The best dog food for urinary health is Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets For Urinary Health.
We know how you dote on your fur-baby, and how it must pain you to watch it go through urinary disorders. Worry not – with the right care, canine Urinary Tract Infection is completely curable. Our pick of the best dog food for urinary health will make bladder stones seem like a piddling issue. Pun intended!
#1 Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets For Urinary Health
- Twelve (12) 13.3 oz. Cans - Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St Canine Formula Wet Dog Food
- Promotes a urinary environment unfavorable to the development of both sterile struvite* and calcium oxalate crystals
- Helps dissolve sterile struvite stones*
Made in collaboration with nutritionists, researchers and veterinarians, this incomparable dog food is chock full of high value ingredients. No wonder most users report instant improvement in urine quality after consumption!
Calcium oxalate and Struvite crystals are the nasties that form when your dog’s urine is either too concentrated or too pH-imbalanced. Purina’s unique formula creates a urinary environment with balanced acidity levels that is unfavorable to the formation of both kinds of crystals.
What’s more, it helps dissolve sterile Struvite stones (cases of non-sterile stones require further treatment with antibiotics). Continued adherence to this dog food for urinary health will also prevent recurrence of bladder stones.
Not to be left behind in other departments, Purina comes loaded with antioxidants and top quality proteins. Its delectable taste can make even the fastidious pet fall in love with it!
Purina makes it to the top spot on our list because of the sheer amount of painstaking research that has gone into its creation. It is made only with top-of-the-shelf ingredients that are optimized for health as well as taste – because there’s no point buying the best kibble that your dog won’t eat. We guarantee Purina is the last product you’ll ever need to buy for your furry friend’s urinary condition!
Pros
- Balances urine pH levels.
- Helps dissolve sterile Struvite stones.
- Rich in proteins and antioxidants.
- Wet formula is easier to masticate.
- Tastes delicious to dogs!
Cons
This product emerges as our top pick because the ingredients are carefully selected and formulated to prevent the formation of sterile struvite and calcium oxalate crystals for a healthy urinary tract, and not to forget, it is also packed with a great flavor that dogs love.
#2 Hill’s Prescription Diet C/D Multicare Urinary Care Dry Dog Food
- Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food is specially formulated by Hill’s...
- Enriched with antioxidants, potassium citrate and omega-3 fatty acids
- Formulated to help dissolve struvite stones
Medical research tells us that dogs with a history of urinary stones must avoid excessive mineral intake. That’s because dietary minerals can sometimes encourage formation of more and larger sized uroliths. Ugh. Hill’s Prescription Diet boasts the perfect balance of minerals for strong bones, but no urinary stones!
Hill’s S+OXSHIELD™ formula is specially formulated to dissolve Struvite crystals. It also creates a pH balanced urinary environment that prevents recurrence of painful bladder stones. Isn’t that impressive?
This dog food is further enriched with antioxidants, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids to fend off all nutritional deficiencies. Pick up a bag of Hill’s Prescription Diet to keep Fido healthy and spunky throughout its adult life!
Are you looking for the best diet for your beloved dog without burning a can-sized hole in your wallet? Let your search end with Hill’s Prescription Diet C/D Multicare Urinary Care Dry Dog Food. Beloved by many pet-parents, it combines cutting edge research with down-to-earth affordability. Your budget needn’t hurt your pet, right?
Pros
- Delivers essential minerals without over-mineralizing your dog’s delicate system.
- Specially developed S+OXSHIELD™ formula dissolves Struvite crystals.
- Enriched with several essential nutrients.
- Offers maximum bang for your buck in terms of price versus value.
Cons
#3 Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Urinary SO Dry Dog Food
- Royal Canin Urinary SO is a veterinary-exclusive dry dog food for dogs with urinary health concerns
- Helps dissolve pure struvite stones and helps prevent calcium oxalate stones
- Lowers the risk of crystal formation using RSS methodology for bladder health
A 20-lb can of Royal Canin Urinary SO for Dogs punches far above its weight. It primarily assists in dissolving pure Struvite stones and inhibits the growth of calcium oxalate stones within the bladder. Made with chicken fat and fish oils, it has a gelatinous consistency and taste that dogs will love.
This dog food for urinary health contains therapeutic levels of sodium, which fans thirst and naturally induces your dog to drink more water, thereby diluting urine. Lowered levels of magnesium, calcium and oxalate prevent the formation of uroliths, while omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in internal organs.
Royal Canin’s preferred preservative is marigold extract – nature’s very own germicide. Oh, and it can dissolve pure Struvite uroliths as if they never even existed. Impressed? We bet!
Pros
- Dissolving Struvite stones and inhibits the growth of calcium oxalate.
- Increases thirst and dilutes urine.
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids.
- Preserved naturally using marigold extract.
Cons
#4 Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Dry Dog Food For Urinary Health
- Hill's Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care Dry Dog Food is specially formulated by Hill’s nutritionists and...
