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If your dog struggles with urinary tract topic , your veterinary may recommend a specialized dieting , either as a standalone choice or to complement a process or course of medicament . Choosing urinary dog food for thought is more tortuous than picking a standard complete and balanced dieting , so we ’ve take out what you involve to know . We ’ve also admit six veterinary - urge diet to discuss with your own veterinarian .
What Is Urinary Dog Food?
When veterinary advocate urinary nutrient for dogs , they ’re usually touch to diet that target bladder stones . vesica stonesare clunk of mineralized crystals that can form in the urinary tract , explains Dr. Jerry Klein , chief veterinary officer for theAmerican Kennel Club . “ Bladder stones stimulate irritation to the lining of the bladder [ and ] discomfort to the heel , and can lead to more serious medical problems such as urinary blockage . ”
Urinary weenie food is formulated to dissolve these stones and forbid their occurrent , says Dr. Ashley Barnes , medical music director atLouisville Family Animal Hospitalin Louisville , Colorado . In part , this food is “ formulated to control the urinary pH in an optimal range to forestall stone formulation . ” ( The end is to achieve acidulous urine . ) It also restrict amounts of mineral like Mg , phosphorus and atomic number 20 , say Dr. Klein , “ which are the minerals most often associated [ with contributing to ] the formation of urinary crystals and Oliver Stone formation . ”
The nutritional visibility of urinary tract firedog fooddiets vary ; each is designed to point a specific stone . For instance , dietstargeting struvite stones ( the most rough-cut in dogs ) promote increased hydration to decrease quartz glass assiduousness while limit protein and mineral levels . Urate stone diet are low in purine , a chemic compound that produces uric acid , which can lead to stones when levels are in high spirits .
According to Dr. Joe Bartges , prof of internal medicine , interventional radioscopy , and alimentation at theUniversity of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine , dog food for urinary wellness is generally pure and balanced for grownup bounder , as specified by theAssociation of Animal Feed Control Officials(AAFCO ) guidelines . “ The exclusion is a specific diet formulate to dissolve struvite stones in dogs , ” he adds . “ Therefore , while the nutrients are modified from grownup dog foods , they usually still foregather the requirements for grownup dogs . ”
Urinary Diets May Not Always Be the Answer
Urinary dog diets postulate precise levels of nutrients to dissolve and forestall bladder stones . They can be harmful to dogs without urinary issues , and in fact , “ Not all dogs with urinary parcel conditions necessitate to be on a urinary diet , ” tell Dr. John P. Loftus , helper prof of small animal internal medication and nourishment atCornell University Hospital for Animals , Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine . Because of these factors , veterinarians advocate urinary care Canis familiaris food that ’s only available with a prescription medicine .
It ’s also important to note that these diet ca n’t preventurinary tract infections(UTIs ) . “ spay pH helps to manage stones , either to dissolve them or to prevent them from recurring . It does not avail prevent urinary tract infection , which is a rough-cut misconception , ” say Dr. Bartges , who is a board - license veterinary dietitian .
Preventing UTIs , however , can go a long way in preventing the occurrence of struvite Stone . “ kickshaw / prevent the UTI , and they wo n’t form struvite pit again regardless of diet , ” excuse Dr. Bartges . This is something your veterinarian can help with .
OurTop Picks
How We Made Our Selections
We started by asking veterinarians for their passport , as well as measure that determine the best dog nutrient for urinary health . “ The urinary dieting most prescribed by veterinarians are word by Royal Canin , Hill ’s , and Purina , ” says Dr. Klein . These are the brands we focus on in our list .
We also considered the pursual when making our selections :
manufacture practices . It ’s imperative that the diets we recommend are from companionship with good fabrication practice . For example , they ’re made in the United States , have dietetical profiles backed by scientific discipline , have go across AAFCO eating trial when appropriate , and are word by veterinary surgeon or dining table - certified nutritionist .
prescription drug only . We prefer for therapeutic diet , available only with a vet ’s prescription medicine . “ Several stain do have [ over - the - replication ] rule to help control urinary pH but are not nearly as good as the ethical drug diet , ” say Dr. Barnes .
