The Best Flea Treatments for Cats and Dogs
Remedies For Cat Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, can develop in any pet. Some cats are naturally more likely to develop UTIs, like male cats, overweight cats, or cats with diabetes. However, the infections can affect any cat throughout its lifetime.
A UTI affects the cat's urinary (peeing) system. This includes the bladder (organ that holds pee) and urethra (tube that pee comes out of). This bacterial infection can lead to symptoms like:
A UTI develops when bacteria enter the urinary tract, pass through the urethra, and reach the bladder. It can be caused by age, lack of proper hygiene around the genitalia, or abnormal pH levels (acidity or alkalinity in liquid) in the cat's diet. However, it may also be caused by more serious conditions like bladder stones (hard deposits in the bladder), injuries, tumors, or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Remedies and Treatments for Cat Urinary Tract InfectionUrinary tract diseases are common in cats and can cause discomfort and distress. If left untreated, a UTI can lead to partial or complete blockage of the urethra. This can lead to kidney failure or rupture of the bladder, which could be deadly.
Depending on the severity of the infection, a cat UTI can be treated using at-home remedies and treatments.
Cranberries
While cranberries are known as a UTI treatment in humans, they can also be used to treat a cat UTI. The acidity of cranberries can lower the pH of your cat's urine, which can help treat a UTI and stop it from coming back.
Many cranberry juices are high in sugar. Instead, you can find cranberry capsules (pills), supplements, or powder to add to your cat's diet.
Before giving your cat cranberry, you should first test the pH levels in your cat's urine. While the acidity of cranberries may help with some UTIs, in other cases, it could make the condition worse. Only provide cranberry supplements if your cat's urine is too alkaline.
ContinuedApple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can also lower the pH in your cat's urine, eliminating and preventing any harmful bacteria. Add half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your cat's food each day. To reduce the bitter taste, you can mix it in with chicken or beef broth. Just make sure the broth doesn't contain onions, as this is toxic to cats.
Like cranberries, apple cider vinegar is only effective if your cat's urine is too alkaline. You can test your cat's pH using at-home kits or diagnostic cat litter, as well as through a reliable test given by your veterinarian.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
While these two supplements are often used for arthritis joint pain management, glucosamine and chondroitin can also reduce the symptoms of a feline UTI. Glucosamine can help replace a compound in the lining of the cat's bladder wall. Chondroitin helps prevent this compound from breaking down.
Combining these two supplements can rebuild the bladder wall and prevent further damage from bacteria. This reduces inflammation and other UTI symptoms. For every 10 pounds of your cat's weight, you can give the cat 100 milligrams of glucosamine and 50 milligrams of chondroitin.
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root can kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the lining of the bladder to help fight off a UTI. It also acts as a diuretic — a drug that helps the kidneys flush out urine or other fluids — which increases the flow of urine and flushes out the bladder.
According to a study, marshmallow root contains mucilage (a sticky substance made by plants), which can soothe membranes and provide a barrier to support the lining of the bladder.
Bone Broth
In addition to treating the pH level and strengthening the bladder wall, an important part of treating a cat UTI is to make sure that your cat stays well hydrated. This will help flush out the bladder and avoid the buildup of harmful bacteria.
To make sure your cat is staying hydrated, you can introduce tasty fluids like bone broth. Not only will this provide necessary hydration, but bone broth also contains nutrients and minerals that can help fight the infection. The amino acids (organic compounds that form protein in the body) found in bone broth, including glycine, and arginine, have been shown to reduce inflammation.
Continued When to See a VetThese at-home treatments and remedies may be effective for clearing up minor infections, but more serious infections need to be treated by a professional animal doctor.
If your cat is experiencing mild or moderate symptoms, you can try these remedies to relieve their symptoms. If their symptoms show no sign of improvement in a few days, talk to a veterinarian. If your cat seems to be in pain or is unable to pass urine, see a vet immediately. This could be a sign of urethral obstruction, which can be fatal if not treated within 24 to 48 hours.
A vet may be able to prescribe antibiotics to target the harmful bacteria. Be sure to give your cat the full dose of prescribed antibiotics to prevent the UTI from returning or becoming resistant to treatment.
Even if you're pursuing professional treatment, these remedies can be effectively used alongside antibiotics to strengthen the bladder and balance your cat's pH levels. Some can also be used as a daily supplement to prevent the UTI from coming back. Remember to check the urine pH prior to starting some of the remedies to make sure you don't make the problem worse.
WebMD Medical Reference
SourcesSOURCES:
American Veterinary Medical Association: "Feline lower urinary tract disease."
Cornell Feline Health Center: "Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease."
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care: "L-Glycine: a novel antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cytoprotective agent."
Journal of Ethnopharmacology: "Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from marshmallow roots (Althea officinalis L.): cellular internalisation and stimulation of cell physiology of human epithelial cells in vitro."
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine: "STRESS, MALENESS LINKED TO URINARY TRACT DISORDERS IN CATS."
VCA Animal Hospital: "Glucosamine Chondroitin Combination."
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More info 8 Product FeaturesCat Returned To Shelter After Just 4 Days Finally Finds True Forever Home
A cat who spent just over six months in a shelter, and was even returned from a potential home, has finally found the perfect family.
Red was surrendered to the Australian Animal Protection Society (AAPS) shelter in Victoria, Australia. Unable to care for her because they were relocating overseas, Red waited in the shelter but was overlooked time and again.
"Adult cats, especially tabby domestic short hairs, tend to stay in our shelter for long periods of time as people tend to consider them as 'non-desirable,'" a shelter spokesperson told Newsweek.
After more than 150 days in the shelter, the AAPS shared her story on social media, which did lead to interest from a family who adopted her.
Pictures of Red, who has now been renamed Ruby, has finally found a home. Pictures of Red, who has now been renamed Ruby, has finally found a home. @aaps_victoria/TikTokBut it wasn't to be as she was returned to the shelter just four days later, with the adopter citing that Red hadn't settled quickly enough and was reluctant to sit on their lap.
Each year, 6.3 million pets enter U.S. Shelters at an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 last January, an increase of 1,744 compared to January 2022, 24Petwatch's Shelter Watch Report found.
Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
Despite the setback, the shelter remained dedicated to finding Red's forever home, and soon it paid off.
An experienced cat owner heard about Red's story and stepped in, offering her a permanent home.
Red, now renamed "Ruby" in her home, has happily found herself in the company of two other adopted cats and a patient owner who understands the importance of giving animals a second chance. "Ruby's new owner has a big heart and tries to adopt animals who really need adopting, like senior cats," said the shelter.
The shelter shared the good news on their TikTok page and people were delighted to hear about the happy ending.
"Oh thank goodness," said one viewer. While another wrote: "Made my day. Amazing update."
"Great news!" said another TikToker.
"Ruby's guardian understands that animals deserve a second chance," the shelter explained.
This isn't the first time someone has taken a chance on an older cat, like the 10-year-old cat with a hilariously unusual morning routine or the 19-year-old cat given a "retirement home" by a new adopter.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.Com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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