Holistic Pets

With the high cost of veterinary care these days, many cat owners are interested in what they can do to prevent the expense and stress of painful cat urinary problems.  Here are some things you can do at home to prevent cat urinary tract infection, or cat UTI.

What’s The Most Common Cause Of Cat Urinary Tract Infection?

Cat bladder stones are at the root of many feline urinary problems, from a cat blockage, to feline cystitis.  Stones in your cat’s bladder can block his urethra, causing a complete cat urinary blockage that will be fatal within a couple of days if left untreated. 

The sharp edges of feline bladder stones can also irritate and inflame the walls of your cat’s bladder, leading to cat bladder infection. 

How Can Cat Bladder Stones Be Prevented?

Diet is the most important factor in the development of feline bladder stones.  Most cat owners don’t realize that by feeding their cats dry food, they’re setting them up for feline urinary problems.  Why is this?

It’s because cats are meant to get most of their water from their food.  You may have noticed that your cat doesn’t drink much water, and this is why.  It’s difficult for a cat that eats only dry food to drink enough water to prevent feline bladder problems.  When a cat isn’t drinking enough water, his urine is very concentrated. 

This is bad for two reasons.  First, toxins and excess minerals are not being flushed out of your cat’s body.  The second reason is that the minerals can begin to clump together to form cat bladder stones.  When this happens, a cat urinary blockage usually isn’t far off.

It’s a known fact that by increasing the amount of water going through your cat, you can decrease the incidence of cat UTI.

Feeding Canned Cat Food Can Prevent Feline Cystitis

Canned cat food has a moisture level of around 75%, which is much higher than dry food, with a moisture level of less than 10%.  Just by changing your cat’s diet, you can prevent many cat urinary problems.

You’ll also want to make sure your cat always has access to lots of pure, clean, water.  It can often be a challenge to get your cat to drink enough water.  Sometimes adding a little chicken broth to his food will make him thirsty enough to drink more. 

Cats usually drink water after they eat, so by dividing his daily food portion up and feeding him two or three times a day instead of once a day, you may encourage him to increase his water consumption.

Natural Pet Remedies For Feline Urinary Support

Many pet owners are turning to natural pet remedies to prevent and treat minor cat urinary tract infection.  Homeopathic remedies like Cantharis and Staphysagris help to reduce the pain and inflammation of a cat bladder infection.  Herbs like uva ursi and barberry have antibiotic-like properties, and are effective against common bacteria that cause feline bladder infection. 

To find a remedy that’s safe and effective for your cat, be sure to look for one that’s formulated especially for pets so he’ll receive the proper dosage. 

To sum up, cat urinary problems can often be prevented with the proper diet, and adequate water intake.  Remember that it’s easier, and more cost-effective, to prevent feline cystitis than it is to treat it.

If you love your cat and you want to make sure it doesn’t get sick, a few simple precautions can prevent it from getting ill. Doing just three simple things can insure that your cat lives a few more quality years than most cats do.

First of all, let me explain why it’s so important to take these steps. Just like we are, cats live in a world that is full of toxins, which reduce their immunity and makes them more susceptible to getting ill. Most cats have a diet that lacks many of the nutritious substances that they need, so getting them what they lack will help them fight different diseases. It’s also something that will save you money in the long run, since you will spend less money on medicine or visits to the vet.

Steps you can take to prevent cat health issues

1. Make sure you read the cat food’s label before you give it to your pet. The label should say that most of the food is made out of proteins, and the food shouldn’t contain fillers, dyes or chemicals. Giving cats moist food will help with prevention when it comes to urinary problems, but you can also mix canned food with kibble, as long as they contain good ingredients. If possible, give your cat organic food, since it’s healthier for them.

2. Whenever possible, try to filter the cat’s water, before you put it in the bowl. Get a quality tap filter, since the tap water contains chemicals that shouldn’t be ingested by the cat. The cat’s water bowl should be accessible and full all the time.

3. Your cat should receive supplements daily. In our time the number of toxins, chemicals and the amount of pollution are much higher than in the past, so cats need better care when it comes to their health, just like you do. These supplements should help build their immunity, so pick herbs like Echinacea, Ginseng, Cat’s Claw or Milk Thistle.

Going through these steps will allow you to prolong the life of your cat, by boosting their immunity and their health. The fourth thing you can do is give your cat all the attention and love it needs, so she doesn’t feel neglected.

