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Cat Urinary Problems (FLUTD) and Blockages: An Emergency Guide

A cat straining in the litter box with little or no urine may be blocked, which can be fatal within 24 to 48 hours. Signs, causes, treatment and prevention.

Updated October 2026 · 8 min read · By the Hushku editorial team · 2 sources

Short answer

If your cat, especially a male, is straining in the litter box and passing little or no urine, go to a vet immediately. A urethral blockage is an absolute emergency: Cornell's Feline Health Center notes death can occur within about 24 to 48 hours. Other urinary problems (FLUTD) cause frequent small pees, blood and peeing outside the box, and also need a vet.

Key facts

A cat straining with little or no urine may be blocked: an absolute emergency.
Death can occur within about 24–48 hours of complete obstruction.
Male cats are at greatest risk because of their narrow urethra.
Stress, low water intake and being overweight raise the risk.

Definition

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a group of conditions affecting the bladder and urethra. The most common is feline idiopathic cystitis; others include bladder stones, urethral plugs and infection. In male cats, any of these can block the urethra.

Male cats have a long, narrow urethra that can be blocked by a plug of crystals and mucus, a small stone or swelling. When urine can't get out, toxins and potassium build up in the blood, which can stop the heart. A blocked cat may look like it's constipated, cry in the litter box, lick its genitals, vomit or hide.

Female cats get urinary problems too but rarely block.

Signs and symptoms

Straining or crying in the litter box
Frequent trips with only small amounts of urine
Blood in the urine
Peeing outside the box
Licking the genital area
In a blocked cat: no urine, vomiting, lethargy, hiding, collapse

Causes and risk factors

Feline idiopathic cystitis (the most common cause, linked to stress)
Bladder stones (struvite and calcium oxalate)
Urethral plugs
Bacterial infection (less common in young cats)

Treatment

Blocked cats: emergency sedation or anaesthesia, a urinary catheter, IV fluids and hospital care for days
Pain relief and medicines to relax the urethra
Special diets to dissolve struvite stones
Surgery for some stones or repeated blockages

Prevention

Increase water intake: wet food, water fountains and several bowls
One litter box per cat plus one, kept clean
Reduce stress and keep routines steady
Keep cats at a healthy weight and active
Follow your vet's diet advice for cats with stones or crystals

Who is most at risk

Middle-aged, overweight, indoor male cats that drink little and live with stress (such as conflict with other cats or a recent move) are at greatest risk.

After a blockage

Blockages often recur, especially in the first weeks. Follow the diet and stress-reduction plan exactly and watch the litter tray closely. Repeated blockages may be treated with surgery (perineal urethrostomy).

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Sources

We check guides against veterinary sources and update them when guidance changes. How we write and review.

Questions.

How long can a cat go without peeing?

If your cat hasn't peed in 12 hours or more, or is straining with nothing coming out, treat it as an emergency.

Can stress really cause bladder problems in cats?

Yes. Feline idiopathic cystitis is strongly linked to stress, and reducing stress is part of treatment.

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