Natural remedies for UTI are available and may be a viable alternative for the antibiotics treatment, which often causes side effects in dogs. Not all cases of urinary tract infections can be treated with natural remedies, but these can be applied if the infection is not severe.
Establishing the Severity of the Infection
The urinary tract infection may take milder forms or may be more severe. The symptoms will include more frequent urination, elimination in the home or straining to urinate.
The infection is considered more severe if blood is visible in the urine.
The natural remedies should only be applied if the dog doesn’t present severe symptoms.
The most often used natural remedies will include:
- Anti inflammatory and anti bacterial plant extracts
- Stress management
- Increasing the fluids
- Homeopathic remedies
Increased Fluid Intake
In some cases of UTI, all the dog needs is to get more fluids, which will get rid of the bacteria in the urinary tract.
The dog may drink more water during the disease, as he urinates more.
Give your dog at least 750 ml of water or 3 large cups. The water should be filtered, to make sure it doesn’t contain other possible bacteria.
Instead of water, you may opt for teas. Use neem tea or chamomile, which are known to soothe the dog’s system.
Antibacterial Plants
Certain herbs and plants that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which will help eliminate the urinary tract infection.
Herbal extracts from the following plants are beneficial in an UTI treatment:
- St. John’s wort
- Burdock, especially the root of the plant, which will reduce inflammation and pain
- Rosewood
- Sandalwood
- Chamomile
- Sweet almond
Add some drops of 1 or several of the above mentioned plant essences in the dog’s water or food.
Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies are effective in dogs that have recurrent urinary infections. The homeopathic remedies will test the dog and establish if the urinary infections are caused by a more serious condition. The dilutions used in homeopathic therapy will benefit the urinary tract and may also offer support for the immune system or other organs that may be weaker.
For the urinary tract, a homeopath will recommend:
- A dilution using Berberis vulg, which has well known anti inflammatory effects and will also diminish pain
- Staphysagris, which is an antibacterial
The homeopath may mix these ingredients with other substances (herbs, minerals, animal derived substances) which will depend on the test findings and what other conditions may affect the pet.
Stress Management
Dogs that have recurrent urinary tract infections are most often under a lot of stress. Stress affects the immune system, so the bacteria are more likely to take over.
Stress management may be done through therapy or medication treatment.
Certain supplements such as vitamin B complex or fatty acids are also helpful in reducing stress in canines.