How To Treat Dog UTI At Home? 10 Natural Remedies
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can make urination painful for a dog. A bacterial infection is the most common cause of cystitis in dogs. Urinary stones and crystals, bladder inflammation, incontinence from drinking too much water or a weak bladder, kidney disease, cancer, stress, spinal cord disease, prostate disease, and congenital urinary tract abnormalities can all cause comparable symptoms.
You should probably take your dog to the vet because her urine has blood in it. But How to Treat Dog UTI At Home?
The urinary system is more vulnerable to infections in older female dogs and diabetic canines. The Dalmation, Bichon Frise, and Miniature Schnauzer are just a few dog breeds that are more likely to develop bladder stones.
What Are the Signs of UTIs In Dogs?
An infection throughout the urinary tract, such as the kidneys, ureters, urethra, or bladder, is considered a urinary tract disease.
Keep in mind that male dogs are as susceptible to acquiring UTIs as Female dogs. Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs, regardless of gender, include:
- Frequent urination with a decreased urine output
- Drinking more than normal
- Loss of bladder control and constant dribbling of pee, usually interpreted as house accidents
- Urine containing blood
- Urine has a strong odor
- Struggling and, at times, screaming in pain when trying to urinate
- Extra licking of the genital region following urinating
- Uneasiness on the whole.
- The need to go out at night.
How to Treat a Dog’s Urinary Infection
Once the cause is known, urinary infection in a dog may be treated by:
Antibiotics: Where a bacterial cause of cystitis has been identified. Most dogs feel better after taking antibiotics for just a few days. Antibiotics work best for the whole duration of their prescribed treatment plan to reduce the risk of the infection returning and the development of antibiotic resistance.
Pain Alleviation: Cystitis can be excruciatingly painful in dogs. The veterinarian may recommend an anti-inflammatory pain reliever if the pain is severe. Injections of more potent analgesics are sometimes necessary.
Disease Control: Some illnesses, including Cushing’s disease and diabetes, require long-term therapy to lower the risk of relapse. Chemical or surgical castration controls the prostate disease. Tumors of the bladder can be medicated to limit their growth.
Food Supplements or A Restricted Diet: These are commonly used to dilute the urine, increase urine production, or decrease the acidity of the urine to prevent or treat kidney stones. This will prevent new urinary stones from forming and help dissolve any small ones that have already developed. Your veterinarian can help you determine the best diet for your dog based on the specific type of stones they have identified.
Surgery: A cystotomy may be needed to remove big urinary stones or stones that don’t dissolve with diet alone. Most animals can become better within two weeks. Blood in the urine is expected for the first week after surgery. A specialist will examine the stones and formulate a treatment strategy for your dog’s future care based on their findings.
Sphincter Medicines: Hormonal medication to ‘tighten’ the urethral smooth muscle that helps regulate urine flow in dogs. Dogs with urine incontinence for which other causes have been eliminated may benefit from this treatment strategy.
Bladder support: Drugs like Cystopro, which has antioxidants to stop bacteria from adhering to the bladder lining, prebiotics to encourage healthy bacteria in the stomach, and precursors to the bladder’s GAG layer to line and shield the delicate bladder cells.
How to Prevent a UTI in a Dog
Once the root cause of a dog’s cystitis has been identified, your veterinarian can develop a strategy to keep the infection at bay. Aside from these, there are a few other easy guidelines you may follow and incorporate into your dog’s regular schedule. Some of these are:
Fresh drinking water needs to be available all the time. It dilutes the urine and helps wash out any microorganisms.
Urinary tract supplements can aid in the prevention of inflammation and resistance to infection. Options such as Cystopro and Cystaid should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Keep your dog’s hind end clean to prevent ascending UTIs from soiling.
Provide frequent potty breaks for your dog. Inflammation can be reduced by maintaining a regular urination schedule.
Your veterinarian may recommend a special diet to help reduce the risk of future stone formation.
How To Treat Dog UTI At Home?
People often use natural remedies to treat infections, and there are a few that can help heal your dog’s urinary tract infection and make them feel better while they are healing. If you think your dog has a urinary tract infection, get a sample of his urine for your vet to look at. Urine should be collected in a clean, sealed container and delivered to the veterinarian as soon as possible (ideally, within four hours) to ensure reliable results.
That way, you can rule out more serious conditions and give your dog the best chance for recovery. If your dog has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, you should start administering home remedies as soon as possible.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. When it’s inside your dog, it’ll work to kill any germs already there and stop any new ones from growing by creating an acidic environment.
Process
The recommended amount of Apple cider vinegar to include in your dog’s water is one teaspoon for small dogs and two tablespoons for large dogs.
Depending on the severity of the UTI, this may need to be repeated up to twice daily for 7-10 days.
If your dog doesn’t like the taste of apple cider vinegar in his water, you should also provide him with a dish of fresh water that doesn’t contain any vinegar.
Maintain Fluid Intake
The best way to get rid of the bacteria causing your dog’s UTI is to give them plenty of fluids. Make sure your dog gets plenty of water throughout the day by checking on them periodically.
Process
It’s a good idea to provide your dog with access to multiple bowls of water at all times.
Make sure the water is always fresh by changing it once or twice a day.
Give Some Vitamin C
When your dog is sick, providing them Vitamin C can help them fight off the UTI with their enhanced immune system. In addition, the acidic urine produced by Vitamin C will aid in healing and eliminate any existing bacteria.