- Reduces risk of urate and cystine stones
- Controlled levels of high-quality, highly digestible protein with low sodium and calcium help reduce the risk of...
Like other urinary health dog foods, it too has carefully controlled levels of minerals to prevent further formation of bladder stones.
Flaxseed is its natural source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s, while beetroot pulp gives your pet a healthy dose of natural fibre through veggies. The highly digestible protein content keeps your dog full and healthy.
This dog food for urinary health is further enriched with Taurine and L-carnitine to promote healthy heart function. Talk about giving your furry buddy a healthy all-round diet!
This dry dog food boasts an extra boost of antioxidants that increases immunity and improves urinary health. It keeps Fido fighting fit – from the cellular level up!
Pros
- Carefully controlled mineral levels.
- Enriched with antioxidants, Taurine and L-carnitine.
- Contains flaxseed and beetroot pulp.
Cons
#5 Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Urinary Care For Dogs
- HEALTHY WEIGHT DOG FOOD WITH URINARY CARE: BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care dry dog...
- STARTS WITH PROTEIN-RICH CHICKEN: This wholesome weight control dog food features real chicken, a high-quality protein,...
- NATURAL DOG FOOD: Made with the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, this...
Its unique grain-free, low mineral formulation combines the best of both worlds… and anyway, you would want the very best for your four-legged family member, wouldn’t you?
Blue Buffalo dog food is loaded with vegetables like peas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, alfalfa, garlic, turmeric, parsley and kelp to provide a boost of fibre and complex carbohydrates. Chicken and turkey are its main sources of protein.
On this wholesome diet, Fido will feel full all day, while getting all essential nutrients.
Blue Buffalo understands that sometimes urinary tract problem isn’t the only health problem your pet is struggling with. So, this is the best dry dog food for dogs that have weight as well as urinary health issues.
Pros
- Low on minerals to prevent bladder stones.
- Grain-free formula for weight control.
- Made with lean chicken and turkey meats.
- Loaded with hearty vegetables.
Cons
#6 Firstmate Australian Lamb Dog Food For Urinary Health
- This formula uses lamb meal as a single meat protein
- Grain and gluten-free formula is ideal for everyday feeding
- Perfect pet food to feed dogs with sensitivities or allergies
So, we know who your first mate is. And we’re committed to making sure it gets the best dog food that money can buy!
Firstmate Australian Lamb Dog Food gets most of its protein content from hearty grass-fed lamb meal. It has a grain-free and gluten-free formula (pea-free too!) that is perfect for pets with food sensitivities or allergies. The tiny dog food size means it can easily fit into the mouths of smaller dogs.
Fruits such as blueberries, raspberries and cranberries add a boost of flavor guaranteed to please even the pickiest of pets. Not forgetting the fact that cranberries are great for urinary health too!
Pros
- Made with grass-fed, free-range lamb meat and lots of fruit.
- Free of gluten, grains and peas.
- Great option for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
- Contains cranberries for bladder health.
Cons
#7 Addiction Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food For Urinary Health
- Great price for value: Made with meat as the number 1 ingredient, perfect for adding flavor to your dog’s food. Get...
- Flavorful and nutritious: Lean, high-quality game meat with a bold flavor. Enriched with nutrient-rich superfoods like...
- Convenient and safe alternative to raw food: Combines the nutritional goodness of raw food with the safety and...
Just when we thought our list of wholesome and hearty dog foods for urinary health couldn’t get any more distinguished, this divine dog food popped onto our radar.
Made with chunky, free-range venison from New Zealand’s endless pastures, its list of ingredients is a treat to behold.
Oh, and it is enriched with cranberries for better bladder health. Other fruits and veggies include papayas, potatoes, spinach, tapioca and carrots. Can you imagine the boost of vitality Fido would get on this exceptional dog food for their urinary health?
Pros
- Made with premium New-Zealand venison.
- Zero farmed chicken, beef or lamb.
- Enriched with cranberries.
- Free from grains, artificial colors and flavors.
Cons
Dog Food For Urinary Health Buying Guide
As a conscientious pet-parent, you get your little tyke the best food that money can buy, based on its breed and age. You’ve spent hours watching the best dog training videos, reading up on canine behavior and researching the best dog products – and more hours playing, socializing and training your darling. Clean bowls? Check. Fresh water? Check. Long walks? Check. Cuddles? Checkmate!
You also keep a close eye on its urine and stools… And that’s why you were quick to notice the first signs of canine urinary disease and a weakening urinary health. Your carefully trained fur-baby started having frequent urinary accidents indoors (looking adorably guilty as it wet your carpet).
Perhaps you noticed it straining hard, only to pass a tiny quantity of discolored, foul-smelling urine. Or maybe you saw traces of blood in its urine and panicked.
Here are some common conundrums that torment the unwary pet-parent:
What Is Canine Urolithiasis, And Why Do Good Dogs Get It?
