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A cat squatting in the litter box again and again, with nothing much happening, looks like constipation. In a male cat it is far more likely to be a blocked urethra, and that is one of the true emergencies in cat care.
Why male cats are at risk
Male cats have a long, narrow urethra. Crystals, mucus plugs or inflammation can block it completely. When that happens, urine cannot leave the body, and Cornell’s Feline Health Center explains that the kidneys can no longer remove toxins or keep fluids and electrolytes in balance.
Cornell warns that the time from complete obstruction to death may be less than 24 to 48 hours, so immediate treatment is essential.
Signs of lower urinary tract disease
Cornell lists these common signs of feline lower urinary tract disease:
- Difficult or painful urination
- More frequent urination, often in small amounts
- Crying out while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Frequent licking of the genital area
In a male cat, any of these plus little or no urine means go now, even at night.
Lowering the risk
- Encourage water intake, with wet food, water added to food or a water fountain.
- Keep litter boxes clean and easy to reach, so cats do not hold urine.
- Reduce stress, which is linked to urinary inflammation in cats.
- Follow any prescribed urinary diet exactly if your vet recommends one.
Scooping every day is not only about smell. It is how you notice fewer or smaller clumps, or blood, before a problem becomes an emergency.
The litter box guide covers household access after urgent medical questions are addressed. The lily toxicity guide identifies a separate household exposure risk.
Questions people ask
How long can a cat survive with a urinary blockage?
Cornell warns that death can follow in less than 24 to 48 hours after complete obstruction. It is a same-day emergency.
Is my cat constipated or blocked?
They can look alike. In a male cat, straining with little or no urine should be treated as a blockage until a vet says otherwise.
Can female cats get urinary blockages?
It is much less common because their urethra is wider, but females get other urinary tract problems and should still be seen.
What causes urinary problems in cats?
Causes include inflammation linked to stress, crystals and stones, infections and plugs. Many cases have no single identifiable cause.
Where these figures come from
- Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease Cornell Feline Health Center · vet.cornell.edu
- Hydration Cornell Feline Health Center · vet.cornell.edu
Figures last checked September 2026.