Added benefits . Though the main part of these diets is to dissolve and foreclose specific urinary stone , we scream out the I that offer other benefits like added antioxidants or formulations for weight management .
Ratings / reviews . at long last , we scour customer reviews for insights , choosing diets that received more than four of five stars .
Best Urinary Dog Foodof 2024
As you ’ll see , most of the diet on our list help dissolve struvite stone and trim down the danger of both struvite rock and atomic number 20 oxalate Harlan Stone ( which leave from factors like genetic atmospheric condition , liver disease , or nutritional dissymmetry ) . However , we also included an option to help with urate stones . Your veterinarian will recommend a urinary dieting based on your dog ’s stones and health story . Be sure to ask if any of the following dieting are a sound match for your puppy .
Best Wet Urinary Dog Food
Our weft : Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox / St Canine Formula ( Canned )
Purina urinary dog nutrient is one of the most commonly prescribed diets for bladder stones . It hold contract levels of Ca and phosphorus , plus added wet to help melt struvite Stone . grow by veterinary surgeon and nutritionists , this veterinary diet is made in United States Purina facilities .
Key Benefits
Best Dry Urinary Dog Food
Our pick : Hill ’s Prescription Diet c / viosterol Multicare Urinary Dry Dog Food
According to Dr. Barnes , “ We wish [ Hill ’s ] as each pedigree has different rendering to evaluate other wellness needs , such as food allergic reaction and weight management . ” Hill ’s Prescription Diet c / d is one of the dieting her clinic prescribes . Reduced levels of Ca and sodium help break up struvite stones and thin next occurrences of both struvite and calcium oxalate stones . It also containsfish crude oil , an splendid rootage ofomega-3 roly-poly Lucy in the sky with diamonds , as well as antioxidantsvitamin Eand beta carotin .
Best Urinary Dog Food for Weight Management
Our pick : Hill ’s Prescription Diet Dog c / d Multicare + Metabolic , Urinary + Weight Care Dry Dog Food
Obesityin dogs has been linked to the formation of calcium oxalate Stone , so if your cad struggles in this area , this pick from Hill ’s may be a unspoiled choice . idealistic for promoting a healthy bladder and contend your puppy ’s weight , it pulls duple responsibility with every meal . Not only does the dry intellectual nourishment help dissolve and prevent stones , it also have a healthy and proportionate blend of ingredient to aid kickstart your dog ’s metabolism for proven weight loss within 60 days .
Best Small Breed Urinary Dog Food
Our pick : Royal Canin Urinary SO Small Dog Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Urinary Dog Food SO is another diet Dr. Barnes advocate and vet ordinarily prescribe . The smaller kibble size in this special dieting makes it soft for small hound to eat while promoting chewing , which can help reducetartar buildup . Royal Canin is an established company that employs board - certify veterinary nutritionists to make grow their therapeutic diets .
Best Urinary Dog Food for Senior Dogs
Our pickaxe : Royal Canin Urinary SO Aging Dry Dog Food
In accession to helping to reduce the ion concentration in urine , this dry diet from Royal Canin also boast a specific commixture of nutrient and antioxidants to advertize cognition insenior wienerwurst . Additionally , the kibble is very toothsome , helping to boost veritable feeding habits .
Best Low Purine Urinary Dog Food
Our selection : Royal Canin Urinary UC Low Purine Dry Dog Food
While most of the options on our leaning centering on struvite and Ca oxalate stones , this one is devise with low purine proteins that can help with the prevention of urate stones . It also comprise moderate point of high - quality proteins , methionine , and cysteine to help minify the hypothesis of cystine Harlan Fiske Stone . Plus , tot omega-3 fatty acid support skin and coating health .
