Home Treatment for Feline Urinary Tract Infection

Feline urinary tract infections are common and can result in quite a mess. They occur when bacteria colonize the urethra, the tube through which the cat urinates, and can result in pain and spraying. If left untreated, urinary tract infections can result in kidney disease, kidney failure and death. Urinary tract infections can occur in male and female cats, though they are more common in females. There are many home treatments for feline urinary tract infections, but if symptoms do not resolve or worsen, a trip to the veterinarian for antibiotics is necessary to avoid serious complications.

  1. Symptoms

    • According to the Web site Pet Education, symptoms of urinary tract infection in cats include frequent urination, pain while urinating, blood in the urine, vomiting, licking of the genital area and depression. In some cases, crystals can form in the cat's bladder or urethra. These crystals can cause extreme pain and can make urination difficult or impossible.

    Diet

    • According to the Web site Cat Connection, diets that cause the urine to be acidic help to prevent bacterial colonization. Most commercial cat foods already include ingredients that do this. Unless it is recommended by your veterinarian, you should never give your cat urinary acidifiers, as these can over-acidify the urine, causing potential mineral imbalances and kidney problems.

    Fluids

    • One of the most common causes of feline urinary tract infection is dehydration, according to the Web site Vet Info. Always make sure your cat has adequate clean water and feed her a mixture of wet and dry food. Hydrating a cat that already has a urinary tract infection can help to flush the bacteria out of her urethra.

    Clean House

    • Another common cause of feline urinary tract infection is a dirty litter box. Every time your cat uses the litter box, she comes in contact with bacteria from her previous visit. Scooping the litter daily and changing it completely every other day can dramatically reduce your cat's risk of infection, according to the Web site Marista Vet. For a cat that already has an infection, a clean litter box will help keep it from getting worse.

    Cranberry Juice

    • According to Cat Connection, cranberry juice added to food can help to acidify the urine temporarily and can help reduce the bacterial population in your cat's urethra. This can help to reduce the pain and symptoms of the infection and can give your cat's immune system a chance to kill the remaining bacteria. However, as is true with all of these at-home remedies, a visit to the veterinarian for tests of your cat's urine is the only sure-fire way to be sure the infection is gone.