Urinary health is one of the most commonly overlooked components of our dogs health, but arguably one of the most important. While urinary health problems can arise from a variety of sources, one of the best ways to defend against urinary health issues and keep your dog happy and healthy is to harness the power of Cranberry supplements for dogs!
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of Cranberry Supplements and how they can help to maintain your dog’s urinary health and prevent urinary tract infections (UTI) and other bladder infections.
What Are Cranberry Supplements for Dogs
Cranberry supplements for dogs naturally prevent and treat UTI and bladder stones while enhancing the dog’s overall urinary health. These supplements can be purchased in various forms; e.g. granules, powder, and pills. Your pet can either consume the supplement directly or own it blended with his food.
Cranberry additives are completely safe for dogs. Indeed, these are a great way to obtain antioxidants and Vitamin C – both of which work for a dog’s internal health. They contain various other key ingredients such as probiotics in moderate quantities that are safe too. Cranberries are also elements of many healthy dog food.
While buying cranberry supplements for your pet, especially in the pill form, make sure that the product is specially formulated for dogs.
The Benefits of Cranberry Supplements for Dogs
Cranberries are a powerful antioxidant that can help promote urinary health in dogs and humans by preventing the buildup of bacteria in the urinary tract. Here are a few of the benefits of cranberry supplements for dogs:
Cranberry Supplements Help Prevent and Alleviate UTIs
Cranberry supplements are ideal home cures for dogs experiencing UTI. Urinary system infection or UTI is not just a human medical problem. It could affect dogs too and nearly 14% of dogs will expectedly have problems with this infection at least one time during their lifetime.
When experiencing a urinary tract infection, dogs can experience severe discomfort, pain, stress, anxiety, and even aggression.
Though it is always recommended to get veterinary attention just as your dog shows some symptoms of UTI, an all-natural home treatment that even vets suggest and recommend comes in the form of a cranberry supplementation formulated for dogs especially.
So how do dogs get a UTI and what happens once they have one?
Both good and pathogenic bacteria invade your dog’s urinary tract and are usually flushed out through urine. At times, some harmful bacteria cling to the bladder lining and other urinary tract spots like the urethra, ureters, and kidneys. These bacteria disrupt the correct functioning of the tract resulting in symptoms like frequent urination, burning sensation, blood discharges, tendency to lick the genital area, etc.
Now, cranberries along with few other styles of berries contain substances called proanthocyanidins. They are compounds that avoid the E.coli, the primary parasites, from clinging to the lining of the bladder. Thus, the bacteria are flushed out and struggling to cause chlamydia. Cranberry supplements for dogs work very well in washing away all impurities in the bladder, thereby, promoting a sound Urinary Tract health.
While proanthocyanidins are effective as a molecule, its oral bioavailability is incompletely defined for some species.
Cranberry Supplements Help Alleviate Dogs with Bladder Stones
Urinary system infections, ongoing or frequently recurring, lead to the formation of struvite stones and crystals, also called the bladder stones. The symptoms are somewhat similar to those of UTI although they can be more severe. A few of these are an urge to urinate but little urine, strain during urination, urine accidents, etc.
Cranberry supplements for dogs are a highly effective treatment for bladder stones as well. Because the stones are mostly caused by the UTI itself, the supplements can prevent them from forming. Also, the standard dosage of the supplement dissolves the bladder stones, thereby, eliminating the necessity for surgery. (Obviously, do not come to these conclusions by yourself as seek a veterinarian’s opinion for your dog’s specific case).
Cranberry Supplements Help Prevent Plaque Buildup for Dogs
While not what cranberry supplements for dogs are popularly known for, they can also help clean the teeth and reduce plaque buildup in dogs. Your dog’s oral health is important and the forming of dental plaque is a significant reason behind tooth decay and bad dog breath.
Plaque is the accumulation of bacteria-made biofilm growing on the top of a dog’s teeth leading to a lack of teeth, poor appetite, and other infections.
Cranberries and cranberry supplements include a good amount of flavonoids and polyphenols. These two molecules precisely decrease the formation of dental plaque. Therefore, a cranberry supplementation is effective in enhancing the oral health of dogs.
In addition to promoting a healthier urinary tract, studies have shown that cranberry can help to naturally improve digestion for dogs and humans.
How to Choose the Right Cranberry Supplement for Your Dog
Like most owners, you probably want the best cranberry supplement for your dog.
When determining which cranberry supplement is best for your dog, there are several factors to check:
- Ingredients
- Quality of Ingredients
- Price / Value Proposition
- Sugar Content
- Amount of Cranberry Extract
Top-Rated Cranberry Supplements for Dogs
Not sure which Dog Cranberry Supplement to try? Here are four of the most popular and top-rated options available on the market today.
1. Zesty Paws Cranberry Bladder Bites
Nothing gets our canine companions more excited than going for a walk with their loving pet parents. But for dogs with urinary tract discomfort, enjoying outdoor adventures is far from a walk in the park. Our Cranberry Bladder BitesTM features Cran-Max® to help keep your four-legged companion’s urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys functioning healthily.
2. NaturVet Cranberry Relief Soft Chews
Cranberry Relief Soft Chews Plus Echinacea help support a healthy urinary tract and overall bladder function. Provides immune system support to help maintain your pup’s overall health. Veterinarian formulated with Cranberry Extract, Echinacea, Calcium Ascorbate (Vitamin C) and Astragalus Root.
3. Urinary Gold by Pet Wellbeing
Urinary Gold is a soothing herbal formula designed to support multiple aspects of urinary tract health in dogs. Urinary Gold is a safe, gentle way to naturally regulate proper balance of pH in your canine’s bladder, allowing regular urination frequency and flow. This combination of ingredients supports regular immunity against bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in the urethra and bladder.
4. Cranberry D Mannose for Dogs UTI Support
While cranberry juice has long been known to be a natural way to treat human urinary tract infections, Cranberry D-Mannose Urinary Tract Support from Pet Health Solutions is a natural addition to your pet’s diet that contains substances known to benefit the animal’s urinary tract. Cranberry D-Mannose helps to support and maintain the healthy function of the urinary tract in both dogs and cats. Since it is a natural dietary supplement, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are helping to resolve your pet’s health issue, without resorting to chemicals. Because Cranberry D-Mannose Urinary Tract Support is great tasting, it’s easy to give to your dog or cat as a treat. They will love taking it, and you can feel good about giving it to them!
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