The three steps I presented here aren’t hard to follow and they will allow you to prevent your cat from getting diseases that can be prevented otherwise. As long as you take care of their health with these steps, your cat has a very good chance of living a full and long life.

Arthritis and bone disease are very common in dogs and usually take one of several types. These include hip dysplasia, dislocation of the kneecap, arthritis of the elbow, swelling and pain in the leg bones, and degeneration of the shoulder joint.

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip sockets that allow excessive movement in the joint. This condition causes chronic inflammation and calcium deposits. Dislocation of the kneecap is a malformation of the leg bones which causes the kneecap to continually pull out of its place and slip back and forth, creating a low-grade inflammation. Arthritis of the elbow is a hereditary condition caused by improper bone formation. Swelling and pain in the leg bones is caused by insufficient production of vitamin C, which results in poor nutrition and heredity. Degeneration of the shoulder joint is the breakdown of cartilage in the shoulder causing inflammation and pain when moving.

These conditions are mostly hereditary and could be prevented if the female dog were fed properly throughout her pregnancy. The period of growth inside the uterus is most vital in terms of the formation of structure and essential tissues. Proper nutrition is a must during this stage. Try not to give your dog commercial foods and only feed natural and wholesome meals and snacks.

Giving your dog vitamin C on a regular basis also decreases or prevents some of these conditions from developing. Supply your dog with 250 to 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day, depending on the age and size of your dog. For example, a small Chihuahua puppy should get a dose of 250 milligrams per day and a large Doberman would get a dose of 500 milligrams per day.

Prevention is vital in order to prevent the development of these conditions. However, if any of the condition already exists, there are several things that you can do to decrease your dog’s pain and discomfort. The first step to proper treatment is to feed your dog with natural diet as much as possible. Include vitamin C per day, using between 500 to 2,000 milligrams depending on the size of the dog. Divide the daily amount and give it to your dog twice per day. Other vitamins and supplements that are important are combinations of vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Also include raw grated vegetables in your dog’s diet, particularly celery, carrots, and beets.

In addition to providing your dog with good nutrition, you can also use natural treatments such as homeopathic and herbal remedies. These include glucosamine sulfate, Chondroitin and MSM. Consult with a vet specializing in natural health care to determine which one best fits your dog’s situation.

There’s nothing more frightening for new parents than the thought that their child may be sick. While most parents do well keeping their child away from common cold and flu germs, not everyone takes into account the affect household allergens may have on a newborn. Common respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, coughing and difficulty breathing are often examples of allergic rhinitis, or respiratory allergies, and are caused by a simple factor in the child’s environment. Dust mites, pet dander, mold, pollen -young children can develop allergies to a number of everyday things. Luckily, removing allergens and thus preventing or reducing allergic reactions can be a very easy process. The most important part of the process, though, is knowing what you’re up against.

It is important to understand what respiratory allergens are if you expect to protect your child from them. An allergy is an immune reaction to an irritable substance in the child’s environment. The child’s body views these irritants as dangerous and releases chemicals, such as histamines, that cause uncomfortable and potentially harmful symptoms. While a child may eventually develop immunity to these irritants, untreated or ignored allergic symptoms can lead to such respiratory problems as asthma and emphysema.

The most common allergens are dust mites, animal dander and molds. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in carpets and fabrics and feed on dead flakes of human and animal skin. Children can develop respiratory allergies from inhaling accumulated mites in areas that aren’t cleaned properly or regularly. Bedding, clothing and comforters should be washed in hot water at least once a week. For additional protection, cribs and beds should be covered with an impermeable mattress encasement. These covers act as a barrier between your baby and allergy-causing dust mites. It is also important to vacuum and dust weekly; a vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter helps trap particles normal dusting and vacuuming can miss. It is also important to clean or replace heating ducts, furnace and air conditioning filters whenever they’re in use.

Stuffed animals and plush toys can also be a haven for dust mites. Make sure you wash your child’s favorite plush toys as often as you would his or her bedding and clothing.

Pet dander is another common household allergen. Unfortunately, the only sure-fire way to protect your child from dander is to give the animal away. This can often be a very difficult and heartbreaking decision, but if your child’s allergic reaction is severe it may be the only option. If your child has only a mild allergy you might consider simply keeping the animal well-groomed, shampooed, off furniture and out of the child’s room.

