How To Detect & Prevent Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Unfortunately, most dog owners don’t think about their dog’s urinary tract health until their dog has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and is at the vet’s office. This is unfortunate because it is actually quite easy to maintain urinary tract health and prevent infections. Urinary Tract Illnesses UTIs are a common illness treated by vets. It is just what it sounds like: an infection inside your dog’s urinary tract. Aside from an infection, poor urinary tract health can lead to kidney or bladder stones, which are very painful. Dr. Diane Levitan, VMD, Peace Love Pets Veterinary Care, PLLC, cautions: BLOCKAGE CAN BE DEADLY, SO MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR PET EVALUATED RIGHT AWAY IF THERE ARE SYMPTOMS. Signs of infection and stones are similar: Urinating blood Discomfort urinating Blocked and unable to urinate Causes of Illness UTIs can be caused by a variety of factors. According to Dr. Cathy Alinovi, DVM, three main factors are “not enough acid in the urine, weakened immune system, and arthritic joints making it hard to hunch and bend over to fully empty your bla...