If your cat is peeing blood after being hit by a car, it's a serious medical emergency indicating internal injury (trauma), possibly to the bladder or kidneys, causing bleeding into the urinary tract; other serious causes like stones, infections, or tumors exist, but the trauma is the most immediate concern, requiring URGENT vet care for diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe complications like obstruction or internal hemorrhage.
Trauma or Injury
Trauma to the lower abdomen or urinary system can cause blood to appear in your cat's urine. Whether it's due to a fall, a car accident, or a fight with another animal, any injury to the urinary tract should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Broken bones, pulmonary contusions, and bleeding into the abdomen are injuries commonly seen when a cat is hit by a car.
Blunt Trauma
The best sign of blunt kidney injury is blood in the urine (“hematuria”). Sometimes the blood can be seen with the naked eye. Other times, it can only be seen through a microscope. Blunt trauma kidney injuries may show no outside signs.
Blood in cat urine happens when bleeding occurs somewhere in the urinary tract. Bladder inflammation with no clear cause is the most common reason, often triggered by stress in indoor cats. Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or crystals can also cause bleeding by irritating the bladder lining.
Talk to a vet right away if you notice that your cat has bloody urine, even if they seem fine otherwise. Your cat may be having a medical emergency and need emergency care. Bloody urine may be expected from time to time if your cat is prone to certain urinary tract issues, such as FIC or urinary crystals.
Common symptoms of kidney disease in cats include decreased appetite, increased thirst and urination, lethargy, and vomiting. Kidney disease in cats can be managed with medications, diet, and hydration.
Can blood in urine go away on its own? Blood in the urine may come and go or may persist. If blood in the urine clears, it does not mean you are free from concern. Blood in the urine should still be evaluated by a healthcare provider to identify the cause of bleeding and to ensure a serious condition is not present.
Early Signs of Kidney Disease
Symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, or blood in urine may signal serious internal injuries. Even minor car accidents can cause internal bleeding—prompt medical evaluation is critical.
The 3-3-3 rule for cats is a guideline for new adopters, suggesting it takes 3 days for a cat to decompress and feel safe, 3 weeks to learn the routine and start showing personality, and 3 months to feel truly at home, building trust and a strong bond. It helps manage expectations during the adjustment period, emphasizing patience, consistency (with routines), and providing a secure, calm environment (like a single "safe" room initially) for your new feline friend.
Some manage to get themselves home, others find the nearest 'safe' place to hide. They will not understand how grievously injured they may be and that this behaviour could prevent them getting the urgent care they need so the onus is on us to take this into account and do our best to find them and get them help.
The number one killer of cats depends on age and lifestyle, but cancer is the leading cause of death in older cats, while Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), accidents/trauma (especially for younger cats), and diseases like kidney/heart issues are major factors, with FeLV often cited as the top infectious killer. Causes range from diseases like FeLV, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and FIP, to organ system failures (kidney, heart), and external factors like poisons or trauma.
Warning Signs of Internal Bleeding
Once you have stabilized the cat, take it to a veterinarian. If the accident occurs at night when veterinary offices are closed, still contact them as most clinics will give an emergency number you can contact for help. If they don't, go online via a mobile phone and search for the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.
With prompt diagnosis and proper treatment, many cats go on to recover from blood in the urine. Certain conditions may require ongoing treatment and management, but it is well worth it if your cat goes on to lead a happy, long life.
Symptoms can include:
Treating the cause is key, leading to reduced complications and slowing progression of kidney disease. For example, getting better blood pressure control, improved sugar control and diabetes, and reducing weight are often key interventions. However, existing damage is not usually reversible.
Symptoms of a kidney infection
Many people believe that drinking a lot of water can stop blood in the urine. While drinking water will help wash the blood out of your system as the body makes more urine, it won't fix the underlying cause of the hematuria. So, you'd be treating the symptom but not the actual cause.
People who notice blood in their urine should see their doctor within 1 or 2 days. However, people who are passing a large amount of blood, who are unable to urinate, or who have severe pain should see a doctor right away.
See a health care professional if you have symptoms of a bladder problem, such as trouble urinating, a loss of bladder control, waking to use the bathroom, pelvic pain, or leaking urine.
Symptoms of Kidney Failure in Cats
Because the toxins build up in the cat's body, they may feel nauseous and stop eating their food. In general, your cat will appear to be lethargic and not very happy. General symptoms of kidney failure in cats can include: Dehydration.
Low Body Temperature
Healthy cats have a temperature between 37–38°C. As their organs begin to shut down, their body temperature drops. You may feel this in their ears, paws, or nose, which can become cool to the touch. You can monitor their temperature at home or speak with your vet for further care or guidance.
Urea, a waste product from protein breakdown, can be an indicator of kidney function. This test measures urea levels in your cat's saliva, helping to detect changes in their kidney health. No urine needed—simply swab their gums with a test strip and wait 2 minutes.