How Do You Treat A Urinary Tract Infection At Home

How To Treat A Cats Uti

This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. Dr. Baker is a Veterinarian and PhD candidate in Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Baker received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin in 2016, and went on to pursue a PhD through her work in the Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 72,717 times.

UTI stands for urinary tract infection, an infection which can occur in felines as well as humans. Treating a UTI without the use of antibiotics is difficult, if not impossible. If you try to clear an infection and only partially succeed, you run the risk of suppressing the symptoms, whilst bacteria are still present. This could lead to a long-term infection that could potentially damage your catâs health. A low grade urinary infection is a ticking time bomb, because the bacteria could travel up to the kidney and cause a more serious infection. When possible, always seek veterinary attention and an appropriate course of antibiotics.

Also Check: Cat Years Vs Human Years Chart

Are There Any Home Remedies For A Urinary Tract Infection

The best “home remedy” for a UTI is prevention . However, although there are many “home remedies” available from websites, holistic medicine publications, and from friends and family members there is controversy about them in the medical literature as few have been adequately studied. However, a few remedies will be mentioned because there may be some positive effects from these home remedies. The reader should be aware that while reading about these remedies , they should not overlook the frequent admonition that UTIs can be dangerous. If the person does not experience relief or if his or her symptoms worsen over 1 to 2 days, the person should seek medical care. In fact, many of the articles about UTI remedies actually describe ways to reduce or prevent UTIs. Examples of home treatments that may help to prevent UTIs, that may have some impact on an ongoing infection, and that is unlikely to harm people are as follows:

There are over-the-counter tests available for detecting presumptive evidence for a UTI . These tests are easy to use and can provide a presumptive diagnosis if the test instructions are carefully followed a positive test should encourage the person to seek medical care.

Urgent Advice: Ask For An Urgent Gp Appointment Or Get Help From Nhs 111 If:

You think you, your child or someone you care for may have a urinary tract infection and:

• a very high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
• a very low temperature below 36C
• are confused, drowsy or have difficulty speaking
• have not been for a pee all day
• have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs
• can see blood in their pee

These symptoms could mean you have a kidney infection, which can be serious if it’s not treated as it could cause .

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Don’t Miss: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Multifunction Urinary Hydrolyzed Protein

What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms usually bacteria that enter the urethra and bladder, causing inflammation and infection. Though a UTI most commonly happens in the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also travel up the ureters and infect your kidneys.

More than 90% of bladder infection cases are caused by E. coli, a bacterium normally found in the intestines.

How Can You Help Prevent Your Cat From Getting Utis

The best thing you can do to prevent your cat from getting UTIs is to keep up with their routine vet visits to ensure their urinary tract health is in tip top shape. However in recurring cases, your vet might prescribe special diets to prevent bacterial growth.

How can pet insurance help?

If your cats diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, pet insurance can help you say yes to the best care, even when its costly. Check out how one of Pumpkins cat insurance plans can help you cover the cost of a UTI and more.

*Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy.Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company , a Crum & Forster Company and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin receives compensation based on the premiums for the insurance policies it sells. For more details visit pumpkin.care/underwriting-information and pumpkin.care/insurance-licenses.

Also Check: Is Ciprofloxacin Used To Treat Urinary Tract Infections

Benefits Of Antibiotics For Utis

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for UTIs because they kill the bacteria responsible for the infections. Most UTIs develop when bacteria enter the urinary tract from outside the body. The species most likely to cause UTIs include:

• E. coli, which cause of up to

• abnormal liver function, as indicated with testing

More severe risks of using antibiotics include:

Home Remedies For Uti: Whatre Your Options

Urinary tract infections happen when bacteria grow in part of your urinary system, and are extremely common: every year, up to 10 million people visit the doctor for UTI symptoms.

Anyone can get a UTI, but women are at higher risk because womens urethras are shorter, making it easier for bacteria to travel to the urinary tract.

UTIs can be uncomfortable, causing pelvic pain, a constant urge to urinate, pain while urinating, and cloudy or bloody urine.

These infections usually arent serious, but if left untreated, they can spread to the kidneys and cause more serious issues. If you think you may have a UTI, its important to seek medical care. A doctor can determine whether its best to treat your infection with antibiotics or explain how to get rid of a UTI at home.

