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13 Best Dog Food for Urinary Health [2022]

dog food for urinary health

Lower urinary tract disease is a common disorder in dogs and you may need some special dog food for urinary health.

It is usually characterized by the presence of urinary crystals within the bladder or in the lower urinary tract, along with the associated clinical signs.

Urinary problems in dogs are linked to a set of diverse risk factors as well as different types of minerals.

Read about the different conditions below or get right to the products from here:

  1. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Dog Food – Best Overall
  2. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Dry Dog Food – Best Multicare Diet
  3. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Canned Dog Food – Best Wet Food
  4. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Dry Dog Food – Best for Urinary Stones
  5. FirstMate Chicken Meal with Blueberries Formula Limited Ingredient Diet – Best Grain-Free Recipe
  6. Hills U/D Non-Struvite Urinary Tract Dog Food
  7. Firstmate Australian Lamb Dog Food
  8. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Urinary Care
  9. Health Extension Grain-Free Savory Beef Stew Canned Wet Dog Food
  10. Taste of the Wild PREY High Protein Limited Ingredient Premium Dry Dog Food
  11. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Urinary SO Dry Dog Food
  12. Royal Canin Canine Urinary SO Small Dog Dry Dog Food
  13. Zesty Paws Cranberry Bites For Dogs

What Can I Feed My Dog With Urinary Problems?

Besides medication, the best way to control urinary tract health problems in dogs is through dietary changes.

And working with your vet on which food to give your dog comes a long way in dealing with urinary issues.

So, what is the ideal food for a dog with urinary tract problems?

A raw diet with high protein content from animal-based sources can help treat or prevent urinary tract health problems in dogs. A diet with high protein content creates an acidic environment hard for bacteria that cause infections to thrive.

While still at that, avoid a diet with plenty of vegetables like asparagus or spinach. These vegetables create a suitable alkaline environment for bacteria to thrive.

Wet dog food is the best for those dogs who find it hard to drink water. The reason being water dissolves any minerals that may crystallize in the dog’s bladder and urinary tract to form stones.

Also, the more your dog hydrates, the more he will urinate, helping clean the entire urinary system.

Besides that, you can look for dog food for urinary health fortified with cranberry, as this ingredient helps prevent urinary infections.

Can Dog Food Cause Urinary Problems?

The diet your dog is consuming could be the reason your furry friend can’t’ stop having recurrent urinary tract health problems.

Diet can indeed have huge ramifications on your dog’s urinary system health. For example, processed food with ingredients like grains and other fillers can exacerbate urinary tract problems in dogs.

These ingredients are inflammatory and cause more stress on the bladder and kidneys inviting bacteria growth.

A diet with high content of vegetables and fruits increases alkaline levels in the system, harboring more bacteria that can invade the bladder and the kidney.

Also, a diet with high levels of minerals causes urinary problems in dogs. These minerals crystalize around your dog’s bladder forming stones like calcium oxalate, urate, and cysteine. However, frequent hydration can prevent these minerals from crystallizing.

If undetected and untreated, these stones can block the whole urethra, a painful ordeal for the dog.

What Dog Food Prevents Bladder Stones?

Bladder stones are painful for all dogs. And if not removed, these stones can cause further problems for your pup.

Thus as a responsible dog owner, it’s always prudent for you to look for ways of preventing the formation of bladder stones.

And one way is through dietary modification.

First, there are three types of bladder stones common in most dog breeds. Let’s look at them and how diet can be a great measure in preventing their formation.

Urates

  • made from purines
  • Urates form in a highly acidic environment or highly concentrated urine
  • Dog breeds most prone to these bladder stones include the Jack Russell terrier and the Dalmatians.
Preventative dog food for Urates

  • Look for dog food with fewer purines.
  • For example, Muscle meats, fruits, eggs, nuts, and leafy vegetables except for spinach

*avoid organ meats, legumes, trout, and mackerel

Calcium oxalate

  • Calcium oxalates occur when the dog’s urine is high in oxalates and citrates.
  • A diet that also causes urine to be acidic can cause this condition.
  • The reduction of oxalobacter formigenes can predispose a dog to these stones.
  • This bacteria feeds on oxalates around the urinary system.
Preventative dog food for Calcium oxalate stones

