Parenting a cat can be a rewarding, yet challenging experience. It’s also a big responsibility. Although cats tend to be independent creatures, they need love, attention and care.
In addition to keeping your kit safe and fed, you need to do your part to protect his health. A healthy cat will enjoy a higher quality of life.
Even with quality care, your kit may develop health issues that need addressing. As cats tend to hide symptoms of pain and sickness, you’ll need to keep an eye out for changes in their behavior that could indicate they’re not well.
Changes in your pet’s appearance like droopy eyes, fur loss, weight loss, etc. can also be telltale signs that your pet’s not feeling his best. The longer you have your pet, the easier it is to notice when something is amiss.
If your cat is scratching incessantly, for example, he could be suffering from fleas or have dermatology issues. Meowing for no apparent reason or limping around the house could indicate he’s in pain.
A cat squatting longer than normal or straining to urinate could be a sign of a urinary tract infection.
What Does It Mean When A Cat Keeps Squatting?
From the time they are kittens, cats instinctively squat to pee. If you’ve ever watched your cat in his litter box or outdoors, you’re probably familiar with his urinating posture.
Most cats will spread their back legs, squat, lift their tail and then urinate. That’s the normal feline urination procedure.
Most cats are fastidious in their potty habits. Indoor cats will use their litter boxes or trays consistently. If your cat goes outdoors, he’ll find some sand or loose soil in the garden to do his business.
Healthy cats may urinate two, three or four times a day, depending on their age, weather conditions and food and water intake.
If your cat is squatting more than normal and straining to urinate with little to no success, that is cause for concern. Frequent trips in and out of the litter box with nothing to show for your cat’s efforts could be symptoms that something is medically wrong with your kit.
The inability to urinate is not only uncomfortable for a cat, it can be harmful as well.
Why Is My Cat Squatting But Not Peeing?
Frequent squatting without going pee could be a sign of urinary tract issues in your cat. Veterinarians use the term FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) to describe conditions affecting a cat’s bladder and urethra.
Cats with FLUTD often strain to urinate with little success. They may manage to pass a small amount of urine under duress and pain. Sometimes drops of blood can be found in the urine as well.
If you notice your cat is having a hard time urinating, don’t hesitate to notify your vet. You can book a video call with a professional vet in your area, explain your cat’s symptoms and have him recommend a course of action.
Your vet may choose to perform tests on your pet to get an accurate diagnosis of his or her condition. Urinary tract issues should be addressed quickly to prevent them from escalating into more serious health conditions.
Urinary tract infections can be more serious for male cats than for female cats due to a male cat’s anatomy. An obstruction of your male cat’s urethra could prevent him from urinating altogether, causing deadly toxins to build up in his system.
Left unchecked, a urinary blockage could be deadly to your cat. If your male cat is having trouble urinating, contact your local veterinarian immediately for treatment.
Why Is My Cat Squatting Weirdly?
Urinary tract issues can be painful for your cat, which may cause him to squat “weirdly.” If his litter box is a bit confined, he may find it difficult to get in and out or squat comfortably due to discomfort or pain.
This could cause him to look elsewhere for alternative places to relieve himself at home. Your kit may start squatting to pee in such outlandish (but easily accessible) places as your bathtub, on your bed or even inside a large, indoor, potted plant.
Pain may cause your kit to adopt abnormal postures and positions for squatting, standing, sitting or sleeping. If your cat has additional health issues such as arthritis, he may find it hard to squat at all!
Changes in your cat’s behavior, mobility, digestion and elimination should all be brought to your vet’s attention for treatment. Your vet can help restore your cat’s health and quality of life.
Although any cat can develop urinary tract problems, FLUTD is seen more often in middle-aged, overweight, indoor cats who tend to get little outdoor exercise. Stress can also be a factor in your cat developing these issues.
Stress not only affects a cat’s disposition, it can impact his health, making him more susceptible to debilitating medical conditions.
Why Is My Cat Squatting While Walking?
If your cat hasn’t been urinating or eliminating properly, he could have a urinary blockage or intestinal obstruction that’s causing him pain. This could account for his squatting down while walking about.
A urinary blockage can be fatal for your male cat if not treated promptly. That would attest as to why your kit isn’t walking spryly or in an upright position.
Cats that are experiencing abdominal pain may crouch closer to the ground when walking to reduce painful symptoms. Abdominal pain will prompt your cat to walk more slowly and for shorter distances as well.
Muscle or joint pain can also affect your cat’s mobility, resulting in slower, more methodical movements. Your kit may take longer to rise from a crouching position or may “squat walk” to take pressure off of arthritic joints.
It’s also possible your cat sustained some kind of side, leg or back injury that’s making it uncomfortable for him to walk normally. A visit to your local vet can help uncover the cause of your pet’s discomfort so he can get treatment. Professional veterinary care can help restore your pet’s mobility along with his health.
Why Is My Cat Squatting And Meowing?
There are various reasons for why a cat may squat and meow simultaneously. A female cat that walks while crouching close to the ground may be in heat. Male cats may be in pain or duress. By consulting with your vet, you can get a better indication of what’s ailing your pet.
For a previously healthy, house-trained cat, squatting and meowing is obviously odd behavior. If your cat is straining to pee while squatting but little or no urine is coming out, he or she could be suffering from a urinary tract infection.
The meowing is your cat’s way of telling you he or she needs help. By acting quickly, you can spare your pet undue misery and pain.
Cats can be sensitive to what’s happening around them. Your cat’s odd behavior could be due to changes in his environment that are prompting fear, hostility or discomfort.
By observing your cat’s body language as he crouches and meows, you may be able to determine what’s wrong, so you can take steps to put your kit at ease. If it appears that your cat is in pain, however, contact your vet without delay.
Conclusion
Abnormal cat squatting shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially when this behavior is accompanied by other painful symptoms. It could be due to stress, injury or a medical condition that’s causing your cat pain and discomfort. Your pet’s strange behavior is his way of letting you know something is wrong and he needs help. Working with a trustworthy vet is the best course of action for resolving pet care issues you’re unfamiliar with, like abnormal cat squatting. With proper treatment, your feline companion will be back on his feet in no time – literally – and ready for love, attention and play!
