Cranberry has a reputation for treating/preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). If you conduct a quick online search, you’ll undoubtedly find countless accounts of miraculous treatments. What does science have to say about this? It would be wonderful if something as easy as cranberries in a dog’s diet could prevent urinary tract infections.
First off, contrary to what you may have heard, cranberry does not work (if it works at all) by making the urine acidic. Instead, it appears to have the potential to affect some bacteria’s ability to adhere to the bladder wall. The next time a dog urinates, any floating bacteria will be flushed out of the bladder, but any bacteria that can adhere to tissue may stay, multiply, and cause a clinically significant infection. However, I don’t think studies demonstrating that cranberry inhibits bacterial biofilm or growth in a petri dish are all that helpful. What I’m curious about is whether or not I should anticipate it to have a noticeable positive impact on my patients.
There hasn’t been a lot of research on dogs that can directly address that question. We must therefore, as is all too frequently the case in veterinary medicine, look to human studies to shed light on the issue. The important underlying factors that cause UTIs in both humans and dogs are similar, so in this instance at least, I believe there should be a reasonable match between the results in both populations.
A review article that was released in October 2012 is the most reliable paper I could find on the topic. In order to “assess the effectiveness of cranberry products in preventing UTIs in susceptible populations,” the authors examined 24 studies (14 new studies and 10 studies that were previously reported) with a total of 4,473 participants. ” They came to the following conclusion:
Although it’s far from a ringing endorsement, because some of the smaller studies did show some benefit and cranberry supplements seem to be quite safe, I don’t have an issue with pet owners giving their animals cranberry supplements as long as they don’t replace proven treatments with them.
Is Cranberry Juice Safe for Dogs?
Although the antioxidants in cranberries can contribute to the health of various systems, the juice doesn’t always have the same benefits as the berries.
Cranberry juice is high in sugar and may contain other ingredients that can be harmful to your dog, despite the fact that the red, acidic berry is low in calories and packed with potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. You ought to refrain from feeding your dog cranberry sauce for the same reason. Both people and animals miss out on important health benefits of cranberries when they consume them in juice (or jellied) form, such as fiber, which may help diabetics control their blood sugar and maintain bowel health.
Whole cranberries are also thought to help your dog’s bladder health and fight bacteria that cause bad breath (when provided in moderation). Because of all the vitamins and minerals, some dog food recipes use the disease-fighting cranberry as a result.
Can Drinking Cranberry Juice Benefit Dogs?
Like many fruits, cranberries are full of nutrients and antioxidants. Since many of the available cranberry juices are loaded with sugar and other unfriendly to dogs ingredients, any potential benefits derived from the cranberries themselves may be negated by the juice’s unhealthy components. Because of this, you should always choose unsweetened cranberry juice. Be sure to carefully read the label to avoid any preservatives or other potentially harmful ingredients.
Because it can aid in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs), some pet owners started giving cranberry juice to their dogs. Both humans and dogs are susceptible to these excruciating bladder infections, which can leave your dog with a burning sensation when they urinate as well as severe abdominal and lower back pain. Infection that spreads to the kidneys can result in other serious medical conditions. When your dog urinates, you might notice signs of a UTI like straining or the appearance of pain or discomfort.
But cranberries have long been valued as a secure treatment for this issue. Proanthocyanidins, which are compounds found in cranberries, may aid in preventing bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall and causing an infection. In fact, some human studies suggest that cranberry juice consumption may even help prevent UTIs from occurring in the first place.
If your dog has a UTI, your veterinarian may recommend medication or antibiotics to help treat the condition. Other ways to stop your dog from getting a UTI include making sure they drink enough water, maintaining their grooming (especially around the genital area), and allowing them to go potty frequently.
Ways to Provide Cranberries for Dogs
Cranberries are good for dogs. Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to give to dogs, but only in small amounts, according to the American Kennel Club. Giving your furbaby cranberry tart treats is another discussion. Always keep in mind that moderation is key when giving your furry friend fresh or dried cranberries. If you give your pet too little of it, they won’t receive enough of its advantages. It can be extremely dangerous to consume too much of it as it may cause stomach problems or bladder stones.
Another question is whether your pet will enjoy this sour treat. As with any treat, feeding cranberries to dogs should be done in moderation because too many can cause stomach upset.
Dried cranberries are one of the most popular types of cranberries consumed by people. However, dried cranberries occasionally come blended with other dried fruits, such as raisins. Even a few raisins can be problematic for small dog breeds because raisins are extremely toxic to dogs. Giving your dog pure dried cranberries without any added sugar is safe. However, it might be challenging to get your dog to eat the sour dried cranberries.
Cranberry sauce is safe for your dog if made fresh without extra sugar or artificial sweeteners according to Hepper. However, most canned cranberry sauces contain additional ingredients like grapes and currents which are not good for your dog. So, be sure to read the ingredient label before giving any cranberry sauces to your dog.
Prepared cranberry juices are risky. Grape juice-containing beverages and cranberry dishes with high sugar, alcohol, or other ingredient content should both be avoided. Juice would need to be pure cranberry juice without any added sugar for it to be safe for your dog. However, because of how tart this cranberry juice will taste, it is unlikely that your dog will want to drink it.
A cranberry supplement for dogs is a great and secure substitute for pure cranberries because it’s unlikely that your dog will want to consume them or drink pure cranberry juice. Cranberry-based bladder supplements are potent aids and supports for the bladder and urinary health of your furry child. Pet Parents® Bladder SoftSupps® help maintain normal pH levels, reduce the likelihood of urinary infections, and give your furry child the best possible urinary health.
These bladder supplements contain Pacran®, the cranberry supplement with the highest level of scientific validation for urinary tract health. This helps to promote ideal bladder health by utilizing the entire cranberry complex. By eliminating harmful bacteria, Pacran®, a pure cranberry concentrate, improves the health of the bladder and urinary tract. In addition to organic acids, fibers, phenolics, proteins, sugars, and fatty acids, Pacran®, marketed as a natural remedy for urinary comfort, also contains other significant substances that are essential for maintaining a healthy urinary tract.
Additionally, canine cranberry supplements are required to be proactive in helping your pet fight off illnesses that can be avoided and to maintain and/or enhance general health.
Cranberry, in fact, plays a significant role in maintaining the health of your pet’s kidneys and bladder, resulting in happy and healthy slobbery kisses.
FAQ
How much cranberry Can I give my dog for a UTI?
24 ounces of cranberry juice are the equivalent to one 3,000 mg capsule. Give small dogs 1/8 of a 3,000 mg capsule. Give small dogs a quarter of a capsule, large dogs a half of a capsule, and giant breed dogs an entire capsule. Up to three times per day should be given until symptoms have subsided.
Can dogs drink 100% cranberry juice?
Because of the high sugar content and potentially toxic ingredients in cranberry juice, dogs cannot consume it. Dog owners should never give their dog cranberry juice, even though whole cranberries are safe for dogs and can help prevent bladder infection.
What can you give a dog for urinary tract infection?
Dog bladder infections are most commonly treated with antibiotics, though occasionally your veterinarian may also advise anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers depending on the severity and underlying cause of your dog’s infection.
How can I treat my dogs UTI at home?
- D-Mannose. E coli is one of the most typical bacteria that causes canine urinary tract infections.
- Cranberry. As a well-known all-natural treatment for UTIs in humans, cranberries can also help your dog.
- Methionine. …
- Couch Grass. …
- Parsley Leaf. …
- Marshmallow Root. …
- Horsetail.