What causes UTI?

I tried to search before I posted this, but I kept getting an error so I will just ask...

I've researched online for this too, but I'm not getting the answers I want.

One of our cats peed on the bed this morning while we were gone for a couple of hours. I tried to scrub it up and febreeze it but that only does so much good. There was more pee when we got home from work.

We have two suspects- Sophie the 2 and 1/2 year old cat that directly refuses to use anything but a litter box. And the 10 month Peekaboo who had a problem when she was a baby around 5 and 6 weeks old. She outgrew it and stopped. Then, I changed the sheet last night and there was pee as soon as we left the house the next morning. Normally, we use a certain sheet that I wash weekly, but I swapped it for an old sheet that I have not used in about a month.

So, I'm taking both cats to the vet in the morning to rule out UTIs since this is out of character for the both of them. 

But I want to know what causes UTIs? Can litter do it? I changed it to a different brand about a month ago... 

We suspect it's Peekaboo because she's been running around screaming a little more than usual and she makes a noise when she's picked up which is a little out of character for her. 

Just wondering HOW she could have gotten one? Both cats are indoors and other than that... There really hasn't been any changes to their environment or schedule. 

UTIs are caused by bacteria in the urinary tract. The bacteria are normal and always there, but under certain conditions they can take over. Holding it too long can trigger a UTI. Maybe if she doesn't like the new litter she might be avoiding using the box. Not consuming enough moisture can do it, too. And stress can weaken the immune system, allowing the bacteria to take over. But sometimes UTIs just happen.

Best thing to clean is is a weak solution of biological washing powder.  Febreeze makes it smell OK to us but doesn't really clean.  If the surface will take it (tiles for example) a wipe of surgical spirit on cotton wool afterwards really gets it clean.

I suspect  bladder stones, the belly area will be quite tender.Hope I am wrong.

peekasoph said:

But I want to know what causes UTIs?

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A true urinary tract infection is actually quite rare in cats under 10 yrs old. Most young cats with urinary tract issues have inflammation, not an infection. Feline urine tends to be too concentrated to make a hospitable environment for bacteria to flourish. Older cats are more prone to urinary tract infections because they are also more prone to health conditions that dilute their urine (diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism), which is considerably more "bacteria friendly".

Make sure the vet sends the urine sample (aquired via cystocentisis) out to a lab for culturing before giving them any antibiotics, since they likely won't be necessary anyway. Urine crystals or stress are more typical causes of peeing outside the box.

I didn't get to take her this morning. So im planning on tomorrow. I used a cirtusy smelling cleaner on it and the bf and i slept in the floor and left the bed uncovered to see if she would use it again. I completely dumped out the litter boxes and changed them too. She pooped last night but I never saw her pee. She didn't pee on the bed or on our blanket pile.. I haven't had a chance to check the litter boxes but it could be either cat with that. I am hoping she was putting up a fuss about a dirty litter box. She will go in after the other cat and cover up her messes to make sure its all tidy. She watches me clean out the litter boxes too. She's very anal about it. We are buying a new mattress and going to keep a plastic cover on it for a while to make sure she doesn't make a habit of it.

Sugarcatmom said:

A true urinary tract infection is actually quite rare in cats under 10 yrs old. Most young cats with urinary tract issues have inflammation, not an infection. Feline urine tends to be too concentrated to make a hospitable environment for bacteria to flourish. Older cats are more prone to urinary tract infections because they are also more prone to health conditions that dilute their urine (diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism), which is considerably more "bacteria friendly".

Make sure the vet sends the urine sample (aquired via cystocentisis) out to a lab for culturing before giving them any antibiotics, since they likely won't be necessary anyway. Urine crystals or stress are more typical causes of peeing outside the box.

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What are urine crystals exactly? Do they show in the urine? Because we only saw urine with nothing solid or anything.

We got a new bird back in november. Just recently I have been spending a lot time with him training and bonding. Peekaboo is not allowed in the room if I can't watch her because cat saliva is toxic to them. She sits outside the room and waits for me even though she has my bf and the other cat to play with. I was wondering if she could be stressed about not getting more attention from me. I showered her with attention this morning... hoping it will help.

You won't see crystals unless you do something like put the urine in a clear glass tube, swirl it and hold it to the light.  Then you might see a sparkling effect which is tiny crystals.  And depending on how the sample was obtained, what you see might or might not be crystals.