Your dog has blood in her urine … but is it possible to manage dog uti treatment at home? It can be in some cases. Here are our top home remedies for UTI in dogs. Show
What Are UTIs In Dogs?You might think a UTI means your dog has a urinary tract infection … caused by a urinary pathogen or bacterial infection. But your dog’s urinary tract disease might not be what it seems. Bladder issues often stem from inflammation – with no bacteria causing them at all. In fact, many holistic vets say that UTI stands for urinary tract inflammation (not infection). This is important to help you treat bladder problems in your dog. What Are The Signs Of UTIs In Dogs?Urinary tract disease can include kidney, ureters, urethra and bladder infection. While we’re using a female dog example below … remember that male dogs can get UTIs too! Typical symptoms of UTIs in dogs of either gender include:
When untreated, UTIs can lead to bigger problems, including stones, dysfunction, infertility, kidney infection, and even kidney failure. Is It A Urinary Tract Infection Or Something Worse?If your dog is showing signs of a UTI, it’s a good idea to take a urine sample to your vet for analysis. That’s because UTIs can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition, such as …
These problems are much less likely … but are easier to treat if you catch them early. RELATED: Learn about bladder stones and treatment options in dogs ... Home Remedies For UTIs In DogsThere are many natural remedies for UTIs in dogs … so it’s best to avoid antibiotics, even though most vets will prescribe them as the main treatment option. A Note About Antibiotics For Bladder InfectionsAntibiotics are standard treatment for UTIs. The problem with this is that antibiotics don’t just kill the bacteria causing the UTI … they also destroy the healthy bacteria in your dog’s gut. Remember that many holistic vets say that urinary tract problems in dogs are actually inflammation, not an infection. So using antibiotics will damage your dog’s microbiome … without effectively treating the real cause of your dog’s UTI. That’s why UTIs become chronic recurrent infections in many dogs. Urinary concentration of antibiotics is also a factor. The drugs are less effective if they don’t achieve high antimicrobial concentrations. In fact, a 2014 review of antibiotics for UTIs at University of Copehagen concluded: “there is little published evidence relating to antibiotic treatment of UTIs in dogs and cats. Well-designed clinical trials focusing on the duration of treatment are warranted to create evidence-based treatment protocols.” Antibiotic resistance is also a concern. The more your dog takes antibiotics, the less effective they are. So save them for when they’re truly necessary and avoid antimicrobial resistance that’s becoming a problem for all of us! Home Remedies for UTI In DogsIt can be easy to manage dog UTI treatment at home. Try these remedies but if symptoms persist, then you may want to arrange a visit with your holistic vet. 1. D-MannoseOne of the most common bacteria causing urinary tract infections in dogs is E coli. Studies show that D-mannose stops E coli from attaching to the urinary tract. So D-mannose is a great remedy to use if your dog does have an infection. Studies also show that D-mannose can improve UTI symptoms. It’s been shown to work as well or better than some antibiotics. Flavonoids in cranberry may also activate your dog’s own innate immune system to battle bacterial infections. You can buy supplements with cranberry, which has natural D-mannose, or just a D-mannose supplement. Nancy Scanlan DVM CVA likes to use cranberry along with the amino acid methionine for treating UTIs. The combination is an effective antimicrobial treatment. 2. CranberryCranberries are a well-known natural remedy for UTIs in humans, and they can work for your dog too. You may wonder if you can give cranberry juice … but most juices have a lot of sugar, so they’re best avoided. But cranberries or supplements with cranberries are one of the best remedies for UTIs. 3. MethionineSmall to medium dogs: 100 mg twice daily. Larger dogs: 200 mg twice daily. Dr Scanlan also recommends testing your dog’s urine with litmus paper strips. Make sure it’s slightly acidic (6 to 6.5). If it’s above this range, increase the methionine to 3 times daily. Note: Apple cider vinegar will also lower your dog’s urine pH. Add raw, organic apple cider vinegar to your dog’s food or water. Give 1 tsp for small dogs, 2 tsp for medium dogs, and 1 Tbsp for large dogs. How To Give Your
