Madeleine Hull
Kidney stones in dogs are caused by an imbalance in their urine or blood, leading to a build-up of crystalline structures that develop into stones. The most common type of kidney stone in dogs is calcium oxalate. A dog's diet is crucial in the treatment and prevention of kidney stones. A veterinarian may recommend a therapeutic diet depending on the type of stone and the dog's overall health. This could include reducing the intake of nutrients that promote stone formation, such as magnesium, phosphorus, and protein, and increasing water intake to dilute urine and prevent dehydration.
Diet Characteristics that Cause Kidney Stones in Dogs
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| High Animal Protein | Contributes to the formation of calcium oxalate urolithiasis |
| High Calcium | Causes calcium oxalate stones |
| High Oxalic Acid | Causes calcium oxalate stones |
| High Vitamin C | Should be avoided when treating struvite stones |
| High Purine | Causes urate stones |
| High Plant-Derived Ingredients | Corn gluten feed, rice hulls, and soybean hulls cause silica uroliths |
| Low Water Intake | Dehydration causes kidney stones |
| High Magnesium | Causes struvite stones |
| High Phosphorus | Causes struvite stones |
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What You'll Learn
- Struvite stones are treated with low-protein, phosphorus and magnesium diets
- Calcium oxalate stones are treated with surgery, but recurrence can be prevented with diet
- Urate stones are treated with a low-protein, low-purine diet and increased water intake
- Silica stones are treated with a diet high in animal protein and low in plant-based ingredients
- A dog's diet is crucial in treating and preventing kidney stones
Struvite stones are treated with low-protein, phosphorus and magnesium diets
Struvite stones are composed of a mixture of magnesium, ammonium, phosphate, and calcium carbonate. They form as a result of infection with certain types of bacteria that can produce ammonia. In dogs, struvite stones can also be caused by a family history of struvite stones, a diet based on vegetable proteins, or distal renal tubular acidosis.
Struvite stones can be treated with a low-protein, phosphorus, and magnesium diet. Such a diet is formulated to dissolve the struvite stones. It is important to note that vitamin C should not be supplemented when treating struvite stones with this diet. The diet may also be purposefully formulated to reduce urea and acidify the dog's urine to a pH of less than 6.5.
To prevent struvite stones from recurring, it is recommended to feed dogs acidifying foods with mild to moderately reduced levels of protein, magnesium, and phosphorus. Additionally, increasing water intake can help prevent the formation of struvite stones. This can be done by adding water to dry food or feeding canned food.
It is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best diet and feeding strategy for your dog's specific needs, the type of stones they are prone to, and their overall health condition.
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Calcium oxalate stones are treated with surgery, but recurrence can be prevented with diet
Calcium oxalate stones are the second most common type of bladder stone in dogs, after struvite stones. Together, these two types of stones account for over 85% of all canine uroliths. Male, small breed dogs are overrepresented in the occurrence of calcium oxalate stones. While surgery is the only practical option for the removal of calcium oxalate stones, recurrence is common, and diet can play a role in preventing this.
Diets that are high in carbohydrates, low in phosphorus, and promote acidic urine can lead to the development of calcium oxalate stones. Disorders of calcium metabolism, such as hyperadrenocorticism or certain cancers, can also lead to high levels of calcium in the bloodstream and, subsequently, urine. Genetics also plays a role, with gene mutations identified in several breeds.
To prevent the recurrence of calcium oxalate stones, it is recommended to increase water intake and feed a diet that is low in animal protein, as this may contribute to stone formation. Dogs with calcium oxalate stones should avoid calcium supplements unless advised by a veterinarian. High oxalate foods such as nuts, rhubarb, beets, green beans, spinach, wheat, and strawberries should also be avoided, as should vitamin C supplements.
A raw or cooked, all-natural diet is recommended by some sources to prevent the recurrence of calcium oxalate stones. Processed, dehydrated foods such as kibble can cause acidic pH and highly concentrated urine, increasing the chances of stone formation. However, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best diet for your dog's specific needs and overall health condition.
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Urate stones are treated with a low-protein, low-purine diet and increased water intake
Urate stones are a common problem in certain dog breeds, such as Dalmatians, due to a genetic predisposition. These stones form when purines, which are molecules found in high concentrations in common proteins, are not broken down properly by the liver. As a result, uric acid crystals accumulate in the kidneys and bladder, leading to irritation and potentially life-threatening urinary blockages.
