Dog Urinary Tract Infections: UTI Symptoms & Home Treatment
Urinary tract infections in dogs are not only uncomfortable for your dog, they can be dangerous if left untreated. If your dog has a UTI, you need to learn everything you can about the symptoms and causes of dog urinary tract infections so that you can treat it quickly and effectively. Here's what you need to know.
Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs
Urinary tract infections are the most common disease in dogs, affecting more than half of all female dogs and 10 percent of male dogs. Bacteria can travel from the rectum or vagina to the bladder, creating an infection that causes a dog to have difficulty urinating.
UTIs can be treated with antibiotics and prevented by keeping your dog's bladder clean. Drinking plenty of fresh water also helps prevent UTIs as does watching what you feed your dog; high-protein foods like chicken may contribute to UTIs.
Symptoms of a Dog UTI
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Urine smells bad.
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Urine is cloudy or bloody.
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Urination is painful for the dog to pass, or the dog seems to be straining a lot when urinating.
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The dog has been licking at its genitals in an attempt to relieve the pain caused by UTI symptoms (some dogs may even attempt to lick their own rear ends).
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The dog has been licking at its rear end, which is also an indication of pain, particularly if he/she hasn't had any UTI symptoms before this point and typically doesn't do so often.
Causes of a Dog Urinary Tract Infection
The most common cause of a dog urinary tract infection is bacterial infection. The bacteria can be transmitted from a human or another dog to your dog, so it's important for you to be cautious about not spreading the bacteria.
Another possibility is that your dog may have been in contact with an infected cat and picked up the bacteria that led to his UTI.
Home Treatment for a Dog UTI
Treatment for a dog UTI involves avoiding foods that can irritate the bladder. A diet consisting of boiled chicken, white rice, and water will help calm your dog's bladder and keep him hydrated. Furthermore, you should avoid feeding him foods that cause gas or diarrhea because these conditions are known to irritate the bladder as well. Additionally, do not feed your dog any high-fat or high-sugar treats because these can also irritate his digestive system and urinary tract.
Avoiding constipation is also important when treating UTIs in dogs since they are prone to developing this condition while suffering from an infection due to excessive straining during urination or defecation (2).
Dietary modification is one of the most effective ways in which owners can help their pets recover from a UTI if they're unable to afford expensive medications (3).
Natural Treatment for Dog Urinary Tract Infections
Homeopathic remedies for UTI in dogs are more effective than conventional medicine. It is important to consult a holistic veterinarian before trying them, as these natural medical treatments may not work well with certain medications or supplements.
Natural antibiotics are another option for treating your dog's urinary tract infection. Herbal supplements containing cranberry extract can help reduce the risk of UTIs by preventing bacterial adherence to the lining of the urinary tract. Supplements such as vitamin C, zinc citrate and selenium sulfide may also help prevent UTI from recurring by boosting immune function in dogs prone to frequent infections. Probiotics have been shown to decrease inflammation caused by chronic UTI symptoms, so adding them into your pet's diet is worth considering if he or she has recurring problems with this condition. Finally, some vets recommend changing your dog’s diet temporarily while they try other methods of treatment (discussed above). This will remove any potential irritants that might be exacerbating their symptoms while they rest their bodies and heal fully from an infection
You can treat your dog at home using a special dog UTI treatment that cures the underlying cause and prevents reoccurrence.
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You can treat your dog at home using a special dog UTI treatment that cures the underlying cause and prevents reoccurrence.
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The best way to cure a UTI in dogs is by treating it with antibiotics.
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Antibiotic treatments are available over-the-counter, but they can be expensive and have side effects.
Conclusion
If your dog is showing signs of a urinary tract infection, you have the option of taking them to see the vet, who can prescribe antibiotics. However, there is a very good chance that this will not only be costly, but it might not solve the problem at all. Urinary tract infections are usually caused by bacteria which are resistant to conventional medicines and will just recur in a few months’ time. That is why we recommend using homeopathic remedies for dog UTIs as an alternative treatment method for your pet. This natural approach avoids any negative side effect risks associated with antibiotics and treats only what needs to be treated: Urinary Tract Infections!