Do you own a kitty-cat? Maybe you’re curious: “How long can they hang on to their pee and poo?” Cats that have eaten or drunk something recently can usually contain their pees and poos for 24 – 48 hours. Knowing this is essential if you wish to keep your feline safe, healthy, and content.
Cats are neat animals, and rarely pee or poop outside of designated places. Have you ever wondered how long they can hold their pee or poop? It depends on lots of things, like age, diet, health, and well-being.
On average, cats can hold their pee for hours up to a day, if they’ve had food and water recently. This is usually safe since most cats need to expel liquids within 24 hours.
As for solid waste, it varies by a cat – but it shouldn’t be longer than 24 – 48 hours before they get uncomfortable from a full bladder or bowel.
What is the Normal Time Frame for a Cat to Hold Its Urine and Feces?
It can be helpful to know how long cats can hold urine and feces. This varies by a cat, but if they have had food or water recently, they can usually keep it in for 24 – 48 hours. After that, they may have urinary issues.
To keep track of fecal holding time, you’ll want to look at diet and activity. Cats usually wait up to 48 hours after eating before needing to go. If they take longer than 24 – 48 hours, they may need more fiber or medical attention.
If they seem uncomfortable or you see accidents, they may not be able to hold their waste in. See a vet if you notice any of these signs:
- Taking longer than 24 – 48 hours to defecate.
- Seeming uncomfortable or in pain.
- Accidents in the house.
Factors That Affect How Long a Cat Can Hold Its Urine and Feces
A cat’s ability to control its pee and poo in its bladder and bowels differ. It is influenced by their age, spay/neuter status, health, and diet. Infections can occur if they cannot hold it for enough time between visits to the litter box.
A recent intake of food or water can let cats hold it for up to 24 – 48 hours. But without any food/drink, it can only be 12 hours. Any medical conditions or changed environment could further reduce this.
Overall, every cat has different control over their bladder and bowel movements based on their environment, diet, and health. If there are too many accidents, get medical care right away.
Signs of Urinary Tract Problems in Cats
Urinary tract issues in cats can be a result of several causes, such as infection, kidney failure, dehydration, bladder stones, and cystitis. If you see your cat having trouble controlling its pee flow, it’s important to take it to the vet. Signs that may point to urinary tract problems include:
- Frequent peeing. If your kitty is making lots of trips to the litter box or having “accidents” outside of it (and there’s blood present), this may be a sign.
- Straining to pee. If you see your cat struggling to eliminate or straining too much with no pee coming out, this could be a symptom.
- No peeing. If your cat hasn’t used the litter box for more than 24 hours while eating and drinking normally, contact your vet right away.
- Unusual sitting positions. When cats are feeling pain or unease in their bladder area, they may curl up in odd positions to alleviate their discomfort.
How to Help a Cat Hold Its Urine and Feces Longer?
Cats need to go to the toilet within 24 – 48 hours of eating or drinking. So, it’s important to teach them to hold their pee and poo until they can get outside or to a litter box.
- Start with a balanced diet. This prevents health issues that can make it hard for cats to control their pee and poo urges.
- Give your cat fresh water daily. Dehydration can cause it to need the bathroom often.
- Make sure your cat has easy access to a litter box. It should be uncluttered and have enough space for them to move around. Change the litter regularly, so it doesn’t smell bad.
If a cat hasn’t been able to go in 48 hours, especially if it hasn’t eaten, take it to the vet. This could be a sign of an illness like a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, diabetes, or something else.
When to Seek Veterinary Care?
If your cat is in pain when urinating, has difficulty, or can’t hold urine more than 24 hours after eating and drinking, get veterinary care quickly. Chronic urinary retention needs a vet’s help. Tests like urine culture, bloodwork, x-rays, or ultrasound may be needed to find the cause. Treating it soon can reduce suffering and stop permanent damage.
Also, if your cat has accidents or has less bladder control, this might show an infection or illness that needs a vet’s help.
Conclusion
So, cats can control their pee and poop for a period. But, it should not be regular. 24 to 48 hours is enough for a cat, if it has eaten/drunk recently. If not, then the bladder and urethra may overfill. This can cause inflammation and pain.
To keep your cat healthy, provide it with food and water at regular intervals.
FAQs
FAQs provide common questions and answers about cats’ urine and poop habits.
How often should cats pee and poop?
Usually, cats use the litterbox once a day for pooping and a few times a day for peeing. If a cat had water or food recently, it can hold its urine for 24 to 48 hours. Monitor any unusual changes and call your vet if needed.
What if my cat won’t use the litterbox?
Ensure the litterbox is clean and in a good spot. Try buying a new litterbox if your current one isn’t suitable. In some cases, cats may have medical issues – see the vet.
Is my cat constipated?
Constipation can happen due to diet or environmental changes. If it happens often, take your cat to the vet for fluid therapy. Try adding fiber-rich foods to their diet, but talk to your vet first.
