---
title: "Bladder Stones in Cats UK"
description: "Straining to urinate, blood in urine and recurrent UTIs may signal bladder stones in UK cats. Types, diagnosis, surgery and diet management."
url: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-bladder-stones-uk"
canonical: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-bladder-stones-uk"
date_published: "2026-06-25"
date_modified: "2026-06-25"
source: "PETHEALTH+"
---

# Bladder Stones in Cats UK

**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](https://www.vets-now.com/find-an-emergency-vet/) out of hours.

## FAQs

### 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.

## Sources

- [International Cat Care — Urinary problems](https://icatcare.org/advice/urinary-tract-infection-uti-in-cats/)
- [PDSA — Cat health advice](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub)
- [Blue Cross — Cat health](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice)

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Last modified: 2026-06-25