Healthy Dalmatian Diet

Dalmatians are unique in personality and appearance. Originally bred as coach dogs, they would run alongside horse-drawn carriages to act as guard dogs. Alert and energetic, the Dalmatian's hunting instinct was put to use as they later served as "ratters," hunting and killing rodents. Firehouses began using them to control pest populations and as watchdogs, forever associating them with firemen. Dalmatians are also special in the way they metabolize purine yielding foods, making them prone to urinary and kidney stones. A healthy, specialized diet is required for Dalmatians to enjoy good health and long life.

  1. Read the Ingredients

    • Carefully read the ingredient list for any food that a Dalmatian will be eating. Beware of high purine foods, which will promote the formation of uric crystals and stones in the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract. High purine foods include organ meats like kidneys and livers, game meats, beef, pork, lamb, seafood, foods made with significant amounts of yeast like bread and food with meat byproducts. Avoid added salt, fillers, artificial additives, high fat and chemical preservatives. Do not assume that a low-protein diet is required as that will have other negative effects on a Dalmatian's health. High-quality, human-grade protein is the best source of nutrition for good health. Additionally, look for ingredients high in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and low-purine green vegetables, which will help rid the body of extra uric acid.

    Supplements

    • Give your Dalmatian supplements such as potassium citrates to prevent calcium oxalate crystals and sodium bicarbonate to prevent cystine crystals if there is a history of kidney or urinary stones. Buy these supplements over the counter or online and follow the dosing recommendations on the label.

    Treats

    • Be very careful about the treats given to a Dalmatian. Many treats are made from animal byproducts, have a high yeast content, added salt and unnecessary fillers. Avoid table scraps as well, since high purine content and salt levels will affect the pH balance in a Dalmatian's urine.

    Prescription and Premium Diets

    • Give Dalmatians a diet recommended by your veterinarian. There are several high quality prescription diets available for dogs with urinary, renal and stone forming conditions. Read the label to check for any undesirable products to be sure that the diet is a good fit for a Dalmatian. Shop for premium foods at most pet stores and some grocery stores because many of the newer premium health pet foods do meet the human-grade protein requirements and offer a balanced healthy diet.

    Water and Exercise

    • Always have clean water available. Drinking plenty of fresh water will prevent dehydration and help dilute the urine to prevent crystal formation. Adding 3/4 cup of water to dry food just before serving will also help with hydration and make the food more palatable. Allowing plenty of opportunities for urination will also prevent urine from accumulating in the bladder.

    Call the Vet

    • Call the veterinarian immediately if there are any signs of bladder or kidney stones. Difficulty urinating, blood or gritty matter in the urine and urinating frequently but only in very small amounts are symptoms of a stone. Catching them early allows for using medication instead of surgery for treatment and prevents infections.