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

By Dr Duncan Houston

Straining is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

The same crouched posture can mean constipation, painful diarrhoea, bladder inflammation, urinary stones, prostate disease or a completely blocked urethra. Owners often cannot tell whether a pet is trying to urinate or defecate simply by watching the posture.

The most important exception is a male cat repeatedly straining while producing little or no urine. That must be treated as an emergency because urinary obstruction can rapidly cause kidney failure, dangerous potassium abnormalities, shock and death. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Quick Answer

Repeated straining, pain or frequent unproductive attempts to urinate or defecate require veterinary assessment.

A male cat that repeatedly strains without producing a normal amount of urine needs immediate emergency treatment. Dogs and female cats can also develop urinary obstruction, while constipation, colitis, prostate disease, anal-sac disease and rectal disorders can cause a very similar appearance.

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 urinary obstruction
Can a blocked pet still pass drops?	Yes. Partial obstruction may allow tiny amounts to pass
Can diarrhoea cause straining?	Yes. Colitis often causes repeated urgency, mucus and small amounts of stool
Should I give a laxative immediately?	No. Urinary and gastrointestinal obstruction should be ruled out first
Can dogs develop urinary blockage?	Yes, particularly from stones, prostate disease, strictures or tumours
When should I call a vet?	The same day for repeated straining, and immediately if little or no urine is produced
What should I monitor?	Actual urine and stool output, pain, vomiting, appetite, abdominal size and energy

Is Your Pet Trying To Urinate or Defecate?

The output is often more informative than the posture.

Watch what actually appears beneath or behind the animal rather than relying only on whether they are squatting.

More consistent with urinary straining	More consistent with constipation	More consistent with colitis or rectal irritation
Frequent squatting with tiny wet spots	No bowel movement or very infrequent stool	Frequent urgency with many attempts
Little or no normal urine stream	Hard, dry or pebble-like stool	Small amounts of soft or liquid stool
Blood-tinged urine	Firm stool retained for longer than usual	Mucus or jelly-like material
Licking the penis or vulva	Pain while passing hard stool	Bright red blood near the end of defecation
Urinating outside the tray or indoors	A tense abdomen or palpable stool	Straining even after stool has passed
Restlessness or vocalising	Reduced appetite as constipation worsens	Often normal or increased urgency between attempts

Large-bowel inflammation can create repeated, painful urges to defecate while producing only small amounts of soft stool, mucus or fresh blood. This is easily mistaken for constipation. Constipated animals may also pass a little liquid material around a hard faecal mass, so the appearance is not always textbook-perfect. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Signs That Are Not Reliable by Themselves

These signs can occur with either urinary or gastrointestinal disease:

• Squatting

• Vocalising

• Repeated litter-tray visits

• Abdominal tension

• Hiding

• Reduced appetite

• Licking beneath the tail

• Passing small amounts of blood

When you cannot tell whether urine or stool is being produced, it is safer to arrange an examination than to guess.

Why Is Straining in a Male Cat So Urgent?

Male cats have a longer, narrower urethra than female cats. Inflammatory material, mucus, crystals or small stones can become trapped and prevent urine from leaving the bladder.

A blocked cat may initially appear only uncomfortable. As obstruction continues, waste products and potassium accumulate in the blood. Complete obstruction can produce severe metabolic illness within approximately 36 to 48 hours and may progress to coma or death. The exact timeline varies, so there is no safe period to wait at home. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

Early Signs of Feline Urinary Obstruction

• Repeated litter-tray visits

• Prolonged squatting

• Producing only drops

• No normal-sized urine clumps

• Vocalising

• Blood in the urine

• Genital licking

• Restlessness

• Hiding

• A painful abdomen

Signs the Cat Is Becoming Critically Ill

• Vomiting

• Complete food refusal

• Marked weakness

• Severe lethargy

• Abnormal or slow heartbeat

• Low body temperature

• Collapse

• Inability to stand

• Altered awareness

• Abnormal breathing

Do not wait for vomiting or collapse. Repeated urinary straining in a male cat is enough to justify emergency assessment.

