Many cats will experience the discomfort of a urinary tract infection at least once during the course of their lives. Left untreated, a urinary tract infection can spread into the cat's bladder and cause more serious illness. Because it is such a common illness in cats, conventionally treated with antibiotics, more veterinarians and pet guardians are attempting treatment of cats' urinary tract infections using natural, holistic and homeopathic methods. Holistic medicine seeks to treat the animal's entire body and lifestyle in order to support the body's ability to heal itself naturally.
-
Veterinarian
-
If you plan to treat your cat's urinary tract infection holistically, your first step should be to locate a holistic veterinarian. Although holistic remedies are generally made of natural products, they can be as dangerous as pharmaceuticals if they are used in incorrect dosages, if they are mixed incorrectly or if the wrong therapy is used to treat an illness. To find a holistic veterinarian near you, visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's website at Holisticvetlist.com.
Homeopathy
-
Cantharis is the primary homeopathic remedy used to treat urinary tract infections in cats. Cantharis is made from a beetle found in France. The cantharis powder, which contains the ground up beetle in a highly diluted manner, is thought to provide pain relief from the symptoms associated with a UTI. It is usually dosed in two to three pellets of 30C given several times throughout the day.
Herbs
-
Herbs are often prescribed as part of holistic treatment of a cat's UTI. Common herbs used for treatment include pipsissewa, buchu, uva ursi, echinacea, goldenrod, horsetail, parsley, marshmallow root and elderberry. Most often herbal treatments for cats are administered in a tea form. A tbsp. of the cooled tea is given to the cat three times per day until symptoms are gone.
Cranberry
-
Just like in people, cranberry juice is a powerful food in naturally fighting an infection in a cat's urinary tract. Cranberry juice keeps bacteria from clinging to the walls of the urinary tract and makes the urine more acidic. The more acidic the urine, the less hospitable it is to the bacteria that are causing the infection. Some cats will lap cranberry juice from a bowl, but most will not. For cats that will not drink the juice, cranberry extract supplements can be added to a palatable meal.
Immune System
-
A holistic veterinarian is going to look for ways to boost your cat's immune system so that your pet's body can naturally fight off the infection. One means through which this might be achieved is with Vitamin C. Not only does Vitamin C help boost the immune system, but also it is especially useful in treating a cat's urinary tract infection because it also has anti-inflammatory properties and will strengthen the lining of the bladder. Most cats will need between 250 mg and 500 mg daily, depending upon their size. Other methods through which the immune system might be boosted are with changes to diet. This will likely mean moving your cat to a homemade diet made from human-grade ingredients.
-