Feline Urethral Blockage (Male Cat Straining)
Researched & Compiled by the PetAuthority Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
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What is feline urethral blockage (male cat straining)?
A blocked urethra means urine cannot leave the bladder, most often in male cats, and it can cause a fatal heart-rhythm change. Straining in the box is often mistaken for constipation. Treat little or no urine as an emergency within 60 minutes.
A blocked urethra means urine cannot leave the bladder. It is most common in male cats and can cause a fatal heart-rhythm change within a day. Straining in the litter box is often mistaken for constipation; treat any male cat who visits the box often and produces little or no urine as an emergency.
What to Do in the Next 15 Minutes
What NOT to Do
- Do not squeeze the bladder.
- Do not give human painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Do not start a laxative or hairball paste while he is straining.
- Do not wait until morning because he ate yesterday.
Signs the team will ask about
- Repeated trips to the litter box with little or no urine
- Crying, licking the penis, or a gritty plug at the tip
- A firm, painful belly
- Vomiting, hiding, or sudden weakness
What the ER Vet Will Do
The veterinarian feels the bladder, checks blood electrolytes, and places a urinary catheter under sedation or anesthesia. Intravenous fluids correct potassium and dehydration, and pain medicine is given in hospital. Many cats stay 1 to 3 days while urine flow and kidney values are watched.