Let's face it. Pet urinary problems are a challenge on three fronts. First, no pet owner wants their precious dog or cat to suffer from recurring problems that can worsen and lead to serious medical issues. Second, it's no fun cleaning up after the messes that occur when your pet has urinary issues. And third, the vet bills for these issues can quickly drain your bank account. In this article, you'll learn 4 simple steps for treating and preventing common pet bladder problems.

You may be surprised to learn that urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common infection in pets and that they are completely preventable by following some simple steps. Also, urinary pet problems like UTI can be treated without antibiotics (which can actually make the problem worse) and in many cases, help you avoid a visit to the vet.

Before we talk about treatment and prevention, you should know that pet urinary problems can be divided into two types: upper and lower. If your pet has an issue in the lower bladder, you will notice a change in urination habits: your pet will either urinate more or less frequently than normal. Another telling symptom is unquenchable thirst, which is a big sign of dehydration.

If your animal has urinary pet problems in the upper part of the bladder, the symptoms are more obvious: no interest in food, vomiting and sudden weight loss.

Pain during urination is another sign of pet urinary problems and can either signal the start of a urinary tract infection or its progression to a more serious medical issue.

Since pet urinary problems can be serious and even life threatening, prevention is crucial. Preventing a urinary tract infection-the most common issue in pets-is just as important as brushing teeth is to preventing dental caries in humans.

Urinary Pet Problems: 4 Simple Steps for Prevention

Make sure your pet has access to clean water at all times. If your pet divides his time indoors and out, he should have a water bowl in both places.

Make sure your dog can urinate as needed. Holding urine is a big cause of urinary tract infections and other pet urinary problems.

Feed your dog healthy food. Check labels and avoid food that is full of fillers, chemicals and preservatives. Like humans, dogs do best on natural, rather than processed food. Natural food builds immunity to infection and disease.

Give your dog a natural remedy that supports bladder health. These remedies are gentle enough to use daily for prevention to keep the bladder infection-free, yet are effective enough to stop a urinary tract infection in its tracks. If you can't always be there to can't always be there to check your dog's water bowl or take him for a walk as needed, natural remedies can help. Of course, they are not a substitute for doing the first three steps.

Following the steps above will help your pet avoid the pet urinary problems that are all too common and that increase in frequency as your dog begins to age. Since you're probably familiar with the importance of following the first three steps, let's talk more about the importance of the fourth step.

Giving your pet a natural remedy to treat and prevent urinary pet problems is a key part of this program, so there are a few things you should know. Number one: natural remedies are more effective than antibiotics at treating urinary tract infections because even though they work just as well, they have no side effects. The side effects of antibiotics can actually worsen the infection and cause it to become a recurring problem.

Second: all natural remedies are not the same, especially when it comes to their effectiveness at treating pet urinary problems. Look for a natural remedy that is backed up by a no-questions asked return policy and that contains proven ingredients like uva ursi, berberis, cantharis and staphysagris. A tonic that contains these three ingredients in the right amounts is the best way to treat and prevent pet urinary problems.

Laura Ramirez is a passionate advocate of natural remedies that heal disorders and keep pets vibrant and healthy. Find out more about safe, effective ways to maintain your pet's urinary tract health by reading Laura's findings at http://www.pet-ut-health.com.

If you are looking to find the right way to treat bladder stones in cats and FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease), then make sure you read the next few lines very carefully.

If the bladder crystals are caused by an infection, the vet might prescribe antibiotics to cure the infection. It is rare for a cat to get a urinary tract infection, occurring in less than 1% of cats. In most cats, the problem is in fact urolithiasis or stones. The two most common types of stones are called struvite and calcium oxalate.

Surgery is the most common option available to treat bladder stones in cats. Once completed, steps should be taken to avoid future problems, the most important of which is to increase the water intake of your cat.

There are several methods that can be used to improve water intake:

1. Switch to a canned diet or a dry diet that is formulated to encourage drinking and urination. This can include buying foods with added salt. Water intake can also be improved by increasing the number of times per day your cat eats.

2. Improve the Availability of water - consider placing more than one water dish in the home, particularly in areas where you cat likes to sit or observe others. Cat's prefer larger water bowls where their whiskers do not touch the edges of the bowl. Also, cats are nocturnal by nature, so drinking at night might also be preferred.

3. Provide filtered water - water can either be bottled, from the tap or filtered through a popular filter such as Brita. Adding sugar to the water does not increase consumption. Flavorings might, such as tuna or clam juice.

4. Running water bowls - some cat's will be attracted to running water. Several manufacturers offer these types of water bowls.

5. Try Cranberry - Cranberries have natural properties which improve the health of the urinary tract and bladder. If your cat will tolerate it, add some cranberry juice to the water dish in the morning. If not, a cranberry powdered supplement can be of help.

In addition to water, natural remedies could be of help. Natural remedies that contain plant based ingredients can help to reduce the impact of symptoms and protect against future bladder problems in cats quite effectively. Particularly, herbs like berberis vulg, uva ursi, and cantharis are known for their ability to treat and prevent a wide range of urinary problems in cats including bladder infections, urinary incontinence, and bladder stones. These herbs are completely natural and do not cause any side effects. So, they are considered a safe and effective way to treat bladder crystals in cats.

Dietary change might also be recommended as a preventative for avoiding future cases of cat bladder stones. These diets are usually canned, magnesium restricted and contain added salt to encourage drinking.

When it comes to the treatment and prevention of cat bladder stones, the best option is to make some changes in your cat's diet, increase water consumption and consider adding a natural remedy for overall urinary system support. Above all else, increased water consumption is the most important step.

Jeff Grill is an editor of the Cat Health Guide which has additional information on the best option for cat bladder stones.

For more information on natural treatment options and cranberry supplements, the author also recommends the Pet Health Guide section on bladder stones cat.