Urinary conditions are a major concern for cat parents. The umbrella term which encompasses bladder and urethral conditions in cats is “Feline lower urinary tract disease” (FLUTD). Feline lower urinary tract disease can be caused by a variety of conditions including infections in the urinary tract, bladder stones, urethral obstruction, and, less commonly, injuries, tumors, or birth defects.
Because there is such an assortment of causes, the costs of treatment tend to vary. In general, the cost of diagnosing and treating urinary health issues in cats ranges from $150 to several thousand dollars. In this post, we’ll explore how much it costs on average to treat urinary conditions in cats.
Click below to jump ahead:
- The Importance of Cat Urinary Treatment
- How Much Does Urinary Treatment Cost?
- Additional Costs to Anticipate
- How Often Should I Get My Cat Checked for Urinary Conditions?
- Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat Urinary Treatment?
- How to Maintain Your Cat’s Urinary Health
The Importance of Cat Urinary Treatment
Urinary conditions can cause a great deal of discomfort and pain for cats. Symptoms of urinary conditions include pain when urinating—some cats actually cry out in pain when using the litter box. Straining or struggling to pee is another symptom, as is blood in the urine and peeing outside the litter box.
Moreover, in some cases, particularly in cats suffering from a blockage, urinary conditions can be fatal if treatment is not sought. For these reasons, seeking treatment for a cat showing symptoms of urinary conditions should be of paramount importance.
How Much Does Urinary Treatment Cost?
As with any procedure, the cost of treatment for urinary conditions varies depending on the condition and treatment required, your location, and the clinic you choose to go to. To give you an idea of how much different treatments cost, we’ve put together this table of estimates with some additional information.
Please bear in mind that these are just estimates based on our research—ask your veterinary clinic how much they charge for specific treatments and procedures as costs can vary greatly.
| Condition or Procedure | Treatment Price Estimate | Additional Details |
| Urinary tract infection | $150–$200 | Treatment costs for a simple UTI typically include vet consultation, lab tests, and antibiotics. If your cat suffers complications or needs a special kind of treatment, the cost is likely to increase. |
| Bladder stones | $1,000–$3,000 | A cystotomy is a surgical procedure to remove bladder stones. The cost may or may not include pre-op testing and/or post-op meds, so be sure to check with your vet. |
| Urinary blockage | $750–1,500 | This price estimate is for non-surgical treatment. |
| Urinary blockage (surgical) | $3,000 or more | This price estimate is for surgical treatment of a urinary blockage. |
| Tumors/cancer of the urinary tract | $3,800 or more | Treatment for cancer may include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery. |
Additional Costs to Anticipate
Some veterinary clinics include the cost of extras like pre-op vet checks, diagnosis, post-op medications, and prescription foods in their price estimates, whereas some may charge for these things separately. Here are some potential additional costs to anticipate.
| Procedure/Service | Estimated Cost | Additional Details |
| Cystoscopy (for diagnosis) | Around $700 | Information from Veterinary Surgery Services Inc. A cystoscopy lets the vet see into the lower urinary tract and is used to diagnose urinary conditions. The price estimate includes various exams and take-home medications in addition to the procedure. |
| Urine Test | $20–$75 | This depends on the clinic and location. |
| Prescription antibiotics for UTI | $10–30 per pack | |
| Urinary Care Prescription Food | $30–90 | The cost will vary depending on the bag size. |
| Initial Vet Consultation | Around $50 |
How Often Should I Get My Cat Checked for Urinary Conditions?
If your cat seems happy and healthy and is not showing any symptoms of urinary issues, it’s recommended to take them for a general checkup at least once per year.
Some vet clinics offer packages for annual wellness checkups, which include basic procedures like vaccines, heartworm testing, fecal testing, and urine testing. It might be worth considering one of these as they can save you money on taking your cat for these procedures individually.
On the other hand, if your cat is showing symptoms of urinary conditions (i.e. straining to urinate, meowing in pain when using the litterbox, blood in urine, etc.), please contact your vet right away.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat Urinary Treatment?
Yes, since conditions like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and obstructions are illnesses, the treatment for these conditions is typically covered under comprehensive accident and illness pet insurance plans. That being said, it’s always best to double-check with your provider.
Furthermore, pet insurance providers usually do not cover pre-existing conditions. These are conditions that affect your cat before the waiting period (the period between signing up and when you can actually make claims) ends. Different providers have different waiting period lengths.
How to Maintain Your Cat’s Urinary Health
If your cat suffers from a specific condition, your vet will be able to advise you on how you can improve your cat’s quality of life at home.
Here are some general tips for keeping your cat’s urinary tract in good working condition:
- Make sure your cat always has access to fresh, clean water. If they’re not drinking enough, you can increase their water intake by feeding them wet food or water flavored with something tasty like tuna juice.
- Feed a high-quality, nutritious diet. You can buy cat food formulated to support urinary health, but it’s best to seek advice on changing your cat’s diet from your vet first.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the litter box—a dirty litter box can put cats off using it.
- Reduce stress in your cat’s environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cost of diagnosing and treating urinary health issues in cats ranges from around $150 to several thousand dollars depending on the condition that requires treatment. A minor UTI may not be too costly to treat, but urinary blockages and bladder stones can be much more expensive.
If you’re concerned about being able to afford potential veterinary bills in the future, you might want to consider a pet insurance plan. You can also reach out to your vet to ask if they would consider creating a payment plan for you instead of you having to pay everything upfront. Some clinics may allow this, but there are no guarantees.
Featured Image Credit: Elpisterra, Shutterstock