Urolithiasis (a.k.a. Urinary Tract Infection, henceforth called UTI) is just your vet’s fancy science-y lingo for crystals in your dog’s urinary tract. These nasty beasties tend to form whenever Rover’s urine becomes too concentrated or unbalanced levels of acidity and alkalinity. Crystals are mostly of two kinds – calcium oxalate and Struvite stones. Both can be a source of pain, irritation or complete urinary blockage. The last is a medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary treatment.
Causes Of Urinary Tract Infection
- General lifestyle factors like reduced water intake, lack of exercise or inability to urinate whenever necessary (as in the case of an apartment dwelling dog).
- An over-mineralized diet is the most common cause of Urinary Tract Infection. While magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium are essential (in moderate quantities) for bone and coat health, extra minerals are extruded from urine, where they can condense into painful stones.
- Bacterial infections are another leading cause of Urinary Tract Infection and bladder stones. More than just a therapeutic diet, this requires a full course of antibiotics.
- Miniature breed dogs are more susceptible to Urinary Tract Infection. Plus, a narrower urethra means that they are more likely to suffer from dangerous complications related to bladder stones. Among larger breeds, Bulldogs, Dalmatians and Yorkshire Terriers are reported to have a higher propensity for developing Urinary Tract Infection.
- While both male and female canines may get urinary stones, males are rather more likely to suffer from painful or life-threatening urethral obstructions – thanks to a longer urethra. Females (especially those who have recently whelped) may develop temporary urinary incontinence.
Common Symptoms Of Canine Urinary Tract Infection
- Excessive straining while urinating.
- Decreased urine flow.
- Frequent attempts to urinate.
- Urinating in unusual places.
- Incontinence – an inability to hold their urine for any length of time.
- Licking the genital area. While dogs normally lick their external genitalia while grooming themselves, constant licking should be noted by an alert owner.
- Foul smelling, cloudy or discolored urine – indicating an infection.
- Blood in urine. This one in particular means that your pet has abrasive urinary stones. Make an appointment with your vet immediately.
- Lack of appetite or interest should be seen as a sign of general discomfort or illness.
What’s So Special About Dog Foods That Are Created Especially To Address Canine Urinary Tract Infection?
These formulated foods contain a highly controlled quantity of minerals. Enough, so as not to disrupt regular bodily functions. Not too much, or it might condense and form bladder stones. Many brands combine healthy ingredients (such as whole vegetables and boneless meats) in ideal proportions for maximum urinary health. Medicated foods can dissolve existing Struvite stones and keep urine at the ideal pH level to prevent formation of new stones.
We believe that canned wet foods are better than dry foods because of the higher moisture content. But depending on your pet’s needs and on your budget; your vet might recommend wet food, dry food or a mixture of the two.
What Else Do I Need To Know About Dog Foods For Urinary Health?
Firstly, these dog food varieties must only be taken under a qualified veterinarian’s prescription. So don’t let Guru Google be your only source of information… and DO NOT self-medicate! Many foods formulated to address specific health issues can have serious side effects if taken regularly by dogs that don’t have those very health concerns. Other questions you need to ask your vet are – how long a particular variety of dog food for urinary health must be taken, and in what proportion wet and dry foods are to be blended. Don’t forget the course of antibiotics, especially if an initial check-up reveals non-sterile stones.
Secondly, do your research. Read labels, ingredients and product reviews. Oh… Scratch that out! We’ve already compiled the best rated prescription dog foods to keep Rover healthy and spunky!
Are There Any Home Remedies For Canine Urinary Tract Infection?
You bet! While we’d never suggest giving vet-recommended dog food a pass, there are several things you can do at home to ease symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection and prevent relapses.
- Ensure all-day availability of clean, fresh water for your pet. Food and water bowls should be washed after each use.
- Arrange frequent pee-breaks distributed evenly through the day. This is especially true if you live in a relatively confined indoor space, like a high-rise apartment.
- Ignore the puppy-dog eyes and avoid giving Fido table scraps! They’re usually high in salt, sugar or fats – the perfect formula for a number of urinary health issues including Urinary Tract Infection.
- For snacking in-between meals, pick high-quality whole foods, especially raw foods. They should also be low in inflammatory ingredients like refined carbohydrates and starches. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are naturally anti-inflammatory. Plus, natural fiber and probiotics are great for digestive health. Crunchy carrot sticks, anybody? Woof woof!
Final Thoughts
Thanks to our dedicated veterinary nutritionists and researchers, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to picking the best food for our pets’ urinary issues. We need a diet that is pH balanced and provides all essential nutrients without being over-mineralized.
Plus, Rover wants it yummy… or Rover will turn his bowl over. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Ur Urinary Ox/St Canine Formula Wet Dog Food checks all these boxes (and a few more) to arrive at the top of our recommended list. Canned packaging ensures maximum moisture, flavor and nutrient retention, while minimizing spoilage. Happy buying!
