What To Do If Your Cat or Dog Is Straining to Pee or Poo

What To Do If Your Cat or Dog Is Straining to Pee or Poo

By Dr Duncan Houston

A pet repeatedly squatting, straining and producing almost nothing may look constipated. Unfortunately, the same posture can also mean the urethra is blocked and urine cannot leave the bladder.

That distinction matters enormously. Constipation is painful and sometimes serious, but a complete urinary obstruction can rapidly cause severe potassium abnormalities, kidney dysfunction, bladder damage, abnormal heart rhythms and death.

The most important question is not simply, “Are they straining?” It is:

Are they producing a normal amount of urine or stool?

Quick Answer

Repeated straining to urinate or defecate requires veterinary assessment because urinary disease, constipation, colitis, prostate disease, rectal disease and physical obstruction can appear very similar.

A male cat repeatedly straining while producing only drops or no normal urine needs immediate emergency care. Dogs and female cats can also develop urinary obstruction. Do not wait overnight when you cannot confirm normal urine production. (Sage Journals)

Straining at a Glance

Question	Practical answer
Is straining always constipation?	No. Urinary disease is commonly mistaken for constipation
What is the most urgent possibility?	Complete urethral obstruction
Can a blocked pet still pass drops?	Yes. Partial obstruction may allow tiny amounts through
Can diarrhoea cause straining?	Yes. Colitis commonly causes urgency, mucus, fresh blood and repeated small stools
Should I give a laxative immediately?	No. Urinary or gastrointestinal obstruction must be ruled out first
Can dogs become blocked?	Yes, particularly from urinary stones, scar tissue, tumours or prostate disease
When should a veterinarian be contacted?	The same day for repeated straining, and immediately if urine output is reduced or absent
What should I monitor?	Actual urine and stool output, pain, vomiting, appetite, abdominal size and energy

Lower urinary tract signs in cats are often indistinguishable between feline idiopathic cystitis, urinary stones, infection and urethral obstruction. “FLUTD” describes a group of diseases rather than one diagnosis. (Sage Journals)

What Does Straining Mean?

Straining is the repeated or forceful effort to pass urine or stool.

Veterinary terms you may hear include:

• Stranguria: slow, painful urination

• Dysuria: difficult or painful urination

• Tenesmus: repeated straining to defecate, often with little output

• Obstipation: severe constipation in which stool cannot be passed normally

The posture can look almost identical whether the problem involves the bladder, urethra, colon, rectum, prostate or anus.

This is why observing the output is more useful than watching the posture alone.

Is Your Pet Trying To Urinate or Defecate?

Signs More Consistent With Urinary Straining

You may see:

• Frequent squatting with tiny wet spots

• Little or no normal urine stream

• Urine passed as drips

• Blood-stained urine

• Repeated genital licking

• Urination outside the litter tray or indoors

• Crying while attempting to urinate

• No normal-sized urine clumps

A partially obstructed pet may still pass a few drops. That does not prove the urethra is safely open. (Sage Journals)

Signs More Consistent With Constipation

Constipation more commonly causes:

• Hard, dry or pebble-like faeces

• Infrequent bowel movements

• Prolonged effort to pass firm stool

• A history of several days without normal defecation

• Abdominal discomfort

• Reduced appetite as constipation worsens

• Vomiting in more severe cases, particularly in cats

Constipation can result from dehydration, chronic kidney disease, pain, pelvic narrowing, prostate enlargement, medication, neurological disease or megacolon. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Signs More Consistent With Colitis

Colitis often produces:

• Frequent urgent attempts to defecate

• Small amounts of soft or liquid stool

• Mucus

• Bright red blood

• Straining after some stool has already passed

• Repeated requests to go outside

• Small-volume bowel movements

Colitis is often mistaken for constipation because the animal strains repeatedly, but the colon is usually inflamed and moving too frequently rather than being filled with hard stool. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

When You Still Cannot Tell

Owners frequently cannot distinguish urinary straining from faecal straining at home.

When output is uncertain, do not guess. Arrange an examination, especially when the patient is a male cat, an older intact male dog or a pet showing pain, vomiting or lethargy.

How Worried Should You Be?

Lower Immediate Risk

Your pet:

• Strains once

• Then passes a normal urine stream or normal bowel movement

• Remains bright and comfortable

• Is eating normally

• Has no blood, vomiting or abdominal pain

What it may mean: A temporary irritation or isolated difficulty may have occurred.

What to do: Monitor the next several urinations and bowel movements over the following 12 to 24 hours. Arrange veterinary advice if the behaviour repeats.

