Nina The Pet Buddy, PetSitting in YourHome, Portland, OR (2026)

11/01/2026

Back with the girls 😌

11/01/2026

Grabbed my dog walk flashlight and walked to a client/friends’ house 🍷🧀

10/31/2026

It’s like call and response only different 😉

10/31/2026

Morning tower time💜

10/31/2026

Good morning girls 😘😘

10/31/2026

I’ve never had a hot stone massage but I imagine it’s like this. Right 🤷🏻‍♀️

10/31/2026

Lap time is an important part of the day.

10/31/2026

Sunshine naps are the best!

10/30/2026

Really worthwhile info for anyone with aging female pups.

🐾 What does ARTHRITIS have to do with urinary tract infections?

More than you might think!

The body has several built-in defenses that help keep bacteria from setting up shop in the urinary tract:
💧 Good hydration
🚽 Regular, complete urination
💪 A urinary sphincter that closes appropriately
🌊 A good, strong urine stream
🧼 Good hygiene

Now think about an older dog with arthritis.

Getting up to drink is work.
Getting up to go outside is work.
Squatting long enough to empty the bladder is work.

So she may drink less and ask to go outside less often. That means urine can sit in the bladder longer and become more concentrated — giving bacteria more opportunity to multiply if they make their way into the urinary tract.

And there can be other changes working against her:
🐾 Weaker urinary sphincter tone. This can happen with age, particularly in spayed females. It may not be enough to cause obvious leaking but can reduce one of the urinary tract’s normal defenses.

🐾 A weaker or interrupted urine stream. Holding a good potty posture takes strength and balance. If arthritis makes her shift, stand up or start walking before she is finished, she may not empty as efficiently.

🐾 Female anatomy. Girls have a shorter urethra, and the v***a is relatively close to the a**s. Hair, stool and moisture around the v***a can also increase bacterial contamination.

So how can we help our arthritic old ladies?
❤️ Get her up regularly to urinate. A Help ’Em Up Harness can make those trips MUCH easier.

💧 Bring the water to her. Have easily accessible water in several places so getting a drink doesn't require a trek across the house.

🐾 Make the route safe. If the water bowl requires crossing a slippery floor, put down a yoga-mat “track” or other non-slip surface. Accessibility matters!

🧼 Help with hygiene. Keep the v***ar area clean and dry. A sanitary clip can make cleaning easier and lets you actually SEE redness, discharge, moisture or excessive licking.

✂️ Ask about anatomy. If the v***a is recessed or hooded and contributing to recurrent infections, talk with your veterinarian about whether medical management, weight management or surgical correction is appropriate.

And remember: not every older dog with bacteria in the urine actually has a UTI that requires antibiotics. If you notice frequent urination, straining, accidents, blood in the urine, discomfort or a change in urinary habits, get your veterinarian involved.

Sometimes helping an old dog’s urinary tract starts with helping her get up off the floor. ❤️🐾