It’s important for cats to urinate regularly, as it’s imperative to their bladder and overall health. However, if you’re going to be traveling with your cat for an extended period of time, you might be wondering how long they can go without peeing. Although cats are generally good at taking care of themselves, they shouldn’t go more than 24 hours without urinating.
Here’s what you need to know about your cat’s bladder health, as well as steps you can take to keep them healthy and happy.
How often should my cat urinate?
The frequency of your cat’s urination will vary depending on factors like their size, age, breed, and general health. A recent study videoed how often cats used the tray to pee, and the average was 2 pees a day. Cats that had medical conditions that affected urination used the tray more often- around 3 pees per day.
More important than how often your cat pees is any changes in their frequency of urination. If they usually pee once a day and they’re now going four times a day, it’s time to worry. Pay attention to your cat’s habits and monitor any changes.
How long can my cat go without peeing?
If a cat goes more than 24 hours without urinating, they should see a vet immediately. This could be an indication of a very serious medical condition that requires immediate treatment. Cats that are unable to pee will become very ill, and every minute counts.
Why isn’t my cat peeing?
There are a few reasons why your cat might not be peeing. It’s very important to determine the reason why your cat isn’t urinating in order to fix the problem and keep your cat healthy.
Stress
Many cats will avoid peeing if they are feeling stressed. There are a number of reasons why your cat might feel stressed – maybe they are in a new environment or have been introduced to a new animal, maybe they feel sick, or maybe their daily routine has changed. In this case, it’s important to create a comfortable environment for your cat so they can relax.
Injury
If your cat has been injured and lost some mobility, they likely won’t want to move more than they have to. It may be difficult for them to get in and out of the litter box or even stand up, so they will be very reluctant to try to pee. In this case, you’ll need medical assistance from a vet to help your cat pee safely.
Urinary Problems
If your cat isn’t peeing, there is a very good chance that they are struggling with urinary tract issues. They may have a bladder stone or other blockage, or they could be struggling with Pandora Syndrome, which is a very painful inflammation of the urinary tract. When this happens, you might also notice blood in your cat’s urine.
Whilst Pandora Syndrome is painful and needs a vet visit, a ‘blocked’ cat- a cat with a urinary stone or urethral plug stopping them from peeing- is an emergency.
Urinary problems can be very dangerous, so it’s important to see a vet right away, especially if you notice your cat hasn’t peed in a while.
Dehydration
If your cat doesn’t have access to enough water, they will eventually stop peeing. Dehydration can be very dangerous for cats, so it’s very important to make sure they have access to enough water at all times.
Is it dangerous for my cat to stop peeing?
It can be very dangerous if your cat stops peeing. Any kind of urinary blockage can lead to ongoing kidney problems and can even be life-threatening. Because of this, you should always call your vet if your cat hasn’t peed in 24 hours. In most cases, they’ll recommend you come in right away.
It’s always best to call your vet sooner rather than later. The earlier your cat can get treatment for health problems, the sooner they’ll recover.
Do not try to express your cat’s bladder on your own – this can be very dangerous for your pet. Bladders that are big due to a blockage can ‘pop’ under the slightest pressure, resulting in death.
How can I help my cat pee?
If your cat has stopped peeing, you need to take them straight to a vet for urgent treatment. Delay can quickly result in severe complications or become fatal. Your vet will examine your pet and determine the problem, then help you find a solution.
What to Expect At The Vet
When you take your cat to the vet for urinary issues, they’ll conduct a full physical exam and health history to get a better idea of your cat’s situation. This will include checking the state of their bladder to see if it is full.
If the bladder is full, it’s likely your cat is ‘blocked’. Your vet will admit them to the hospital in order to stabilize their heart, as a full bladder can cause heart problems. Once the cat’s breathing and heart rate are stable, they will empty the bladder by passing a catheter, and treat any urinary blockages by flushing them out. They’ll want to conduct further tests to determine the best treatment moving forward.
It’s possible your cat will need to be hospitalized for a few days on fluids and with a catheter in place to allow the inflammation to resolve before your cat is allowed home. You and your vet will need to monitor your cat closely in the coming weeks to make sure they remain stable and healthy.
Of course, it’s possible that your vet will determine another cause for your cat to have stopped peeing, such as stress and/or Pandora Syndrome (feline idiopathic cystitis). You may need to make some changes at home to make it easier for your cat to pee.
It is very dangerous if your cat stops peeing, so don’t hesitate to take them to the vet if you notice any problems or changes in routine. The sooner you get your cat the treatment they need, the easier it will be to treat them.