What Causes Straining in Cats?

Urinary Causes in Cats

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis

Feline idiopathic cystitis causes painful inflammation of the bladder and lower urinary tract without a bacterial infection, stone or tumour being identified.

Affected cats may:

• Strain

• Urinate frequently

• Pass blood

• Urinate outside the litter tray

• Lick the genital area

• Vocalise

Male cats with cystitis may progress to urethral obstruction. The same outward signs can result from several different urinary conditions, so examination and testing are needed rather than diagnosing cystitis from behaviour alone. (Sage Journals)

Urethral Plugs

Inflammatory proteins, mucus, cells and crystals may combine into a plug that becomes lodged within the male urethra.

Crystals can contribute, but they are not present in every blocked cat. Finding crystals also does not prove that they are the entire cause.

Bladder or Urethral Stones

Small stones may enter the urethra and become trapped. Larger stones may remain in the bladder and cause pain, blood and repeated urinary signs without complete obstruction.

Urinary Tract Infection

Bacterial infection can cause urgency, pain and blood in the urine. It becomes more likely in older cats and cats with diabetes, kidney disease, urinary procedures or other predisposing conditions.

Antibiotics should not be given automatically to every cat with urinary signs. Urinalysis and, when indicated, urine culture help determine whether infection is actually present.

Urethral Swelling, Injury or Stricture

Previous catheterisation, trauma, severe inflammation or surgery may create swelling or scar-tissue narrowing.

Urinary Tumours

Bladder or urethral tumours are uncommon but important, particularly in older cats with persistent blood in the urine or progressive difficulty urinating.

Gastrointestinal Causes in Cats

Constipation

Constipation means infrequent or difficult passage of stool.

Possible contributors include:

• Dehydration

• Chronic kidney disease

• Low activity

• Pain

• Obesity

• Hair or indigestible material

• Medication

• Neurological disease

• Pelvic narrowing

• Rectal or colonic masses

Obstipation and Megacolon

Obstipation is severe constipation in which the cat can no longer empty the colon normally. Megacolon describes a chronically dilated colon with poor muscular function.

Affected cats may strain repeatedly, pass no stool, vomit, stop eating and become dehydrated. Severe cases may require enemas, hospital fluid therapy and manual removal of impacted stool under anaesthesia. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Colitis

Colitis causes repeated urgency and straining, but the pet may still pass frequent small amounts of soft stool, mucus or bright red blood.

Possible causes include:

• Dietary change

• Parasites

• Infection

• Food-responsive disease

• Chronic inflammatory enteropathy

• Stress

• Colorectal disease

Anal, Rectal or Perineal Disease

Painful anal-sac disease, rectal inflammation, polyps, tumours, foreign material and perineal wounds can all make defecation painful or difficult.

Rectal tumours may cause straining, constipation, diarrhoea or fresh blood. Anal-sac disease can cause scooting, licking beneath the tail and painful defecation. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

What Causes Straining in Dogs?

Urinary Causes in Dogs

Bladder or Urethral Stones

Stones are an important cause of painful urination and obstruction in dogs. A stone may lodge within the urethra, particularly in male dogs.

Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary infection can cause:

• Frequent urination

• Straining

• Pain

• Blood

• Accidents indoors

• Strong-smelling urine

Culture is particularly useful in recurrent, complicated or treatment-resistant cases.

Prostate Disease

Prostatic disease is common in intact male dogs and can produce both urinary and gastrointestinal signs.

Possible disorders include:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia

• Bacterial prostatitis

• Prostatic abscesses

• Cysts

• Prostatic neoplasia

An enlarged or painful prostate may compress the colon, interfere with urination or cause both urinary and faecal straining. Fever, severe abdominal pain, stiffness and systemic illness raise concern for acute prostatitis or an abscess. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

Urethral Stricture or Tumour

Scar tissue, urinary tumours and surrounding masses may narrow or obstruct urine flow.

