Incontinence can occur in cats for a number of reasons, but it commonly occurs as a result of a nerve damage from a tail pull or other hind end injury, a neurological condition, or spinal issues such as injury, a tumor, infection, or inflammation. Congenital conditions such as spina bifida or other spinal defects can also cause paralysis and/or incontinence. It’s important to first see a vet to determine the cause of your cat’s incontinence. However, many vets are unfortunately not well versed in caring for cats with paralysis and incontinence. As a sanctuary specializing in caring for disabled cats, especially those with paralysis, Tabby’s Place has created this informational page to fill in the gaps. Please note that none of the information on this page is a substitute for proper veterinary care, and you should always consult your veterinarian before starting any of the treatment or care practices listed in this article.

We recommend moving through this page step by step, as it contains a lot of information that can be overwhelming all at once. Learning to care for your incontinent and/or paralyzed cat can take a long time, and it’s important to be patient. Remember that everyone has to start somewhere, and that you’ll get the hang of it eventually!

 

Determining if Your Cat is Incontinent

Incontinent cats are cats who cannot fully control their bladder and/or bowels. Some incontinent cats may leak urine and/or stool, whereas some may not. Cats who are incontinent due to a nerve or spinal issue almost always need their bladder and/or bowels expressed. Even if the cat appears to be peeing or pooping by themselves, if they are not intentionally doing so in the litterbox, but rather leaking onto the bedding around them, they will need to be manually expressed. This is because leaking usually only occurs when a cat’s