  • A diet high in probiotics to encourage the growth of normal flora( oxalobacter formigenes)
  • A low protein diet is ideal as it results in a low concentration of oxalates in the urine.
  • Also, focus on a diet that will create alkaline urine, thus discouraging crystals from forming.
  • Avoid dog food with wheat and organ meat as they can cause a high concentration of oxalates.
Struvite bladder stones

  • Infection of the urinary system causes a build-up of these stones.
  • Afterward, ammonia mixes with magnesium and phosphorus to form the mineral struvite.
  • Look for ways to strengthen the dog’s immunity by giving it a diet with many antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
  • A diet with lots of moisture will also help dissolve any stones that may form in your dog’s urinary tract after an infection.
  • Also, give your dog a diet that will create an acidic environment to prevent minerals from crystallizing.

 

How Can I Promote My Dog’s Urinary Health?

The urinary system in your dog is mandated to remove all the waste from the body. It’s a vital system that requires optimal care. If left unattended, infections and stones will likely overcome your buddy.

So how can one promote the urinary health of a dog?

Lots of Water Intake

Ensure your dog drinks lots of water – hydration ensures your dog urinates a lot; thus, no harboring of bacteria is likely to occur.

Feed Your Dog Canned Food

The high water content in canned food helps keep the urinary system in good shape.

Human-Grade Food Is the Best

This human grade should contain fresh ingredients that nourish your dog’s urinary system health without neglecting other body systems.

Also, avoid food with lots of filler or artificial ingredients that can cause inflammation all over your dog’s urinary tract system.

Are Eggs Good For Dogs With Bladder Stones?

Eggs are good for dogs, including those with bladder stones, as they possess a wealth of nutritional value.

For dogs predisposed to struvite stones, one of the best dog food to eat is an egg. An egg has a high protein content, which helps acidify the environment needed to break these crystals.

Besides the high protein content, an egg is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, crucial in supporting your dog’s urinary tract health.

An egg is suitable for dogs with urate stones (ammonium biurate). The egg is low in purines which are precursors in forming these bladder stones.

When giving your dog an egg, ensure it’s well prepared. You can decide to boil or scramble it.

When giving your dog scrambled eggs, make sure there are no seasonings like garlic or salt as they can cause other health problems.

Also, avoid giving your dog with urinary issues raw eggs. Raw eggs may contain Salmonella, which can cause salmonellosis.

How Do You Treat Crystals in Dogs Urine Naturally?

If you are not for conventional medicine, here are natural ways you can use to treat crystal in a dog’s urine.

  • Give your dog cranberry- cranberry juice, cranberry extract, or cranberry concentrates imply the same thing.

Cranberry creates an acidic environment that prevents struvite stones from forming. Also, cranberry bars harmful bacteria from colonizing your dog’s urinary tract system.

  • Marshmallow root. You can use marshmallow root to soothe your dog’s urinary tract system. Marshmallow is preferred since it has demulcent activity. Demulcents coat the inflamed mucous membrane, bringing out a soothing effect.

Also, marshmallows have mild diuretic effects, which increase urine flow. The more urine flow increases, the lesser the rate minerals will crystalize.

  • Apple cider vinegar- you can use apple cider vinegar home to treat stones in the kidneys or bladder.

Apple cider vinegar makes the urine acid, thus preventing the formation of stones.

  • Plenty of water

Water has many benefits for the dog’s body, especially the urinary tract system.

Taking water ensures minerals in the bladder don’t crystalize to form salts.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Dogs With Bladder Stones?

Apple cider vinegar is one of the best natural remedies to treat dogs’ urinary infections and bladder stones. And most dog owners can attest their dogs respond well.

Apple cider vinegar helps acidify the urine of dogs. Acidic urine blocks the formation of struvite stones in your dog’s bladder or kidney.

This apple cider vinegar also has natural antibacterial properties, which prevent bacteria from multiplying in your dog’s bladder.

To get out of the best of this natural remedy, mix it with your flavorful homemade dog food for urinary tract health.

This flavor in the dog food masks the strong vinegar taste better than when mixed with your dog’s drinking water.

Since apple cider vinegar helps acidify urine, it won’t be the best solution to give to your dog with calcium oxalate stones. Remember, as we earlier said, an acidic environment promotes the formation of calcium oxalate stones.

