Urinary Tract Infections Home Treatment

Holistic Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections in Pets
© by Bree Weasner, PreciousPets.org LLC

Urinary tract infections (UTI) in pets, like humans, are not uncommon, but they are uncomfortable. A UTI occurs when bacteria makes it way into the bladder or urethra, causing symptoms like painful urination. If a urinary tract infection is not caught early, it can spread to the kidneys and lead to dangerous complications for your pet.

Holistic and non-Holistic veterinarians will both treat a UTI with antibiotics, but holistic vets take it a step further. They use various natural remedies to not only cure the infection, but to strengthen the immune system and correct any bacterial imbalances to prevent further sickness or reoccurring urinary tract infections.

Knowing the warning signs of a potential UTI will help you to get your dog or cat medical care right away! So what are the signs to look for?

1. Blood in urine
2. Dog or cat may cry or strain during urination
3. Urine has a abnormal odor
4. Your dog expresses the need to go outside to do his business, but has frequent accidents inside

How can you help your pet?

You can safely, naturally and effectively treat both the causes and symptoms of a UTI or bladder infection with UTI-Free, an herbal and homeopathic remedy. UTI-Free keeps your pet free of urinary tract infections without the use of antibiotics.

You can also reduce irritation in your pet with herbs and herbal tinctures like Goldenrod Horsetail Compound to sooth a disturbed urinary system. Dogs less than 15lbs should have ½ dropper-full of the tincture twice a day until they are well. Bigger dogs can have 1-2 droppers-full per day. Simply mix the tincture into their food.

Alcohol tinctures are not recommended for cats, so herbal tea is the best choice for our feline friends. Look for herbal combinations that include goldenrod, parsley, marsh mallow root, horsetail and elderberry (Urinary Tea Blend). One teaspoon of cooled tea three times a day is sufficient for cats.

Cantharis works to relieve pain in your pet and will ease discomfort when urinating. Two or three 30C pellets at the first sight of infection and repetition of the treatment once every hour for three hours. Your pet does not need to swallow the pellets, just put it in his/her mouth so it can be absorbed. If no change within 12 hours, call your vet.

Humans often use cranberry to treat UTIs, and it works well for pets, too. Cranberry stops bacteria and it acidifies urine, which stops bacteria from thriving. Giving your pet one capsule of Cranberry for every 20 pounds they way works well, as does Uva Ursi.

Another way to treat and prevent urinary tract infections is to boost your pet’s immune system with Transfer Factor XF, Cordyvant and ThymuPro. This blend of proprietary ingredients is a powerful supplement that activates and enhances the immune system’s ability to react to pathogens.

Vitamin C is a natural anti-inflammatory that is good for the bladder. Pets under 15 lbs should be given 250mg Vitamin C 2x a day. Pets 15-50 pounds should have 50mg twice a day, and bigger dogs may have up to 1000mg twice a day. Vitamin C may cause diarrhea in your pet, so use a buffered form like Ester C.

While antibiotics kill infection, they also kill beneficial bacteria. Giving your pet a probiotic that contains Lactobacillus Bifidus will help to restore the natural balance of bacteria. Pets under 20 pounds can have 1/8 tsp. twice a day. Larger pets may have ¼ tsp. twice a day. Yogurt works well, too.

Switching to a natural food like Life’s Abundance and ridding your pet of chemical-filled commercial pet food will help to make them healthier overall as natural pet food does not contain additives and preservatives. Making sure that your pet always has clean filtered/spring water is important as chlorine is not good for your pet and may turn them off to water. If your pet struggles with drinking a lot of water, moisten their food with water or chicken broth.

If your dog or cat is recovering from a UTI, make sure that they get plenty of pee breaks! You should encourage them to urinate as much as possible to avoid build-up in the bladder. Be sure they always have access to a clean litter box or are able to go outside.

Females that are spayed early on can develop loose tissue where urine can build up around the urethra. In female cats, the urethra is short and bacteria can quickly go to the bladder. By wiping your cat’s bottom with a baby wipe or wet paper towel after urination, you can remove some bacteria before it moves upstream.

When to call your Vet

Urinary tract infections typically clear up quickly with antibiotics, but they can get worse very quickly. If you’ve tried some of the remedies above, and a day or two later your pet is still sick, make an appointment with your vet right away. Pets can develop a stone that stops them from urinating, and it requires emergency treatment. This type of urethra blockage is not uncommon in male cats.