Companion Animals

Cat Urinary Tract Infection Prevention

Urinary tract infections are more common in older cats and those with underlying conditions, requiring prevention strategies tailored to individual risk.

Key Facts

True bacterial UTI is less common in young cats than in dogs, often associated with other disease
Older cats and those with CKD, diabetes, or FIV are at higher UTI risk
Cats with perineal urethrostomies have significantly higher UTI risk
Adequate water intake is the most important preventive factor
Urine culture is essential to guide antibiotic selection and prevent resistance

Welfare Considerations

Urinary tract infections cause dysuria, haematuria, and systemic malaise. In cats, infections are often secondary to underlying conditions that must be addressed alongside direct treatment. Antibiotic selection based on culture results prevents resistance development while ensuring effective treatment of genuine infections.

What You Can Do

Increase water intake through wet food and water fountains for cats at UTI risk
Seek urine culture before antibiotic treatment for cats with recurrent UTI signs
Address underlying conditions that predispose to UTI in older cats