As a loving pet owner, you know that changes in your pet’s urinary habits, whether frequent urination, obvious discomfort, or a sudden loss of control, are more than just an inconvenience. They’re a sign that your pet may need some extra bladder support.
🕒 6 min read
While a trip to the vet is always the essential first step, proactive, daily bladder care is crucial for maintaining a healthy urinary system. This guide will help you understand the common signs of urinary dysfunction in pets and explain how targeted, natural supplements can help support your pet’s bladder so they can return to being carefree.
Common Bladder Issues in Pets
Changes in your pet's urinary habits can be subtle at first. Knowing what to look for makes it easier to act quickly and provide the support your pet needs.
1. Blood in the Urine
Finding blood in your dog's urine or noticing your cat weeing blood clearly indicates something is wrong. Healthy urine is typically pale yellow; any pink or red discolouration points to inflammation or a potential infection within the urinary tract and requires immediate veterinary attention.
2. Changes in Frequency or Output
A sudden shift in your pet’s usual bladder routine is a major warning sign. A dog or cat peeing a lot can be a classic UTI symptom. Conversely, a dog not peeing or struggling to pee is a potential emergency that could indicate a blockage.
3. Leaking and Accidents
If your previously house-trained dog suddenly leaks urine, this could be a sign of urinary incontinence, a medical rather than a behavioural issue. Incontinence in older dogs is more common, but it can happen at any age, indicating that there may be an ongoing bladder issue.
4. Obvious Discomfort
One of the most concerning signs of a urinary infection in dogs and cats is visible discomfort. You may see your pet straining, arching their back, or crying out while trying to urinate. This is a clear signal that they are in pain and need help.
Causes of Bladder Dysfunction in Cats and Dogs
Many conditions may cause symptoms like your dog peeing blood or your cat straining in their litter box. These signs are the body’s way of signalling that something isn’t quite right with the urinary system. A veterinary diagnosis is essential to pinpoint the exact issue, but understanding the potential causes can help you provide more targeted support as an owner.
Urinary Tract and Bladder Infections (UTIs)
A Urinary Tract Infection is one of the most common reasons for urinary discomfort in cats and dogs. It occurs when bacteria enter the urethra and multiply, leading to a Urinary Bladder Infection (cystitis). This inflammation irritates the bladder lining, causing the frequent urge to urinate, pain, and is often why you’ll find blood in your dog's urine.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
This is an umbrella term for various conditions affecting a cat's bladder and urethra. Unlike a simple UTI, FLUTD can be triggered by stress, urinary crystals, or inflammation without a bacterial cause. It’s a primary reason you might see your cat weeing blood or urinating outside their litter box.
Urinary Bladder Stones
Bladder stones are hard, mineral-based formations that can develop in your pet’s bladder. Ranging from fine sand to larger stones, they can cause chronic irritation, leading to symptoms that mimic a UTI in dogs and cats. Larger stones can also create a blockage, a medical emergency resulting in a dog not peeing or straining painfully.
Urinary Incontinence
If you have a dog leaking urine all of a sudden, the cause may be incontinence. This is an involuntary loss of bladder control, not a behavioural issue. It's particularly common in older dogs, often due to a weakening of the muscles that control urination, but can also be linked to other health conditions.
Kidney or Prostate Problems
Sometimes, urinary symptoms in pets are linked to other organs. Kidney Failure can lead to your cat or dog weeing a lot and producing large volumes of dilute urine. In male dogs, an enlarged prostate can press on the urethra, causing a dog to struggle to pee.
Urinary Bladder Cancer
While less common, tumours can develop in the bladder wall. These can cause symptoms very similar to a severe infection, including straining and blood in the urine. This is why it’s critical to have any urinary issues investigated by your vet to rule out more serious causes.
What to Do if Your Pet is Experiencing Bladder Issues
If you spot symptoms like blood in your pet's urine or sudden incontinence, your first call should always be to your vet for an accurate diagnosis. Once you have a clear picture, you can focus on a supportive, long-term approach, such as targeted nutritional supplements that help to support their bladder health.
Using Bladder Supplements to Support Your Pet’s Urinary Health
Supporting your pet’s urinary system from the inside out is a key pillar of proactive care. A well-formulated supplement plan can help maintain a healthy bladder environment, support the body's natural defences, and promote comfort. At VetVits, our pet bladder supplements are expertly formulated using natural ingredients with a proven track record to provide comprehensive support.
To provide this foundational support, we developed our Bladder Support for Dogs and Bladder Support for Cats. These expertly tailored formulas are designed to work in harmony with your pet’s body, helping to maintain a healthy, balanced bladder environment and support the normal function of the urinary tract. Recognising the unique physiological needs of each species, each supplement offers gentle yet effective daily support, promoting long-term comfort and wellbeing for your beloved companion.
Each supplement contains a mix of targeted ingredients, including:
Cranberry Extract
More than just an old wives' tale, cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs). These compounds help prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall, making it easier to flush them out naturally.
D-Mannose
D-Mannose is a naturally occurring sugar that binds to E. coli bacteria, the most common cause of water infections in dogs, helping to carry them out of the system during urination.
Marshmallow Root
Known for its gentle, soothing properties, Marshmallow Root helps to calm irritation in the delicate lining of the urinary tract, promoting comfort for pets experiencing bladder-related stress.
Other Ways to Support Your Pet's Bladder Health
Daily lifestyle changes can help support your pet’s health and work alongside your high-quality supplement, helping it work more effectively.
Prioritise Hydration
Plenty of fresh water is essential for all pets. Good hydration dilutes urine, making the bladder environment less hospitable to bacteria and crystal formation. A pet water fountain can often encourage reluctant drinkers.
Provide a Balanced Diet
Nutrition is the building block of health. A complete, high-quality diet provides the essential nutrients your pet needs. Incorporating wet food is an excellent way to boost the fluid intake of pets prone to urinary issues.
Maintain a Clean, Low-Stress Environment
For cats, a clean litter box in a quiet location is vital to prevent them from holding their urine. For all pets, minimising stress is key, as stress can have a direct physical impact on their urinary health.
By noticing subtle changes in your pet’s habits and understanding the role of proactive support, you can help keep your pet’s bladder healthy and functioning properly. Combining your vet’s advice with a daily, targeted supplement is a powerful way to support your pet's long-term comfort and urinary function.
Discover our full range of dog and cat supplements, designed to support every stage of their life.