You may give your dog a vitamin C and another nutrient boost by sharing it with citrus liquids like lemon, lime, orange, and cranberry juice. These liquids will help to acidify the urine, which will, in turn, aid in removing the bacteria causing the UTI.
Process
You need Vitamin C pills, 500 mg.
You can add the powder from one Vitamin C tablet crushed to your dog’s meal.
The vitamin C tablet should be given to your dog once daily for up to seven days.
Warnings: Extremely acidic urine may increase your dog’s risk of a urinary tract infection, so be careful not to overdose on Vitamin C.
Give Cantharsis
If your dog has a urinary tract infection, you might try the common home cure of cantharsis. Natural food stores and homeopath pharmacies stock it in tablet or pellet form. Cantharsis is a powerful and fast-acting remedy for your dog’s urinary tract infection.
Process
You need Cantharsis, three tablets or pellets.
A mortar and pestle Half a cup of hot water.
Use the mortar and pestle to break up the three Cantharsis pills.
First, pour the warm water into the airtight container and add the crushed Cantharsis.
Mix well until all of the Cantharsis has dissolved.
Take about a single milliliter of liquid into the syringe.
Administer Cantharsis to your dog and let her rest.
Check on her and provide the dosage again if necessary.
Dosage: The recommended dosage of Cantharsis for a severe UTI is one cc, taken three times, 15 minutes apart.
Cantharsis, one cc, three times a half hour to an hour apart, for mild to moderate UTI.
Use Mercurius
Another powerful homeopathic medication that will aid in healing and curing UTIs is Mercurius. Keep in mind that despite the name, this is a homeopathic treatment and does not contain the poisonous substance mercury. Pellet or pill form is readily available, and although it works similarly to Cantharsis, it is more effective in treating UTIs.
Process
Use the mortar and pestle to break up the three Mercurius tablets.
Put the crushed Mercurius into a jar with a tight lid, then fill it with hot water.
Keep stirring until all of the Mercurius has dissolved.
Take about a single milliliter of liquid into the syringe.
Allow your dog to rest while you give her the Mercurius.
Check on her and provide the dosage again if necessary.
Take into account that the dosage you give your dog will be based on the severity of the UTI.
One cc of Mercurius, three times, fifteen minutes apart, is recommended for a severe UTI.
One cc of Mercurius three times every half an hour or so is recommended for mild to moderate cases of urethritis.
Give Fresh Blueberries or Cranberries
As with people, cranberries can help your dog with a UTI. Your dog’s bladder’s Ph will be lowered by the cranberries and blueberries, making it more difficult for bacteria to cling to the bladder and urethra walls. Your dog’s digestive health will also benefit from eating cranberries and blueberries.
Process
Add two teaspoons of chopped blueberries or cranberries to your dog’s meal.
Do so for seven to ten days, twice a day.
Remember to cut the blueberries or cranberries so your dog won’t choke on them. You can substitute dried fruits if you can’t find fresh ones; make sure there’s no added sugar in the dried version.
Use Chamomile or Neem
Due to its potent antibacterial properties, neem may be helpful in the battle against the bacteria that trigger the UTI. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of neem will aid in relieving your dog’s discomfort.
While chamomile and Neem tea have anti-inflammatory effects, chamomile is more potent. This is wonderful if your dog is in a lot of UTI-related pain. Both teas have diuretic properties, so they will encourage your dog to eliminate excess water.
Process
Prepare the tea by adding it to the hot water and letting it steep for three to four minutes.
Tea should be strained and cooled after brewing.
Tea can be added to your dog’s water bowl, and she can drink it whenever she wants.
While she has a UTI, you should give her tea once a day.
Using a syringe to administer tea to your dog is an alternative if she refuses to drink it from the bowl.
Modify Your Dog’s Diet
Changing and monitoring your dog’s nutrition while they have a UTI is essential. You should ensure they are well-hydrated and fed throughout this time to have the energy and nutrients they need to fight off the infection.
Process
Replace her dry kibble with wet food or raw meat instead.
Please give her a vitamin boost with some freshly sliced vegetables.
Maintain this diet while treating your dog’s UTI.
If your dog is particularly picky or doesn’t care for wet food, you can ensure she gets enough water by mixing it with her dry kibble.
Don’t Overwork Your Dog
Your dog’s recovery from a urinary tract infection (UTI) will be slowed unless she gets lots of rest. To prevent her from overexerting herself and prolonging the healing process, it is recommended that you keep her from going on walks or interacting with other dogs.
It provides a soft, cozy spot for your dog to relax. Make sure to add extra bedding, like blankets and pillows, whenever she sleeps.
Process
It would be best to keep your dog warm and comfortable by letting her lie in her bed.
As she recovers from her UTI, she should rest for at least a week.
Warmly Bathe Your Dog
A warm bath will help ease your dog’s discomfort and remove any bacteria that may have collected around the urethra opening. Taking frequent showers can help eliminate the bacteria that caused the UTI and stop it from spreading to other areas of the body.
Process
Prepare a warm bath for your pet dog. Check that the water isn’t too hot and that it isn’t too deep.
Let your dog soak in the tub for 10 minutes to ease his aching joints.
When bathing your dog, take special care around the genital area. It would help if you didn’t keep soap here for too long.
Use clean, warm water to rinse.
If your dog has a urinary tract infection (UTI), you should bathe them every few days; once the infection has cleaned up, you should continue to bathe your dog once per week.