Thus it’s always best you work with your vet to know which crystal your dog has in the bladder.

Is Watermelon Good For Dogs With Bladder Stones?

Watermelon is a high water content fruit that we humans love and so do dogs. This fruit can be a great hydrating option for those dogs who dislike taking water. And as you know, the more your dog hydrates, the more there will be urination which benefits the whole urinary tract system.

Frequent urination ensures no minerals will stagnate and crystallize to form stones.

Besides the high water content, this fruit is rich in vitamin c, which supports the immune system’s health. Also, watermelon has potassium that benefits muscle movements and helps proper kidney and bladder function.

Besides being nutrient-dense, watermelon has high fiber content, ensuring functional stool movement on your dog’s digestive tract.

When giving your dog watermelon, ensure it is seedless. These seeds can cause intestinal blockage if swallowed.

Is Pumpkin Good For Dogs With Bladder Stones?

Pumpkin is a delicious nutrient-dense superfood that benefits both humans and dogs. Pumpkin seeds have omega fatty acids great for stopping inflammation that occurs when your dog has bladder stones.

Also, these seeds have essential antioxidants like vitamin E that support the health of the dog’s urinary tract system.

Furthermore, pumpkin flesh has high fiber content that helps smooth digestion. Still, pumpkin is a natural remedy for worms in dogs.

This superfood has prebiotics that naturally nourishes the essential bacteria in your dog’s gut.

The best way to serve pumpkin is to add it to your dog’s food for improved taste. You can crush and ground the seeds. Then add the powder to your dog’s favorite food.

Also, avoid seasoned canned pumpkin as it may have high salt content. This salty pumpkin may be too hard for your dog’s heart, kidney, and bladder. Instead, go for the fresh or plain canned pumpkin.

The associated risk factors and mineral aggregates can be managed with healthy nutrition that is specifically formulated to support urinary health.

Many brands of dog food produce diets for promoting urinary health. But you can only find the best dog food for urinary health for your four-legged pal if you do a little research.

In our top 13 selections, we took into account all the important nutrients a veterinarian would want your dog’s food to have.

Our Top Pick dog food for urinary health

The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Dog Food is the most recommended nutrition by vets and dog parents alike.

The recipe used is great for reducing crystal formation and recurrence of struvite stones.

Top Dog Food for Urinary Health Are:

1. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Dog Food – Best Overall

Does your dog show any urinary health concerns?

The best overall solution is to feed her the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Dog Food.

Key Ingredients:

  • Brewer’s rice
  • Corn
  • Chicken fat
  • Chicken by-product meal
  • Brewer’s rice flour

This veterinary diet is formulated for your adult pup with lower urinary tract issues. It does a great job of reducing ion concentration in the urine.

The brand uses a relative supersaturation methodology to predict the crystallization of urine and develop a diet that helps dissolve pure struvite stones and manage the recurrence of the condition.

If your pooch needs to maintain a healthy weight, the moderate-calorie formula contains fewer calories, making it a safer option.

This diet also contains vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that your dog’s body uses to fight rancid fat to prevent heart and liver problems as well as cell damage.

But the thing is, the taste, texture, and smell of this food may fail to impress picky eaters. It is also a little bit expensive.

Pros:

  • This dog food for urinary health is most recommended by vets
  • Designed to reduce the possibility of crystal formation
  • It’s capable of stopping the recurrence of struvite stones
  • Low in calories, making it great for weight management
  • Natural antioxidants help fight rancid fat

Cons:

  • Texture, taste, and smell may fail to impress picky eaters
  • It’s a little bit expensive

Conclusion

This dog food for urinary health comes highly recommended by veterinarians and dog parents alike. So, it might be the solution to all of your dog’s urinary health problems.

2. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Dry Dog Food – Best Multicare Diet

The Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d is formulated to support your dog’s urinary health with its antioxidant enriched ingredients.

Key Ingredients:

  • Whole grain corn
  • Soybean mill run
  • Chicken meal
  • Corn gluten meal
  • Pork fat

This recipe is designed to help in promoting desirable urine pH in your dog, which is important because she is likely to experience crystallization if the urine pH shoots up.

The Prescription Diet c/d will reduce the risk of struvite stone formation in your dog’s system, thanks to its low protein and low calcium content.

