If my cat isn't peeing, how long before I take her to the vet?

Question

My somewhat overweight female kitty, 2-3 years old, seems to not be using the litterbox--the last time was at least 8 hours ago.

We noticed that she seemed to be walking a little gingerly--staggering slightly--at one point this afternoon but she generally seems active, playing, etc. Doesn't seem tender that we can tell.

May be drinking a lot, perhaps not eating as much as she usually does. She eats diet dry kibble and a little wet food every day.

How long should we wait before making a vet appointment, and/or taking her to the emergency vet? Thanks.

Answer 1

We have had cats who turned out to be healthy make us wait 24 hours before they would provide a urine specimen in their litter boxes. (I work at a vet hospital.) However these cats were in a strange place being poked and prodded by strangers, and being asked to use strange litter (undisolvable plastic beads)...they weren't in their own familiar homes.

I would take your cat to the vet if you are sure she hasn't urinated in 12-18 hours, and immediately if she seems to be actring strangely, trying unsuccessfully to urinate, vomiting, etc.

Answer 2

First of all, an overweight cat-just like an overweight human-may develop and is more likely to have health problems. Consider cutting back on the catfood you give your cat.

Okay, so the peeing thing...
Perhaps she is dehydrated. Even if they lap at the water, they may not be drinking enough. Put her in a room with just the litterbox and the water for a few hours and observe the level of water in the bowl and if there are any pee clumps in the litterbox.
I'd wait about a day and a half/ two days and if there still are no pee clumps and there's no where else she couldve peed, you should take her to a vet because she may have a bladder infection.

Good luck!

Answer 3

If you don't see something soon I'd make a vet appointment as soon as possible. If you are not certain the cat is eliminating, empty the litter from the pan and leave it empty. This way, there will be no doubt as to whether she goes.
Cats will often get crystals in the urinary tract from infections. This is very serious. If you are concerned, it's probably for good reason. Call your vet in the morning as soon as possible.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Well maybe she may not be peeing in the LITTERBOX. I would check around your house and see if she decided to get a new one.If no urane,or dumplings,i would start cleaning the litter box more often.Some cats refuse to do their buzniss there because it's full of,...ummm More Buzniss.Lol.And maybe because of training,she wont do anything until she cant help it.But if your sure it's not any of this.....

Repeat after Me:

V-E-T

;)

Answer 5

Give the vet a call and ask. Cats have a tendency to have kidney problems which can become serious. The vet is the best person to advise you! Good Luck!

Answer 6

She needs to get to the vet yesterday.

There are a lot of things that could be going on, and most of them can be deadly. You shouldn't even be reading this- you should be in the car on the way to the vet right now.

Answer 7

I wouldn't take her to the emergency vet, but it does sound like a uti, which cats are prone to. I would call the vet in the morning (I'm assuming it's night-time where you are), tell them what's going on, and see if you can get her in right away.

Answer 8

You should probably take her in soon. She could be having a kidney problem. Make sure you keep an eye on her. Call the vet right away.

Answer 9

My cat is going through the same thing right now for the second time! He has a urinary tract infection. You need to take her to the vet as soon as possible and get her checked.

Answer 10

female cats can hold their bladder for up to 24 hours without a problems however if she seems a little uncomfortable i would take her along to your vets when next open for exam as may have cystitis / and or other problems if she appears to be drinking alot