Cat Uti Medicine Over The Counter

What Can I Give My Dog For A Urinary Tract Infection

Before giving your pup something for a UTI, you should go to a vet sooner rather than later. If you wait too long to visit a vet, your pup could experience tremendous pain.

A vet will probably recommend several over-the-counter medications for treating UTIs in pups. A few effective over-the-counter treatment options are apple cider vinegar, citrus juice, cranberry juice, cranberry pills, Vitamin C, probiotic/prebiotic supplements, cranberries, and blueberries.

In addition, a long, warm bath is a great treatment option for UTIs in dogs. Make sure that your pup also drinks plenty of water to flush out the infection.

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections In Cats

Infection can occur when bacteria enter the bladder through the urethra, which is the tube that transports urine from the bladder outside the body.

Urinary tract infections are more common in older cats, female cats, and cats with diabetes, but any cat can develop a UTI. Urinary tract infections can also cause cystitis, which is inflammation of the bladder.

Some cats that develop bladder infections also have kidney stones or bladder stones. Also called uroliths, bladder stones form from minerals in the urine. Uroliths are solid and often feel like sand or small pebbles, though some can grow to an inch or more in diameter.

Bladder stones can cause a lot of inflammation and damage to the entire urinary tract. Both bladder stones and crystals in the urine can lead to a urethral obstruction, commonly referred to as a urinary blockage.

With a partial urinary blockage, the cat may only be able to urinate small amounts. A complete urinary blockage occurs when urine cannot pass through the urethra at all. Because the urine cannot pass through the urethra, it remains in the bladder, which expands painfully. When it cannot expand any more, the kidneys can no longer process urine, leading to a buildup of toxins in the blood.

This is an extremely dangerous medical emergency. Without prompt treatment, a blocked cat could die. Male cats are at higher risk of experiencing a urinary blockage because their urethra is both longer and narrower than a female cats urethra.

Hills Prescription Diet Urinary Care Canned Cat Food

The Hills Prescription Diet Urinary Care Canned Cat Food is a decent option for those cats with urinary tract problems. It does require a prescription, so it is only for felines that need serious help keeping their urinary tract in check. It promotes a healthy pH to prevent infections and stones. It also has reduced levels of multiple minerals, including magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. It can even dissolve some stones in as little as 7 days and reduce the formation of other stones.

Enriched antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids are included. These may help support your felines immune system and prevent further problems from developing. Both these ingredients are thought to reduce inflammation, which does play a role in urinary tract problems. It can be fed for the long term, unlike other urinary medications.

The ingredients are good, though they could be better. It includes pork by-products as the first ingredient. This is decent quality, but it isnt the best option out there. By-products can include nutritious organ meats that people typically wouldnt consume or include nutrition-less feathers and similar parts.

Other ingredients are included, such as pork liver and chicken. Some grains and low-quality plants are added, such as brewers rice, corn starch, and soybean meal. Some of these add extra protein to the food, though it is lower-quality protein because it comes from plant sources.

• A bit expensive

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Best Uti Supplements For Cats

If you have a cat, you are probably very familiar with their bathroom habits. You most likely clean out the litter box often and are privy to their normal routine. Regular litter box maintenance while not a fun activity can help you keep a close eye on your cats urinary health.

Many cats are prone to urinary tract issues including urinary tract infections or urinary diseases. And while UTI supplements for cats wont treat active infections, they can help keep your felines urinary health on track.

Lets dive into a bit more detail about cat urinary health and go over some of the best urinary supplements for cats.

When Is A Cat Uti An Emergency

If you are noticing that your cat is struggling to produce urine, your cat cant pee, or is straining to urinate and there is no urine coming out, this is a true emergency especially if your cat is male.

This can be a sign of a urethral obstruction which can lead to severe health conditions and even death if not addressed right away by your veterinarian.

If your cat is blocked, this means your cat cannot pee and can lead to acute kidney failure and as mentioned, a painful death if not addressed.

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Where Do You Get The Right Cat Food For Urinary Tract Health

The right diet and adequate moisture intake will help to ensure that your cat wont develop a UTI again.

Therapeutic cat food for urinary health is available with a prescription, either through your veterinarian or purchased online. If youd rather not feed a prescription food, many companies now make over-the-counter diets for urinary health. Always consult with a veterinarian before changing your cats diet.

If your cat was previously eating a plant-based or moisture-depleted diet, switching to a species-appropriate diet could be all he or she needs.

Its also possible to use homemade cat food for urinary problems.

Always work with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist when feeding a homemade cat food, especially one intended to address specific health concerns like urinary tract infections and bladder stones.

Also Read: 6 Delicious Homemade Cat Food Recipes

What Can I Do To Prevent A Uti From Occurring In The Future

Your veterinarian will let you know if there is anything that can be done to prevent your cats UTI from coming back. There is evidence that specific diets can support lower urinary tract health. It is best to discuss UTI prevention and bladder health with your veterinarian in order to put into action an effective plan.

