If your pup has an UTI, there are a number of natural treatments to help relieve it quickly and safely, such as Goldenrod Horsetail, Marshmallow Root and Juniper Berry herbs.
Before prescribing antibiotics to your dog, your vet will conduct a urine culture to confirm an infection and ascertain which bacteria is causing the problem.
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Goldenrod
Goldenrod can increase urine flow, providing relief from discomfort and fighting infections; however, more studies must be completed in order to understand its mechanism of action.
Also, horsetail and marshmallow root supplements have mild diuretic effects and may lead to excess fluid loss – not ideal in dogs with heart, kidney or high blood pressure issues. Furthermore, this effect becomes compounded when taken in combination with other supplements having similar actions, such as horsetail and marshmallow root extracts.
Goldenrod is an essential ingredient in many herbal products and can be found as tea, liquid extract or pill form. It works particularly well when blended into products targeting inflammation and infection – such as the Cranberry Concentrate we discussed earlier – while also pairing well with natural remedies like Nettle Leaves and Juniper Berries to combat UTIs.
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) contains natural mucilage that coats and soothes the gut lining while stimulating cells that make up its composition to support tissue regeneration, making it useful in relieving digestive upset such as gastritis, GI irritation and general mucous membrane inflammation. Marshmallow root can also act as an expectorant which thins and loosens mucus from respiratory tract, making it beneficial in cases like dry coughs like kennel cough, bronchitis or asthma.
As well as supporting a healthy urinary pH balance and offering anti-inflammatory benefits, turmeric also acts as an effective sedative and anxiety remedy.
UTIs are caused by bacteria entering through the urethra. This typically happens when dogs consume too much acidic-pH food such as kibble, or drink contaminated water sources. Encouraging your dog to drink plenty of water will help flush out their bladder and prevent bacteria from settling in.
Corn Silk
Corn silk is the long thread-like fibers found on cobs of corn that can easily be missed when shucking the ears of corn, but has many medicinal uses including treating urinary tract infections.
Bioactive compounds found in alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins and phytosterols found in this fruit help promote antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities as well as diuretic properties and serve as a natural potassium source.
Corn silk can be used alone or combined with other herbs that support urinary health, like horsetail, marshmallow root and cranberry. Corn silk’s affinity for the urinary system makes it an excellent remedy when dealing with urinary tract infections as it helps improve and increase urine flow while simultaneously decreasing inflammation. In fact, one recent study demonstrated that corn silk significantly reduces bacterial overgrowth in mice bladders.
Juniper Berry
Juniper berries are small bluish-green berries found on juniper plants. While feeding your dog or other pet wild juniper berries could potentially be poisonous, there is a supplement available which may help with urinary tract issues and detoxifying their body. It contains terpinen-4-ol which has antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
This berry can also help improve immunity, making it essential for anyone suffering from UTIs as strong immune systems are better at recognizing infections faster and establishing treatment quickly. In addition, it reduces oxidative stress while supporting healthy inflammation response; goldenrod and marshmallow root are two great herbal remedies with natural antibiotic properties to combat bacteria or fungus which may cause infection.
