How to Prevent Bladder Infections in Dogs

Urinary tract infections can be painful for your dog.

A bladder infection, or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), is caused by a bacteria that can be spread through a dog licking or coming into contact with the bacteria outdoors. Taking the proper preventative measures can save your dog from suffering this painful infection.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Citrus Juice
• Veterinarian

Instructions

1. Take your dog outside so that he may urinate frequently. There is a lot of bacteria in urine. The longer the urine stays in the bladder, the greater likelihood the bacteria will spread to the bladder or other organs. Uti-in-dogs.com recommends taking your dog outside every few hours or provide your dog with constant access to the outdoors, so that he may urinate when he needs to.

2. Feed your dog the correct amount. Whether feeding your dog commercial foods or homemade foods, be sure to only feed your dog the recommended amount and dispose of any leftovers. Bacteria can grow on leftover food and could be harmful to your dog if he ingests it later.

3. Give your dog plenty of fresh, clean water on a daily basis. Water helps him to urinate normally throughout the day, cleaning away any bacteria or micro-organisms that may be in the body.

4. Give your dog citrus drinks. Fruit juice is very acidic and can decrease the bacteria in urine. Giving your dog a glass of juice for three consecutive days can help eliminate the bacteria in their urine. You can put a bowl of the fruit juice next to his bowl of water. If he doesn't like the taste of the fruit juice, you may have to mix it with something else. Fruit juice will also help to alleviate some of the painful burning sensation that comes with having a UTI, according to uti-in-dogs.com

5. Take your dog to the veterinarian if you think he may be suffering from a bladder infection. You may need to ask your doctor to do a urine culture, as it is the only way to know for sure if your dog has a UTI, according to Christie Keith, who writes for the Universal Press Syndicate's Pet Connection.

Tips & Warnings

• A u.t.i. does not exhibit many symptoms, therefore it can sometimes be overlooked by the owner. The biggest symptom that the dog will experience is a burning sensation when they urinate. Since a dog can't talk, there is no way for them to tell their owner. They may urinate indoors, or on furniture, and the honor may think it is a behavioral issue, not a medical problem. They may also want to go outdoors frequently, even if they have just been outdoors, according to Christie Keith.

References

• VetInfo: Canine Bladder Infection
• Uti-In-Dogs: Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs
• SF Gate: Your Whole Pet