Moderate Concern

Your pet has:

• Repeated straining

• Frequent litter-tray or outdoor trips

• Smaller urine clumps

• Small amounts of stool

• Blood or mucus

• Genital or anal licking

• Mild discomfort

• Otherwise reasonable energy

What it may mean: Cystitis, partial urinary obstruction, stones, constipation, colitis or another painful condition may be present.

What to do: Arrange a same-day veterinary examination. A male cat producing only tiny amounts of urine should be treated more urgently.

High Concern

Your pet has:

• Little or no urine

• Persistent unproductive straining

• Significant pain

• A hard or enlarged abdomen

• Vomiting

• Food refusal

• Marked lethargy

• Severe constipation with abdominal distension

• A swelling beside the anus

• Tissue protruding from the anus

What it may mean: Urinary obstruction, obstipation, gastrointestinal obstruction, prostate disease, perineal hernia or rectal prolapse may be present.

What to do: Attend an emergency or urgent-care veterinary hospital immediately.

Critical

Your pet has:

• Collapse

• Inability to stand

• Severe weakness

• Blue, grey or very pale gums

• Open-mouth or laboured breathing

• A low body temperature

• Altered awareness

• Seizures

• Severe abdominal distension

• No urine production

What it may mean: Severe hyperkalaemia, acute kidney injury, shock, bladder rupture, sepsis or another life-threatening complication may be occurring.

What to do: Seek immediate emergency treatment.

When Is This an Emergency?

Seek emergency veterinary care when:

• A male cat repeatedly strains without producing a normal amount of urine.

• Any cat or dog appears unable to urinate.

• Only drops are produced despite repeated attempts.

• Straining is followed by vomiting, weakness or collapse.

• The abdomen is firm, enlarged or severely painful.

• The pet becomes cold, profoundly lethargic or poorly responsive.

• A dog has a painful swelling beside the anus and difficulty urinating.

• Red, swollen tissue protrudes from the anus.

• There is significant urinary or rectal bleeding.

• Severe constipation is accompanied by vomiting and abdominal enlargement.

• The pet has difficulty breathing.

Complete feline urethral obstruction can produce severe hyperkalaemia, acidosis and other metabolic abnormalities. Uraemia may develop within 24 to 48 hours, but that is not a safe waiting period. The cat should be treated immediately when obstruction is suspected. (Sage Journals)

Dogs with complete urethral obstruction may become painful, lethargic, anorexic and vomit. The bladder can rupture if the obstruction is not relieved. (ACVS)

What Causes Straining in Cats?

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis

Feline idiopathic cystitis, or FIC, is the most common cause of lower urinary tract signs in cats.

It can cause:

• Painful urination

• Frequent small urinations

• Blood in the urine

• Urination outside the litter tray

• Genital licking

• Urethral obstruction in male cats

FIC is generally sterile and is not the same as a bacterial urinary infection. It is associated with complex interactions between the bladder, pain pathways, nervous system and the cat’s environment. (Sage Journals)

Urethral Obstruction

Male cats are especially vulnerable because their urethra is long and narrow.

The obstruction may involve:

• An inflammatory urethral plug

• Mucus and cellular debris

• Urinary stones

• Urethral swelling

• Scar tissue

• Trauma

• Less commonly, a tumour

A blocked cat may still pass drops, particularly during partial obstruction.

Bladder or Urethral Stones

Urinary stones can irritate the bladder or lodge in the urethra.

Different stone types require different treatments. Some struvite bladder stones can be dissolved using a veterinary diet, while calcium oxalate stones require physical removal.

A currently obstructed cat cannot be treated by starting a urinary diet at home.

Bacterial Urinary Infection

Bacterial urinary infections can cause painful, frequent urination and blood in the urine.

They are more common in:

• Older cats

• Cats with chronic kidney disease

• Cats with diabetes

• Cats that have undergone urinary catheterisation

• Cats with urinary anatomical abnormalities

Antibiotics should be used when infection is clinically supported and, where possible, guided by urine culture. FIC and urinary obstruction do not automatically require antibiotics. (Sage Journals)

Constipation, Obstipation and Megacolon

Cats are particularly prone to constipation.

Risk factors include:

• Dehydration

• Chronic kidney disease

• Obesity

• Pain or arthritis

• Previous pelvic fractures

• Neurological disease

• Certain medications

• An enlarged colon with poor function

Severe or recurrent constipation can progress to obstipation or megacolon and may require rehydration, veterinary enemas and manual removal of impacted faeces under anaesthesia. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Colitis

Colitis causes repeated urgency and straining, usually with small amounts of soft stool, mucus or fresh red blood.

