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Why is my cat straining, vomiting, and constantly in the litter box?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed

My cat is straining in the litter box and she threw up. She seems fine other than continuously visiting the litter box and nothing coming out.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 10th, 2019

Hello, and thanks for your question. Poor Boo! It sounds like Boo probably has a urinary tract infection. She should be seen by your vet, where they will examine her and evaluate a sample of her urine to look for evidence of infection. They will set her up with antibiotics if indicated to treat the infection. I also see she is unspayed. Frequent attempts to urinate can also be a symptom of a life threatening uterine infection ("pyometra"), or very rarely a urethral obstruction (though this is much more common in male cats, and quite rare in females). If Boo gets sicker overnight she may need to be taken to the emergency vet. However, these possibilities would be much less likely than a urinary tract infection. I hope this helps and she feels better soon!

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