Why urination habits matter

It’s not only a change in thirst that can indicate an underlying issue with your pet. Subtle changes in urination habits can be a sign of kidney disease and diabetes but they can also indicate a urinary tract infection or even a behavioural issue.

Changes may include:

– Urinating more often
– Blood in the urine (sometimes only a pink tinge)
– Straining to urinate
– Urinating in unusual places (cats urinating out of their tray or ‘spraying urine’ on vertical surfaces)
– Excessive grooming of genital area
– Leaking or dribbling urine

Don’t ignore these signs as some urinary tract diseases can cause your pet pain and discomfort. Male cats, in particular, can suffer from a severe and potentially life-threatening condition known as a urinary obstruction. Seek veterinary advice immediately if you notice your male cat is having trouble passing urine and read on below to find out more.

It’s a good idea to begin to take notice of what are the normal urinary habits are for your pet, this will help you recognise if there is something ‘not quite right’ as early as possible.