You probably know your pet’s bathroom habits better than anyone. When your cat suddenly makes extra trips to the litter box or your dog starts asking to go out more often, it can feel like a small change—but it often points to something bigger. At Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic, we want pet parents to know what these changes may mean and when it’s time to seek help.
Why Is My Cat Peeing More Than Usual?
Cats are experts at masking illness, so their bathroom habits are often one of the first red flags. Potential causes include:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Bacterial infections that cause pain, inflammation, and frequent urination.
- Bladder Crystals or Stones: Can irritate the bladder and even lead to dangerous blockages.
- Kidney Disease: More common in older cats and often linked to increased thirst and urination.
- Diabetes: Excessive drinking and frequent urination can be early signs.
Warning signs in cats:
- Straining in the litter box
- Vocalizing (crying out) when urinating
- Frequent, unproductive trips to the litter box.
- Blood in the urine (which may look pink, red, or brown, or appear as darker clumps in the litter box).
- Urinating outside the litter box or in unusual places.
- Lethargy or hiding that accompanies bathroom changes
Why Urinary Blockages in Male Cats Are an Emergency
Because male cats have a very narrow urethra, even a small amount of crystals, mucus, or stones can cause a complete blockage. This is a life-threatening emergency within 24–48 hours. Without immediate veterinary care, toxins build up in the bloodstream and can lead to kidney failure or death.
Signs of a blockage in cats: frequent but unproductive litter box trips, crying in pain, producing only drops of urine or blood, sudden lethargy, or refusing food.
Why Is My Dog Peeing More Than Usual?
Dogs can also develop urinary issues that range from minor infections to serious health concerns. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Just like in cats, bacteria can cause discomfort and frequent urination.
- Bladder Crystals or Stones: May cause painful urination or, in severe cases, blockages.
- Kidney Disease: A common cause of increased thirst and urination in older dogs.
- Diabetes: Excessive drinking and frequent accidents may be early indicators.
- Prostate Problems in Older Intact Males: An enlarged prostate, whether due to benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer, can cause straining or even urinary blockage.
Warning signs in dogs:
- Frequent accidents indoors
- Needing to go out during the night
- Pain or straining when urinating (can include whining while urinating)
- Blood in the urine (which may look pink, red, or brown, or appear as spots on bedding or the floor).
- Unusually large or small amounts of urine compared to their normal output.
- Restlessness, pacing, or excessive licking at the urinary area.
Can Dogs Get Urinary Blockages?
Yes. While less common than in cats, male dogs can develop urinary blockages, typically caused by bladder stones lodging in the urethra. This is a true emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention.
Signs of blockage in dogs: straining with little to no urine, repeated attempts to urinate, blood in the urine, restlessness, or licking at the urinary area.
When to Call the Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic
If your pet is peeing more than usual, don’t wait to “see if it passes.” Urinary issues can escalate quickly. At Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic, we may recommend:
- Urinalysis & bloodwork to check for infection, diabetes, or kidney problems.
- X-rays or ultrasound to detect stones or crystals.
- Prescription diets or medications to dissolve stones, manage chronic illness, or fight infection.
- Surgical intervention if urinary blockages are present and we cannot resolve the blockage with other treatments.
Supporting Your Pet’s Urinary Health at Home
While veterinary care is essential for diagnosis and treatment, you can help support urinary health daily:
- Provide fresh water at all times; fountains or wet food can help cats drink more.
- Keep litter boxes and potty areas clean to encourage regular urination.
- Feed a balanced diet; urinary-specific diets may help prevent stones or crystals.
- Schedule routine veterinary checkups for early detection of underlying health issues.
Protecting Your Pet’s Urinary Health
At Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic, we want local pet parents to know that frequent urination is not just a nuisance—it can signal serious medical conditions like urinary tract infections, kidney disease, diabetes, or dangerous blockages.
Remember:
- Sudden changes in drinking and peeing habits should always prompt a veterinary exam.
- Straining without producing urine, crying in pain, or complete inability to urinate are true emergencies requiring immediate care.
- Never punish your pet for accidents. Bathroom changes are not bad behavior, they are your pet’s way of asking you for help.
Your attention to these details may save your pet’s life. If you notice changes in your cat or dog’s bathroom habits, call Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic right away. We are here to provide compassionate, thorough care to pets throughout Schoolcraft and Kalamazoo County.
Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic
Schoolcraft, MI
(269) 679-5248
