Feline Urinary Tract Disease Whatever it is called, FLUTD can cause bladder irritation that can sometimes be very severe. It is often provoked by stress. Male cats are at an especially high risk mucous plugs and mineral crystals can combine to cause a urethral blockage. This is a true emergency as a blockage is a life-threatening event that will result in kidney failure if not treated. Blockage almost always happens in the males because of their anatomy. Cats will urinate f