How to Cure Kidney Infections in Cats

If a cat's urinary tract infection is not detected, or goes untreated, the bacteria that caused the UTI can make their way into the cat's kidneys and bladder. A primary sign that your cat has a kidney infection, referred to medically as pyelonephritis, is the cat going to the litter box frequently but not urinating. As the infection worsens, the cat may be listless, lose weight and have blood in the urine. If you suspect your cat has a kidney infection, you should make an appointment with the veterinarian immediately.

Things You'll Need

Antibiotics prescribed by your veterinarian
Cat food prescribed by your veterinarian
Electric water fountain
Long, narrow bowl
Deep bowl

Instructions

- 1
  Take your cat to the veterinarian. It will need a two- to three-week course of antibiotics to clear the infection. It may also be hospitalized so that intravenous fluids can be delivered.
- 2
  Administer medications as directed by your veterinarian.
- 3
  Feed your cat the diet prescribed by your veterinarian. Many cats with pyelonephritis will be placed on a therapeutic diet if they have a kidney infection. This diet may be necessary only until the infection has cleared. However, some cats may need to stay on the therapeutic diet longer--or even for the remainder of their lives--to ensure they do not have a recurrence.
- 4
  Keep your cat's litter box extra clean. This will encourage your cat to urinate more often, meaning the bacteria will be flushed from its kidneys more quickly.
- 5
  Encourage your cat to drink more water. This encourages frequent urination, which is of primary importance in helping the cat recover from kidney infection. Offering water in different ways may cause the cat to consume more. Many cats like to drink from small electric water fountains. Some cats may drink more from a long, narrow bowl, while others prefer a deep water bowl. Give your cat several choices and in different locations.