Potential causes include:

• Dietary change

• Parasites

• Infection

• Food-responsive disease

• Chronic inflammatory enteropathy

• Stress

• Polyps or colorectal cancer

A rectal examination may be necessary because rectal polyps and tumours can mimic colitis. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Anal, Rectal or Perineal Disease

Other feline causes include:

• Anal-sac abscess

• Rectal foreign material

• Rectal narrowing

• Rectal prolapse

• Perineal wounds

• Pelvic injury

• A colorectal mass

What Causes Straining in Dogs?

Urinary Stones and Urethral Obstruction

Urinary stones are a major cause of urethral obstruction in dogs, particularly males.

Partial obstruction may cause:

• Frequent small urinations

• Prolonged urination

• Dribbling

• Blood

• Accidents indoors

Complete obstruction causes repeated straining without urine and requires immediate treatment. Scar tissue, penile tumours and fractures involving the penile bone may also obstruct the urethra. (ACVS)

Urinary Tract Infection

A bacterial UTI may cause:

• Frequent urination

• Straining

• Pain

• Blood in the urine

• Accidents indoors

• Strong-smelling or cloudy urine

Recurrent, complicated or treatment-resistant infections generally warrant urine culture rather than repeated empirical antibiotics. (ISCAID)

Prostate Disease

Prostate disease is an important differential in male dogs, particularly intact older males.

Possible disorders include:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia

• Acute or chronic prostatitis

• Prostatic cysts

• Prostatic abscesses

• Prostatic cancer

An enlarged prostate may compress the colon or affect the urinary tract, causing urinary straining, faecal straining, ribbon-like stool, blood, abdominal pain or stiffness. Prostatic cancer can occasionally cause complete urethral obstruction. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Perineal Hernia

A perineal hernia produces a weakness beside the anus, allowing fat, rectum, prostate, bladder or intestine to move into the hernia.

Signs may include:

• A swelling beside the anus

• Constipation

• Faecal straining

• Urinary straining

• Pain

• Difficulty passing stool

If the bladder flips backwards into the hernia, urinary obstruction and loss of its blood supply may occur. Entrapment of intestine can also compromise circulation and require emergency surgery. (ACVS)

Constipation or Colorectal Obstruction

Dogs may become constipated because of:

• Dehydration

• Eating bones or indigestible material

• Pain

• Pelvic injury

• Prostate enlargement

• Perineal hernia

• Neurological disease

• Medication

• A rectal or colonic mass

Thin or ribbon-shaped stool can suggest compression or narrowing of the colon or rectum. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Colitis

Dogs with colitis often pass frequent, small amounts of soft stool containing mucus or bright red blood.

They may continue straining after stool has passed because the inflamed colon creates a persistent feeling of urgency. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Rectal Prolapse

A rectal prolapse appears as red or pink tubular tissue protruding from the anus.

The exposed tissue can become swollen, dry, damaged and lose its blood supply. Prompt veterinary treatment is needed to replace viable tissue and treat the underlying cause of straining. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

What To Do Right Now

1. Look for Actual Output

Check:

• Is urine being produced?

• Is there a normal stream?

• Are normal-sized urine clumps present?

• Is the pet passing hard stool, soft stool or mucus?

• Is there blood?

• When was the last confirmed normal urination?

• When was the last normal bowel movement?

In a multi-cat household, temporarily separate the affected cat with a clean litter tray when this can be done safely and without delaying care.

2. Call the Veterinary Clinic

Tell the team:

• Species, sex and age

• Whether the pet is neutered

• Whether urine, stool or neither is being produced

• The last normal urination and bowel movement

• Number of attempts

• Presence of blood or mucus

• Vomiting

• Appetite

• Energy

• Abdominal swelling

• Previous urinary or constipation episodes

• Current medications

“My male cat has tried to urinate ten times and is producing only drops” communicates the urgency far better than “He seems constipated.”

3. Take a Short Video

Record the posture and any output if this can be done safely.

Do not delay emergency transport to obtain the perfect video. This is medicine, not a film festival.

4. Transport Your Pet Safely

Use:

• A secure carrier for cats

• A lead or harness for dogs

• Absorbent bedding

• Minimal pressure on the abdomen

5. Keep Exposed Rectal Tissue Moist

When tissue is protruding from the anus, prevent it from drying by gently covering it with clean gauze moistened with sterile saline or clean water while travelling to the hospital.

Do not try to cut, pull or force it back inside.

What Not To Do at Home

Do Not Press the Abdomen or Bladder

Attempting to express a blocked bladder can cause severe pain and may contribute to urinary injury.

