All pet owners want the best for their favourite furry friends. Many pet
owners do everything but set a place at the dinner table with candle light and
music playing, consisting cat love songs of course. But when it comes to urinary
tract health and pets most of us don't take the preventative step needed to
avoid a problem in the future. After all what could possibly go wrong?
Ironically, the list of what could go wrong reads like a who's who of cat health
problems such as bladder stones, kidney stones, urinary tract blockage, and
bacterial infections. This would likely account for the unsettling statistic
that amongst pet owners, with pet insurance, the number one claim filed was that
of urinary tract infections.
There is another consideration when discussing urinary tract health in pets and
that is age. With age so many things can go wrong in this sensitive area which
can lead to major quality of life issues both for your beloved animal and your
family. Examples would include such things as urinary leakage, incontinence,
increased risk of infection and bladder or kidney issues.
So ultimately our goal is to avoid infections and keep the urinary tract in tip
top working order as long as possible. To do this we don't need to pull out our
slide rule, calculator, or dictionary, we simply need to implement a number of
simple steps before we are faced with a problem that does require a calculator
and/or a dictionary.
Water consumption: It is easy to overlook this simple step. After all we assume
our pet is drinking enough water. But an under hydrated animal is a disaster
looking for a place to happen. Water is vital in keeping the urinary tract free
from infection by flushing bacteria before it has a chance to gain a foot hold.
Water also is critical in eliminating crystals before they have a chance to bond
and form urinary stones. Most veterinarians suggest slight over hydration as a
vital tool for maintaining general health.
Avoid confinement: Sometimes we must leave our animals alone. This can be
especially dangerous for those pets that have arthritic joints. They simply will
not void as often due to the challenges involved with their painful joints. If
possible ask a neighbour or friend to take your pet for a walk or check on them
to make sure they are doing their business often enough.
Diet: This is a tricky one. While supplying your pet with proper nutrition is
vital to good health some nutritional formulas actually increase the chances of
bladder and kidney stones. The most common examples of this are pet food
formulas high in calcium and magnesium. Check with your veterinarian he/she may
have some excellent suggestions.
Additionally, supplementation for urinary tract health can prove to be a great
addition to any prevention plan. While there are many excellent supplements for
urinary tract health and pets perhaps the most high regarded is homeopathy.
Homeopathic remedies contain natural tonics that are effective in strengthening,
conditioning and maintaining a healthy urinary system. Also, there is a
substantial amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting their effectiveness in
fighting off bacterial infections. If you have been searching for a safe natural
option homeopathy is an area worth considering.
About the Author:
R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health
products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about
natural pet health visit
Purchase Remedies.com
