Urinary tract infections that are recurrent in dogs and cats can point to:

• An underlying condition
• Bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotic
• The presence of some other disease such as diabetes

This is where tests will help to determine if it is the same bacteria causing these infections. Chemistry panels, X-rays and a complete blood count can then help the vet to better understand why the infections are recurring or why it is not responding to the treatments. 

Tips for preventing UTIs in Cats and Dogs

There is a new product with powdered Cranberry for cats and dogs and has proven to stop infections from continuing to happen, but no matter what products you use to help your cat or dog stay healthy, there are some tips that will also help. These simple preventative measures can keep you from having to be constantly worrying about your cat or dog suffering from urinary tract infections.

Keep pets healthy

Here are some things you can do to keep urinary tract infections from happening.

• Leave out for your pet lots of fresh, clean water. By keeping the pets hydrated this ensures that they urinate regularly. This also will flush bacteria out of the pet’s system, making sure it doesn’t spread through the urinary tract. Urinating also will wash away crystals so they cannot clump together and form stones.
• Encourage frequent urination through walks and exercise.
• Reevaluate your dog or cat’s diet. Based on your vet’s suggestions adjust their diet to keep a steady pH as this discourages the formation of stones.
• Maintaining the weight of your pet so that it can also prevent urinary tract problems and other problems with health. Think about adding probiotics to the diet of your pet. These are “good bacteria” that are designed to displace foreign bacteria and improve your pet’s immune system responds to infections.
• Make certain your cat’s litter box is easy to access and cleaned regularly. If you have more than one cat in your home, consider adding another litter box to prevent cross-contamination of fecal bacteria.
• Maintain a clean environment for your pets.
• Especially keep an eye out for any urinary habits or changes that are abnormal in your pet’s behavior. As the owner, you know when your pet is acting strangely or not feeling well. It is always best to be safe than sorry when it comes to the health of your pets.