Cat urinating more than usual
When cats change their urination behaviour, there's almost always an underlying cause. If a cat is unable to urinate, it may have suffered urinary retention, which is an acute condition requiring prompt veterinary attention. You can find out more about urinary retention here If, on the other hand, a cat has started to urinate a larger amount than usual, it should also be examined by a vet.
Often, increased urination goes hand in hand with the cat drinking more than usual. Some common diseases can cause cats to drink and urinate more than usual, especially in older cats. These symptoms are often, but not always, accompanied by other problems such as weight loss, poor coat quality, and a generally unwell appearance. Examples of diseases that can cause cats to drink and urinate more than usual include diabetes, kidney problems, and urinary tract infections.
To determine if your cat is drinking too much, it’s important to know what’s normal. Cats normally drink about 2ml of fluid per hour per kilo of body weight. A cat on a dry food diet tends to drink more water per day than a cat on a wet food diet. It’s important that cats always have free access to water, even if they drink more than normal. If you notice you're refilling the water bowl more often, or your cat is drinking more than usual, your cat may need to be seen by a vet!
If you notice your cat is drinking and/or urinating more than usual, you should always contact a vet for an examination. This applies even if the cat seems fine otherwise. The sooner the problem is identified, the better.
