What does ‘peeing more than normal’ look like in cats?
Cats are creatures of habit. That means changes in how often they pee or how much they pee can be easier to notice if you keep a close eye. Signs of increased urination can include:
Larger litter box clumps
If your cat uses clumping litter, you might notice bigger clumps than usual. For cats using non-clumping litter, you might see the litter getting wet more often or needing to be cleaned more frequently.
More litter box clumps
Sometimes you might see lots of tiny clumps instead of larger clumps (or smaller wet spots throughout the litter). This might mean your cat is going to the box a lot but only pees a little each time.
More trips to the litter box
A cat who goes back and forth to the litter box more times than their usual routine may be drinking more or peeing more. This change can be subtle, so trust your instincts; you know your cat’s routine better than anyone.
Increased drinking
Sometimes cats drink more water than usual, which can be easy to miss unless you're paying attention to their routine. Increased thirst can occur for many reasons, from warm weather to underlying health conditions.
Signs your cat may be drinking more include:
- Emptying their water bowl faster than usual
- Visiting the water bowl more often
- Spending longer drinking each time
- Seeking out other water sources, such as sinks or toilets
- Showing a noticeable change in their normal drinking habits
Because every cat is different, a change from your cat's usual routine is often the most important sign to watch for. If you notice your cat drinking more, especially if you see other symptoms like weight loss, contact your vet.
Accidents outside the box
If you notice your cat’s starting to pee outside the litter box, it might be a sign that something is different and to see your vet. Even one accident can be worth paying attention to, especially if it’s new behavior.
Patterns that matter
Watching your cat over time can help you figure out what’s normal and what isn’t for them. Pay attention to:
- Frequency: How many times a day does your cat pee?
- Volume: Is each trip leaving more urine than usual?
- Duration: How long has this change been happening?
- Behavior: Does your cat seem uncomfortable while peeing?
Also notice additional changes in behavior like lower energy, differences in appetite, or weight loss. These are signs your cat should be seen by your vet.
Quick tip: Some cats pee frequently but in small amounts, while others pee in large amounts fewer times. Both can be signs of trouble, so keep an eye on both frequency and volume.
Why is my cat peeing more?
There are many reasons a cat might pee more than usual. Some are short-term, while others are ongoing health conditions. No matter what, it's a good idea to make an appointment with your vet to help understand what’s normal for your cat and what may require some more investigation.
Potential causes
- Eating different foods or treats (especially higher in salt): Foods with higher sodium content can make your cat feel thirstier. As they drink more water, they may produce more urine. Sudden diet changes, especially new treats or human food, can sometimes explain short-term increases.
- Drinking more water on a hot day: Just like people, cats may drink more in warm weather or if they’re more active than usual. Increased water intake may lead to increased urination, and this typically normalizes as temperatures cool.
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) in cats: UTIs can cause your cat to make frequent trips to the litter box, sometimes with small amounts of urine. You may also notice straining, discomfort, or accidents outside the box. UTIs require veterinary diagnosis and treatment, but they tend to be straightforward to manage once identified.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD): CKD is a condition that's common in older cats and affects the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine. Cats often produce larger amounts of more dilute urine and may drink more to compensate.
- Diabetes: Diabetes causes excess sugar in the bloodstream, which spills into the urine and pulls water with it. This leads to increased urination and noticeable thirst.
- Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland (one of several glands located in the neck) becomes overactive and creates too much of the thyroid hormone. It's most common in middle-aged and older cats, and the excess hormone speeds up metabolism, which can increase appetite, activity level, and thirst, often resulting in more frequent urination.
- Urinary stones: Urinary stones are hardened bits of mineral that can form inside a cat's bladder or urinary tract, like tiny rocks. They can irritate the bladder and, in some cases, block the flow of urine completely. This may cause your cat to make frequent trips to the litter box, strain, or pass only a small amount of urine at a time. If you notice that your cat isn't peeing at all, visit your vet right away.
- Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD): FLUTD is a general term for conditions that affect the bladder and urethra. It often causes frequent attempts to urinate, discomfort, or accidents outside the litter box, and sometimes little urine is produced.
If your cat’s increased urination is tied to a chronic condition, early testing and treatment can make a difference. Many long-term conditions are manageable with the right care, and your vet will guide you through each step.
When should I contact my vet?
Contact your veterinary practice to schedule an appointment if:
- The change lasts more than a few days
- Your cat shows other signs like vomiting, weight loss, tiredness, or accidents outside the box
- You notice sudden, large changes in drinking or peeing
A trip to the emergency room is needed if your cat:
- Cannot pee at all (especially common in male cats)
- Is straining or crying while peeing
- Appears very weak or unwell
These can be signs of conditions that need attention right away, such as a blocked bladder.
What will a vet do to check my cat?
When you call your vet, they may ask questions such as:
- How long the change has been happening
- How many trips to the litter box and how much urine your cat is producing
- Any other symptoms like appetite, weight, or energy changes
At the practice, your vet will do a full physical exam and possibly some tests. This often includes a urine test to check for infection, crystals, or other abnormalities, and blood tests to assess organ function such as the kidneys and blood sugar levels.
In some cases, your vet may also suggest imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasounds. These help them look for issues like bladder stones, thickening of the bladder wall, or other structural changes that could be affecting urination.
How will my vet treat excessive peeing?
Treatment depends on what’s causing your cat's excessive peeing.
If tests find a urinary tract infection, your vet may prescribe your cat antibiotics. If urinary stones are causing the problem, your vet may prescribe a diet that can dissolve them. Sometimes bladder stones need to be removed surgically.
In other situations, such as conditions like diabetes or kidney disease, treatment focuses on long-term management. This might include medication, dietary changes, and regular monitoring to help keep your cat comfortable and stable. Hearing about chronic conditions can feel overwhelming, but many cats respond well to treatment and continue to enjoy a good quality of life with ongoing care. Your vet will guide you step by step and let you know what to monitor at home, so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Depending on the cause, your cat's bathroom habits may go back to normal with the right care.
What should I do next?
At home, you can help by watching:
- How much your cat drinks each day
- Any changes in appetite or weight
- Changes in frequency of litter box visits and clump size
Before a vet visit, note these details. It can help the vet determine the right next steps for your cat.
Stay observant and proactive
Many causes of increased peeing can be managed, especially when caught early. Watching your cat’s habits carefully and acting quickly if changes last more than a few days can help keep your cat healthy and comfortable.
If you notice increased urination, reach out to your veterinary team.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about this topic
Yes. Aging cats are more likely to develop kidney disease or other conditions that increase urination. Your vet can help identify the cause and create a treatment plan if your senior cat is peeing more than normal.
It can be tricky to know which cat is peeing more. Try separating your cats so you can watch each cat’s habits. If separating your cats isn’t practical, consider using a pet camera near the litter areas to observe which cat is using it more often.
Yes. Stress, moving, or changes in your home can sometimes change urinary habits. It’s still important to rule out other causes.
Your vet may ask for a sample. At home, use a clean, empty litter box with nonabsorbent litter or special collection pellets, then collect the urine with a clean syringe or container and bring it to the vet as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours. If collecting a sample at home is difficult, or if your vet needs a sterile sample, your vet can safely obtain one during your visit.
No. Don’t change your cat’s diet or water intake before your vet visit. Doing so can make it harder to understand the cause of the increased urination. Never restrict your cat’s access to water, even if they seem to be drinking or urinating more.
