Urinary Tract Infections in Cats and Dogs

Urinary tract infections can affect both dogs and cats.  This painful condition is caused by a bacterial infection which blocks the urethra, making it painful and difficult to urinate.  Struvite and Oxalate stones may also be present and can cause obstructions as well.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs and Cats

Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria blocking the urethra. Symptoms include:

• Trouble urinating
• Bloody urine
• Your pet cries when urinating
• Frequent accidents or urinating outside the litter box

Natural Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections in Cats and Dogs:

UTI-Free

Cranberry Relief

UT Strength Everyday for Cats

Senior Bladder Support for Dogs

Holistic Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections in Cats and Dogs

Conventional treatment for urinary tract infection ranges from antibiotics to surgery. While conventional approaches such as antibiotics effectively treat the symptoms of a UTI, they rarely address the causes and so reoccurrences of UTIs are common. 

A holistic approach deals more with correcting the imbalance in your pet’s urinary and immune systems. The antibacterial action of certain herbs will reduce inflammation and support the healing of the bladder wall and urethra.

• Berberine is an antibacterial agent that prevents bacteria from attaching to cell walls. Berberine also reduces inflammation and strengthens immune functioning.

• Cranberry helps to minimize bacterial colonization of the bladder mucosa.
  
  
• Ester-C makes the urine more acidic and therefore more inhospitable to bacteria.

Note: Struvite crystals and stones can be dissolved by acidifying the urine and changing the diet, but Oxalate stones cannot be dissolved and must be removed surgically. Additionally, to keep the stones from recurring, the water intake should be increased and the diet should be changed to a prescription diet such as Royal Canine Urinary SO or Purina ST/OX. The goal is to provide a diet that will help to maintain a low pH (acidic urine). Diets with animal-based protein sources are most important in maintaining an acidic pH (vegeterian or cereal-based diets are more likely to cause and alkaline urine).