Regular urination is essential for a dog’s or cat’s health. It is normal for dogs to urinate around 3 - 5 times a day. For cats, around twice a day. Dogs and cats should be able to urinate without discomfort, and the urine would appear pale yellow when healthy.
If you observe symptoms like straining to urinate, painful urination, or blood in the urine, this can be a sign of a urinary tract infection or UTI in dogs or cats.
In this Sploot Vets guide, we talk about everything a pet parent needs to know about canine or feline urinary tract infection: its symptoms, preventive measures, treatment, and more.
Overview:
- UTI in dogs and cats can affect the upper or lower part of the urinary system.
- Proper hydration and cleanliness can help prevent UTIs in cats and dogs.
- Senior or older pets have an increased chance of developing a UTI.
- Warmer weather can put a pet at an increased risk of UTI, especially if they are not drinking enough water.
What is UTI in Dogs & UTI in Cats?
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in dogs and cats are common health issues that affect the urinary system. Veterinarians classify UTI in dogs and UTI in cats as upper or lower, depending on where the infection is occurring.
Upper UTI in pets means that the kidneys and/or ureters are infected with a pathogen — while lower UTI in pets means that the urethra and/or bladder are infected. If left untreated, a lower UTI can progress and become an upper UTI.
What Causes a Dog or Cat to Get UTI?
Essentially, a urinary tract infection occurs when the pet’s urinary tract becomes infected with a microbial organism (typically a bacterium). The most commonly isolated species of bacteria in cases of feline or canine UTI is E. coli. However, bacteria from other genera (Proteus, Enterococcus, etc.) have been isolated as well.
Though any dog or cat can get UTI, a few predisposing factors include the following:
- Female dogs and cats — female pets tend to have wider and shorter urethras, increasing the chances of developing UTIs more frequently.
- Older dogs and cats — senior dogs and cats are typically more susceptible to developing UTI.
- Certain medical conditions — pets with bladder stones, diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing’s disease can make a dog or cat more likely to develop UTI.
- Lifestyle factors — factors like lack of regular grooming, frequent dehydration, or dirty litter boxes can make a pet more susceptible to developing feline or canine UTI.
Cat & Dog Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
The most common symptoms of urinary tract infection in dogs and cats include the following:
- Straining to urinate and/or crying or whimpering while urinating
- Frequent urination or urinary incontinence (going outside the litter box or indoors — even if trained otherwise)
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Foul-smelling urine
- Frequent grooming or licking the genitals
Note: If you observe the above symptoms, contact an urgent care veterinarian.
Diagnosing UTI in Dogs & UTI in Cats
Prompt diagnosis allows veterinarians to administer prompt treatment for UTI in dogs and UTI in cats. This helps relieve pain sooner and prevent potential complications such as the spreading of the infection (e.g. lower UTI becoming upper UTI), kidney infection, and bladder stones.
To screen for UTI, veterinarians will collect a sample of the dog’s or cat’s urine for urinalysis. They will look for indications of an infection such as the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria. A urine culture may also be requested to help determine the best course of treatment.
In addition, veterinarians may request imaging tests (e.g. radiographs) to be done if complications like bladder stones are suspected.
Note: Only licensed veterinarians can diagnose UTI in dogs and UTI in cats as they make use of screening and confirmatory laboratory tests, along with clinical observations.
How to Treat Feline & Canine Urinary Tract Infection
Treating UTI in dogs and UTI in cats may involve medication to help manage discomfort. Depending on the patient’s medical history and case, a veterinarian may wait for the results of the urine culture before prescribing antibiotics — this helps prevent antibiotic overuse which can lead to stronger strains of bacteria.
If any complications are present (e.g. bladder stones) or if underlying medical conditions are discovered (e.g. diabetes, Cushing’s disease), steps to address these will also included in the dog’s or cat’s treatment plan.
How to Prevent UTI in Dogs & Cats
Whether you’re looking to prevent UTI or UTI recurrence in dogs and cats, these helpful tips will help your furry friend stay healthy.
1. Provide Clean Water at All Times
Ensure that your pets have access to fresh and clean water at all times. Proper hydration helps dilute urine and flush out potential bacteria.
2. Ensure Cleanliness
Make sure your pet is well groomed. This helps prevent the accumulation of bacteria on their fur and reduces the risk of infections. Take note that senior dogs and cats may need more assistance with grooming because mobility issues might hinder them from effectively grooming themselves.
In addition, for cat parents, make sure to regularly clean litter boxes to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.
3. Regular Wellness Exams
Schedule regular check-ups or wellness exams with a primary care veterinarian. Routine examinations can help detect any early signs of urinary issues or other related medical conditions, allowing for timely intervention.
Final Thoughts About UTI in Dogs & UTI in Cats
We trust that you've found this guide on managing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in cats and dogs informative! If you have specific inquiries about dealing with UTIs in your pets, Sploot Veterinary Care is here to help!
Sploot Vets: Your All-in-One Vet for Wellness, Urgent Care, & More
If you suspect that your dog or cat has a urinary tract infection, our skilled veterinarians are equipped to promptly diagnose and treat such urgent care cases. At Sploot Veterinary Care, we offer primary care, urgent care, and emergency vet services, all under one woof™!
With experienced vets, state-of-the-art vet clinics, and a Fear Free certified team, Sploot Vets offers top-tier care and a great experience for both pets and pet parents.
Schedule an appointment online or via the Sploot Vets app! We also accept same-day appointments in our convenient vet clinic locations, open with extended hours, 365 days a year.
Till next time, we’re with you every pounce of the way!
