Incontinence in cats

When a cat or other pet loses small amounts of urine, for example when coughing, sneezing, barking, sleeping or even throughout the day, we speak of passive incontinence. Sometimes the loss of urine or incontinence is even visible and a wet spot can be found in the basket or on a blanket. How much urine a cat loses can vary from day to day.

There are four possible causes of unconscious leakage of urine in cats:

• The bladder or urinary tract are not well connected. This is often congenital.
• The bladder is irritated by something. For example, a tumour, bladder stone or inflammation.
• The sphincter of the bladder does not work properly. This can be congenital but can also occur later. For example after castration or sterilisation.
• The bladder is paralysed. This can happen as a result of a collision or when the bladder has been overfull for a while.

Treatment of incontinence in cats.

A correct diagnosis is very important. So go to your vet for an examination and take some freshly collected urine with you. The vet will ask some questions, examine your cat and check the urine. If no abnormalities are found, the diagnosis of urinary incontinence due to decreased urethral cuff pressure is likely.