If your cat is suddenly making frequent trips to the litter box, urinating in unusual places around the house, or straining to pee, they might be dealing with more than just behavioral stress or a simple infection. Bladder stones (uroliths) are a common and uncomfortable issue for many cats. Here is an overview of how they form, how we diagnose them, and the best paths for treatment and prevention.

What Are Bladder Stones?

Bladder stones develop when minerals within the urine gradually form crystals that accumulate into rock-like stones over time. Several factors can contribute to this process in cats, including:

  • Urine pH levels
  • Diet and inadequate water intake
  • Genetics and breed predispositions
  • Stress or underlying inflammatory conditions (like Feline Idiopathic Cystitis)

Cats most commonly develop struvite or calcium oxalate stones. While some cats may develop only a single stone, others may develop multiple. Although bladder stones cause significant discomfort and inflammation, the greatest risk occurs when a stone or crystal plug enters the narrow urethra and causes a urinary obstruction—which is a critical medical emergency.

Common Signs to Watch For

If your cat is suffering from bladder stones, you might notice:

  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Straining to urinate without producing much volume
  • Frequent trips to the litter box
  • Urinating outside the litter box (especially on cool, smooth surfaces like tile or tubs)
  • Excessive licking of the genital area
  • Vocalizing or signs of pain while in the litter box

Emergency Warning: If your cat (especially a male cat) is straining in the litter box without producing urine, vocalizing in pain, vomiting, or seems highly distressed, seek immediate veterinary care. This strongly indicates a blocked urinary tract, which is a life-threatening medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.

How We Diagnose Bladder Stones

To get a clear picture of what is happening in your cat’s bladder, a combination of diagnostics is usually recommended:

  • Urinalysis & Urine Culture: To check for microscopic crystals, blood, inflammation, and rule out any underlying bacterial infections (which are less common in young cats but can occur).
  • Abdominal Radiographs (X-rays) & Ultrasound: To visualize the size, number, and location of the stones within the bladder or urethra.
  • Stone Analysis: If stones are removed or passed, they are sent to a laboratory to determine their exact mineral composition, which strictly guides your cat’s long-term prevention plan.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the stone, as well as whether the cat’s urethra is blocked.

1. Medical Dissolution (Diet & Medication)

Some stones, particularly struvite stones, can be successfully dissolved over weeks to months with specialized prescription urinary diets (such as Hill’s® Prescription Diet® c/d Multicare®, Royal Canin® Urinary SO®, or Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets® UR Urinary St/Ox®).

  • These diets work by altering urinary pH, limiting the availability of crystal-forming substances (such as magnesium and phosphorus), and strongly encouraging water intake.
  • Pain medications and anti-inflammatories are often prescribed alongside the diet to keep the cat comfortable while the stones dissolve.

2. Surgical Removal

Many stones (such as calcium oxalate) do not dissolve due to their composition and must be physically removed.

  • If a cat is highly symptomatic, the stones are too large, or they pose an immediate risk of blocking the urethra, a surgery called a cystotomy is required to open the bladder and extract them. Surgery provides immediate relief from the physical stones.

Prognosis and Follow-Up Care

The prognosis for cats with bladder stones is generally excellent with appropriate treatment. However, because feline urinary issues have a very high recurrence rate, long-term monitoring and preventive management are crucial.

This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide diagnostic or treatment guidance. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, please contact Cascade Heights Veterinary Center directly by phone at 206-403-1108,  email, or by scheduling an appointment.  Medications, supplements, and prescription diets can be conveniently ordered through our online pharmacy.