Perineal Hernia

A perineal hernia develops when the pelvic-supporting muscles weaken, allowing the rectum, prostate, fat or urinary bladder to move into the area beside the anus.

Affected dogs may have:

• A swelling beside the anus

• Constipation

• Straining to defecate

• Straining to urinate

• Altered tail carriage

• Abdominal discomfort

If the bladder becomes trapped or flips backwards into the hernia, complete urinary obstruction can occur and emergency surgery may be required. (American College of Veterinary Surgeons)

Gastrointestinal Causes in Dogs

Constipation

Common contributors include:

• Dehydration

• Eating bones or indigestible material

• Reduced exercise

• Pain

• Pelvic injury

• Neurological disease

• Medication

• Colorectal obstruction

• Prostate enlargement

• Perineal hernia

Colitis

Dogs with colitis often make repeated attempts to defecate, but produce frequent small amounts of soft stool, mucus or bright red blood rather than hard stool.

Rectal or Anal Disease

Possible causes include:

• Anal-sac impaction or abscess

• Rectal polyps

• Colorectal tumours

• Foreign objects

• Rectal strictures

• Perianal masses

• Painful wounds

A rectal examination is particularly important in dogs with persistent straining, flattened stool, bleeding or unexplained constipation.

How Worried Should You Be?

Lower Immediate Concern

Your pet:

• Strained once

• Then passed a normal amount of urine or stool

• Remains bright and comfortable

• Is eating normally

• Has no blood, vomiting or abdominal pain

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

What to do: Monitor the next several eliminations closely. Arrange veterinary advice if it happens again, output becomes reduced or another sign develops.

Moderate Concern

Your pet has:

• Repeated straining

• Frequent litter-tray visits

• Small urine clumps or tiny amounts of stool

• Blood

• Mucus

• Genital or anal licking

• Mild discomfort

• Otherwise reasonable energy

What it may mean: Cystitis, partial obstruction, constipation, colitis or another painful condition is possible.

What to do: Arrange a same-day veterinary examination. A male cat in this category should be treated more urgently because partial obstruction can become complete.

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

• A perineal swelling

• Blood without normal output

What it may mean: Urinary obstruction, severe constipation, gastrointestinal obstruction, prostate disease or another important condition may be present.

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

Critical

Your pet has:

• Collapse

• Inability to stand

• Blue, grey or very pale gums

• Severe weakness

• Open-mouth or laboured breathing

• Low body temperature

• Abnormal awareness

• A seizure

• Severe abdominal distension

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• No urine production

What it may mean: Shock, severe hyperkalaemia, kidney failure, 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 perineal swelling and difficulty urinating.

• Tissue is protruding from the anus.

• There is substantial rectal or urinary bleeding.

• A foreign object or string is protruding from the anus.

• The pet has severe constipation with vomiting and abdominal distension.

• Breathing becomes difficult.

Do not wait overnight when urinary obstruction is possible.

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 and bowel movement?

In a multi-cat home, briefly separate the affected cat with a clean litter tray if this can be done safely and without delaying care.

2. Call the Veterinary Clinic

Tell the team:

• Species, sex and age

• Whether the animal is male and neutered

• Whether urine, stool or neither is being produced

• The last normal urination and defecation

• Frequency of attempts

• Presence of blood

• Vomiting

• Appetite

• Energy

• Abdominal swelling

• Previous urinary or constipation episodes

• Current medications

• Known stones, prostate disease or pelvic injury

Saying, “My male cat has attempted to urinate ten times and is producing only drops,” communicates the urgency far more clearly than saying, “He seems constipated.”

3. Take a Short Video

A video of the posture and output can help the veterinary team distinguish:

• Urinary straining

• Defecation

• Colitis

• Pain

• Weakness

• Abnormal neurological posture

Do not delay transport to obtain a perfect recording.

