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Urinary tract infections in dogs occur when bacteria invade and infect the dog’s immune system. In many cases, urinary tract infections in dogs are not immediately detected, and sometimes there are no visible symptoms. However, when infected, dogs often experience pain during urination and may be at risk of developing other underlying health conditions. To prevent pain and discomfort, it’s important to take steps to avoid urinary tract infections from the start.
Steps
Preventing Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs
Keep your dog clean and well-groomed. It’s important to maintain the cleanliness of your dog’s tail area. Female dogs are more prone to urinary tract infections than males due to the anatomical structure and the proximity of the vulva to the anus, making it easier for feces to cause infection.
- Whether male or female, dogs should have their fur trimmed around the tail and genital area to prevent feces or bacteria from entering the genital region.
- Dirty dogs should be bathed thoroughly, ensuring the area around their genitalia is clean.
Take your dog for frequent potty breaks. The longer urine sits in the bladder, the more opportunity bacteria have to grow. Frequent urination helps flush out bacteria from the bladder, reducing the risk of infection. Ideally, take your dog outside to relieve itself every 4 hours.
- Adult dogs can hold their urine for 8-10 hours, but it's not healthy for them. You should ensure they have opportunities to relieve themselves comfortably.
- Make sure to take your dog out in the evening before bedtime and first thing in the morning to minimize the time they hold urine overnight.
Provide your dog with plenty of fresh water. Bacteria can release toxins that cause irritation to the bladder lining. When the bladder lining is inflamed, it creates a more hospitable environment for bacteria to invade and multiply. Drinking plenty of water helps dilute these toxins and reduces the risk of infection.
- Provide a large, deep, and clean water bowl for your dog.
- Ensure the bowl is always filled with fresh water.
- Clean the bowl and replace the water daily.
- For older or mobility-challenged dogs, consider placing multiple water bowls around the house.
Avoid giving your dog orange juice or other "acidic foods (drinks)". You may have heard that an acidic diet is a home remedy for urinary tract infections. In theory, acid helps balance the pH level in urine and eliminates infection-causing bacteria. However, excessive acidity can lead to bladder stones instead of preventing urinary tract infections.
- Follow your vet's recommended diet rather than relying on home remedies. You can consult with your vet for scientific advice on what to feed (and give to drink) your dog.
Feed your dog specialized food. If your dog is prone to urinary tract infections, you can ask your veterinarian to recommend special foods. The ideal pH level of a dog's urine should fall between 6.2 and 6.4. A veterinarian-prescribed diet is specifically designed to help your dog reduce the pH level of their urine.
- If your dog is prescribed raw ground food, make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water by placing multiple water bowls around the house.
- Canned foods recommended by your vet typically contain more water and help prevent dehydration. However, wet food tends to take up more space and may result in stronger-smelling stools.
Recognizing and Dealing with Urinary Tract Infections
Watch for signs when your dog urgently needs to pee. This is evident when your dog asks to go outside more frequently. They may appear anxious, as if every trip is an emergency. Urgent urination is a clear sign of a urinary tract infection.
- You may also notice your dog repeatedly attempting to urinate (squatting or lifting a leg) but unable to do so. The dog feels the need to urinate but cannot do so when taken outside.
Be alert if your dog is urinating blood. Dogs often urinate on grass, making it difficult to spot blood in their urine. If you suspect your dog has a urinary tract infection, you can observe the urine stream in mid-air before it hits the ground. If it appears to be bloody, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Take older dogs for regular tests. Older dogs with conditions like kidney disease or diabetes often drink more water to cope with their ailments, which increases the risk of "subclinical infections" due to excessive urination. While bacteria may be present in the urinary tract, it may not be enough to show obvious discomfort.
- The only way to diagnose a subclinical infection is to take your dog to the vet for a urine sample test. Some veterinarians recommend making this part of regular medical care for elderly dogs.
- If your dog has a history of subclinical infections, it's recommended to test their urine every 3-6 months.
Visit the vet if you suspect your dog has a urinary tract infection. "Infection" is a warning sign of the presence of infection-causing agents, such as bacteria. Infections need medical attention, so take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. If possible, bring a sample of your dog’s urine to help the vet make a quicker diagnosis.
Take your dog to the vet if the infection keeps recurring. If you've already treated your dog's urinary tract infection, but it keeps coming back, it may indicate an underlying health issue. Weakened immunity or bladder tissue degeneration can increase the likelihood of recurring urinary infections. You should identify and address these issues to reduce the risk of further infections. Have your dog tested at the vet to identify any potential underlying causes. Dogs may undergo tests such as:
- Blood tests: The vet can identify causes of excessive drinking and urination (such as kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes).
- Imaging tests: The vet may perform an ultrasound to detect tumors, bladder cancer, bladder stones, or other conditions affecting the bladder lining.
- Urine sediment tests: The vet will examine the crystals found in your dog’s urine sediment under a microscope to find the cause.
Advice
- Bacteria can quickly cause urinary tract infections in female dogs that have been spayed, as their urethra is shorter than that of other dogs. To prevent urinary tract infections, it is recommended to wipe your dog’s genital area with a wet tissue after urination.