Urinary Dog FoodBuyer’s Guide
Because take a urinary weenie food is more involved than shopping for a received dog diet , we ’ve pulled together some additional veterinary advice . Here are a few things to consider .
Determine the cause of your dog’s bladder woes
First matter first – you need to translate precisely why your dog is experiencing urinary issues . Urinary dog diet commonly target specific bladder Harlan Fisk Stone . “ For model , a dog with struvite stone would gain from a different diet than a hotdog with urate Stone , ” says Dr. Loftus , who is circuit card - certified in veterinary national practice of medicine ( small beast internal medicinal drug and nutrition ) . “ I think it all depends on exactly why a urinary diet is needed , so it really depends on the dog . ” This is something that can only be make up one’s mind by a veterinarian .
Opt for therapeutic urinary dog food
When it come to urinary number in dogs , veterinarians loosely commend therapeutic prescription diets because they control a exact remainder of nutrients that point specific urinary stones .
Though therapeutic dieting are effectual , the downside is that they ’re more expensive than standard diet . Depending on how long your dog take to be on a special diet , the cost can really add up , especially if you have a big stock .
Ask your veterinary surgeon or the food maker about potential coupons , rebates , or special offers that can help you save money .
Decide between dry and canned foods
Urinary food for dogs is typically available in both teetotal and tinned formulas . Your decision will , of path , depend on which formula your dog favour to eat , as well as their typical water intake . “ Increased wet in the diet does also aid with stones , so canned food is a just idea but may be be prohibitory in declamatory dogs , ” state Dr. Barnes . Another choice is to add urine to the dry solid food oroffer your dog more drinking water .
Think about your dog’s special health needs
While the type of stone will help oneself determine which food your veterinary prescribes , some diets have supply benefits . “ For instance , if yourdog is overweight , you will want to choose one of the diets that is also for weight loss , ” offers Dr. Barnes .
to boot , your dog may have other health issues that can complicate dieting choices . “ For model , higher dietary avoirdupois [ for ] a Miniature Schnauzer who has had pancreatitis would not be a just approximation , ” explains Dr. Bartges .
Consider your dog’s age
Urinary diets are designed for adult domestic dog . “ Puppies do n’t get rock like grownup do , and due to their growth needs , urinary diet are n’t desirable for them , ” says Dr. Barnes .
If you have a senior weenie , you might want to ask your veterinary if peculiar urinary intellectual nourishment designed for older pups ( like the Royal Canin option for senior dogs on our list ) might be a good fit .
Tipsfor Switching Your Dog to a Urinary Diet
Switching any frank to a newfangled dietcan be challenging . Here are a few tips to serve your pawl aline .
Start slowly
Some pawl may feel an overturned tummy , vomiting , anddiarrheawhen their diet changes abruptly . To aid foreclose this , Dr. Barnes recommends switching to the new diet over the course of a week . “ I will typically bulge at 75 percent one-time intellectual nourishment , 25 percent new food for a few days , then 50:50 , etc . ”
Stick to feeding your dog what the veterinarian prescribes
Once your dog is on a therapeutic dieting , it ’s essential to bung only what your vet prescribes , say Dr. Klein . “ This includes not feeding any additional food , table scrap , or goody as these could upset the desired balance needed to accomplish the purpose of a urinary dieting . Always consult with your veterinary surgeon before offering any extra nutrient or treats . ”
Be prepared to monitor your dog’s progress
Once on the urinary dog dieting , veterinary evaluations will become important , says Dr. Bartges . “ I like to recheck a urine sampling at two workweek after a full change , then at four week , and then every two to four calendar month depend on the patient . stemma oeuvre might be checked as well to evaluate response and to discover any outcome before they become big issues . ”
Keep realistic expectations
Diet is only one part of managing urinary disease in dogs , and it ’s not a nostrum , say Dr. Bartges . Your vet may also urge operating theatre to remove the stones , as well as intervention for any underlying government issue .