Your pup needs minerals, but not in excess. This dog food for urinary health is enriched with precise levels of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium for optimal health benefits.

This diet is also enriched with omega 3 fatty acids, potassium citrate, and antioxidants for supporting a healthy immune system as well as the overall well-being.

What we don’t like; however, about this diet is the lack of consistency in quality control.

For example, the kibbles of two separate bags may not have the same texture.

Pros:

  • Great for supporting optimal urine pH
  • Reduces the risk of struvite stone formation
  • Supplies phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium optimally
  • Antioxidant enriched for supporting a healthy immune system

Cons:

  • Quality control may not be consistent

Conclusion

If you have been looking for a dry dog food that is specifically formulated to boost the urinary health of your pup, while improving her overall well-being, then the Prescription Diet c/d is your go-to food.

3. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Canned Dog Food – Best Wet Food

This dog food for urinary health recipe contains high-quality ingredients that are specifically formulated to reduce the possibility of urinary stone formation in your pup’s body.

Key Ingredients:

  • Chicken
  • Water
  • Rice
  • Meat by-products
  • Liver

The formulation of this dog food for urinary health is based on APR and RSS methodologies, which is great because it supports the production of under-saturated urine.

This diet contains a moderate amount of ash (magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium) to provide your dog with optimal amounts of important nutrients while maintaining a healthy urinary tract.

The 78% water content in this recipe is good because it increases overall water intake as well as promotes urinary tract health by ensuring that the urine pH is optimal.

Another good thing about this diet is the first ingredient, which is chicken. This is lean meat that supplies your pup with enough energy without adding too many calories to the body.

But, there is a possibility of this food being rejected by picky eaters because of the smell and taste.

Pros:

  • Supports the production of under-saturated urine
  • Moderate levels of ash don’t shoot up the urine pH
  • High water content keeps your pooch hydrated and healthy
  • Lean meat sources boost energy without a high-calorie count
  • Rich in fiber for a healthy digestive system

Cons:

  • The smell and taste of this dog food for urinary health may be rejected by picky eaters

Conclusion

This diet comes highly recommended by vets. It has proven to be very effective at dissolving sterile struvite stones.

4. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Dry Dog Food – Best for Urinary Stones

This dog food for urinary health does not provide a favorable environment for the formation of calcium oxalate crystals and sterile struvite.

Key Ingredients:

  • Whole grain corn
  • Brewer’s rice
  • Chicken by-product meal
  • Corn gluten meal
  • Animal fat

Sterile struvite and calcium oxalate crystals stand no chance with this diet present in your pup’s body, reducing the risk of urinary stone formation.

Not only does this recipe help to support a healthy urinary tract, but it also has a great taste that your furry friend will love.

This dog food for urinary health has a high crude fiber content of 6.5%, which is great in promoting a healthy digestive system and reducing the risk of colon cancer.

This is a complete and balanced canine diet with moderate levels of calories, making it a great choice for an adult pup with weight management issues.

This nutrition may not be an incredible treat for picky pups. Also, it could be better with a slightly lower ash level.

Pros:

  • The vet recommended a diet that is free of pea
  • Creates an environment that’s not ideal for urinary stones
  • High level of crude fiber supports a healthy digestive system
  • Low calories levels make it ideal for weight management
  • There’s a wet formula to accompany the dry one

Cons:

  • Could be better with slightly lower ash levels

Conclusion

This product should be your go-to diet when looking for a food that has all the ingredients your pup needs to fight the formation of calcium oxalate crystals and sterile struvite.

5. FirstMate Chicken Meal with Blueberries Formula Limited Ingredient Diet – Best Grain-Free Recipe

This grain-free formula is designed to support urinary tract health, digestive health, and tear stain removal.

Key Ingredients:

  • Chicken meal
  • Norkotah potato
  • Burbank potato
  • Chicken fat
  • Whole blueberries

This is a grain diet that features Burbank and Norkotah potato, which is great because it mimics your pooch’s natural ancestral diet and it is hypoallergenic.

Chicken (lean meat) is the first ingredient that offers an abundance of energy and amino acids without introducing too many calories into your dog’s body.

The most unique aspect of this dog food for urinary health is the presence of blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries, which not only increase palatability but also support a healthy urinary tract.

Ash (phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium) levels are considerably low, which ensure the pH of the urine is optimal while providing important nutrients to the body.