Recommended Reading: Women’s Urinary Tract Health

Check If It’s A Urinary Tract Infection

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include:

• pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• needing to pee more often than usual during the night
• pee that looks cloudy, dark or has a strong smell
• needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
• needing to pee more often than usual
• lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
• a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
• a very low temperature below 36C

Are Bananas Good For Utis

The American Urological Association calls bananas a bladder-friendly food. Thats because bananas arent likely to irritate the bladder in most people. Other bladder-friendly fruits and veggies include: pears, green beans, winter squash, and potatoes. While eating bananas may help to lessen bladder irritation, eating bananas alone wont make a UTI go away.

Read Also: One Piece Male External Urinary Collection Device

Urinary Tract Infections In The Elderly

Because the elderly often do not experience or report obvious symptoms that younger people have, urinary tract infections can be easily overlooked. Confusion, feelings of general discomfort, disorientation, fatigue, weakness, behavior changes, falling, or a new, acute incontinence are reported as common complaints. Because these symptoms are so general, this often results in a delaying treatment, inviting the complication of sepsis to occur.

UTIs can cause a change in behavior in older people and people with dementia. Masquerading as confusion, agitation, or withdrawal, UTI may actually be the cause of behavioral shifts. The person may not be able to communicate how they feel, therefore it is very important to be familiar with the symptoms of UTI and seek medical help to enable appropriate treatment.

It is also important to be aware that any infection could speed up the progression of dementia and so all infections should be quickly identified and treated.

How To Recognize Your Cat May Have A Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection in cats can be completely miserable for your cat as well as lead to more unfortunate circumstances. Unfortunately, cats are frequently abandoned or left at an animal shelter due to urination issues. A cat that has urinary problems, such as feline lower urinary tract disease or a urinary tract infection typically struggles with urinating and frequently urinates outside of their litter box. When cats have a urinary tract infection it is stressful for both the cat and the cat parents. It can be disheartening for cat parents to watch their cat suffer with the symptoms. But the good news is with vigilant care, a visit to the veterinarian and an appropriate diet, your cat can get over a urinary tract infection.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections

Unfortunately, some cats may not show any signs of a urinary tract infection until it becomes a more serious problem. This is especially common in outdoor cats and cats that roam freely inside and out, because their cat parents may spend less time with the cat that do owners of strictly indoor cats. Some of the most noticeable signs of a urinary tract infection may include:Straining to urinateThere may be inflammation and/or the formation of stones in the bladder, which leads to blockage, making it extremely difficult for the cat to urinate.

Recommended Reading: Can You Lose Taste And Smell With A Sinus Infection

Don’t Miss: Cure For Urinary Tract Infection In Males

Top 12 Natural Home Remedies For Uti

By Christine Ruggeri, CHHC

Urinary tract infections are some of the most frequent clinical bacterial infections in women, accounting for nearly 25 percent of all infections. More than 50 percent of women will develop a UTI and UTI symptoms in their lifetimes, and because antibiotics are the most common conventional treatment for UTIs, bacteria have become antibiotic-resistant and recurring infections are a major concern. For this reason, its important to use home remedies for UTIs that eliminate bacteria completely and reduce the risk of developing recurrent urinary tract infections.

Some of the best home remedies for UTI include drinking plenty of fluids, staying clean and dry, and consuming things like cranberries, probiotics, vitamin C and using essential oils. Read on for all 12 of my top home remedies for UTI.

How To Prevent Utis

Additionally, there are a few general lifestyle behaviors you can practice to help prevent UTIs before they occur, including:

• When you feel like you have to urinate, go don’t hold it.
• After urinating and especially after a bowel movement, wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering your urethra.
• Urinate before and after having sex.
• Avoid using scented soaps, bubble baths, or douches.
• Avoid tight pants.

You May Like: Urinary Pain Relief Home Remedies

Is It Safe To Treat Utis Without Antibiotics

Antibiotics are effective treatments for UTIs. Sometimes, the body can resolve minor, uncomplicated UTIs on its own, without antibiotics.

Complicated UTIs require medical treatment. These are some factors that can make the infection complicated:

• changes in the urinary tract or organs, such as a swollen prostate or reduced flow of urine

Water Is Your Best Friend

When you first notice burning when you use the restroom, its tempting to reduce your water intake. After all, that will prevent the pain, right?

Wrong.

It seems counter-intuitive, but you need to flush out your system. You should drink plenty of water to help your body remove the E. Coli. Dont overdo it, but drink as much water as possible in those crucial first 24 hours.

You May Like: Over The Counter Urinary Tract Treatment

Practice Good Sexual Hygiene

Some sexual intercourse bacteria and other microbes into the urinary tract. Practicing good sexual hygiene can help to reduce this risk.

