What to Feed a Dog With Bladder Stones

Bladder stones, also known as uroliths, develop when substances that are normally dissolved in urine form crystals that aggregate over time, eventually forming stones. These stones can grow large enough to obstruct the urethra, trapping them in the bladder and causing significant discomfort and potential complications for the dog.

Various types of bladder stones require distinct treatments. Unfortunately, once a dog has developed bladder stones, there's a high likelihood of recurrence if preventive measures are not implemented.

The Role of Diet in Managing Bladder Stones

Diet plays a crucial role in both the treatment and prevention of bladder stones. Understanding the dietary needs for a dog with bladder stones can significantly aid in their management.

Can You Use Food to Treat Dogs With Bladder Stones?

Certain bladder stones can be dissolved with special prescription diets or medications. By creating the right conditions in the urine, these stones gradually dissolve. However, other types of bladder stones require physical removal through surgery or less invasive methods like lithotripsy (using sound waves or lasers to break stones into small pieces) or urohydropropulsion (flushing out small stones using a catheter).

A veterinarian will recommend the best treatment for a dog’s bladder stones based on:

The type of stones
Their quantity and size
The dog’s overall condition

Treatment Plans Based on Type of Bladder Stone

Let's explore the different treatment options for various bladder stones.

Struvite Stones

Struvite stones, or magnesium ammonium phosphate stones, are common in dogs and are often associated with bacterial infections in the bladder. They can usually be dissolved with a combination of food and antibiotics. Dissolving struvite stones can take weeks to months, depending on their size and other factors. In some cases, surgery or other physical removal methods may be necessary.

Dietary characteristics to dissolve struvite stones include:

Reduced protein, magnesium, and phosphorus levels
Increased salt levels to promote water intake and urine dilution
Acidic urine (lower pH)

Examples of diets that dissolve struvite stones:

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO
Hill's Prescription Diet s/d or c/d Multicare
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St

Calcium Oxalate Stones

Calcium oxalate stones cannot be dissolved and must be removed surgically, through lithotripsy, or urohydropropulsion. After removal, dietary management is crucial to prevent recurrence.

Real-World Example: Max's Struvite Stones

Max, a 5-year-old Labrador Retriever, was diagnosed with struvite stones after recurrent urinary tract infections. His veterinarian prescribed a special diet, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO, and antibiotics to treat the underlying infection. Within three months, Max's stones had dissolved, and preventive measures were implemented to avoid recurrence.

Cystine Stones

Cystine stones, though less common, can usually be dissolved with appropriate diets that have:

Reduced protein levels
Low sodium
Low cystine and methionine
Alkaline urine (higher pH)

Diets that dissolve cystine stones include:

Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary UC

Real-World Example: Bella's Cystine Stones

Bella, a 4-year-old Dachshund, was found to have cystine stones. Her veterinarian recommended Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d to dissolve the stones. After several months on the diet, Bella's stones dissolved, and a maintenance diet was prescribed to prevent recurrence.

Purine Stones

Purine stones, including urate and xanthine stones, can often be dissolved with dietary changes. The diet should:

Be low in protein, particularly proteins high in purines like fish and organ meats
Be low in sodium
Promote alkaline urine

Diets used to dissolve purine stones include:

Hill's Prescription Diet u/d
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Vegetarian

Preventing Bladder Stones with Diet

Dogs that develop bladder stones are at risk of recurrence, but dietary changes can help prevent this. For instance, preventing struvite stones focuses on avoiding bladder infections, often through antibiotics and occasionally through long-term dietary changes.

For calcium oxalate stones, maintaining a diet that:

Reduces calcium levels
Avoids high-oxalate ingredients
Creates dilute, slightly alkaline urine

Real-World Example: Rocky's Calcium Oxalate Stones

Rocky, a 7-year-old Poodle, underwent surgery to remove calcium oxalate stones. Post-surgery, his veterinarian recommended Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Multicare to prevent recurrence. Rocky's urine is monitored regularly to ensure it remains dilute and slightly alkaline, reducing the risk of new stone formation.

Conclusion

Managing bladder stones in dogs requires a comprehensive approach that includes dietary changes tailored to the type of stone, potential medical treatments, and preventive measures to reduce recurrence. By working closely with a veterinarian, pet owners can ensure their dogs receive the best care to manage and prevent bladder stones, improving their quality of life.