Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Are my cats' urinary issues from allergies, stress, or a UTI?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 14 lbs

Is it actually possible for a cat to have urinary issues with allergies? I took one cat in for a possible urinary tract infection. After bringing him home (where the vet said it was allergies) I noticed my other cat had similar symptoms, only she couldn't pee from what I've seen. Is it possible for two cats to have a UTI at the same time? Or is it also possible for the urine issue to be distress from allergies or allergies in general?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. B. DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Answered By Dr. B. DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Veterinarian

Published on July 12th, 2018

A true urinary infection with bacteria is much less common in cats then dogs, and less common in males then females. Unless there is a disease process predisposing to infection like diabetes or kidney disease. I would not expect a link between allergies and urinary issues unless as you say it is stress related. There is a syndrome in cats (many names) called feline lower urinary tract disorder (FLUTD). Basically it causes symptoms of a uti but there is no infection. In can be more problematic in males. It could be triggered by stress (changes in the house, change in litter, new food, not enough litterboxes, etc.). The Ohio State University has a good web site for indoor cat owners called the indoor pet initiative. There are other causes of urinary tract issues as well but it would be quite odd for both your kids to be affected. It is very important to make sure cats are able to urinate though because obstruction of the urinary tract can occur, more common in males, and this is an emergency if this happens. I hope this helps and thank you for using PetCaoch!
Vote Icon2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 7th, 2019

    Hi, and thanks for your question.
    Stress related (idiopathic type of inflammation) infections and presence of crystals are the most common causes of it.
    Unfortunately and ideally a clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm this clinical suspicion and treat appropriately. Anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics may be needed.
    Sometimes what can be done at home is to recognize and remove stressors (stress factors) and monitor for any improvement. You could try that in the meantime.

    Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 1st, 2017

    Urinary tract infections can occur for many different reasons, stress can lead to them or it can simply be that bacteria find a way to get up the urethra. Sometimes utis can be the start of other issues such as kidney problems or bladder stones, but most often they only effect the bladder. I would recommend you take steps to reduce stress such as buying a pheromone diffuser, you could have the urine checked for crystal and bloods ran to check the kidneys if you want additional piece of mind. No cats do not tend to die from cystitis itself.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 23rd, 2018

    As long s she is passing some urine and not blocked, you can wait until morning. Make sure she has plenty of fresh water available. This may be a stress induced cystitis or a urinary tract infection. Most urinary tract problems are caused by some form of stress, be it absence of the owner, another cat marking around the house or in the garden or even looking into the window, new family members or pets, etc. Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (stress induced) is usually treated with pain medicine and stress reduction, Feliway diffusers. Urinary tract infections are rare in cats and will usually treated with pain medication and antibiotics.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My cat is stressed. Can stress cause a UTI or bladder infection?
A stressful event can allow for cystitis and potentially this could allow a further bacterial infection to develop. I hate to hear Echo is having these issues! I recommend to have her examined and checked for a bladder infection. Make sure her reaction is noted in her files to avoid this since it sounds like it really stressed out her body. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
New Pet
My cat sprays bedroom walls, is it stress from other cats?
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Loui. That must be so stressful for you! If he's living with other cats who do not like him, that will stress him out. Most urinary tract "infections" in non-geriatric cats are not caused by bacteria (antibiotics kill bacteria) but inflammation caused by stress. This is called feline idiopathic cystitis. Male cats also seldom have a bacterial cystitis as the urethra is much longer than a female's urethra and therefore bacteria would have to travel much farther to get into the bladder. It could be he has feline idiopathic cystitis, so I would take him into the vet. If he does have it, the vet can prescribe prednisone. It takes the inflammation which in turn takes the pain, and it is also a diuretic which helps flush the bladder. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My male cat pees frequently and cleans his genitals. Is it a UTI?
It's not likely a UTI, cats tend to suffer from a condition called FLUTD that mimics a UTI but it's actually related to stress and doesn't involve a bacterial infection. in most cases it advances to a urinary blockage and the c at can die within several hours of that happening. you must take him to the vet urgently for treatment.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My cat has UTI symptoms, drinks a lot, but vet says no UTI. Stress?
I would talk to your veterinarian about medication for anxiety for Teddy. Sometimes cats that are very stressed cats can have urination issues and it could all be stress related. Sometimes these cats doing great with medication for a few months to help with anxiety. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
My cat squats frequently and scratches litter box. Could it be a UTI?
Most urinary tract "infections" in non-geriatric cats are not caused by bacteria but inflammation caused by stress. This is called Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, and that could be causing Kahlo's symptoms. Have her seen by a vet for this.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
Why is my cat peeing on my bed? Is it a UTI or new cat stress?
It certainly could be another problem with Luna's urinary tract, like feline idiopathic cystitis. Having another cat in the house is stressful, and that can lead to this cystitis. I'd have her seen by a vet to have this diagnosed and treated. I'd also get your male cat neutered. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Cat peeing blood & accidents. Vet says stress, but is it FLUTD?
Your vet is right, this could very well be stress induced. It does seem that your vet has done the necessary screening tests to rule out some other common causes of symptoms like this. I don't know what your pets test results are specifically; however the only other test that could be ran be absolutely sure of the diagnosis, is an abdominal ultrasound. Salem may be suffering from a condition called Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which causes blood in the stool and inappropriate urination in response to stress. This condition is typically managed with a diet change (Rx diet Urinary C/D multicare stress is my favorite to use in these cases) and sometimes anti-anxiety medication is needed. Here are some websites that also talk about environmental enrichment things you can implement in the home to de-stress your cat: indoorpet.osu.edu, jacksongalaxy.com Here is another website link that discusses FLUTD more in detail to inform you about this condition. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=611 And again, if you feel that your pet is not improving with the diet change and other recommendations OR you want to make absolutely sure this is the proper diagnosis, then I would recommend getting that second opinion or requesting an abdominal ultrasound be done on Salem in the near future.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Cat SuppliesCat FoodUTI Cat FoodCat Urinary Tract & Kidney MedicationCat Urinary CareCat Allergy & Itch ReliefWet Cat FoodCat Health & WellnessPrescription Cat Allergy MedicineDiuretics for CatsCat Potty TrainingCat Urine CleanersCat First AidCat MedicineCalming Aids for CatsCat AntibioticsCat ToysCat Asthma MedicationCat Anxiety MedicationCat Laxatives
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button