Urinary Herbs For Pets

Many of the same herbs recommended for humans with urinary tract and bladder issues may also be used for pets with similar conditions. However, since urinary problems, especially inability to urinate, can be very serious and even fatal, always consult with the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Herbs for urinary tract treatment are available both singly and as specially mixed commercial preparations.

  1. Goldenseal

    • Goldenseal has long been used in treating urino-genital ailments in humans, and is safe for use in dogs and cats. It has anti-microbial and antibiotic properties. Because the herb may stimulate the uterus, do not use it on pregnant animals. The herb may be given in a tincture for pets suffering from urinary tract infections. Consult your veterinarian for a definite diagnosis before administering any herbal remedies to your pets.

    Dandelion Root

    • Those yellow flowers popping up on lawns aren't just weeds--dandelion roots have many beneficial properties in herbal medicine. For dogs, dandelion root may be added to food to act as a diuretic and stimulate urine flow. Dandelion root may be purchased from herbal suppliers online or in stores, or pet owners may use the dandelions sprouting in their yard. However, make sure home-picked dandelions are free from herbicides before giving it to Fido. The greens should be dried and then mixed with the dog's food, or boil the greens to make a tea and add to the food.

    Chinese Herbs

    • Veterinarian Allen M. Schoen recommends the use of polyporous combination for cats with bladder inflammations. Also referred to as zhu ling tang, these Chinese herbs include hoelen, China root and sclerotium of tuckahoe. The combination acts as a diuretic, and Schoen states on this website that he has had great success resolving chronic feline bladder issues with it, including cystitis. He has used the polyporous combination for both infections and crystal formation in cats. Consult with a veterinarian well-versed in complementary or alternative medicine before administering these herbs to a pet. Another herbal combination for urinary issues in pets, cited by Schoen, is from Dr. Cheryl Schwartz in her book "Chinese Medicine for Dogs and Cats." Schwartz suggests an herbal combination of tinctures of six drops of plaintain, two drops of agrimony and four drops of cleavers dissolved in an ounce of distilled water and administered as one dropper three times daily.