Symptom triage · cats
Straining to urinate in cats
Straining in the litter tray, or crying when toileting (especially a male cat)
Quick answer
PETHEALTH+ rates straining to urinate in cats as an emergency — phone your vet or an out-of-hours clinic now, before travelling. See the linked UK guides for likely causes and what to do, or use the free symptom checker for instant triage. Information only, not a diagnosis.
Guides for straining to urinate in cats
Cats
Cat Straining to Urinate UK
If your cat is **straining to urinate, crying in the litter tray, or passing little or no urine**, treat it as an emergency — especially if male.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is straining to urinate in cats an emergency in pets?
- Yes — treat it as an emergency. Phone your vet or your nearest out-of-hours clinic before travelling so they can prepare, and do not wait to see if things improve.
- Which pets does straining to urinate in cats affect?
- This triage topic applies to cats. If your pet shows these signs, use the free PETHEALTH+ symptom checker for instant triage or phone your vet.
- What should I do right now?
- PETHEALTH+ rates this as an emergency — phone your vet or an out-of-hours clinic now, before travelling. The guides linked on this page explain likely causes and what your vet may suggest. Information only, not a diagnosis.
Not sure how urgent it is?
Answer two questions and the free PETHEALTH+ symptom checker will tell you whether to phone a vet now, today, or monitor at home.