Dogs are as prone as humans to getting a urinary tract infection, or UTI, primarily from unclean water or food. Female dogs, with their shorter urethras, tend to contract UTIs more often than male dogs because of the shorter distance to the bladder. An unchecked UTI can affect kidneys, bladder, ureters, urethra and prostate gland.
Once diagnosed by a veterinarian, a mild case of UTI in your dog often can be treated through diet and exercise.
-
Citrus Juice
-
The acidic nature of citrus fruit helps reduce the number of bacteria in your dog's urine. Orange, cranberry and lime juices can be mixed with something else if necessary to make it more palatable. Treat your dog with one glass of fruit juice in her water bowl for three consecutive days, given with the first meal of the day. Cranberry extract in pill form given with food also is effective.
Apple Cider Vinegar
-
The alkaline, or low pH, in vinegar neutralizes bacteria in the urine and can alleviate the pain associated with a UTI. Add 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your pet's food once a day for three consecutive days.
Clean Water
-
Water replenishes body fluids and washes away bacteria. Drinking a lot of water encourages urination, which helps eliminate harmful micro organisms such as escherichia coli, esterococcus, proteus mirabilis, klebsiella and pseudomonas. Give your dog plenty of clean water and replace what's in the water dish every day.
Meat vs. Cereal
-
Vegetarian or cereal-based dog food is alkaline in nature, a medium which supports harmful bacteria such as streptococcus/enterococcus, and Candida albicans. Dog food with animal protein such as beef, chicken or lamb, is more acidic and helpful in reducing bacteria.
Food and Exercise
-
Moist dog food in a can has fewer contaminants than dry dog food. Serve recommended portions, as advised by the dog food manufacturer. Remove uneaten food to avoid bacteria accumulating on it and increasing the risks of contamination, particularly if mixing dry dog food with water or milk.
If possible, take your dog out for a pee break at least every six hours as bacteria multiplies in urine if held too long in a bladder. Walking also stimulates the bladder and urination, helping flush away bacteria.
-