But the thing is, this is not a very popular brand among dog parents.

Pros:

  • A grain-free diet is highly hypoallergenic
  • Lean meat sources boost energy levels without pilling calories
  • Antioxidant enriched to support a healthy urinary tract
  • Low ash levels help maintain an optimal urine pH

Cons:

  • Not a very popular brand among dog parents

Conclusion

If you have a sensitive dog that is allergic to grain food, then this is a great choice. It will not just boost her urinary tract health, but also her overall well-being.

6. Hills U/D Non-Struvite Urinary Tract Dog Food

This is one of the best dog foods for urinary health in the market right now that can provide the nutrients that your dog needs for their urinary health.

This specific dog food actually offers better nutrition for your dogs and the levels of protein and calcium are reduced to make sure that there won’t be any instances of bladder stones.

Aside from its benefits to urinary health, it also contains other vitamins and minerals that would help improve the overall health of your dogs.

It contains high levels of L-carnitine and taurine to help improve the heart of your dogs. It is also filled with antioxidants that will be a good way to control cell oxidation and also provide a better and improved immune system.

If you want a dog food that is made for dogs who are dealing with urinary health problems and provide other health benefits at the same time, this is the best choice.

7. Firstmate Australian Lamb Dog Food

Firstmate Australian lamb dog food is actually one of the most popular brands in the market right now. It is a grain-free dog food that is rich in antioxidants to help clean the insides of your dog.

It is also made from lamb meat, which is definitely a great flavor. Dogs love this brand because of its unique and tasty flavor. If you’ve always feed chicken flavor to your dog, this is a good alternative.

It is also known to promote urinary health and it is one of the best dog foods that can provide the nutrients that your dog needs to prevent the development of stones.

If your dog is allergic to some foods, this is also the right choice as it is made without any ingredients that can cause allergies to your dogs.

However, it is better to check the ingredients because there are dogs that are allergic to common foods and ingredients.

8. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Urinary Care

Blue Buffalo has always been one of the brands that provide high-quality products, especially dog foods. Basically, if you need a trusted brand and you want to look for dog foods for urinary health, they definitely have the best in the market.

This certain dog food released by Blue Buffalo is the best choice for dogs with bladder stones and it can also be a good way to prevent these stones from forming.

It is 100% grain free and it provides a wholesome natural diet as well. It also provides more fiber to make sure that your dog will feel full for a longer period. It is also made for all life stages so you can give it to young and older dogs.

It is grain-free so it is one of the best choices for dogs. They love foods that are grain-free and it is also made for those with UTI problems.

9. Health Extension Grain-Free Savory Beef Stew Canned Wet Dog Food

health extension grain free savory beef stew canned wet dog food 12 13 2 oz cansThis wet dog food from Health Extension is here to fulfill all the dietary needs for your dog with urinary issues. We like this dog food for urinary health since it has high moisture content. The moisture will hydrate and maintain your dog’s system, more so the urinary system.

Besides the high moisture content, this dog food for urinary tract health has deboned beef as the first ingredient. This beef provides the right punch of proteins for lean and strong muscles.

Furthermore, this urinary care dog food has whole food ingredients like carrots and pea, key sources of antioxidants that solidify your dog’s immune system.

Moreover, the inclusion of apple cider vinegar makes this recipe one of the best dog food for urinary health. Apple cider vinegar is a natural antibacterial. Still, this apple cider vinegar creates acidic urine, preventing the formation of struvite stones.

Per how you like it, you can serve this dog food for urinary issues as a hearty meal or add it to your dog’s dry dog for added taste or extra proteins.

Pros

  • Made without corn, wheat, or soy
  • With whole food that supply antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
  • With added apple cider vinegar for urinary health

Cons

  • Some dog parents say the quality of this dog food has been deteriorating.

10. Taste of the Wild PREY High Protein Limited Ingredient Premium Dry Dog Food

taste of the wild prey high protein limited ingredient premium dry dog food with antioxidants and probiotics for all life stagesDo you dislike vet-prescribed diets? Then here is one of the best non-prescription dog food for urinary health.

This dry dog food from Taste of the Wild utilizes a single protein source to nourish your pet.

This single protein source, turkey, keeps your dog’s muscles strong and healthy.

