Urinary tract infection in dogs can be a recurring phenomenon and it might tire you to constantly take your dog to the vet. Consequently, you may wonder if a dog’s urinary tract infection can be treated with a homemade formula. Fortunately, a dog’s UTI can be treated from the comfort of home. Make sure, though, that the dog’s condition is not severe. If it is, it is highly advised that instead of giving the animal homemade treatment, you take it to the vet for proper diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment.
Urinary tract infection does not pose a life-threatening risk to dogs. Thus, you may address the problem yourself in your home. There are several homemade remedies that are effective in treating a dog’s UTI. Some of these remedies are listed below.
1. Frequent bathing. Bathing your pet frequently can help prevent the recurrence or spread of bacteria that are causing complications. Bathing the dog frequently can help flush out bacteria that may invade its urinary system through the opening of the urethra.
2. Citrus juices. If your dog is suffering from UTI, you can give it citrus juices such as orange juice, lime juice, and cranberry juice. These can help boost the acid level of the dog’s urine.
3. Apple cider vinegar. This has properties which can neutralize the bacteria present in the dog’s urine, reducing the discomfort caused by the disease to the pet. You can give the animal apple cider vinegar by mixing it in water.
4. Clean water. Give your dog ample amount of clean water everyday. This can help wash out the bacteria that have accumulated in the canine’s urine. In the process, the infection may be lessened.
Aside from the remedies listed above, you may also give your dog herbal remedies and homeopathic remedies. These remedies have been shown to have wonderful effects in dogs suffering from UTI and other urinary problems. These remedies cannot only help cure the UTI in your dog; these likewise prevent the recurrence of the disease. Herbal and homeopathic remedies are also safe because they do not have side effects that may add to the discomfort and pain felt by the pet.
If you are going to use herbal and homeopathic remedies in treating a dog’s urinary tract infection, especially look for products which have uva ursi, staphysagris, berberis vulgaris, golden rod, juniper berry, and cantharis as ingredients. These ingredients have properties which can help soothe the dog’s bladder, relieve the inflammation, and ultimately strengthen the bladder. Prolonged use of these remedies can help keep ypur dog in top shape by preventing the recurrence of infections.
Urinary tract infection is truly a rising problem in today’s society. However, you can help keep your dog safe from infections by giving it home remedies. It is still very essential, though, that you take your pet to the vet regularly for check-up. By doing so, occurrence of infections can be detected and dealt with earlier.
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Melissa Simmonds is a dog health enthusiast. She has done much research in the hope of finding ways of treating a dog’s urinary tract infection She has learned from her research that a dog’s UTI can be treated with homemade remedies.
Article Source: Melissa_Simmonds
Posted on June 6th, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Dogs, Pet First Aid, Pet Illnesses
I have suffered recurring UTI’s for many years and taken endless prescriptions for it. The thing that finally cured me is uva ursi and cranberry pills. Both can be purchased in capsule form (I get mine at Whole Foods.) Cranberry is safe to take long term and as often as you like, but uva ursi is damaging to the kidneys if taken long term. It is suggested to use only in case of actually having a UTI or occasionally to prevent one. For example I take cranberry almost everyday, and uva ursi only once a week, and more if I feel I have a UTI coming on… I can only assume this would translate over to using it for my dog. I have always thought that citrus is NOT good because of the acid. I can’t say how true this is but I’m my own case I have always avoided it when I have a UTI. Apparently cranberry is not as acidic. Again, I don’t know this to be fact, it’s just worked for me… I plan on giving my dog a cranberry pill a day from now on, besides it has a lot of good antioxidants and vitamins anyway… Best of luck to all your pooches!
How much citrus can I give to my dog? He is 80 lbs.
I agree with the citrus but what about cranberry juice???
For Gods sake unless dogs are totally different from humans citrus is the worst thing you can do. Orange juice may have a lot of vitamin c but in your body a chemical process occurs that changes orange juice to a very alkaline product. Bacteria love alkalinity and thrive in those conditions. Look up foods to avoid for urinary infections . Citrus is one of them.
Go pee on a stick after orange juice if you don’t believe me.
If you are going to give false and harmful info than don’t give any at all
the good thing about herbal remedies is that they do not have side effects.`;*
This is very helpful info and I thank you for posting.
How much ACV should I add to the water?
Generally, 1-1/2 tablespoons ACV daily for big dogs (50 lbs or more), 2 teaspoons for a 35 pound dog and 1 teaspoon for the 15 pound dog.
Cranberry juice is very often recommended for cleansing kidneys.
I doubt my dogs would drink citrus juice (especially lime juice), however the author’s research — and the research of others — supports citrus. So perhaps introducing Vitamin C in pill/tablet form will be fine. From one article:
“While dogs produce vitamin C in their bodies (unlike human beings and guinea pigs who must have it in their diet), under stress or disease, they may need vitamin C in excess of their manufacturing capacity. In excessive dose, vitamin C can cause flatulence and diarrhea. This intestinal tolerance level varies among dogs, but is generally around 3000 mg per day in an adult German Shepherd. I recommend this be given to all dogs. For dogs under 2 years of age, give 250 mg vitamin C twice a day. For dogs over 2 years of age, give 500 mg of vitamin C twice a day. ” source
From EarthClinic:
As a daily supplement, “…incorporate substantial doses of powdered Vitamin C into the dog’s daily meal.
Here is a daily dosage guide for adult dogs:
Small dogs: 500mg – 1,000mg
Medium – Large dogs: 1,000mg – 2,000mg
Giant dogs: 2,000mg – 4,000mg
Use a sodium ascorbate or another form of buffered vitamin C, as plain ascorbic acid may cause an upset stomach.
Start with the lowest recommended dosage and gradually increase it once or twice per year. If the dog is producing loose stools the dosage may be a bit high so cut back slightly and increase it gradually over time.