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Urinary incontinence in cats
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine: the cat no longer controls when it urinates, and often does not even realize it. It is much rarer in cats than in dogs, which makes it a sign to be taken seriously: it almost always ref...
What is it?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine: the cat no longer controls when it urinates, and often does not even realize it.
It is much rarer in cats than in dogs, which makes it a sign to be taken seriously: it almost always reflects an identifiable underlying problem.
It should not be confused with uncleanliness, urine marking or urine deposited outside the tank during cystitis: in these three situations, the cat adopts a posture to urinate and does so voluntarily. An incontinent cat leaks urine while walking, sleeping or getting up.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
Wet spots where the cat slept, on the cushion, sofa or floor.
Drops of urine left behind when he moves, without crouching.
Permanently wet hair on the hindquarters and inner thighs, persistent smell of urine.
Redness, hair loss, crusting and irritation of the skin upon contact with urine.
Sometimes, a swollen stomach and a very full bladder: urine overflows from a bladder which no longer empties.
Soft, pendulous and insensitive tail, or weakness of the hindquarters, when the damage is nervous.
Cloudy or blood-tinged urine if an infection has set in.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
Damage to the nerves that control the bladder is the most common cause in cats. It follows a public road accident, a fall, or a violent pull on the tail: the bladder becomes soft and no longer empties properly, the urine ends up overflowing.
A bladder that is too full behind an obstacle: after a urethral obstruction, the bladder muscle can remain distended and lose its strength.
A malformation present from birth, such as a ureter that opens in the wrong place: rare in cats, it causes leaks from the first months of life.
Spinal cord damage or neurological disease.
An inflammation or tumor of the bladder, which makes the need to urinate uncontrollable.
After-effects of surgery or pelvic trauma.
Recent accident, fall from a height, shock to the pelvis.
Tail pulling, typical situation in a cat whose tail has become stuck or pulled.
History of urethral obstruction, particularly if unblocking was delayed.
Very young age for birth defects.
Known neurological disease or spinal injury.
Chronic bladder disease.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The veterinarian first seeks to establish whether it is really incontinence or a urinary behavior disorder: the precise description of what you observe, and if possible a short video, are very useful.
The neurological examination evaluates tail tone, hindquarter reflexes and sensitivity, looking for nerve damage.
Palpation assesses the size and firmness of the bladder, before and after the cat has urinated.
A urinalysis and often a culture look for infection, which is very common in cases of a bladder that does not empty.
An ultrasound and x-rays examine the bladder, urethra, pelvis, and spine.
More in-depth imaging examinations are suggested when a malformation or spinal cord damage is suspected.
Treatment
Treatment depends entirely on the cause, which explains the importance of the assessment.
In the event of nerve damage, the priority is to empty the bladder regularly: the veterinarian can teach you to do this using gentle, well-conducted pressure on the abdomen. This gesture must be shown and validated in consultation, never improvised, because a forced bladder can rupture.
Medications modifying the tone of the bladder or sphincter are used in certain forms, on prescription.
A malformation such as a poorly positioned ureter can be corrected by surgery.
Associated urinary infections are treated with an antibiotic chosen after culture.
Skin irritated by urine is protected: regular grooming of the hindquarters, careful drying, clipping if necessary, absorbent bedding changed often.
Nervous recovery is possible over several weeks after trauma: patience and daily care are part of the treatment.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
Prevent access to public roads: traffic accidents are the leading cause of bladder nerve damage in cats.
Secure windows and balconies against falls.
Never pull a cat by the tail and teach children not to do it.
Have any difficulty urinating treated immediately: an obstruction left for too long causes lasting damage to the bladder muscle.
Monitor the litter box: knowing how much your cat usually urinates can help you spot a change.
In a kitten that has always had a damp rear end, consult without waiting until adulthood: a malformation is corrected the better the sooner it is caught.
Possible complications
Repeated urinary infections, because a bladder that never empties completely is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Ascendence of the infection towards the kidneys.
Burns and wounds of the skin in permanent contact with urine, painful and difficult to heal.
Irreversible distension of the bladder, which permanently loses its ability to contract.
Deterioration of the cat's quality of life and cohabitation at home, which sometimes leads to avoidable abandonment decisions if the cause is taken care of.
When to see a veterinarian
Your cat leaves urine stains where it sleeps or drips when walking.
His rear end is constantly wet and smells of urine.
His tail is soft, hanging, and he no longer raises it.
He has had an accident or fall, even without visible injury: have him examined.
He has already been blocked and no longer seems to empty his bladder normally.
His skin is red, irritated or thinning on the hindquarters.
He is no longer able to urinate at all: emergency, consult immediately.
Prognosis
The prognosis depends on the cause and nerve damage.
After trauma, recovery is possible within several weeks when the nerves are bruised and not severed; maintaining sensitivity in the tail and hindquarters is encouraging.
Surgically corrected malformations have a good prognosis.
Certain nerve damage leaves permanent after-effects: the cat can then live properly with regular emptying of the bladder and rigorous hygiene, provided that the family can provide this care on a daily basis.
This question of feasibility should be discussed frankly with the veterinarian, without guilt.
Frequently asked questions
My cat urinates out of its litter box: is this incontinence?
Most often, no. A cat that squats and voluntarily urinates elsewhere is expressing pain, stress, or a litter box problem. Incontinence is different: urine escapes without the cat taking any posture, often during sleep.
My cat was hit by a car and his tail is hanging: is there a link to his escapes?
Yes, most likely. The nerves that control the tail and those that control the bladder are next to each other in the same region. A limp tail after trauma should always have bladder function checked.
Can I squeeze my cat's belly to help him urinate?
Only if your veterinarian has shown you the procedure and validated it for your cat. Done blindly or by force, it can rupture the bladder, especially when an obstacle prevents urine from coming out.
Can incontinence come from sterilization?
In female dogs, this link is well known. In cats, it is exceptional. When faced with urinary leaks in a cat, we therefore first look for a nervous cause, a malformation or a bladder that does not empty.
References
WSAVA — World Small Animal Veterinary Association
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 09 August 2026
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