Calcium oxalate crystals, which are crystals that develop in the kidneys and are expelled during urination, can be painful and debilitating for your dog. There is no way to dissolve crystals that already exist, and you must simply make your dog as comfortable as possible until the crystals have passed. Often, the crystals may require surgical removal. However, you can make some minor adjustments to your dog's diet, such as the ones suggested here, to prevent the formation of new calcium oxalate crystals in the future.
Things You'll Need
- Grain-based moist dog food
- Water
- Small bits of cooked turkey and chicken
- Boiled eggs
- Cooked white rice
- Cooked white popcorn
- Cooked peas
- Cooked plain white pasta
- Cooked white potatoes
- Cooked cabbage
- Cooked cauliflower
- Bananas
- Melon
Instructions
Eliminate dry kibble from your crystal-prone dog's diet. Serve him a grain-based wet food that is low in protein and sodium. Purchase food made especially for crystal-prone dogs, if it is available at your local pet supply.
Ensure that your dog has plenty of fresh, cool water each day. Along with a diet of moist food, plenty of water will help to hydrate your dog and dilute his urine, preventing crystal formations.
Avoid giving your dog cooked red meat and other hard-to-digest table foods. Give him easily-digestible foods such as cooked white rice, cooked popcorn, cooked peas, cooked plain white pasta, bits of cooked white potatoes, cooked cabbage, pieces of cooked cauliflower, banana slices, or melon chunks for an occasional treat. Feed your dog small amounts of boiled egg, plain cooked chicken or plain cooked turkey as an occasional luxury.
Avoid using medications that promote the development of calcium oxalate crystals, including, but not limited to, the cortisone-type medications (such as Prednisone). Inform your veterinarian of your dog's history of calcium oxalate crystal formations so that they can suggest medications suitable for his condition.
Have a urinalysis completed approximately every two months to be alert of any new calcium oxalate crystals. Discuss with your veterinarian the possibility of starting your dog on potassium citrate or a diuretic if the diet does not help slow or eliminate the formation of crystals to the satisfaction of all three of you.