4. Bring a Sample When Possible

You may bring:

• Fresh stool

• A photograph of the litter tray

• A sample of passed urine if it can be collected cleanly

• A list of medications

• Previous laboratory or imaging results

5. Keep the Pet Calm

Use a secure carrier or leash and minimise pressure over the abdomen.

6. Do Not Press the Abdomen or Bladder

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

7. Do Not Give Laxatives Until Obstruction Is Ruled Out

A laxative will not treat urinary obstruction, a urethral stone, a rectal mass or a gastrointestinal foreign body.

Laxatives can also worsen dehydration when used in a dehydrated animal. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

8. Never Give a Human Enema to a Cat

Phosphate-containing enemas can cause life-threatening hyperphosphataemia, hypocalcaemia, hypernatraemia and severe fluid shifts in cats. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

9. Do Not Give Human Medication

Avoid:

• Ibuprofen

• Paracetamol

• Naproxen

• Human urinary medication

• Human constipation medication

• Anti-diarrhoeal medication

• Diuretics

• Leftover antibiotics

10. Do Not Pull Anything From the Anus

String or linear foreign material may extend far into the intestinal tract. Pulling it can damage or cut through the intestines.

11. Do Not Force Food or Water

Do not force oral intake into a vomiting, collapsed, severely painful or poorly responsive animal.

How Do Veterinarians Diagnose the Cause?

History and Observation

The veterinarian 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 environment

• Reproductive status

• Duration and progression

Physical Examination

The examination may include:

• Bladder palpation

• Abdominal palpation

• Assessment of stool within the colon

• Examination of the penis or vulva

• Rectal examination

• Prostate assessment in male dogs

• Anal-sac examination

• Perineal examination

• Neurological and orthopaedic assessment

• Temperature, heart rate and hydration

A completely obstructed urinary bladder is typically firm, enlarged and painful. In dogs, rectal examination may identify a urethral stone, enlarged prostate, rectal mass or perineal hernia. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Blood Testing

Bloodwork may assess:

• Kidney function

• Potassium

• Sodium

• Calcium

• Hydration

• Infection or inflammation

• Anaemia

• Glucose

• Organ function

Electrolyte and kidney testing are essential when urinary obstruction is suspected.

Urinalysis and Culture

Urinalysis may identify:

• Blood

• Crystals

• Inflammation

• Urine concentration

• Glucose

• Protein

• Bacteria

Culture may be needed when bacterial infection is suspected, particularly in older or medically complicated patients.

Imaging

Radiographs or ultrasound may identify:

• 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

Faecal and Gastrointestinal Testing

Depending on the stool and history, testing may include:

• Faecal flotation

• Giardia testing

• Tritrichomonas PCR in cats

• Dietary trials

• Rectal cytology

• Endoscopy or biopsy

• Colonoscopy for persistent disease

How Is Straining Treated?

Treatment depends completely on whether the problem is urinary, gastrointestinal, reproductive or structural.

Urinary Obstruction

Treatment may include:

• Immediate pain relief

• IV access and fluid therapy

• Correction of dangerous potassium abnormalities

• Sedation or general anaesthesia

• Urinary catheterisation

• Flushing or moving obstructing material

• Hospital monitoring

• Surgery or urinary diversion when catheterisation fails

Urinary obstruction is an emergency, and severely affected patients must be stabilised while urine flow is restored. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

Non-Obstructive Urinary Disease

Treatment may include:

• Pain relief

• Increased water intake

• Cause-specific urinary diet

• Environmental modification

• Removal or dissolution of stones where appropriate

• Treatment of confirmed infection

• Management of underlying kidney, endocrine or neurological disease

Antibiotics treat bacterial infection. They do not treat feline idiopathic cystitis, sterile inflammation or a physical obstruction.