Dog Cranberry For UTIs How To Give Your Dog D-Mannose For UTIs How To Give Cranberry Plus D-Mannose Supplements 4. Couch GrassCouch grass is a common weed in North America and is sometimes called quack grass. According to Herbs for Pets by Gregory L Tilford and Mary L Wulff … it’s a go-to for urinary tract problems. Couch grass is an anti-inflammatory, mild antimicrobial and pain soother. It’s also a diuretic, which means it can help encourage waste elimination. How To
Give Your Dog Couch Grass For UTIs 5. Parsley LeafParsley leaf is another diuretic that can help with UTIs. This is because of its antiseptic properties … plus it’s easy to give your dog. How To Give Your Dog Parsley For UTIs 6. Marshmallow RootMarshmallow is one of the most versatile herbs for dogs. It’s a demulcent that soothes and protects irritated and inflamed tissue, so it’s an ideal remedy for urinary tract infections in dogs. It helps reduce inflammation and creates a barrier between the lining of the urinary tract and harmful bacteria. How To Give Your Dog Marshmallow For UTIs 7. HorsetailHorsetail is antimicrobial, so it can help fight off infection. It’s also helpful if your dog has a urinary tract infection with minor bleeding. Horsetail is best used with a soothing herb like marshmallow root. How To Give Your Dog Horsetail For UTIs Overall, you have great natural options for your dog’s UTI. Be confident you can help your dog naturally at home if she develops any UTI symptoms. References Howell AB, Botto H, Combescure C, Blanc-Potard AB, Gausa L, Matsumoto T, Tenke P, Sotto A, Lavigne JP. Dosage effect on uropathogenic Escherichia coli anti-adhesion activity in urine following consumption of cranberry powder standardized for proanthocyanidin content: a multicentric randomized double blind study. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2010;10:94. Published 2010 Apr 14. Akgül T, Karakan T. The role of probiotics in women with recurrent urinary tract infections. Turkish Journal of Urology. 2018;44(5):377-383. Domenici L, Monti M, Bracchi C, Giorgini M, Colagiovanni V, Muzii L, Panici PB. D-mannose: A promising support for acute urinary tract infections in women. 201;20:2920-5. Porru D, Parmigiani A, Tinelli C, Barletta D, Choussos D, Di Franco C, Bobbi V, Bassi S, Miller O, Gardella B, Nappi RE, Spinillo A, Rovereto B. Oral D-mannose in recurrent urinary tract infections in women. 2014. Altarac S, Papes D. Use of d‐mannose in prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. 2013. Jessen LR, Sørensen TM, Bjornvad CR, Nielsen SS, Guardabassi L. Effect of antibiotic treatment in canine and feline urinary tract infections: a systematic review. Vet J. 2015 Mar;203(3):270-7. Shin CN. The effects of cranberries on preventing urinary tract infections. Clin Nurs Res. 2014 Feb;23(1):54-79. Blumberg JB, Basu A, Krueger CG, et al. Impact of Cranberries on Gut Microbiota and Cardiometabolic Health: Proceedings of the Cranberry Health Research Conference 2015. Adv Nutr. 2016;7(4):759S-70S. Published 2016 Jul 15. doi:10.3945/an.116.012583 Dennis J Chew DVM DACVIM, Managing routine and difficult urinary tract infections In dogs. (Proceedings), September 30, 2011 How can I treat my dogs UTI at home?Home Remedies for UTI In Dogs. D-Mannose. One of the most common bacteria causing urinary tract infections in dogs is E coli. ... . Cranberry. Cranberries are a well-known natural remedy for UTIs in humans, and they can work for your dog too. ... . Methionine. ... . Couch Grass. ... . Parsley Leaf. ... . Marshmallow Root. ... . Horsetail.. Can a dog UTI cure itself?Can a Dog Urinary Infection Cure Itself? Generally, urinary tract infections require some form of treatment. Very mild cases of UTIs may resolve themselves on their own, but cases with serious symptoms require veterinary attention.
What can I give my dog for a urinary tract infection?Antibiotics are the number one treatment for bladder infections in dogs. In some cases, your veterinarian may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or pain killers depending on the severity and underlying cause of your pet's bladder infection.
|