Objectives The aims of this study were to describe the indications for percutaneous pigtail catheter placement in cats requiring urine diversion, and to report the associated intra- and postoperative complications. Methods The medical records of cats that underwent percutaneous pigtail catheter placement for urine diversion between January 2011 and May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Twenty-five cats were included. Indications for pigtail catheter placement were medical management of obstructive urinary tract disease (n = 12), urinary tract damage after traumatic injury (n = 8) and neurological bladder dysfunction (n = 5). Catheters were in place for a median time of 8.28 days (range 3–27), and the duration of the catheter placement was not different between the medical, traumatic and neurological groups. Ten cats (40%) developed pigtail catheter complications including dislodgement, urine leakage, urinary tract infection and bladder rupture. The majority of complications were easily resolved and did not require surgical intervention. Conclusions and relevance The results suggest that percutaneous pigtail catheter placement can facilitate urine diversion in both the emergency setting and in the long-term management of urine retention without many complications.