UTIs are usually hard to detect in dogs, and sometimes no visible signs can be seen. The infection can cause pain when your dog is urinating, other health issues, and chronic discomfort. No pet parent would enjoy seeing their furry baby suffering from an illness. But the good news with UTIs is that they can be prevented like other common health issues found in dogs. Now, let’s look at how dog UTIs can be prevented.
5 Ways to Prevent Dog UTIs
UTIs in dogs are similar to what humans experience in the said condition. Some people may think preventing the disease in the first place could be a real challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Below are five simple steps to protect your furry buddy from UTIs.
1. Provide plenty of fresh drinking water
Do you know that bacteria make toxins that attach, invade, and inflame the bladder lining? However, if your dog drinks enough water daily, this can help dilute toxins, reducing the chances of infection. To ensure your dog drinks a lot of water every day, provide them with large, clean, deep water drinking bowls, and never let them get empty and dry.
Clean their water bowls daily and ensure the water is completely replaced. If you have an elderly dog, provide water bowls in each room.
2. Ensure they are urinating regularly
Keeping their urine sitting in their bladder for long periods increases the chance of bacteria multiplying. But with regular urination, bacteria flush out of the bladder and decrease the chance of infection. Most dogs are advised to empty their bladder once every four hours. Adult dogs can hold their urine for 8-10 hours, although this should never be tolerated by pet parents.
Give your dog numerous chances for comfort breaks. Ensure to take your dog out first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening before sleeping to reduce the time they need to hold their urine at night.
3. Do not give orange juice or acidifiers
You may have learned from the internet that orange juice or some acidifiers are effective remedies when treating UTIs. Theoretically, they increase the urine’s pH balance and eliminate the infection. However, there’s a significant risk when doing this. You could be raising their acid levels, which may cause bladder stones, instead of curing UTIs.
Only feed a prescription diet to your furry buddy and avoid home remedies. For advice on home treatments, always ask your vet first to ensure your dog’s healthy recovery.
Read also: 6 Signs Your Dog is Healthy
4. Stay on top of their hygiene
Maintaining your pet’s cleanliness is vital to remember daily. Due to the female dogs’ vulva shape and closeness to the anus, they are more prone to UTIs than males. Its wideness creates an entry point for fecal contamination.
But regardless of your dog’s gender, clip the hair around their genitals to decrease the chance of bacteria or feces sticking to your dog’s private parts. Give your furry companion a good bath should they get mucky, and ensure clean fur in their genitals.
5. Feed them specialized diets
If your dog has been chronically experiencing UTIs, consider asking your vet for prescribed special food. The ideal dog’s urine pH is 6.2-6.4, and getting a prescription diet for your dog can help them produce this pH level. Consult your veterinarian for the specifics, as a prescription may vary depending on the severity of the infection.
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