Cat Facts
September 24, 2026
U Is For …
compiled by Nancy Kerr
Urinary Problems can vary from mild bladder irritation to life-threatening blockages. Symptoms may include frequent urination or straining with little urine produced, blood in the urine (hematuria), changes in urine color or odor, urinating outside the litter box, crying or vocalizing during urinating, excessive licking of the genital area, lethargy, loss of appetite, and overgrooming which may lead to bald patches around the abdomen, hindlegs, or genital area.
Umbilical Hernia is the outward bulging of the abdominal lining, abdominal fat, or a portion of abdominal organ(s) through the area around the umbilicus (also called the navel or belly button), located just below the rib cage. Before birth, the umbilical blood vessels pass through the umbilical ring (an opening in the abdominal muscles) to provide nourishment to the developing fetus. An umbilical hernia occurs when the umbilical ring does not fully close after birth. It generally appears as a soft swelling beneath the skin and it often protrudes during standing, meowing, crying, or straining. Some hernias are reducible where the protrusion can be pushed back into the abdomen; others are non-reducible, where the herniated contents are stuck to the opening or at least partially obstructing the opening. Hernias can vary in size from less than ¼ inch (1 cm) to more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Small hernias, less than ¼ inch or 1 cm, may close spontaneously without treatment by 3 to 4 months of age. Umbilical hernias that do not close may require surgery, especially if a portion of an intestinal organ protrudes through it.
Undescended Testicle(s), also known as cryptorchidism, refers to the failure of one or both testicles (testes) in a male cat to descend into the scrotum. It is much less common in cats than in dogs. The testes develop in the abdomen near the kidneys, and normally descend into the scrotum by two months of age or later, although it rarely occurs after six months of age. If the testicles cannot be felt in the scrotum after two to four months of age, the cat is considered to have the condition. Generally, the non-visible/undescended testicle is retained in the abdomen or in the inguinal canal (the passage through the abdominal wall into the genital region through which a testicle normally descends). Sometimes, the testicle may be located in the subcutaneous tissues (just under the skin) in the groin region, between the inguinal canal and the scrotum.
Urethra is part of the lower urinary tract, connecting the bladder to the external opening of the cat’s body. Its primary function is to allow urine to exit the body. In male cats, the urethra is long and narrow, which increases the risk of blockage, whereas female cats have a shorter and wider urethra, making obstruction less common. It can be affected by obstructions such as stones or urethral plugs as well as muscle spasms or inflammation.
Uterus is classified as “bicornuate” (meaning it has two horns), which allows for the simultaneous development of multiple kittens. When a female is pregnant, the fetuses are arranged in a row in both horns. It is Y-shaped, with the arms of the “Y” being longer than the stem. The long arms of the uterus are the horns, while the short stem is the body. The uterine horns extend from each ovary and join to form the body of the uterus. The very tip or base of the Y is the cervix. The walls of the uterus are lined with a vascular and glandular lining (mucosa) and contain smooth muscle. The muscular substance of the uterus is called the myometrium; the inner lining is called the endometrium.