Bacteria and dog and cat kidney and urinary tract infections

One simple thing I just read about to help prevent your dog and cat from developing urinary, bladder, or kidney infections is to be vigilant about washing out the water dish with hot/soapy water and changing the water atleast once a day.

Bacteria can grow quickly in the water and not just in hot weather.

The article mentioned some nice dishes that are made from recycled plastic. However, I believe stainless steel dishes are the best. Years ago, my cat Oliver developed what the vet called "feline acne"....little bumps on his chin. I was told that is something that is more common when the animal eats or drinks from plastic dishes.

And seamless dishes are the best, too, as bacteria cannot accumulate in any creases.

Pet home urine test reveals critical signs of illness

People are often surprised when they learn the range of illnesses that a pet urinalysis test can indicate.

A urine test for dogs and cats can show indications of some of the most common illnesses that affect our dog's and cat's health, including: diabetes, kidney infection, kidney disease, urinary tract infection, bladder disease, autoimmune diseases, bacterial infections, hepatitis and other liver diseases, and prostate diseases.

Of course, there are many illnesses that are revealed through other methods of testing: heart conditions, tumors, skin diseases, arthritic conditions, and many cancers for example. No one test can test for everything that can happen with our pet's health.

Still, a urinalysis test for dogs and cats is an important foundation of the yearly health checkup, so I always encourage people to have a urine test done at the veterinary clinic every 6 or 12 months (and, of course, use ThePetCheckup at home on a monthly basis!).