To treat and prevent urate stones in dogs, a low-purine and low-protein diet is recommended. This is because purines are the trigger for urate stone formation, and most high-protein foods are also high in purines. By reducing the intake of purines, even dogs with a genetic predisposition can lead normal lives. A low-purine diet typically focuses on vegetarian ingredients, as organ meats have the highest levels of purines, while vegetable and dairy-based proteins have the lowest.
One option for dog owners is to feed their pets a homemade diet that is high in protein and low in purines, such as eggs, cheese, and yogurt. This has the added benefit of increasing water intake, as fresh food contains more water than dry kibble. Increased water consumption helps to prevent stone formation by diluting the urine and reducing the levels of chemicals that promote stone formation.
Veterinary prescription diets are also available to reduce the likelihood of urate stones. These diets are formulated to be low in protein and purines, and they may be a good option for dog owners who cannot prepare homemade meals. However, it is important to consult with veterinarians to select the best diet for the specific needs of the dog, as the treatment and prevention of uroliths depend on various factors, including the type of stones and the overall health of the dog.
In addition to dietary changes, it is crucial to ensure that dogs at risk of urate stones stay well-hydrated. This can be achieved by placing multiple bowls of fresh water in different locations around the house and encouraging water consumption through strategies such as adding water to dry food or feeding canned food.
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Silica stones are treated with a diet high in animal protein and low in plant-based ingredients
While silica stones in dogs are rare and cannot be dissolved, they can be prevented with the right diet. Currently, surgery is the only practical option for removing large silica uroliths.
The best diet will depend on the specific dog’s case, but Hill's Prescription Diet Derm Complete or high-quality, grain-free canned dog foods (with a little extra water added) are often good options. It is also important to prevent dogs from eating soil or drinking water that may be high in silica, which may be associated with volcanic areas.
In addition to diet, encouraging water consumption is an essential factor in minimizing the occurrence of all types of bladder stones in dogs. Water helps to dilute the urine and increase urine flow – both of which are helpful in preventing stone formation.
The treatment and prevention of different types of uroliths in dogs depend on the creation of individualised feeding plans. These plans should be tailored to the dog’s specific needs, the type of stones they are prone to, and their overall health condition. It is crucial to consult with veterinarians to select the best diets and feeding strategies that can effectively treat and prevent the formation of stones.
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A dog's diet is crucial in treating and preventing kidney stones
For struvite stones, veterinary therapeutic diets are typically low in phosphorus and magnesium. These diets may also have reduced protein content, reducing urea and acidifying the urine. Vitamin C should be avoided with these diets. To prevent recurrence of struvite stones, feed your dog acidifying foods with moderate protein, magnesium, and phosphorus content. Increasing water intake is also recommended for preventing struvite stones.
Calcium oxalate stones cannot be treated with diet, and surgery is currently the only option for removing them. However, dietary management can prevent their recurrence. To prevent calcium oxalate stones, increase your dog's water intake and avoid foods with high levels of animal protein, calcium, oxalic acid, and vitamin C.
Urate stones can be treated by increasing water intake and feeding a low-protein, low-purine diet. To prevent urate stones, restrict purine in your dog's diet and avoid high-protein foods.
Silica stones cannot be dissolved with diet, and surgery is often necessary for large silica uroliths. However, protein plays a crucial role in managing silica stone formation. Implement moderate protein restriction, especially from plant-derived sources such as corn gluten feed, rice hulls, and soybean hulls.
In general, it is important to encourage your dog to drink water to prevent bladder stones. Feed your dog wet or fresh food, or add water to dry food. Ensure your dog's diet includes high-quality ingredients, with meat or meat meal as the first ingredient. Avoid by-products, artificial ingredients, and fillers. Cranberry extract and herbs like couch grass and marshmallow root can control infections and urinary pH. Provide essential fatty acids and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) to support urinary tract health. If your dog is on antibiotics, supplement with a high-quality probiotic to restore gut balance. Regularly test your dog's urine for crystals and pH.
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Frequently asked questions
Diets that are high in animal protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and oxalic acid can cause kidney stones in dogs.
Diets that are low in protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and oxalates can prevent kidney stones in dogs. Increasing water intake and feeding canned food can also help prevent kidney stones.
If your dog is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, it may be an indication of kidney stones: frequent urination, blood in the urine, straining to urinate, or pain during urination.
Treatments for kidney stones in dogs include prescription food or medicine, surgery, lithotripsy (using sound waves or lasers), and urohydropropulsion (inserting a catheter to flush out stones).
In addition to dietary modifications, increasing water intake, and providing supplements or herbal remedies can help prevent kidney stones in dogs. Regular veterinary check-ups and urine tests are also recommended.
