Signs of Urinary Tract Infection in Pets
The most common signs of urinary tract infection in pets include frequent urination attempts, painful urination, blood in urine, inappropriate urination outside the litter box or house-training area, excessive licking of the genital area, and increased water consumption.
Clinical Signs by Body System
Urinary Signs
- Hematuria (blood in urine) - may appear as pink-tinged or frankly bloody urine 1
- Dysuria (painful or difficult urination) - straining to urinate with minimal output 2, 3
- Pollakiuria (increased frequency of urination) - multiple small-volume urination attempts 2
- Inappropriate urination - urinating outside the litter box (cats) or house-training accidents (dogs) 3
- Urinary retention - inability to completely empty the bladder 1
- Foul-smelling urine - particularly noticeable in cats 3
Behavioral Signs
- Excessive licking of genital area 3
- Vocalization during urination attempts (crying, whimpering) 2
- Restlessness - inability to get comfortable, frequent position changes 4
- Irritability - increased aggression or withdrawal 4
Systemic Signs
- Fever - particularly in cases of upper UTI/pyelonephritis 4, 5
- Lethargy/depression - decreased activity and interest 3
- Decreased appetite - partial or complete anorexia 3
- Increased water consumption (polydipsia) 1, 3
- Vomiting - more common in severe infections or pyelonephritis 5
Differences Between Dogs and Cats
Dogs
- UTIs are more common in female dogs due to shorter urethra 5
- More likely to show obvious signs of discomfort during urination 5
- Often exhibit house-training accidents despite previous good habits 4
- Older female dogs are at higher risk for bacterial UTIs 4
Cats
- UTIs are relatively uncommon in young cats but increase in prevalence in cats over 10 years of age 2, 3
- Often show more subtle signs that may be confused with behavioral issues 3
- May exhibit increased grooming of genital area 2
- More likely to have subclinical bacteriuria (bacteria without symptoms) 3
Special Considerations
Subclinical Infections
- Some pets, especially cats and older dogs, may have bacteria in urine without showing obvious symptoms 3
- This is termed subclinical bacteriuria (SBU) in veterinary medicine 4
- More common in pets with underlying conditions like chronic kidney disease 3
Risk Factors
- Advanced age (especially females >10 years) 2, 3
- Anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract 5
- Underlying conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or bladder stones 3
- Previous catheterization or urinary procedures 5
- Immunosuppression 4
When to Seek Veterinary Care Immediately
- Complete inability to urinate (urinary obstruction) - EMERGENCY 1
- Blood in urine with straining 2
- Signs of systemic illness (fever, vomiting, lethargy) with urinary symptoms 5
- Male cats straining to urinate (potential urethral obstruction) 3
Remember that many of these signs can also indicate other urinary tract diseases like bladder stones, crystalluria, or idiopathic cystitis. Proper diagnosis through urinalysis and urine culture is essential for appropriate treatment of bacterial UTIs in pets.