally, if a cat suffers an abdominal impact due to an accident, the urinary tract may be damaged, which often results in visible hematuria.

Symptoms of Diseases Causing Hematuria

We have explained that the cause of diseases that result in hematuria is urinary tract disease. Below are the symptoms commonly seen with these conditions.

Hematuria

Many urinary tract diseases present with blood in the urine. "Hematuria" can range in appearance from the color of tomato juice to a faint pink. Even if urine does not appear bloody to the naked eye, it is common for blood to be detected through a urinalysis.

Dysuria and Painful Urination

If stones form in the urethra or ureters due to urolithiasis, passing them causes severe pain. Because of the pain, the cat may be unable to pass urine despite trying, leading them to visit the litter box repeatedly or have accidents outside the box.

Furthermore, if the bladder or urethra becomes blocked by stones or blood, the cat will be unable to urinate at all. In such cases, they will also attempt to go to the litter box frequently.

Frequency and Accidents

When urinary disease occurs, inflammation of the bladder or a reduction in bladder capacity due to tumors can easily lead to increased frequency of urination. Cats will also try to use the litter box repeatedly if they are having difficulty passing urine.

As frequency increases, cats may not make it to the litter box in time, which often results in urination in places other than the litter box.

Lethargy and Loss of Appetite

Urinary tract diseases are very painful, leading to lethargy and a loss of appetite. Furthermore, the accumulation of waste products can cause feelings of nausea, further reducing their appetite.

If you notice your cat hunching over in front of the litter box for long periods, it may indicate a potential urinary tract disease.

Conversely, some cats may strongly resist being touched or become aggressive due to the pain.

Vomiting

In cases of disease causing hematuria, vomiting can occur due to pain or difficulty urinating. Furthermore, if a cat cannot urinate due to urolithiasis or other issues, it can enter a state of renal failure within about half a day. When waste products accumulate in the body and uremia develops, vomiting occurs. Uremia is an extremely dangerous state and carries a high risk of death.

Seizures

If a cat is unable to urinate and enters a state of uremia, toxic substances like ammonia produced in the body circulate through the system and affect the brain. This can lead to frequent seizures. Once it reaches this stage, the prognosis is very poor.

What to Do When Your Cat Has Hematuria

When hematuria occurs, the possibility of a urinary tract disease is extremely high. Furthermore, leaving urinary tract diseases untreated can be life-threatening. Be sure to see a veterinarian.

After being diagnosed at a veterinary clinic, you may be advised to switch to a therapeutic diet, depending on the disease. Since therapeutic diets are prescribed by a veterinarian, do not discontinue them on your own judgment. Additionally, obesity and feeding a cat human food can lead to urolithiasis. Be sure to feed your cat the prescribed amount of cat food.

In cases of idiopathic cystitis, it is also necessary to review the cat's living environment. Consider whether there are any sources of stress in their daily life.

It is also necessary to take steps to make drinking water more accessible. You might try adding more water stations or changing the type of container.

Most cat owners use cat litter to absorb waste. If the hematuria is visible to the naked eye, it will often be noticeable even in the clumped litter. Make it a habit to check the litter box every day to monitor for changes in the volume or color of the urine.

Summary

Urinary tract diseases involving hematuria are recognized in veterinary medicine as highly urgent conditions. It is not uncommon for cases to become untreatable if not addressed immediately upon arrival. If you see blood in your cat's urine, do not wait—take them to a veterinary clinic immediately.

If it is at night or your regular clinic is closed, we recommend having contact information ready for an emergency clinic you can visit.