The other ingredients in this non-prescription dog food for urinary health are lentils, tomato pomace, and sunflower oil. These ingredients provide macro and micronutrients to support your dog’s needs without overburdening the kidneys.

For example, the vitamin B complex and vitamin C in this recipe keep your dog’s immune strong, barring any bacteria from colonizing your dog’s urinary system.

Moreover, this dry dog food for urinary health is infused with 80 million CFU/lb proprietary probiotics that keep your dog’s digestive system healthy.

 Pros

  • A limited ingredient diet
  • No grains added
  • Feature omega fatty acids from sunflower oil for skin and coat health

Cons

  • Some dog owners don’t like the weak packaging here

11. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Urinary SO Dry Dog Food

royal canin veterinary diet canine urinary so dry dog food 6 6 lb bag

Recurring urinary stones and urinary tract infections can hamper the quality of your dog’s life. Besides using medication to prevent and treat urinary issues, one can use dog food to control this condition.

And one such diet that supports your dog’s urinary tract system and improves its quality of life is this Royal Canin Urinary SO Dog Food.

This veterinary dog food for urinary issues helps dissolve pure struvite stones. Moreover, the diet helps prevent the formation of calcium oxalate stones using the RSS methodology.

Also, this dry dog food promotes plenty of water consumption, which improves hydration, essential for overall urinary tract system health.

Besides the medical benefits of this recipe, this Royal Canin dog food for urinary health has important ingredients that support your dog’s general well-being.

Pros

  • A veterinary dog food
  • Lowers the risk of calcium oxalate crystals forming
  • This diet helps to dissolve struvite stones

Cons

  • Some dog owners find this bag of food way too big
  • This dog food for urinary health is expensive

12. Royal Canin Canine Urinary SO Small Dog Dry Dog Food

royal canin canine urinary so small dog dry dog food 8 8 lbSmall dogs can struggle with urinary tract problems, and the sooner you find the solution for them, the better. One diet that alleviates your dog from urinary system issues is this one from Royal Canin.

So why is this recipe the best dog food for urinary tract health? First, this recipe uses a Low relative supersaturation (RSS) methodology to help lower ion concentration which can contribute to kidney or bladder stones.

Again this dog food for urinary tract health encourages your dog to drink lots of water, leading to dilution of mineral that crystallizes to form kidney stones.

Overall this urinary SO dog food from Royal Canin creates an environment hostile for crystals to form in your dog’s kidney or bladder.

After putting your dog on this urinary care dog food, you are sure that your dog’s recurring urinary issues will be a thing of the past.

Pros

  • The best dog food for small dogs with urinary health problems
  • Lower risk of crystal formation using RSS methodology
  • With added multivitamins and minerals for whole-body health

Cons

  • Some dog parents find this dog food expensive

13. Zesty Paws Cranberry Bites For Dogs

zesty paws cranberry bites for dogs kidney bladder urinary tractWhen giving your dog the best dog food for urinary health, it is also good you supplement that with healthy treats.

An example of treats formulated for overall urinary tract health is these Zesty Paws Cranberry Bites for Dogs.

These soft chews contain cran-max, a premium form of cranberry concentrate that helps promote your dog’s urinary tract health.

Moreover, these cranberry bites feature organic marshmallow root and astragalus, which helps in flushing toxins that may build up in your dog’s kidneys and bladders.

Moreover, these bites contain organic licorice root, d-mannose, and nettle seeds that defend the urinary tract system and encourage healthy urine flow.

Pros

  • With cranberry concentrate to promote urinary tract health
  • Contain marshmallow root and astragalus that flush toxins out
  • No grains or added additives

Cons

  • Some dog owners say their dogs developed gassy stomachs after eating these chews.

Buying Guide: Things to Look for When Buying Dog Foods for Urinary Health

As we earlier mentioned, there are so many brands of dog food that claim to produce the best nutrition for supporting your pup’s urinary health.

So, we did some digging to find out what makes one brand of food better than the other. The various things we considered during our selections are:

Reputable Dog Foods for Urinary Health – Brands

Not all brands stand out when it comes to choosing nutrition that is specifically aimed at dealing with urinary tract infection in dogs. But, the few that are mostly recommended by veterinarians are:

Royal Canin Diet

This brand is most likely to be recommended by your dog’s vet. Their nutrition tailored towards a healthy urinary tract is formulated with exclusive formulas.

