Home Remedy for UTIs in Dogs

While urinary tract infections in humans can effectively be treated simply with a prescription from the doctor, it’s not quite as easy with our canine companions. UTIs occur most often in older female dogs, but can affect pups of any age or gender. According to the AKC, a bacterial urinary tract infection is the most common infectious disease in dogs. We’re here to help you better understand UTIs and what you can do to help treat them.

What is a UTI?

A UTI, or urinary tract infection, occurs when bacteria enters the urethra and makes its way into the bladder. From here the bacteria has a warm, moist place to grow and flourish, causing your dog to become ill. It can be very painful, especially if accompanied by urinary stones.

Symptoms of a UTI in dogs include:

• Frequent urination
• Crying or whining when urinating
• Straining when urinating
• Blood in the urine
• Excessive genital licking
• Lack of bladder control (eg. urinating inside when previously housetrained)
• Cloudy or overly smelly urine

The symptoms of UTIs in dogs are the same as those for more serious issues like urinary tract stones, bladder cancer, or kidney failure. Always seek help from your vet if your dog displays any of the above symptoms.

What can you do to treat and prevent UTIs in dogs?

A great way to test your pup for a UTI is with Cranimals’ Urinary Tract Infection Test for Dogs. This at-home test helps you monitor and track your dog’s urinary tract health. It’s cost-effective and can prevent extra tests, and therefore a higher bill, at the vet. Early diagnosis can save your dog from a lot of pain and from developing further conditions. Many dogs wan't show any symptoms at all, so regular testing can be beneficial. 

For help with preventing and treating UTIs in dogs, try adding a cranberry supplement to your dog’s diet. Cranberries can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the lining of the bladder, reducing the chance your pet will get an infection. Cranimals makes a Urinary Tract Pet Supplement from 100% organic cranberry extract powder that has been scientifically proven to benefit pets suffering from UTIs. It has been used by holistic vets all over North America, Europe, and Asia to help cut down on the over-use of antibiotics, which causes bacteria to develop an immunity to them. 

Suspect your dog has a UTI? When to go to the vet

Take your dog to the vet immedietly if they show signs of pain or if they have bloody urine. It's always a good idea to check in with your vet if you suspect your dog has a UTI, as they can help determine the severity and whether or not you need to seek additional treatment. Dogs who suffer from chronic UTIs (anything more than once or twice per year) should seek help from a vet each time a new infection occurs. It may be the symptom of an underlying health issue that should be caught and treated right away. Always discuss changes in your dog's diet or medication with your veterinarian to ensure it's the right choice for your pup. 

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