My cat is straining in the litter box — UTI or blockage?
A male cat straining with no urine output is an emergency — a full urethral blockage can be fatal within 24–48 hours.
Tell crittr what's happening
What to watch for
- No urine produced despite repeated straining (male cats)
- Crying in the box, licking genitals, vomiting
- Blood in urine or urinating outside the box
Common questions
Should I go to the emergency vet right now?
Yes. Based on what you've described, this is the kind of situation where minutes can matter. Call your nearest 24/7 animal ER on the way. If you're not sure where that is, use our free triage chat above — it'll confirm the urgency and surface a local ER in seconds.
What symptoms should I watch for?
Three signs worth watching in the next 24–48 hours: No urine produced despite repeated straining (male cats); Crying in the box, licking genitals, vomiting; Blood in urine or urinating outside the box. If any of them show up or get worse, move up one tier (home → vet, vet → ER).
Do I need to pay for a vet visit just to ask?
No. Our triage chat is free — it'll tell you whether a vet visit is actually warranted before you spend anything. If you do need a licensed vet, we connect you to one via Vetster or AirVet in minutes, from your phone.
Can crittr fill a prescription for this?
If a licensed vet prescribes meds during or after triage, yes — Rx orders are routed through our licensed pharmacy partner (Chewy Pharmacy). You can also browse our OTC picks directly; we only stock items our vet advisors actually recommend.