Why Conventional Cat Urinary Tract Health Medications May Be Harming Your Pet

By Rebecca Shelly

Are you frustrated with your cat's urinary tract health? I know I was until I did a little research.

Common causes of urinary tract infection in cats

Although cats of any age can be affected by Urinary Tract Infection it most often happens in overweight or older cats do not exercise, use a litter box, are indoor cats and eat dry food.

How is UTI in cats diagnosed and treated?

The symptoms of urinary tract infection in cats can be similar for a variety of medical causes such as urethral plugs; urinary stones, cancer, and urinary tract infection. If you cat is passing little or no urine and becoming increasingly distressed, this is an emergency, requiring immediate veterinary treatment.

Drawbacks of conventional treatments

Conventional treatment for urinary tract infection in cats most likely includes antibiotics. If your cat has a chronic condition, catheterization or surgery might be recommended. Antibiotic treatment may be 7 to 10 days and chronic or acute urinary tract infection may take up to 4 weeks. Unfortunately these treatments compromise immune resistance and encourage persistent infections.

Adverse effects of antibiotics

There are problems with using antibiotics for cat urinary tract health. Antibiotics are toxic to kidney cells or can cause allergic reactions which can be life-threatening. Antibiotics kill the normal flora and leave the cat more vulnerable to other infections which are resistant to antibiotics.

You should only treat a dog or cat with antibiotics if you are pretty sure that an infection is present. The best proof of this is laboratory culture. This has the additional advantages of confirming the identity of the bacteria and allowing for antibiotic resistance testing.

Prevention strategies for cat urinary tract health

Your best bet is prevention for cat urinary tract health. There are some simple procedures you can follow to help prevent or reduce the frequency and duration of urinary tract infection in cats.

--Feed moist small meals frequently and use a high quality pet food.

--Provide clean, fresh water at all times.

--Supply a sufficient number of litter boxes for each cat

--Keep litter boxes in quiet areas of the house, and keep litter boxes clean.

--Reduce changes in routine that create stress

Alternative Treatments for Cat Urinary Tract Health

Unlike conventional treatments for cat urinary tract health, alternative treatments naturally soothe and support the bladder and urinary tract, maintain urinary tract and bladder health, maintain flow of urine, supports immune system functioning to keep pets healthy.

While conventional medicine works by often treating just the symptoms, natural medicine strives to create holistic balance in the body to support systemic health, relieve ailments, and help prevent future disease. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, natural medicines support overall health and functioning (rather than just suppressing symptoms).

Now that you are armed with this information it's time to start putting these solutions to work if you want to protect your cat's health.

Rebecca Shelly has been studying alternative health applications for a number of years. She is a regular contributor to Pet Natural Cures, a site discussing some of the most promising natural treatments for pet health on the market today. If you're looking for an alternative to harsh medications for your pet, visit the site to learn more. Visit us now to learn more about UTI medications and why we choose this natural remedy above all others after extensive product research.