
Author TB Thompson DVM has been a licensed, practicing veterinarian since 2000.
Bladder stones in cats are hard formations that develop in the urinary bladder. They can lead to discomfort, difficulty urinating, or even serious blockages.
Despite their name, cats don’t get bladder stones from your yard! They form from minerals and other natural compounds present in a cat’s urine. The exact cause isn’t always clear but factors like diet, lifestyle and certain health conditions can increase risk.
In this article, I’ll explain what causes bladder stones, how to recognize symptoms, and the various treatment options available. This guide will help you better understand the condition and how to help your cat overcome it.
Overview
Bladder stones are solid formations made from minerals and organic compounds in a cat’s urine. High concentrations of substances like magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and protein can lead to the formation of these stones. They vary in size, from as small as a grain of sand to several inches in diameter. Some are smooth, while others have spiky surfaces.
Other terms used for cat bladder stones include:
- Urolith
- Urocystolith
- Cystic urolith
- Cystic calculi
- Urinary stone
Causes of Feline Bladder Stones
It’s not fully understood what causes bladder stones in cats. Conditions that may cause the formation of bladder stones in cats include
- High-mineral diets (magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, chloride, fiber)
- Bladder infection (struvite)
- High urine pH (struvite)
- High blood calcium (calcium oxalate)
- Liver circulation abnormalities (urate)
- Kidney abnormalities (cystine)
Risk Factors and Prevalence
Bladder stones are a common issue among cats.
In 2017, Healthy Paws reported that urinary tract problems were the second most common insurance claim.(4) And studies show that up to 25% of cats with lower urinary tract diseases have bladder stones.(5)
Certain factors can make some cats more prone to developing bladder stones. For instance:
- Age and Sex: Middle-aged to senior male cats are more likely to develop calcium oxalate stones, while young to middle-aged female cats are more prone to struvite stones.
- Breed: Persians, Burmese, Tonkinese, and Siamese breeds are more susceptible to calcium oxalate stones. Siamese cats also have a higher risk for cystine stones, and breeds like the Birman, Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, and Siamese may be more prone to urate stones.
- Lifestyle Factors: Cats that are spayed or neutered, overweight, or live strictly indoors are at increased risk. Male cats are also more likely to experience urethral obstructions from bladder stones. (1)

Feline Bladder Stone Symptoms
Bladder stones can cause discomfort, pain, and potentially serious complications. They may irritate the bladder lining, cause urinary obstruction, increase the risk of infections, and damage the bladder wall.
Symptoms to watch for include
- Urinating outside the litterbox
- Vocalizing while urinating
- Straining to urinate
- Frequent urination
- Bloody urine
- Foul urine odor
- Inability to pass urine, vomiting and lethargy (with an obstruction)
Diagnosis
Diagnosing a cat with bladder stones typically requires testing. Common tests include:
- Urinalysis: Checks for blood, crystals, and abnormal pH levels.
- Urine Culture: Identifies bacterial infections and guides antibiotic selection.
- Abdominal Radiographs: Detect stones larger than 3 mm.
- Ultrasound Imaging: Shows stones and assesses bladder tissue.
- Blood Chemistry and Cell Count Tests: Rules out liver, kidney, or endocrine diseases.
- Stone Analysis: Identifies the type of stone to help prevent future occurrences.
Treatment
In emergency treatment of urethral obstruction, a urethral catheter is typically used to push the lodged stone back into the bladder. This will allow urine to flow but does not remove the stone.
Longer term treatments used for feline urolithiasis include
- Special Food: Can dissolve small struvite stones (see next section).
- Bladder Flushing: Removes very small stones.
- Laser Lithotripsy: Breaks stones into passable pieces.
- Cystoscopy: Removes stones using a camera tool.
- Cystotomy: Surgery to remove bladder stones. Post-surgery, cats are often hospitalized for a day or two to ensure normal urination. Most cats recover within a couple of weeks.
Medication
Medications can help manage bladder stones based on their type and associated conditions. Commonly prescribed medications include:
Medications | Purpose |
---|---|
Potassium citrate | Helps prevent calcium oxalate stones by combining with calcium and raising urine pH. |
Diuretics | Reduces urine calcium levels in cats with recurrent calcium oxalate stones. |
Antibiotics | Treat bladder infections when present |
Pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs | Alleviates discomfort in cats with bladder stones |
Prescription Urinary Diets
Special diets for urinary health can help dissolve some bladder stones and prevent others from coming back.
Struvite Stones
- These stones can be dissolved with a prescription diet.
- The diet makes the cat’s urine more acidic, which helps break down the stones so they can pass in the urine.
- It takes weeks to months of feeding this special food to dissolve stones.
Calcium Oxalate Stones
- These stones cannot be dissolved with a special diet.
- Prescription cat foods can help prevent them from forming again.
Urate Stones
- Cats with urate stones may benefit from eating wet-form prescription kidney diets.
Tufts University Veterinary School’s clinical nutrition service has a good article on dietary treatment of feline uroliths. Also, check out the article I wrote about urinary cat food…
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Prognosis
The prognosis for non-obstructive feline bladder stones is generally good with proper treatment. Cats with obstructive bladder stones can also have a good prognosis but only if treated aggressively.
Prevention
Preventing bladder stones involves:
- Treating Infections: Completely treat any present infection.
- High-Quality Cat Food: Feed high-quality or prescription food.
- Maintain Lean Body Weight: Keep your cat at a healthy weight.
- Increase Water Intake: Feed moist food and provide fresh, flowing water.
By following your vet’s recommendations and making some simple changes, you can help keep your cat healthy and prevent future episodes of bladder stones.
When to See a Veterinarian
If you notice changes in your cat’s urination habits, consult your veterinarian promptly. Early treatment can help your cat recover quickly and avoid serious complications.
By following your vet’s recommendations and making simple changes, you can help keep your cat healthy and prevent future episodes of bladder stones.
Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian
- What kind of stone does my cat have?
- Does my cat have an infection?
- Does my cat need surgery?
- Should my cat take pain medicine?
- Should my cat eat prescription food?
- When should I bring my cat in for a recheck exam?
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