Urinary Health
Urinary health is a topic that many of our pet parents struggle with. Urinary problems are one of the most common pet health problems along with obesity and cancer. There are many things that can lead to urinary distress in our pets, but many of them are quite preventable. Small issues can lead to larger ones if not properly addressed.
Causes
Urinary issues stem most primarily from a lack of hydration. Cats & dogs do not have the same hydration impulses that us humans have. Understanding their needs can be quite difficult because of this. We hear it all the time “My cat/dog loves drinking water. They are always drinking water! I have to refill the bowl several times a day!” This is a very good sign of a dehydrated pet. Biologically, upwards of 75% of their water should be dietary, meaning that they eat it instead of drink it. This means if they are drinking a lot of water, they are likely fairly dehydrated and they are trying to make up for the lack of moisture in their food. They will never drink enough water to be fully hydrated. If a pet is fed exclusively dry kibble, there is a good chance that this pet will develop a urinary issue in its lifetime. Keeping them hydrated through their food is key! Using foods like raw food or canned food in conjunction or replacement for kibble can keep their hydration requirements fulfilled. Also using supplement items like bone broth and goat’s milk can help “hydrate” dry food and get your pet to eat their water!
Just like humans, our pets can get infections from simply holding it too long! Regular potty breaks can keep their bladder empty and healthy. Keeping litter boxes cleaned also plays an important part in urinary health for cats.
Another cause for concern can be an improper balance of calcium and phosphorous in their diet. This can lead to bladder stones that can make it uncomfortable for our pets to urinate as well as potential blockages. Prolonged dehydration and calcium/phosphorous imbalances can lead to more severe health concerns like renal failure.
What to Look out for
Common symptoms of urinary problems include drinking excess water, frequent accidents, trouble urinating, discolored and odorous urine, blood in urine, and much more. If you feel your pet may be experiencing some of these symptoms, it is best to visit your vet.
Aiding existing urinary issues
Once a diagnosis has been given, it can be disheartening. In some cases, there are very few courses of actions to help relieve or remedy the damage done. In less severe cases, simply boosting hydration and avoiding inflammatory items can greatly relieve and combat the discomfort and urinary issues. Products like Primal’s Goat Milk+ Cran Blast can greatly benefit urinary issues with included cranberries and apple cider vinegar. Cranberries are a powerful antioxidant that keeps infections from adhering to the urinary walls. Apple cider vinegar can help regulate pH and prevent infections. Your vet may recommend prescription foods, but aside from severe cases, this is often not necessary. Veterinary food is often costly and quite low quality to where you may be trading one health concern for another. We have a list of foods in store that can be used to successfully mirror dietary requirements of urinary health foods while avoiding the low-quality ingredients that are in all vet foods. These foods focus on the calcium and phosphorous ratios to prevent the build-up of crystals in the urinary tract. The moisture of these foods also helps keep your pet hydrated.
Ultimately, urinary health is a common but easily avoidable problem. A simple change in diet can go a long way in preventing serious diseases in our pet’s lifetime. Thank you for reading and if you have any questions, never hesitate to ask!
