How to Tell If Your Dog Has a Urinary Tract Infection?

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: February 18th, 2025

Yury Nikolaev/Shutterstock

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health issue in dogs and, if left untreated, can cause significant discomfort and lead to complications. Recognizing the early signs of a UTI is crucial to ensuring timely veterinary care. A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract, causing inflammation and infection. While dogs of any age or breed can develop a UTI, female dogs are more prone due to their shorter urethras. Here’s what you need to know about identifying, treating, and preventing UTIs in dogs.

Recognizing UTI Symptoms in Dogs

UTI symptoms can vary, and some may be mistaken for other health conditions, such as bladder stones or kidney disease. Key signs to watch for include:

Frequent Urination: If your dog is urinating more often than usual or having accidents indoors, this could indicate an infection.
Discomfort and Straining While Urinating: Dogs with a UTI may struggle to urinate, pass only small amounts at a time, or whimper due to pain.
Blood in the Urine: A red or pinkish tint in your dog’s urine may suggest an infection or inflammation in the urinary tract.
Strong or Unusual Odors: A foul or unusually strong smell in the urine can be a sign of bacterial infection.
Excessive Licking: Dogs may lick their genital area frequently to soothe irritation and discomfort.
Changes in Behavior: A UTI can make a dog feel generally unwell, leading to lethargy, restlessness, or irritability.

Causes and Risk Factors of UTIs in Dogs

While UTIs are primarily caused by bacterial infections, several factors can contribute to their development:

Underlying Health Conditions: Dogs with diabetes, kidney disease, or weakened immune systems are at higher risk due to changes in urine composition that promote bacterial growth.
Urinary Retention: Holding urine for long periods allows bacteria to multiply, increasing the risk of infection.
Bladder Stones: These can create an environment that fosters bacterial infections.
Anatomical Abnormalities: Some dogs, particularly females or those with congenital issues, may have structural concerns that make them more prone to UTIs.
Poor Hydration: Inadequate water intake leads to concentrated urine, which can encourage bacterial growth.

Diagnosis and Treatment of UTIs in Dogs

If you suspect your dog has a UTI, prompt veterinary care is essential. The veterinarian will perform a urinalysis to check for infection and may recommend additional tests, such as urine cultures or ultrasounds, to rule out other conditions.

Treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics to eliminate the infection. The vet may also recommend increased water intake to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract. If an underlying condition, such as bladder stones or diabetes, is present, additional treatments may be necessary.

Preventing UTIs in Dogs

Preventing UTIs involves maintaining good hygiene and supporting overall urinary health:

how to tell if your dog has a urinary tract infection

Ensure Proper Hydration: Providing fresh water daily encourages regular urination and helps flush bacteria from the system. A pet water fountain can make water more appealing to drink.
Frequent Bathroom Breaks: Allowing your dog to relieve itself regularly prevents prolonged urine retention.
Maintain Good Hygiene: Regular grooming of the genital area, especially for long-haired breeds, can help prevent bacterial buildup. A high-quality dog grooming kit can make hygiene maintenance easier.
Monitor Underlying Health Conditions: If your dog has diabetes or another chronic condition, work closely with your vet to manage it effectively.

By staying proactive, you can help keep your dog’s urinary tract healthy and reduce the risk of recurring infections. If your dog shows any signs of a UTI, seeking veterinary care promptly is the best course of action to ensure their well-being.

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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This includes the medication itself, any treats you plan to use, and applicators like oral syringes if required. Having all of these items within reach will keep the process as quick and efficient as possible, helping to reduce your pet’s stress. When gathering them for medication time, avoid approaching them in a rushed or stressed manner, as they will likely pick up on your emotions. Instead, try to stay calm and offer a reassuring presence to calm any fears or concerns they may have. The Art of PillingWhen it comes to giving your pet pills, the goal is to make the process as stress-free and palatable as possible. Luckily, there are several clever strategies you can use to make the process quicker and easier for everyone involved. The Pill Pocket One of the most popular and often successful tricks is using “pill pockets.” These are commercially available treats designed with a hollow center to conceal a pill. The idea being that the pet is so excited to take the treat that they don’t even notice they are taking a pill at the same time. There are many different brands and flavors available, depending on your pet’s preferences, such as the Presidio Pill Buddy Naturals, which comes in a tempting “Tender Grilled Duck” flavor, or the popular salmon flavour of Greenies Feline Pill Pockets. An interesting product, and a spin on the “pill pocket” approach, that we have been using recently in our house is the Vetality Twist + Lick Simpill Gel. This looks almost like a deodorant container, but a flavored gel comes up when you twist the bottom. You simply place the pills in the gel and allow your dog to help themselves. It comes in beef, chicken, and peanut butter. Hiding in FoodAnother common tactic is to hide the pill within a small amount of a soft, highly palatable food. Common choices include tiny pieces of cooked chicken or turkey, a small cube of cheese, a dab of tuna (in water, not oil), or a smear of xylitol-free peanut butter. But don’t overdo it. The goal here is to use only a small amount of the food so you can guarantee that your pet eats the entire medicated portion in one go and doesn’t just eat around the pill. I recommend not hiding pills in your pet’s regular food bowl, especially if they are fighting the pilling process. Otherwise, you may create a negative association with their regular food, leading to them turning their nose up at the usual dinners. One useful trick that helps to leave your pet with a positive feeling about the process is to deliver the medicated food in a “treat sandwich” approach. First, give them a piece of the food entirely unmedicated, then a piece containing the pill, and finally another plain piece as a reward.

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