Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) occur when the amount of harmful microorganisms in the body grow at such rates that the body is unable to rid itself of them. There are many types of bacteria that can cause an infection, and these bacteria can easily be acquired or may already be present in the system.

If you want to know if your dog is at risk for a Urinary Tract Infection, take a look at the following list of causes:

a. Holding it in – Dogs that are house broken will do their best not to urinate where they are not supposed to. There are times when this is taken to the extreme allowing bacteria that should have been washed out, to accumulate in the urethra and proliferate enough to cause an infection.

b. Stressful situations - The reason why people love dogs is because they are very sensitive and caring animals. But this sensitivity can also cause them to become stressed in certain situations, and weaken their immune system and this will allow infections to set in.

c. Poor diet - Proper nutrition is needed by the dog to keep its immune system strong. The bacteria that can cause UTI like escherichia coli, pseudomonas, esterococcus, straphylococcus, klebsiella, and proteus mirabilis are not uncommon and all they need to cause an infection is an opportunity.

Also, dogs need proteins and if the source of the protein is of poor quality, it will make the kidneys work much harder at eliminating wastes products, thus weakening it and making it more susceptible to infections.

d. Lack of access to clean water – The main function of the body in making urine is to flush out all the toxins and wastes. If the dog is ingesting more toxins when it drinks water, the urinary system will not be able to flush it out.

e. Sexually transmitted infections – Like people, dogs can get STDs, and with the presence of bacteria in their reproductive organs, it will again lead to the weakening of the immune system. Added to the fact that the reproductive system is also in the same vicinity as the urinary system, the chances of getting UTI are pretty high.

UTI is not a very uncommon illness for dogs, but the simplest of measures can actually prevent most of the causes. A responsible dog owner should treat their pet with the degree of care that is necessary to keep them as healthy as possible, not only to prevent diseases but also to ensure a good quality of life for the dog.