Seeing your cat pee blood could be disturbing, though it is not uncommon to see blood in the urine of your cat. Cats with a urinary tract infection or bladder dysfunction could show these symptoms. Read on to find out the different factors that could cause cats to pee blood, what it looks like and home remedies that can be applied to resolve this condition.
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Content:
- What Does Blood in Cat Urine Look Like
- Why Is My Cat Peeing Blood
- Blood in Cat Urine Home Remedies
- Conclusion
What Does Blood in Cat Urine Look Like
Blood in cat urine is also known as Feline Hematuria, a condition that can sometimes be identified physically but would need a definite diagnosis by a Veterinarian because not all cases of hematuria would show blood in the urine.
Cats with hematuria usually have pinkish or reddish urine with or without blood clots. Some confirmatory symptoms that occur alongside hematuria may include difficulty in urination, straining to urinate and vocalizing when in the litter box.
“Most cases of feline hematuria are diagnosed in the lab at microscopic level on seemingly normal-colored urine”, - Dr. Laci Schaible
To easily identify a symptom of hematuria in your cat such as urine discoloration or difficulty In urination, set up a Petcube Camera at a strategic location in your home and watch your cat for these symptoms even if you are away from home.
Why Is My Cat Peeing Blood
There are a lot of reasons why your cat may be peeing blood but usually, it is due to an underlying bladder dysfunction. Research shows that Cats with bladder dysfunction are prone to having blood in the urine or urine discoloration. Some of the reasons why cats pee blood include:
- Kidney stones
- Urinary tract Infections (UTI)
- Bladder stones
- Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)
- Trauma
- Urinary obstruction
- Bleeding disorder
- Blocked urethra
- Cancer
My neighbor’s cat had a traumatic accident in the region where the bladder is located. Shortly after, she noticed her cat was peeing blood. Just about anything that could hamper the urinary tract functions has the potential of causing hematuria.
“FIC is the most common cause of urinary symptoms of hematuria in male cats”, - Reddit User
A definitive diagnosis should be done by a Veterinarian to ascertain the exact cause of hematuria which is usually attributed to bacteria based on a study. Usually, hematuria is diagnosed by conducting a full blood test and urine analysis. Other tests such as X-rays may also be conducted depending on the history of the patient and the Veterinarian’s desecration.
Blood in Cat Urine Home Remedies
To resolve blood in cat urine, one needs to identify the inciting factors. Once the causative factor is determined, the Veterinarian would recommend the right treatment to curtail these factors which will in turn resolve the resulting hematuria. The following home remedies can be applied to resolve hematuria in cats:
Prescription Diet
Feeding of prescription diets that are mostly wet food with high protein content and fiber is highly recommended for cats with hematuria. Providing enough water would also help flush the bladder and kidney, thereby curtailing crystal formation and bacterial overgrowth in the urine. Transitioning to wet/canned food should be done slowly over two weeks to prevent GIT upset.
Cranberries
Unsweetened cranberries are powerful acidifiers that could help to prevent blockages in the urinary system when given to cats in their diet. It contains D-mannose which aids in clearing up bacteria and infections in the bladder.
Apple Cider
Apple cider also works magic by getting rid of weak bacteria in the Urinary tract. To prepare this, mix a few drops in a quarter of water and give it to your cat.
Essential oil
Essential oils such as Juniper berries can play a major role in increasing urination and enhancing blood flow to the kidneys when given to cats. Adding a drop of Juniper berry in a water diffuser would be effective in alleviating hematuria in cats.
In emergency cases where the cat can no longer urinate, it is best to report to the Veterinarian immediately and take advantage of the Petcube Emergency Fund which offsets your vet fees up to $3000. To get a 27% discount, sign up through the exclusive link.
Conclusion
Blood in the urine of cats is not so uncommon as many feline parents have observed this in their cats. Knowing the inciting factors of hematuria should be the primary step so that they can be prevented. If they occur, it is best to report to the Veterinarian to determine the nature of the condition and recommend the right home remedies and prescriptions to use.