Examples of good sexual hygiene include:

• urinating before and immediately after sex
• using barrier contraception, such as a condom
• washing the genitals, especially the foreskin, before and after engaging in sexual acts or intercourse
• ensuring that all sexual partners are aware of any current or past UTIs

Avoid Bladder Irritating Foods When You Have A Uti

Certain foods are known bladder irritants – citrus or very acidic foods, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, alcohol – these can all irritate the bladder, leading to bladder leaks. And, if you currently have a UTI, they may affect you even more. Try to watch out for these common bladder irritants to prevent further irritation to your bladder and UTI.

You May Like: Mrx Rc Feline Multi Urinary Calm

How Can I Treat A Urinary Tract Infection At Home

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

Use Essential Oils With Caution

Oregano essential oil is well known for its strong antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that oregano oil can be very effective at killing E.coli, but it should be noted these studies are generally done in vitromeaning in a lab using scientific techniques, not performed in humans with infections. Lemongrass oil and clove oil may also be a home remedy for UTIs because of their antimicrobial properties, but both have been studied against harmful bacteria in similar experiments as Oregano oil.

Its important to take care before using essential oils as a treatment. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy advises against ingesting these oils. Instead, essential oils may be safely used topically with a carrier oil or inhaled from a diffuser.

You May Like: Causes Of Urinary Incontinence In Elderly Males

Cut Back On Meat And Poultry

Some studies, such as one published in August 2018 in the journal mBio, have linked contaminated poultry and meat to E.coli bacteria strains that can cause UTIs. These studies havent proven that eating meat or poultry causes UTIs. In fact, some E.coli can live in the intestines without causing any problems. However, bacteria from the gut can enter the urinary tract and cause infection. This risk is greater in women than men, because women have shorter urethras than men, meaning the bacteria has less distance to travel to reach the bladder.

Cutting back on meat and focusing on fruits and veggies may slightly cut your risk of UTIs. According to a study of Buddhists in Taiwan, published in January 2020 in Scientific Reports, compared with nonvegetarians, vegetarians had a 16 percent lower risk of UTI.

Related: Vegetarian Diet Linked to Lowered Risk Of Urinary Tract Infection

What Are Urinary Tract Infection Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing urinary tract infections include the following:

• Wiping from back to front following a bowel movement, particularly in women, can introduce bacteria into the urethra.
• Sexual intercourse can push bacteria from the vaginal area into the urethra.
• Holding the urine too long: When someone holds it in, more bacteria have a chance to multiply, which can cause or worsen a UTI.
• Kidney stones can make it hard to empty the bladder completely, which can also lead to urine remaining in the bladder too long.
• Certain types of birth control devices , including diaphragms or condoms with spermicides
• Hormonal changes and changes in the vagina following menopause
• Using urinary catheters, which are small tubes inserted into the bladder to drain urine, can predispose someone to catheter-associated UTIs.
• Surgery of the genitourinary tract may introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, resulting in a UTI.
• Women tend to get UTIs more frequently than men because the urethra in women is shorter and located closer to the rectum.
• Use of douches

Vaginal itching is not a typical symptom of a UTI. It may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or a vaginal yeast infection.

Don’t Miss: Is Cherry Juice Good For Urinary Tract Infections

How Long Do Utis Last

With antibiotic treatment, symptoms of a UTI typically improve within 2 to 4 days.

But this can vary depending on many factors, including how quickly you receive treatment, the severity of your infection, and whether or not any complications arise.

Keep in mind that the course of antibiotics should be completed for UTI symptoms to completely resolve and prevent recurrent infections.

How Are Urinary Tract Infections Treated

You will need to treat a urinary tract infection. Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria and fight an infection. Antibiotics are typically used to treat urinary tract infections. Your healthcare provider will pick a drug that best treats the particular bacteria thats causing your infection. Some commonly used antibiotics can include:

• Nitrofurantoin.
• Doxycycline.
• Quinolones .

Its very important that you follow your healthcare providers directions for taking the medicine. Dont stop taking the antibiotic because your symptoms go away and you start feeling better. If the infection is not treated completely with the full course of antibiotics, it can return.

If you have a history of frequent urinary tract infections, you may be given a prescription for antibiotics that you would take at the first onset of symptoms. Other patients may be given antibiotics to take every day, every other day, or after sexual intercourse to prevent the infection. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment option for you if you have a history of frequent UTIs.

Also Check: Cranberry Urinary Tract Health Pills