Constipation

Treatment depends on severity and may include:

• Rehydration

• Enemas administered safely

• Stool-softening medication

• Dietary adjustment

• Prokinetic medication

• Removal of impacted faeces under anaesthesia

• Treatment of kidney disease, pain or pelvic obstruction

• Surgery for refractory megacolon

Severe constipation or obstipation should be corrected only after hydration and electrolyte abnormalities are addressed. (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Colitis

Treatment may involve:

• Hydration

• Parasite testing and treatment

• A dietary trial

• Microbiome or fibre management

• Treatment of infection when demonstrated

• Investigation for chronic enteropathy or colorectal disease

Colitis is not treated like simple constipation because the colon is inflamed and often already moving too frequently.

Prostate Disease

Treatment varies according to the cause and may include:

• Castration or androgen suppression for benign enlargement

• Culture-directed antibiotics for bacterial prostatitis

• Drainage or surgery for abscesses

• Cancer treatment or palliative support

• Management of urinary obstruction

Perineal Hernia

A non-emergency hernia commonly requires surgical repair. Emergency treatment is needed if the urinary bladder or intestine becomes trapped and obstructed. (American College of Veterinary Surgeons)

Will My Pet Be Okay?

The prognosis depends on the cause, severity and how quickly treatment begins.

Many pets with uncomplicated cystitis, colitis or a first episode of constipation recover well once pain, hydration and the underlying trigger are addressed.

Urinary obstruction is also treatable, but the prognosis worsens when the pet arrives with severe potassium abnormalities, shock, bladder damage or prolonged kidney dysfunction. Recurrence is possible when the underlying urinary disease is not controlled.

Chronic megacolon, prostate cancer, rectal tumours, strictures and recurrent urinary obstruction require longer-term or surgical management.

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 to pass before becoming complete.

Giving Pumpkin, Fibre or Laxatives Immediately

These do not treat urinary obstruction and may be inappropriate when gastrointestinal obstruction or severe dehydration is present.

Giving a Human Enema

Phosphate enemas can be fatal to cats.

Pressing the Abdomen

This causes pain and may damage a severely distended urinary tract.

Assuming Blood Means Infection

Blood can occur with cystitis, stones, tumours, trauma, colitis and rectal disease. Antibiotics are not always the answer.

Treating Frequent Soft Stool as Constipation

Repeated small amounts of soft stool, mucus and bright red blood are more consistent with colitis.

Punishing Litter-Tray or House Accidents

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

How Can Straining Be Prevented?

Not every episode is preventable, but risk can often be reduced.

For Cats

• Provide several fresh-water options.

• Consider wet food or added dietary water when medically appropriate.

• Feed a veterinary urinary diet when specifically prescribed.

• Maintain a healthy body weight.

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

• Scoop trays at least daily.

• Place trays in quiet, accessible locations.

• Reduce intercat conflict and environmental stress.

• Encourage daily play and activity.

• Monitor urine-clump size and frequency.

• Treat constipation before repeated episodes damage colonic function.

For Dogs

• Maintain reliable access to water.

• Provide regular exercise.

• Avoid feeding bones or indigestible material.

• Maintain appropriate fibre for the individual dog.

• Investigate recurrent constipation rather than repeatedly treating symptoms.

• Discuss prostate health in intact male dogs.

• Monitor for perineal swelling.

• Maintain parasite prevention.

• Arrange rectal examination when straining, flattened stools or bleeding persist.

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 urine stream or normal-sized 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 no normal urine suggest urinary disease. Hard dry stool suggests constipation. Frequent soft stool with mucus or fresh blood suggests colitis. When uncertain, arrange an examination.

How long can a pet safely go without passing stool?

Defecation frequency varies, but straining, pain, vomiting, reduced appetite or abdominal enlargement should not be monitored solely by counting days. A pet repeatedly attempting to defecate without success needs veterinary 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 constipation cases but can be unsuitable for others.

Can dogs have a urinary blockage?

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

Final Thoughts

Straining is never a diagnosis by itself.

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 an emergency.

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

4. Constipation usually 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 ruled out.

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 it is constipation before confirming what the animal is actually trying to pass.

When a pet 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 managed through telehealth and still requires immediate hands-on emergency treatment.