Food for Dogs With History of Kidney Stones

Particular breeds of dogs can be susceptible to kidney and bladder stones, which is usually due to a concentration of salts or minerals in the blood. Once the type of stone has been identified, changes in diet can help manage the condition.

  1. Types of Stones

    • There are a number of different stones that can form in the kidneys or bladder. Kidney stones, also known as "renal calculi," are most often comprised of naturally occurring minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, ammonia or phosphorus. When these minerals are not expelled correctly through the kidneys, they can build up and form painful stones.

    Causes of Stones

    • Certain dog breeds are genetically prone to kidney stones, including miniature schnauzers, dalmatians, miniature poodles, Yorkshire terriers, English bulldogs, Lhasa apsos, shih tzus, bichon frises and cocker spaniels. Stones can also be caused by genetic issues, illness (like urinary tract infections), certain medications, and dietary imbalances. Female dogs are more prone to stones due to a predisposition to urinary tract infections.

    Symptoms of Stones

    • The most common symptoms a dog will exhibit with kidney stones is blood in the urine and painful urination. Dogs may also try to urinate frequently, without success (much like symptoms a person might have with a urinary tract or kidney infection). Being cognitive of your dog's behavioral irregularities is important if you suspect something is wrong.

    Controlling With Diet

    • There are foods commercially available that are designed to encourage stones to dissolve on their own. These foods stimulate hydration and are lower in protein which dilutes the urine, helping stones dissolve easier. Additionally, these foods will have increased levels of salt, which encourages a dog to drink more water.

      For dog owners who prefer to cook their pet's food at home, recipes can be found on the link under the Resources section.

    Considerations

    • After diet modification, if symptoms or conditions do not improve within five months, the stones may so large that they require surgery to be successfully removed. Check with a veterinarian to ensure that the type of stone, as well as any underlying causes (such as urinary tract infections), will be responsive to dietary treatments.