Mold is a versatile and particularly irksome allergen. Molds can grow in closets, attics, cellars, planters, refrigerators, showers, garbage cans, mattresses, carpets -just about any warm, moist area in the house. Mold allergies are caused by the spores the mold uses to reproduce. These spores can cause significant health problems. The best way to prevent mold growth is to keep the air in troublesome areas of your home dry. A dehumidifier can help keep air dry in the winter, while a good air conditioner can achieve the same effect in the summer. Keeping high-risk areas clean is also important-use mold-inhibiting disinfectants such as bleach or tea tree oil and water.

Of course, any respiratory symptoms should be checked by your child’s physician. Most doctors won’t prescribe allergy medication to newborns, especially children younger than six months, but they may have treatment options that better fit your child’s specific allergy problem.

It’s fairly easy to determine whether your child is going to have a tendency to be allergic. Allergic tendencies are inherited, though specific allergies are not. If either you or your mate is allergic to cats, for instance, your child will have a fifty percent chance of developing some sort of allergy as well, though not necessarily to cats. Allergies also take a while to develop. Newborns may not show symptoms of allergic reactions for a few months; then, suddenly, the child’s exposure level to mites, mold or dander will reach its threshold and the child will start to develop symptoms.

Newborn allergies can be a scary experience for parents, especially if you are unprepared for them. The best way to help treat allergies is to prevent them before your child is even home from the hospital. Thoroughly clean and disinfect any areas the newborn will occupy, invest in proper ventilation and vacuum symptoms, and keep clothes and bedding washed regularly and protected with impermeable covers. Taking care of a newborn can bring about a number of unforeseen obstacles, but with proper preparation, common household allergens don’t need to be one of them.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Has this ever happened to you?  You treat your dog for canine cystitis, but as soon as the medication is gone, the dog urinary tract infection is back.  Your dog is in pain, she’s piddling all over the house, and you’re frustrated.  Why is this happening?  You and your dog both need a solution to this problem.

What Causes Canine Cystitis?

Most urinary tract infections in dogs are caused by bacteria that are normally found in your dog’s digestive tract.  Female canines are more prone to developing a dog urinary tract infection because their urethras are short and broad, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder.

With canine bladder stones, the question is, which came first, the stone or the infection?  Bladder stones in dogs irritate the bladder walls, which can cause a dog urinary tract infection.  But certain bladder infections in dogs cause bladder stones to develop, especially struvite stones in dogs.  The best bet is to try to avoid the problem in the first place.

Is There Any Way To Prevent Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs?

You can help your canine friend in a number of ways:

She should have plenty of clean fresh water available.  A 60-pound dog can drink up to three quarts of water a day, which may be more than you would expect.

After drinking all that water, you dog needs to go outside to empty her bladder every few hours.  Don’t make her hold her urine for too long.

Boost your buddy’s immune system by feeding her a low-ph, high-quality natural diet with no artificial coloring or preservatives.

Take her for long walks.  Exercise is essential to keep her body in top shape.

Bathe her regularly to keep the bacteria away from her urethra.

What Causes Recurring Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs?

If the infection keeps coming back, it’s possible that your dog never got rid of it in the first place.  Your vet should do a urinalysis and a dog urine culture to identify which bacteria is causing the infection.  A sensitivity test is also necessary to decide which is the best antibiotic to use. 

Be sure to give your dog all of the antibiotic, no matter how much of a hassle it is.  Then have another urine culture done to be sure all the bacteria are gone.

Can Natural Remedies For Pets Prevent Cystitis In Dogs?

Yes, they can.  But it’s important to use a remedy that has been especially formulated for pets.  You’ll want a remedy that contains uva ursi, barberry, and the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagria.  These treatments have stood the test of time in humans, and they’re very effective for dogs, too.

These remedies are safe to use right along with the antibiotic treatment.  They don’t interfere with the drugs in any way, and regular use  supports bladder health in your dog long after the antibiotic is gone. 

Deal only with a company that has been in business for a long time, and that has a great reputation for providing safe, effective high-quality products for pets.  Check for testimonials from other pet owners who have used the product you’re thinking of purchasing.

Now you can end the frustration of recurring bladder infections in dogs by using what you’ve learned here to keep your dog happy and healthy.