The brand also uses a relative supersaturation methodology, which is a reliable test for reducing the possibility of crystal formation.

Hill’s Prescription Diet

Hill’s is a well-known brand among dog parents for their exclusive prescription diets. Their nutrition is vet recommended and clinically proven.

Their prescription diet is specially formulated to help support your pup’s urinary health.

The brand’s nutrition is highly digestible; so, it helps with the effective absorption of nutrients.

Purina Pro Plan Diets

Purina has your pooch’s urinary health covered with their dry and wet Pro Plan Diets.

Purina recipes contain all the important nutrients your pup needs to fight the development of calcium oxalate crystals and sterile struvite.

They are also designed with low carbs and high protein levels. Their diets come highly recommended for lower urinary tract disease.

The aforementioned brands are the most popular for promoting urinary health in dogs. But there are other brands you can consider during your search.

Vet Prescription dog foods for urinary health

There’s a huge difference between what you think you’re buying and what you’re buying when purchasing your pup’s food. You might know what lower urinary tract disease or urinary tract infection is, and what the signs look like.

But that’s not enough for you to solidly decide what’s best for your pup. We recommend you take your dog to a vet for a diagnosis. Then, depending on what the vet finds out, he or she will recommend the best nutrition for supporting a healthy urinary tract.

Read the Labels

When reading the labels (ingredients list and guaranteed analysis), there are a few terms that you must be familiar with, such as 100%, Natural, and Sufficient.

For example, a brand (s) may indicate 100% all-natural beef or water sufficient in the ingredients list. Just because the label says natural, this doesn’t mean that the ingredients are.

You can always consult with your vet, and he or she should be able to clear any doubts you might have or write a new prescription, especially if your pup seems to have a hard time transitioning to the current nutrition.

Consider Nutrition that is lower in Sodium and Ash

Sodium and ash are important nutrients that your pup’s body needs. But some dog food brands may have excess levels of these nutrients, which could cause the urine pH to rise.

You can always consult with your vet whether or not given levels of these nutrients might be harmful to your pup who is struggling with urinary health problems.

Understanding the Signs of Urinary Tract Infection

Dogs urinate on a regular basis. Just like humans, dogs urinate to remove all of the waste inside their body.

There are even instances where they might drip urine and mark a specific spot 15 to 20 times.

These are perfectly normal, but how will you know if your dog has a urinary tract infection?

1. Loss of energy

If you noticed that your dogs are low on energy or they don’t participate in activities, it may be a sign of urinary tract infection.

2. The foul smell on the urine

If you always accompany your dog when urinating, you can easily smell something wrong on the urine. If you think that the urine does not smell too good, it may be a sign of UTI.

3. Licking the genitals repeatedly

If you noticed that your dog has been licking his/her genitals repeatedly, it may be a sign that they have UTI.

4. Urinating in different places

Most dogs are actually trained to urinate on a specific place in your house. It means that if they are urinating in different places, they are probably having problems urinating.

5. No appetite

This is something that you will surely notice on your dogs. Basically, if your dog loses its appetite, it means that there is something wrong. It may or may not be because of UTI so make sure that you bring them to a vet if your dog lost its appetite.

These are only some of the things that you should watch out. If you noticed that your dog is showing these signs, you can bring them to your veterinarian for a checkup.

Urinary health is often related to kidneys in this case you would need to avoid phosphorous in your dog’s food.

All you need to select the best dog food for urinary health

Our overall best recommendation for this roundup is the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Dog Food. A diet that ensures crystal formation has no favorable environment in your pup’s bladder.

Over one thousand dog parents have bought this nutrition for their pups. So, this should tell you how effective it is at supporting urinary tract health.

The brand uses a relative supersaturation methodology and exclusive ingredients to reduce the possibility of crystal formation and support overall bladder health.

The diet itself is vet recommended and 98 percent of buyers would recommend this nutrition to other dog parents for fighting urinary tract disease.

Sherri Taylor

Sherri has been a lifelong dog lover. She is the founder of dfwdogquest.com. She created this website with only one mission in mind; to make sure every dog gets the best care it deserves. She is passionate about dog care and you can pick up the latest information on dogs from dfwdogquest.com

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