Do Not Give a Laxative Until Obstruction Is Ruled Out

Laxatives will not treat:

• Urinary blockage

• Urethral stones

• A gastrointestinal foreign body

• A rectal mass

• Perineal hernia

• Severe dehydration

Laxatives may worsen dehydration in an already dehydrated animal. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Never Give a Human Phosphate Enema to a Cat

Phosphate-containing enemas can cause life-threatening hyperphosphataemia, hypocalcaemia, hypernatraemia and severe fluid shifts in cats. Veterinary enemas should be selected and administered by a veterinary team. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Do Not Give Human Medication

Do not give:

• Ibuprofen

• Paracetamol

• Naproxen

• Human urinary medications

• Human constipation medications

• Diuretics

• Anti-diarrhoeal drugs

• Leftover antibiotics

Do Not Insert Anything Into the Urethra or Rectum

Do not attempt home catheterisation, probing or manual stool extraction.

Do Not Wait for Vomiting or Collapse

Those are advanced signs. Seek care while the pet is still stable enough to be treated more safely.

How Will Your Veterinarian Find the Cause?

History and Observation

The veterinary team will ask about:

• Urine and stool output

• Diet

• Water intake

• Medication

• Previous urinary disease

• Previous constipation

• Trauma

• Bones or foreign material eaten

• Changes in litter or household routine

• Reproductive status

• Duration and progression

Physical Examination

The examination may include:

• Bladder palpation

• Abdominal palpation

• Assessment of retained stool

• Examination of the penis or vulva

• Rectal examination

• Prostate assessment

• Anal-sac examination

• Perineal examination

• Neurological and orthopaedic assessment

• Temperature, hydration and circulation

Blood Testing

Bloodwork may assess:

• Kidney function

• Potassium and other electrolytes

• Hydration

• Infection or inflammation

• Anaemia

• Glucose

• Organ function

Electrolyte and kidney testing are particularly important when urinary obstruction is suspected. (Sage Journals)

Urinalysis and Culture

Urinalysis can identify:

• Blood

• Crystals

• Inflammation

• Urine concentration

• Glucose

• Protein

• Possible bacteria

Culture may be recommended when bacterial infection is suspected. Finding urinary signs does not automatically mean antibiotics are needed. (ISCAID)

Imaging

Radiographs or ultrasound may reveal:

• Bladder or urethral stones

• A distended bladder

• Constipation or megacolon

• Pelvic narrowing

• Prostate enlargement

• Perineal hernia

• Foreign material

• Rectal or abdominal masses

• Free abdominal fluid

How Is Straining Treated?

Urinary Obstruction

Treatment may include:

• Immediate pain relief

• IV access

• Blood and electrolyte testing

• Intravenous fluids

• Treatment of dangerous hyperkalaemia

• Sedation or anaesthesia

• Urinary catheterisation

• Flushing obstructing material

• Hospital monitoring

• Surgery when catheterisation fails or structural disease is present

Physical obstruction must be physically relieved. Pain medication, antibiotics or urinary food cannot unblock the urethra at home. (Sage Journals)

Non-Obstructive Urinary Disease

Treatment depends on the diagnosis and may include:

• Pain relief

• Increased water intake

• A diagnosis-specific urinary diet

• Environmental modification for FIC

• Removal or dissolution of selected stones

• Culture-guided treatment of infection

• Management of kidney, endocrine or neurological disease

Constipation and Obstipation

Treatment may involve:

• Rehydration

• Veterinary-prescribed laxatives

• Enemas selected for the species

• Manual removal of impacted faeces under anaesthesia

• Dietary adjustment

• Prokinetic medication

• Treatment of pain or underlying disease

• Surgery for severe, refractory megacolon

Moderate or severe constipation should be treated after dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities are corrected. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Colitis

Treatment depends on the cause and may include:

• Hydration

• Parasite testing and treatment

• A controlled dietary trial

• Fibre or microbiome management

• Treatment of documented infection

• Investigation for chronic enteropathy, polyps or colorectal cancer

Prostate Disease

Treatment may include:

• Neutering or hormonal treatment for benign enlargement

• Culture-directed antibiotics for prostatitis

• Drainage or surgery for abscesses

• Oncology treatment for cancer

• Emergency relief of urinary obstruction

Perineal Hernia

Definitive treatment is usually surgical repair.

Emergency stabilisation is needed when the bladder or intestine becomes trapped. (ACVS)

Rectal Prolapse

Treatment involves:

• Protecting and cleaning the exposed tissue

• Reducing swelling

• Replacing viable tissue under sedation or anaesthesia

• Temporary suturing when appropriate

• Removing dead tissue when necessary

• Treating the underlying diarrhoea, parasites, constipation or obstruction

Will My Pet Be Okay?

