How To Treat A Cat Urinary Tract Infection
Introduction
A cat urinary tract infection (or UTI) is a bacterial infection involving the lower urinary tract, which includes the urethra and bladder. Its causes vary but include bacteria spreading from the skin, more commonly in males than females due to anatomy. It’s important to be aware of any signs that your cat may have a UTI and to seek veterinary advice if you suspect an infection. Here are some things to look out for:
Consult your vet as soon as possible.
- There are many signs that your cat may be suffering from a urinary tract infection. Here are some red flags:
- Your cat is constantly licking his or her genitals.
- There’s blood in their urine (this will show up on the litter box).
- They’re urinating outside of the litter box.
- If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to make an appointment with your veterinarian. Urinary tract infections can sometimes be treated at home, but if they’re severe enough, they require immediate attention from a professional.
Start Cat UTI treatment with home remedies.
In the event that you do not have access to a vet and need to treat your cat’s UTI at home, there are several options.
One option is colloidal silver. This is an antimicrobial agent that can be added to the cat’s drinking water or applied topically. It works by destroying bacteria, so it is especially useful for UTIs that are caused by E. coli (Escherichia Coli). In addition, one study showed that it has a positive effect on cats with chronic UTIs.
Add cranberries to your cat’s diet.
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Encourage more water intake.
Cats are more likely to drink water if it is available to them, so you should make sure that your cat has free access to drinking water at all times. You can encourage your cat’s water intake by offering canned tuna or chicken with a splash of water in it, freezing small amounts of water in plastic bottles and placing these bottles at the bottom of your cat’s bed or near other areas where they are likely to use the litter box, such as their favorite chair or window perch.
As a general rule, you should provide your cat with 1-2 ounces (30-60 ml) per pound (1 kg) of body weight per day for healthy maintenance. For example: A 10 pound (4 kilogram) adult would require about half a cup (125 ml) daily; an 18 pound (8 kilogram) adult would need about 3/4 cup (185 ml). The exact amount will vary depending on whether you have multiple cats and their individual appetites and activity levels; always consult with your veterinarian before adding any new foods into their diet!
Feed your cat a high-quality food.
Feed your cat a high-quality food. This is the most important thing you can do to prevent UTIs in cats, and it will help treat them as well.
The best diet for preventing UTIs should be high in moisture, protein content, fiber content, nutrients (especially antioxidants), and low in fat. You should also avoid foods that are high in preservatives or artificial sweeteners.
Look for brands that are grain-free with no byproducts or fillers. Also try to find a brand that has lots of different meats such as chicken/turkey/fish; this will ensure your cat gets lots of different nutrients from different sources rather than just one meat source all the time!
Keep the litter box clean and in a sensible location.
When you have a cat, keeping the litter box clean is a top priority. Not only will this help your cat stay happy, but it will also keep their urinary tract infections at bay. The best way to do this is by cleaning out the litter box daily (or multiple times per day).
Also be sure that there is no ammonia build up in your cat’s urine due to an unclean litter box. This can cause further UTIs for your kitty!
The location of your litter box should be easy for both you and your feline friend to access when needed — but more importantly for both of you not to walk into on accident!
With the proper treatment, most cases of cat urinary tract infections usually resolve within about 5 to 7 days.
- With the proper treatment, most cases of cat urinary tract infections usually resolve within about 5 to 7 days.
- Treatment at home may include:
- Cranberry juice or yogurt. The acidity in these foods can help kill bacteria and prevent them from sticking to the lining of your kitty’s bladder. It’s a good idea to try this first before turning to antibiotics. A small amount of cranberry juice should be given every day for 2 weeks, or until all signs are gone. You should consult with your veterinarian before administering any type of medication (including cranberry) without their consent; some animals may react negatively if they aren’t used to it!
Conclusion
As you can see, treating a UTI is not difficult, but it does take time and patience. The most important thing is to follow the treatment plan and make sure your cat finishes the course of antibiotics. If you are having trouble giving your cat its medication, ask your veterinarian for alternative methods of administering the antibiotics. Also, if your cat has a bad reaction or if the medication doesn’t seem to be working after three days of treatment, call up their vet immediately!
In conclusion—we hope that this article has helped you understand what causes urinary tract infections in cats and how they can be treated. Good luck with getting those little kitties back on track!