Cat Health
Bladder Stones in Cats UK — Symptoms, Types & Treatment
Published Last updated 3 min read
Quick answer
Bladder stones (uroliths) cause painful urination, blood in urine and straining in UK cats. Male cats can become blocked — unable to pass urine — which is life-threatening within hours. Diagnosis requires urinalysis and often X-rays or ultrasound; treatment depends on stone type.
Signs of bladder stones in cats
- Straining in the litter tray with little urine produced
- Blood in urine (pink or red-tinged)
- Frequent trips to the tray
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Crying or vocalising when urinating
- Licking genitals excessively
- Lethargy, vomiting (especially if blocked)
Male cats with complete blockage cannot pass any urine. Toxins build up rapidly — this is an emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.
Types of bladder stones in UK cats
| Stone type | Dissolves with diet? | Common in |
|---|---|---|
| Struvite | Often yes | Cats with alkaline urine |
| Calcium oxalate | No — surgery needed | Older cats, certain breeds |
| Urate | Sometimes | Liver disease, Dalmatians (rare in cats) |
Your vet identifies stone type through urinalysis, urine culture and imaging (X-rays or ultrasound). This determines whether medical dissolution or surgery is appropriate.
Diagnosis at the vet
Expect:
- Physical examination — bladder size and pain assessment
- Urinalysis — crystals, pH, blood, infection
- Urine culture — identifies bacterial infection
- X-rays or ultrasound — confirms stone presence and number
- Blood tests — kidney function if blockage suspected
Treatment options
Medical dissolution — Prescription urinary diets alter urine pH and mineral content to dissolve struvite stones over 4–12 weeks. Regular monitoring confirms progress.
Surgical removal (cystotomy) — Required for calcium oxalate stones, large struvite stones, or cats that cannot urinate. Stones are removed through a bladder incision under general anaesthesia.
Urinary catheter — Blocked male cats need emergency catheterisation to relieve obstruction, often with hospitalisation and fluids.
Antibiotics — If concurrent bacterial infection is present.
Prevention after treatment
- Feed prescription urinary diet as directed — do not mix with other foods
- Increase water intake — wet food, water fountains, multiple bowls
- Reduce stress — quiet litter tray locations, Feliway if advised
- One litter tray per cat plus one extra, kept clean
- Regular urinalysis checks as recommended by your vet
When to call the emergency vet
Go immediately if your cat is straining with no urine output, vomiting, or has a hard distended abdomen. In the UK, use Vets Now out of hours.
Sources & further reading
Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.
PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-06-25).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What causes bladder stones in cats?
- Mineral crystals accumulate in urine and form stones. Diet, urine pH, dehydration, urinary tract infections and breed predisposition all contribute. Male cats are at higher risk of urethral blockage.
- How do I know if my cat has bladder stones?
- Signs include straining to urinate, blood in urine, frequent small urinations, urinating outside the litter tray and licking the genital area. Male cats with blockage cannot pass urine — this is an emergency.
- Can bladder stones be dissolved without surgery?
- Some struvite stones dissolve with prescription urinary diets over weeks to months. Calcium oxalate stones usually require surgical removal — they do not dissolve with diet alone.
- How do I prevent bladder stones recurring?
- Prescription urinary diets, increased water intake (wet food), stress reduction and regular urinalysis monitoring help prevent recurrence. Your vet tailors prevention to the stone type.