The outlook depends on:

• Whether urinary obstruction is present

• How long the problem has continued

• Kidney and electrolyte abnormalities

• Degree of dehydration

• Whether tissue or organs have lost their blood supply

• The underlying cause

• Response to treatment

• Whether recurrence can be prevented

Many pets with uncomplicated cystitis, colitis or a first constipation episode recover well.

Urinary obstruction is also highly treatable when care begins promptly. The prognosis becomes more guarded when the pet presents with severe hyperkalaemia, shock, bladder rupture, significant kidney injury or delayed treatment.

Common Mistakes Owners Make

Assuming Straining Means Constipation

This is particularly dangerous in male cats.

Waiting Until No Urine Is Produced

Partial obstruction may allow drops before becoming complete.

Giving Pumpkin or Fibre Immediately

Fibre may help selected constipated pets, but it will not treat urinary obstruction and may be unsuitable in dehydration or mechanical obstruction.

Giving a Human Enema

Phosphate enemas can be fatal to cats.

Assuming Blood Means Infection

Blood may occur with cystitis, stones, tumours, trauma, colitis and rectal disease.

Punishing Toileting Accidents

Pain and urgency drive these behaviours. Punishment increases stress without treating the disease.

Reusing Old Medication

The cause may be different this time, even when the posture looks identical.

How Can Future Episodes Be Reduced?

For Cats

• Provide several fresh-water sources.

• Feed an appropriate high-moisture diet when advised.

• Maintain a healthy body weight.

• Provide one litter tray per cat, plus one extra.

• Place trays in quiet, accessible locations.

• Scoop trays at least daily.

• Reduce conflict between household cats.

• Provide hiding areas, vertical space and daily play.

• Monitor urine-clump size and frequency.

• Treat constipation before repeated episodes impair colonic function.

For Dogs

• Maintain reliable access to water.

• Provide regular exercise.

• Avoid bones and indigestible material.

• Investigate recurrent constipation rather than repeatedly treating symptoms.

• Discuss prostate health in intact male dogs.

• Have perineal swelling assessed promptly.

• Maintain parasite prevention.

• Investigate persistent ribbon-shaped stool, bleeding or painful defecation.

• Maintain a healthy body weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Blocked Cat Still Pass a Few Drops?

Yes. Partial obstruction may allow tiny amounts of urine or blood-stained fluid to pass. Repeated straining without a normal stream or normal-sized urine clump remains an emergency.

How Can I Tell Whether My Pet Is Trying To Pee or Poo?

Look at the actual output. Tiny wet spots, genital licking and absent normal urine suggest urinary disease. Hard, dry stool suggests constipation. Frequent soft stool with mucus or fresh blood is more typical of colitis. When uncertain, arrange an examination.

Can Dogs Have a Urinary Blockage?

Yes. Stones, scar tissue, tumours, prostate disease and perineal hernias may obstruct urine flow in dogs. Frequent unproductive attempts to urinate require emergency assessment.

Can I Give Pumpkin or a Laxative?

Only after urinary and gastrointestinal obstruction have been ruled out and your veterinarian has confirmed the correct treatment. Fibre helps some constipated animals but may be inappropriate in others.

How Long Can a Pet Safely Go Without Passing Stool?

Defecation frequency varies, but repeated straining, pain, vomiting, reduced appetite or abdominal enlargement should not be judged solely by counting days. A pet repeatedly trying and failing to defecate needs veterinary assessment.

Final Thoughts

Straining is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

The most important points are:

1. Urinary and faecal straining can look almost identical.

2. A male cat repeatedly straining without normal urine output is experiencing an emergency until proven otherwise.

3. Passing drops does not rule out partial urinary obstruction.

4. Constipation typically causes hard or absent stool.

5. Colitis commonly causes frequent small amounts of soft stool, mucus or fresh blood.

6. Dogs may strain because of stones, prostate disease, perineal hernia or colorectal disease.

7. Do not press the abdomen or attempt home catheterisation.

8. Do not give laxatives until obstruction has been considered.

9. Human phosphate enemas can be fatal to cats.

10. Vomiting, weakness, collapse, a painful distended abdomen or inability to urinate requires immediate care.

The mistake that causes the greatest harm is deciding that a pet is constipated before confirming what they are actually trying to pass.

When a cat or dog repeatedly strains and produces little or nothing, the safest next step is an examination, not another attempt to solve it at home.

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ASK A VET™ can help you organise videos, urine and stool observations, medication history and questions for your veterinary team. Suspected urinary obstruction cannot be safely diagnosed or treated through telehealth and still requires immediate hands-on emergency veterinary care.