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Treating Urinary Tract Infections In Cats

If you see warning signs of a urinary tract infection in your cat, it’s important to contact a veterinarian. The vet will do a physical exam and likely collect a urine sample for urinalysis. If a UTI is the prime suspect, your vet may prescribe antibiotics even before receiving results from your cat’s urine test.

With a vet’s diagnosis in hand, you still play a crucial part in helping treat your cat at home. If your vet has prescribed an antibiotic, you’ll need to make sure to give all the medicine for as long as recommended.

“If your cat is diagnosed with a bacterial condition, it is imperative that you give the medication exactly as instructed,” says Kathryn Primm, DVM at Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee. “Otherwise, you risk only killing the part of the bacteria that are most susceptible to the drug and leaving the others to reproduce.”

How long your cat is on antibiotics for a UTI is best determined by your vet. If you’re having trouble giving your cat the medicine, let the vet know. Pills or liquids are options, but an unfinished round of antibiotics may give the bacteria a chance to return, and stronger bacteria can also lead to new drug-resistant strains that harm humans and pets.

Urinary issues can be complex, and each cat is different. A trusting relationship with your veterinarian is your very best tool to manage urinary disease in cats.

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How And Why Urinary Tract Infections Occur

UTIs can develop in any pet. A common reason they develop in cats is because of poorly balanced diets or environmental factors such as stress. Some cats are naturally predisposed to UTIs, like older female cats or cats with diabetes. With pets who get UTIs more frequently, youll notice the symptoms sooner and become accustomed to the treatments that work well, but UTIs should always be taken seriously.

While your cat cant tell you what they feel, common physical symptoms of a UTI include fever, backache, painful and frequent urination, and lethargy. Causes could be related to diet, but may also include immunological deficiency or fungal or protozoan infections. Other causes could be bladder stones, injuries, or tumors.

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What Is A Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection can affect any portion of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, though it most commonly refers to an infection in the bladder. Cats get urinary tract infections when bacteria colonize the bladder.

Bladder infections fit in the broad category feline lower urinary tract disease . Other common manifestations of FLUTD include urolithiasis , crystalluria , urethral obstruction, and feline idiopathic cystitis.

Cats with diabetes mellitusand hyperthyroidismare at an increased risk of developing FLUTD.

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Dog Uti: What Exactly Is It

Often referred to as a UTI, a urinary tract infection in pups is an extremely painful condition.

When bacteria travel to the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra, your pup will probably suffer from UTIs. In most cases, E. coli is the bacterium that will make its way up the urinary tract. If your pup has an overgrowth of fungus in the urinary tract, a UTI is also likely.

Understanding Cat Urinary Problems

Urinary problems in cats can be caused by infection or disease. Most cats that suffer from UTIs are above the age of 10, and these infections are often secondary to another underlying endocrine issue, such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes.

Cats can also suffer from other urinary tract diseases, such as FLUTD , cystitis, or even a urethral blockage due to bladder stones.

Symptoms of UTIs and urinary issues in cats may include:

• Trouble urinating
• Blood in the urine
• Urine with a strong odor

Any of these symptoms need to be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as some urinary tract issues can become an emergency very rapidly.

Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination and may obtain a urine sample to test for red and white blood cells, crystals, pH, and other properties. If your cat is diagnosed with a UTI, antibiotics are often administered.

However, there are other products on the market that can support urinary tract health in your cat and prevent frequent recurrence of UTIs.

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Best Variety: Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Health Variety Pack Canned Cat Food

Courtesy of Chewy

Key Ingredients: Varies by flavor | Calories per Serving: 82 to 107 depending on flavor | Texture: Wet, varies | Balance: Varies but most are Crude Protein min. 10.0%, Crude Fat min. 6.5%, Crude Fiber max 0.5%, Moisture max. 78.0% | Life Stage: Adult

• Nutritional and flavor diversity for your cat

• No prescription needed

• Meat by-products are the first ingredient

• Added color

If your cats digestive system can tolerate more than one type of food, a variety pack is a wonderful way to give them a broader range of flavors and nutrients at the same time.

Purina Pro Plan Focus Classic Urinary Tract Health Formula Adult Wet Cat Food Variety Pack comes as a case of 12, 24, or 36 cans. It can be purchased as four, eight or twelve cans each of three flavorsOcean Whitefish or Beef & Chicken, Chicken, and Turkey and Gibletsor as twelve cans each of two flavorsOcean Whitefish and Salmon.

Each recipe has low dietary magnesium and has been designed to reducing urinary pH. Purina products are also manufactured in the U.S. and are widely available and among the more affordable brands on shelves today.

