What It Is:
Bladder stones, also called uroliths or urinary calculi, are solid mineral formations that develop in the bladder. They can vary in size, number, and mineral composition. Bladder stones can cause discomfort, inflammation, and sometimes blockage of the urinary tract, which is a medical emergency, especially in male cats.
Stones may form on their own or alongside urinary tract infections or other urinary conditions.
🐾 Common Symptoms
- Straining to urinate
- Frequent urination in small amounts
- Blood in the urine
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Vocalizing or showing pain when urinating
- Licking the genital area
- Signs of a urinary blockage such as no urine production, vomiting, or collapse
Some cats with small or few stones may show no obvious signs until the problem becomes more serious.
🦠 Causes and Risk Factors
Bladder stones form when minerals in the urine become concentrated and begin to crystallize. Several factors can contribute to this process:
- Dehydration or low water intake
- Urinary tract infections
- Urine that is too acidic or too alkaline
- Diets high in certain minerals
- Genetic predisposition
- Obesity
- Certain medical conditions such as kidney disease
The most common types of stones in cats are struvite and calcium oxalate. Each type forms under different conditions and requires different treatment.
🔍 Diagnosis
Bladder stones cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. Testing is needed to confirm their presence and guide treatment.
Diagnostic tools include:
- Urinalysis to check for crystals, blood, and pH
- X rays to identify radiopaque stones such as struvite or calcium oxalate
- Ultrasound to detect radiolucent stones or confirm stone size and location
- Urine culture to check for infection
- Stone analysis after removal or passage to determine type
Accurate diagnosis of the stone type is essential for choosing the correct treatment approach.
💊 Treatment
Treatment depends on the size, location, and type of bladder stone.
Options may include:
- Prescription urinary diet to dissolve struvite stones
- Increased water intake to dilute urine
- Antibiotics if infection is present
- Surgical removal (cystotomy) if stones are too large to pass or if they do not dissolve
- Flushing procedures under anesthesia to help pass small stones
- Ongoing diet management to prevent recurrence
Calcium oxalate stones cannot be dissolved with diet and typically require surgery or flushing.
🩺 Prognosis
With proper treatment, most cats recover well. However, bladder stones can return, especially if the underlying cause is not addressed.
- Struvite stones often dissolve with diet and do not require surgery
- Calcium oxalate stones are more likely to recur and may need long term management
- Recurring stones may require lifelong dietary changes and routine urine monitoring
Monitoring and preventive care are key to reducing the risk of future problems.
💡 Cat Owner Note
If your cat is straining in the box or peeing on your bath mat, it is not stubbornness. It may be bladder stones. Quick treatment can relieve pain, prevent blockages, and save your cat from a costly emergency. Clean water, good food, and regular vet checks go a long way in keeping their bladder happy.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Bladder Stones in Cats
Can bladder stones dissolve on their own?
Struvite stones may dissolve with a special diet. Calcium oxalate stones do not dissolve and usually need to be removed.
How long does it take to dissolve stones with diet?
Struvite stones may dissolve in two to six weeks, but this depends on the stone size and how strictly the diet is followed.
Is surgery always required?
Not always. Some stones dissolve with diet or can be flushed out under anesthesia. Surgery is needed if stones are too large or cause a blockage.
Can I prevent bladder stones?
Yes. Preventive diets, increased hydration, and regular urine testing can reduce the risk of recurrence.
Are bladder stones painful?
Yes. They can cause inflammation, discomfort, and painful urination. In male cats, they can also lead to dangerous urinary blockages.
Can cats live normally after surgery?
Yes. Most cats recover well and return to normal life. Diet changes and monitoring help prevent new stones from forming.