Whether your cat has had a UTI before or you are noticing things for the first time, the worst thing you can do is not take action. As always, if you are unsure it’s best to contact your feline’s veterinarian but if that’s not an option, this article will cover the common causes of UTIs in cats, symptoms to look out for, and what you can do in the form of treatment.
Causes of UTIs Found in Cats
- Common bacterial infection
- Metabolic illness
- Bacteria reach the bladder
- Poor flow of urine caused by debris (bladder stone)
Symptoms to Watch Out for
- Cat not using the litter box
- Urinating in spots around the home or living area
- Strong ammonia odor when peeing
- Distended abdomen
- Out of the ordinary lethargy (we know cats are mellow during the day)
- Meowing and appearing uncomfortable
- Drinking lots of water but not urinating regularly
- Change in personality
Of course, there are more symptoms and many of them can be quite common and don’t necessarily prove there’s something wrong. In this next section, we’ll discuss treatment options. Both medical and natural remedies have their benefits and disadvantages which is why we’ll cover both.
When Using Antibiotics as a Treatment
It may come as a shock to cat owners but for all the good antibiotics to help fight off bacterial infections, they do not heal all the symptoms a cat is going through. Antibiotics help to make a cat non-symptomatic long enough for the body to heal from the infection.
While in most cases it does, it’s something that doesn’t always happen. You might have heard of someone having re-occurring bladder infections or UTIs because the antibiotics didn’t “clear” the infection. The same goes for animals as well, especially cats.
Potential Side Effects
There’s no such thing as a drug that carries no side effects. How sensitive your cat depends on the particular cat. It’s a known rule that cats tend to be sensitive creatures. There are many side effects that lead to suffering and some of them may even make your cat more symptomatic.
Because your cat can eventually get used to the antibiotic, leaving it non-working, pharmaceutical companies have been forced to create even harsher drugs that may come with heavier side effects. The immunity your cat has built up could lead to infection after infection.
If antibiotics can cause a lot of damage and may not even work, what can be done about it? Keep reading.
Here are Some Natural Remedies for Treating UTIs in Cats
While many vets will prescribe antibiotics to help your feline feel better while fighting off a UTI, it’s not the only approach. More veterinarians are always keeping more natural options in their treatment playbook.
The idea of a natural treatment for cat urinary tract infections generally is well accepted for many reasons but mainly because the treatment is less harsh on the animal.
Pros of Using a Natural Remedy
In most cases, the ingredients in them work to heal the UTI while also decreasing pain and inflammation. In essence, they contain multiple ingredients that do different things.
Additionally, there are no/fewer side effects to homeopathic remedies, and they are almost always all-natural. Most natural remedies do not interact with other medications your cat might be on as well.
Homeopathic remedies in general try not only to give relief and kill the bacteria, they also work at the root to stop the causes of UTIs. An example of this would be a remedy that supports the cat’s urinary tract.
They’re strong enough to treat the injury, while gentle enough to be used every day to help prevent your cat from developing a new infection. If you’re living with an older cat that does not tolerate medication very well, a natural supplement that offers urinary tract support is a great option.
Homeopathic remedies tend to cost less and are easy to give to your cat. Simply sprinkle them onto your cat’s food, add a few drops to wet food, or mix them into their favorite snack. Because they have no taste, your cat will eat them much easier than most antibiotics.
Quick tips for choosing a natural supplement: Does the manufacturer guarantee satisfaction or your money back? Do they champion their quality control?
Since you’ve developed a full understanding of how to treat UTIs in cats, be sure to aid in their health by supplying them with plenty of healthy food and nice clean water.
That’s all folks: As always, there’s more than one approach to take when it comes to your cat’s urinary health so it’s best to have more options at your disposal.
