How Often Do Cats Pee? What Is Normal For Your Cat

While not quite as serious as your cat's poop, kitty urine can be quite the pungent thing, especially if you're not using a quality cat litter that can fight odors. If you're not careful, you can find yourself in a house that absolutely reeks of cat urine. Also checking on the condition of your cat's urine is always good for cat's health. 

This can often lead to a very interesting question, which ultimately breaks down to, "how often do cats pee??"

If you've ever had that question you should know that you aren't alone. Most cat owners that have found themselves walking into that signature smell of cat urine have walked away asking that exact same thing. Try and a make it a habit to regularly check the cat litter as their may be some type of early warning that kitty has a health issue

And while there are a lot of factors that go into it, ultimately a cat's bathroom and toilet habits are strongly linked to its overall health. 

How Often Do Cats Pee? In Short

The average number of pee breaks your cat should be taking is between two and four times per day.

This is because cats originated from the fairly dry climate of Mesopotamia, resulting in them having a highly effective hydration system, taking in water and only expelling it when absolutely necessary. It is also true that a normal cat pee time is actually quite variable. 

Why Is My Cat Peeing a Lot? 

There are a few factors that you should be looking at before deciding whether their frequency is a health problem or not. For example, one of the biggest culprits behind your cat's litter box visits deals with the amount of water they're consuming. 

The more water they take in, whether that's from water directly or even the liquid found in wet foods, the more they'll need to excrete that water through peeing. 

On the other hand, if the area they're in is very hot or humid, or they have been on dry food there's a chance they will want to conserve as much water as possible.

Potential Urinary Medical Issues 

If you find that your cat's pee frequency isn't so much based on the amount of water they're taking in or the overall temperature and climate of the area they're in, another very serious issue could relate to their medical health. 

Certain conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease (which can lead to kidney failure), can cause a cat to want to pee more than usual. On the other hand, a cat with a bladder infection or liver disease can similarly result in them wanting to run to the litter box more or less than usual.

Thyroid Disorders: such as hyperthyroidism and feline lower urinary tract disease can cause more frequent urination and discoloration of their urine.

A more serious example is if your cat is suffering from a urethral obstruction. 

A urethral blockage is potentially a life-threatening emergency and should be taken extremely seriously as they will find it very difficult to pass their urine. 

Again, this can often result in serious health issues and the cat dying if not treated right away. 

Read this next: How To Find Cat Pee? (With and Without a Blacklight!)

Especially for male cats, if you notice symptoms such as them being more vocal when going to the litter box, excessive thirst, or an increase in the frequency of urination consider taking them to the vet as quickly as you can

If your cat is older or suffering from an injury, it may find getting into its litter box more challenging than before. If you notice them struggling, consider looking at a litter box with a lower entrance that is easier for them to enter.

Healthy Cat Urine Color For My Cat?

As with humans, the color of your cat's urine says a lot about their overall health. Normal cat urine colors can range from the healthy standard of yellow or amber to the more worrying and troublesome colors including clear, blue, green, pink, red, or even white. 

If a cat has blue or green-colored urine, this is a sign of a bacterial infection. For white-colored or foamy urine, this is likely due to internal inflammation.

Dark-colored Cat Urine

If your cat's urine is found to be unusually dark, there's a chance they may be suffering from some type of internal bleeding, with that blood getting into the urine. 

Read this next: How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell: Step By Step Guide

There are several conditions that can lead to blood in the urine (hematuria) including an inflammatory response known as idiopathic cystitis. 

This is the most common cause of bloody cat pee and deals with an inflamed bladder, primarily seen in younger adolescent felines.

Other equally-troubling reasons for very dark urine include a urinary tract infection, physical trauma, a urinary blockage, as well as cancer. 

All in all, if you find your cat peeing black or very very dark amber, you want to get them to a vet as soon as possible.

My Cat's Urine Is Strong - Is That Ok? 

As stated in the beginning, cat urine is pretty infamous for its pungent smell. Your cat can be perfectly healthy while having urine that stinks all the way to the heavens. 

Still, if you find there is a particularly new or extra pungent smell to your cat's urine, there may be a problem. 

Generally, these issues can be connected to an infection or some type of inflammation in the body, such as internal tumors as well as potential hormonal disorders.

If you find yourself noticing your cat's urine as being extra smelly or strong, it doesn't hurt to schedule a visit with the vet to see what's going on.

Ideally, you want your cat's urine to be as odorless as possible. While it's likely always going to be fairly pungent, you should strive for improving their diet while also giving them some time to exercise so that their body is running more efficiently. 

Again, you aren't looking for a complete lack of odor (though that would be nice) but instead a smell that isn't quite as sharp or strong.

Should I see a Vet?

If you're ever in doubt, it's worth it to always seek the advice of a veterinarian. If you're worried that there may seriously be an issue with your cat, make an appointment with the vet and have them give you the all-clear. 

Not only will allay any fears you have if everything is ok, but if there is an issue you'll have jumped on in the earlier stages, potentially nipping it in the bud before it could cause a real issue.

If in any doubt, whether you have younger cats, female cats, male cats, or senior cats, just get them to a professional for a check-up. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Read this next: How Often Do Cats Poop? (And Bathroom Habits to Watch Out For!)

How Often Do Cats Pee? The Verdict

As with humans and other animals, there is a range of how often your cat or kitten can find themselves using the litter box. This means that there isn't a 100% "one-size-fits-all" type of scenario, as the more water they're exposed to the more likely they'll need to pee in the first place.

Instead, you want to gauge your cat's regular frequency and see if they are going more or less than what is normal for them. If your cat is known for peeing three or four times a day, but suddenly going twice or half as many times, that can be a sign that there is a problem, no matter how it squares compared to other cats.

Also, remember that it isn't just about the frequency, but about the entire peeing experience for your pet cat. 

Even if the number of pee breaks is the same, notice if the pee itself has a stronger smell to it, if it is a reddish, greenish, or dark blackish color, or if you find your cat being more vocal throughout the experience. All of these things can speak to a bigger issue that may need addressing.