# Cat Peeing Blood: What Should You Do?


## Key Takeaways

- Hematuria (blood in urine) in cats can stem from various causes including bladder inflammation (cystitis), urolithiasis (stones or crystals), and urinary tract infections, particularly in older felines.
- Male cats are at significant risk for urinary blockage, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary intervention.
- Stress is a recognized exacerbating factor for lower urinary tract signs in cats, potentially worsening clinical presentations.
- Prompt veterinary consultation is crucial for persistent, severe, or worsening signs of hematuria, and emergency care is indicated for signs of respiratory distress, collapse, seizures, severe pain, or inability to urinate.
- Diagnostic workup by a veterinarian will likely involve a thorough history, physical examination, and may include urinalysis, blood work, and imaging (e.g., radiography, ultrasonography) to determine the underlying etiology.
- Preventive measures include maintaining clean litter boxes, promoting adequate hydration, and treating urinary straining or anuria as urgent medical issues.

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**Peeing blood in a cat can be mild or serious depending on the pattern, timing, and other signs. It may involve local irritation, discomfort, stress, injury, stomach upset, skin changes, or another medical problem. Call your veterinarian when signs are persistent, severe, or worsening.**

## What symptoms or causes should I watch for?

- **Bladder inflammation:** Inflamed bladder tissue can bleed.
- **Stones or crystals:** These can irritate the urinary tract.
- **Urinary infection:** Infection can occur, especially in some older cats.
- **Blockage risk:** Male cats can become blocked and critically ill.
- **Stress:** Stress can worsen lower urinary tract signs.

## What can I safely do at home right now?

- **Keep your pet calm:** Use a quiet room and limit rough activity until you know what is happening.
- **Check the basics:** Look for appetite changes, water intake, bathroom habits, breathing, pain, and energy level.
- **Remove obvious risks:** Pick up unsafe food, plants, medication, trash, string, toys, or chemicals.
- **Record details:** Write down when it started, how often it happens, and what changed recently.
- **Call your vet:** A cat owner should ask for guidance if the sign continues or the pet seems unwell.

## When is this an emergency?

Go to an emergency veterinary clinic now if you notice:

- Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, or severe weakness.
- Repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea, blood, or a swollen belly.
- Obvious pain, inability to walk normally, or crying when touched.
- Not eating, not drinking, or not urinating normally.
- Any rapidly worsening sign, especially in a puppy, kitten, senior pet, or chronically ill pet.

## What will my veterinarian check?

Your veterinarian will use the history and physical exam to narrow the cause. They may recommend lab work, urine testing, stool testing, imaging, skin or ear tests, or other diagnostics based on the sign.

## How can I reduce the risk next time?

Keep litter boxes clean, encourage water intake, and treat straining or low urine output as urgent.

## Related veterinary guides

- [Cat Diarrhea: When Should You Call the Vet?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-diarrhea-when-to-call-vet)
- [Cat Coughing: When Should You Worry?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasitic-diseases/cat-coughing-when-to-worry)
- [Why Is My Cat Sneezing?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-sneezing)
- Why Is My Cat Drooling?

## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides

* [My Cat Does Not Cough Up Hairballs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/my-cat-does-not-cough-up-hairballs)
* [Why Is My Cat developing dandruff suddenly? Walking Dandruff Cheyletiella and Diet](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-developing-dandruff-suddenly-walking-dandruff-cheyletiella-and-diet)
* [Cat Diarrhea Home Treatment](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-diarrhea-home-treatment)


## References

- [Merck Veterinary Manual - Lower Urinary Tract Disease in Cats](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/urinary-system/noninfectious-diseases-of-the-urinary-system-in-small-animals/lower-urinary-tract-disease-in-cats)
- [Merck Veterinary Manual - Detecting Kidney and Urinary Tract Disorders of Cats](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders-of-cats/detecting-disorders-of-the-kidneys-and-urinary-tract-of-cats)
- [AAHA/AAFP - Feline Life Stage Guidelines](https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2021-aaha-aafp-feline-life-stage-guidelines/)

*Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, does not establish a vet-client-patient relationship, and should not replace an in-person evaluation by a licensed veterinarian.*