As pet owners, we pay a lot of attention to our pet’s bathroom habits. Small changes can indicate behavioral, emotional, or health problems, so we keep track of every pee and poop. With cats, we also change the litter box, making us keenly aware of our cat’s habits.
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
While you may know how your cat pees in the general sense, you may be wondering “where do cats pee from?” A cat’s anatomy may be different from ours, but the urinary tract system and the urethra are similar.
Cat Urinary Tract
The urinary system of the cat includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra – just like humans. The urinary system is designed to remove waste from the body and maintains the correct balance of electrolytes and water.
Let’s dive deeper into what these organs do!
Kidneys
These work as a pair, though cats can survive with just one (like humans). Kidneys are large, bean-like organs that are near the last rib. If a cat were to stand on its hind legs like a human, they’re located in roughly the same place.
The kidney is the first step of the urinary tract and filters waste products created by the conversion of food to energy. They also control salt levels and blood pressure, maintain the water balance in the body, and convert vitamin D.
Once these processes are complete, the kidneys pass the excess fluids to the ureters.
Ureters
These are tube-like appendages that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Like the kidneys, ureters come in pairs. While their function isn’t complex or sophisticated, they’re responsible for contracting and forcing urine away from the kidneys and into the bladder. If this urine is backed up or stagnant, a kidney infection can occur.
Bladder
The bladder is a yellow, balloon-like organ at the rear of the abdomen. The bladder stores urine, which is sealed by a sphincter. As the bladder reaches its capacity, it sends an alert to the brain that it needs to be relieved.
A cat’s bladder can store urine for up to 48 hours. This can cause problems, however. Holding urine, whether voluntarily or involuntarily (like from a blockage) is not only painful, but can lead to infection or bladder rupture.
Urethra
The urethra is the last part of the urinary tract and the tube that carries urine out of the body. When the bladder needs to be emptied, the sphincter releases the urine, and it travels through the urethra and out of the body.
Male and female cats have different urethras, though the function is the same. A male cat’s urethra is thinner and longer than a female cat’s urethra. Because of this, male cats may be more prone to urinary obstructions.
The urethra terminates in the urogenital sinus, a chamber in the vagina of the female and the penis of the male. From there, it exits the cat’s body. This differs from human females in that they have separate openings for the vagina and urethra.
Conclusion
Cats may be different from us, but their urinary tract anatomy is quite similar to ours. They have all the same organs and urine is produced and eliminated the same way. Now you know how your cat pees!
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Featured Image Credit: Helen Liam, Shutterstock