Complicated & Recurrent Uti

Antibiotics should never be selected empirically for complicated UTI without culture susceptibility results . Management of pyelonephritis, prostatitis, and relapsing or recurrent UTI is often unsuccessful without therapy guided by culture and susceptibility results. However, therapy should be instituted while culture and susceptibility results are being awaited. Rational initial drug choices for complicated UTI include amoxicillin, fluoroquinolones, or trimethoprim-sulfonamide.3

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Causes Of Urinary Tract Issues In Cats

A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that have worked their way into the urethra . Most UTIs are caused by bacteria and typically affect the urethra and bladder. Left untreated, they can spread to the kidneys, causing a serious infection called pyelonephritis.

UTIs are not especially common in cats, but other urinary tract issues occur often. Your cat’s trouble urinating can have a number of possible causes, some of which can be painful. Urinary conditions can block the flow of urine or inflame parts of the urinary tract. If you’ve been on the hunt for information online, you may have heard about feline lower urinary tract disease , which is a catch-all term for a variety of possible culprits, including UTIs and the following conditions:

• Urinary stones, which develop in the bladder from microscopic crystals
• Urethral obstruction, possibly caused by crystalized minerals in the urine, an injury, a tumor, or an abnormality your cat has had since birth
• Feline idiopathic cystitis , which is inflammation of a cat’s bladder with an unknown cause. This is a common diagnosis in cats less than 10 years old. A veterinarian may diagnose the condition after ruling out other conditions.

Some cats are predisposed to problems of the lower urinary tract, especially cats older than 10 years and those with kidney disease or diabetes.

Homeopathic Uti Over The Counter Treatment

Homeopathy treats the whole patient, not a symptom or group of symptoms. If you ask a homeopath, they prefer to prescribe remedies based on individual patient assessment, not just isolated symptoms. Therefore, a homeopathic doctor would prefer to prescribe you a remedy uniquely addressing your individual health needs.

Purchasing an off-the-shelf remedy is considered to be less effective than taking one recommended specifically for you.

However, there are several widely-recognized homeopathic UTI OTC remedies readily available. Many naturopathic doctors find the following remedies helpful for their patients with UTI symptoms.

Cantharis

Advised for those who experience a constant, strong urge to urinate with a sharp pain right before and after peeing. Other symptoms include a sensation of bladder fullness but only being able to release a few drops of urine when peeing.

Nux vomica

This remedy is advised for those who feel a strong urge to urinate, burning or cramping pain in the bladder area, and an itching sensation while the urine passes.

Other notable symptoms that can be helped include irritability, impatience, and feeling cold. This remedy is great if your symptoms are relieved by hot baths or with a hot bottle applied to your lower abdomen.

Sarsaparilla

This remedy is often useful in cystitis and may help when symptoms are unclear, or if other remedies have not been effective.

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Why Trust The Spruce

This piece was written by Lorraine Wilde who has had at least two cat companions in her home for the past 35 years including some special needs kitties. Two of her cats lived happy and healthily into their early 20s. Her current feline companions have been challenged by digestive and urinary tract health issues. When researching these brands, Lorraine evaluated the type and quality of the ingredients, the companys research and development of the food, and their business ethics.

Because she has only the highest of standards for what she feeds her pets, Lorraine recently switched to Evangers EVx Restricted Diet Urinary Tract and Evanger Organics Turkey and Butternut Squash canned food to help improve her older cats’ health issues. Lorraines family will consider adding the supplement Under the Weather Urinary Support Soft Chews for the benefits imparted by D-mannose.

Dr. Danielle Bernal is a Global Veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. She holds a Bachelors of Veterinary Science from University of Sydney and is a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the U.K. She has more than 15 years experience in veterinary care, animal nutrition and related communications. She travels across the United States and other countries to educate pet parents on the role that premium, natural nutrition plays in pets health and longevity.

Purina One Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food Best Value

Purina is known as a budget company. However, its ONE line is exceptionally high-quality while remaining inexpensive. For cats with urinary problems, Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Dry Cat Food is a solid option. This food is formulated with low magnesium, which can prevent the creation of bladder stones and similar problems. This brand adds antioxidants, which may help prevent urinary problems. As a pH-reducing food, this can also keep infections at bay.

However, this food does have lower-quality ingredients than other options. This is one of the reasons that Purina can keep the foods cost so low. The first ingredient is corn gluten meal, with the second being whole ground corn. Corn is a starchy vegetable and is often considered a grain. Cats do not need it to thrive, though it does provide a few nutrients. However, cats can have difficulty absorbing and using nutrients from plants like corn, so it likely isnt doing much for your cats nutrition.

Chicken is included as the third ingredient. This is a high-quality option and suitable if your feline is not allergic to chicken. This is the best cat food for urinary tract health for the money.

This does require a veterinary prescription, so it is only available to felines with diagnoses of urinary tract problems.

To conclude, this is our third pick for the best cat food for urinary health available this year.

• Large amounts of grain included

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