My senior cat strains to urinate and dribbles urine. What's next?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 11 years old | 17 lbs
My 11 year old neutered cat has been straining to urinate for the past few days. I rushed him to the vet when it began. A CBC came back normal and a urinalysis came back normal, we are waiting on the culture. He is not blocked. He is on metronidazole, prazosin, buprenorphine, and subcutaneous fluids. He is eating and drinking. He has passed urine but really struggles in the letterbox and also dribbles urine when laying down.
5 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 26th, 2017
Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! It sounds like Jinx is on appropriate medications to help facilitate urination. I would add an anti-inflammatory to help reduce inflammation in the urinary tract. Also, if x-rays or an abdominal ultrasound have not been performed and he is still exhibiting these symptoms, I would have these additional diagnostics performed as he may have bladder stones or urethral stones. If at any time he is struggling to produce urine, you should have him rechecked sooner rather than later. I hope this helps and that he starts urinating normally soon! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on
In cats this type of condition is usually caused by stress rather than by an infection, it causes bladder inflammation which is responsible for the symptoms. the treatment seems very good, you will need to give it a few more days, i would personally also recommend putting him on a prescription urinary food for at least a month.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on January 26th, 2017
Usually in cats, inappropriate urination has a medical cause, although not always. I would recommend having a urinalysis done. I would be suspicious of urinary crystals or kidney disease. If all of these factors are ruled out than there may be a behavioral component, but I would want to make sure first. Urinary crystals can lead to bladder stones, and require a dissolution diet. Kidney damage can be managed as well.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on February 1st, 2018
Poor Coco! I'm sorry to hear that she's having urinary problems. If she does have a UTI, she will need prescription antibiotics from your vet to treat it - so I would recommend taking her in for an exam as soon as you are able to. There are also other problems that can mimic the symptoms of a bladder infection in cats, such as bladder stones or FIC (feline idiopathic cystitis), so your veterinarian will probably need to do a urinalysis to diagnose the problem prior to starting meds.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on September 12th, 2017
Hi and thanks for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If she hasn't used her litter box in a couple of days she may be urinating elsewhere in the house. Sometimes concurrent Urinary tract infections or bladder inflammation can cause cats to urinate outside of their litter box. It is also possible her kidney function has decreased further which may present with little to no urination. Unfortunately there are no home remedies for either of these cases. She will need to be on antibiotics, IV fluids, and other medications in a hospital setting. Make sure she has access to clean fresh running water (cats prefer running water from a faucet). You may add water to her food (if it is dry) to increase water intake to help her urinary tract function. Cat treats with cranberry extract in them may help with a urinary tract infection. Best of luck to you and Wick!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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