-Coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection does have many benefits and can relieve the severe pain accompanied by UTI by its anti-inflammatory properties.
-Urinary tract infection can happen to any pet but feminine cats, diabetic cats, and overweight ones are more exposed to have urinary tract infection than others.
-Although urinary tract infection isn’t common in cats, it must be treated as it may lead to serious problems.
-In this article, you can find everything about coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection, its causes, symptoms, and how to use coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection and get the best results from it.
Coconut oil can be used as one of the home remedies for cat urinary tract infection, but what does urinary tract infection mean?
What is a cat urinary tract infection?
Cat urinary tract infection happens when some kinds of bacteria can enter the cat’s urinary tract (bladder and urethra) and cause inflammation.
What are the causes of cat urinary tract infection?
1-Bladder crystals
-It is the number one cause of bladder irritation.
-If it’s not treated, it can lead to several urine problems.
-These crystals form in the urine when PH is too alkaline or too acidic(the neutral PH is 6.0-7.0).
-The bladder crystals are formed due to an inappropriate diet.
-These crystals are rich in phosphate, ammonium, magnesium, and other minerals.
2-Bladder stones
-Bladder stones or uroliths are common in cats with undiagnosed crystals in the bladder.
-If the bladder crystals are not treated with a change of diet, they will condense to form stones.
-The typical type of cat stones is struvite(phosphate, ammonium, and magnesium), which can be treated with an appropriate diet.
-There are other stones which include calcium oxalate, which can’t be treated by diet and need surgery to be removed from the cat’s bladder.
3-Bacterial urinary tract infection
-It can occur secondary to bladder stones.
-Bacteria can cause inflammation and infection.
-The type of bacteria that causes UTI is called Escherichia Coli(found in feces) and some other organisms cause UTI.
4-Other conditions that increase the risk of UTI in cats
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Hyperthyroidism
The symptoms of urinary tract infection in cats
1-Straining in urination
When the cat has difficulty in urination, that is due to stone formation or inflammation in the cat’s bladder which leads to blockage.
2-Frequent tries to urinate or urination in small amounts
-The cat with a urinary tract infection urinates an abnormal urine amount of times per day because there may be little or more urine each time.
-That can be dangerous for the cat as the cat may not be able to get rid of the waste and toxic products through urination.
3-Crying out during urination due to pain sensation
Pain sensation associated with urinary tract infection can be very severe so the cat tries to lick continuously its vaginal area to relieve the pain, but that can lead to further infections.
4-Extreme licking of the genital area
As we discussed above, cats resort to licking their vaginal area due to the pain sensation.
5-Blood in urine
-Most cats with UTI have urine that is discolored with blood.
-Female cats are at a higher risk than male cats for bloody urine.
6-Urination outside the litter box
It by itself doesn’t indicate the presence of UTI. but if the cat shows other urinary tract infection symptoms, urination outside the litter box should be a concern.
7-Strong odor
The bacterial infection can cause changes in a cat’s urine smell as it makes the smell more pungent than usual smell.
8-Behavior changes
-The cat with UTI shows some behavior changes such as restlessness, irritability, or lethargy.
-The cat also avoids being abdominal touched.
Can coconut oil cure cat UTI?
Coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection can be helpful in symptoms alleviating and healing promoting.
It is preferred to go to your cat’s vet to detect a proper diagnosis and suitable treatment plan.
Coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection and its effect:
–Coconut oil is a vegetable product that is rich in calories and saturated fats.
-Coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection can be helpful for its properties as:
- Anti-inflammatory effect
You can use coconut oil for urinary tract infection for its anti-inflammatory effect as it can reduce the pain sensation and provide more comfort.
- Antibacterial effect
Lauric acid which is present in coconut oil has many antibacterial properties so it can fight the bacteria causing UTI.
- Soothing and Moisturizing
Coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection is known for its soothing and moisturizing effects so it can reduce pain and promote healing.
- Immune system boosting
Coconut oil can help a cat’s body to fight infections.
Some other uses of coconut oil in cats:
1-Skin problems
-You can use it topically to the cat’s itchy skin area to relieve itching sensation and prevent dryness.
-It also keeps the cat’s coat shiny and healthy.
2-Cat’s hairballs
-Coconut oil improves a cat’s coat, so that will reduce hairballs forming in the stomach.
-Coconut oil is helpful in improving digestion and adding moisture to the cat’s stool so hairballs can pass easily.
3-Improving digestion
–Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids which are easily digestible and help the cat’s body to absorb vitamins and nutrients more efficiently.
-Coconut oil can remove harmful bacteria from the cat’s gut.
Other home remedies than coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection and their effect
1-Change cat’s diet
As we mentioned, diet type can cause a change in a neutral PH and that may lead to forming stones which cause UTI.
You can depend on a high-protein diet and stay away from dry food.
2-Increase water consumption
Water is very important to treat cat UTI.
3-Diluted cranberry juice
–Cranberry juice is too strong for cat consumption so it is diluted with water before adding the cat’s food.
-Cranberry juice is helpful in urine acidification so it can lessen the chance of infection or urinary tract blockage.
4-Apple cider vinegar
-It can be used for UTI as it can kill microbes.
-Give your cat a few teaspoons of it and mix with one-quarter water.
5-Juniper Berry
-Juniper berry has antifungal and antibacterial effects to fight the infection.
-One of its components which is the volatile oil can help to filter kidneys.
-It also has an anti-inflammatory effect so it can be used to relieve the pain accompanied by UTI.
6-Marshmallow root:H3
It has a diuretic effect so it can increase the urine flow.
It also has antimicrobial and immune stimulant effects.
You can provide coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection in 2 ways
1-Orally:
-You can give coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection gradually and in small doses to avoid allergies.
-It is better to take advice from your cat’s vet if you want to increase the dose of coconut oil.
You can mix coconut oil(about ¼ or ½ teaspoon 2 times per day) with food or give it directly to the mouth.
2-Topically:
You can use coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection topically by applying some coconut oil to the cat’s affected area to promote healing.
Diagnostic tests for cat UTI:
Before you give coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection as a treatment, you should first make sure that your cat has UTI.
1-Notice symptoms:
We discussed it above.
2-Urinalysis:
To detect whether the cat has a bacterial infection that causes UTI symptoms.
3-Bladder ultrasound:
It is recommended by the vet to rule out bladder stones.
4-X-ray(abdominal radiograph):
To rule out kidney and bladder stones.
5-Urine culture:
A urine culture is very important to make sure that the cat is given the right antibiotics for the bacteria in the urine.
When can coconut oil give results for cat UTI?
-Coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection can give its effect according to infection severity and the cat’s response.
-It is better to follow your vet’s direction to monitor the cat’s progress.
Prevention of cat urinary tract infection:
You can try to prevent the cat urinary tract infection by following these simple steps:
- Adjusting cat diet
- Keeping the cat always hydrated
- Improving the hygiene of the litter box
- Maintaining the cat calm
- Never miss the cat’s vet visit
Summary
Taking care of your pet is very important and it is your full responsibility, and for this you must follow it up continuously at the veterinarian. As we explained, one of the diseases that affect cats, which is urinary tract infection, and how to use coconut oil for cat urinary tract infection and its importance.
Finally we hope you can get the enough information you need about cat urinary tract infection.
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