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Bladder stones in dogs form when minerals and other substances normally dissolved in urine start to crystallize and gradually bond together, eventually creating one or more solid stones.

These stones can grow large enough to become trapped in the bladder, unable to pass through the narrow urethra, causing discomfort and urinary issues.

Because different types of bladder stones require distinct treatments, and dogs that have had stones once are prone to recurrence without proper prevention, diet becomes a critical part of managing and preventing this condition. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to feed your dog when bladder stones are involved.

Can Food Help Treat Dogs With Bladder Stones?

Certain bladder stones can be effectively dissolved using specially formulated prescription diets or medications. By altering the urine’s chemical balance, these diets create an environment that slowly breaks down stones over time.

However, some bladder stones cannot be dissolved and require physical removal. This may involve surgical extraction, lithotripsy (a procedure using sound waves or lasers to fragment stones into passable pieces), or urohydropropulsion (flushing small stones out of the bladder using a catheter).

A veterinarian will tailor the treatment plan based on several factors:

• The specific type or combination of stones present
• The number and size of the stones
• The dog’s overall health and condition

Tailored Treatment Plans for Different Types of Bladder Stones

Let’s explore the most effective treatment strategies for common types of bladder stones in dogs.

Struvite Stones

Struvite stones, also known as magnesium ammonium phosphate stones, are among the most frequently seen in dogs. They often develop due to bacterial bladder infections, so treatment typically includes antibiotics alongside dietary management.

Special prescription diets can dissolve these stones within weeks to several months, depending on factors like stone size. If stones are large or symptoms severe, surgical or other physical removal methods may be necessary.

Diets designed to dissolve struvite stones feature:

• Lower levels of protein, magnesium, and phosphorus
• Higher salt content to encourage urine dilution
• Formulation to produce acidic urine (lower pH)

Recommended options include products like:

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

Calcium Oxalate Stones

Calcium oxalate stones are another common variety but, unfortunately, cannot be dissolved with diet or medications. In these cases, surgical intervention, lithotripsy, or urohydropropulsion is required to remove the stones.

Cystine Stones

Cystine stones are less common but can often be dissolved through nutritional intervention. Appropriate diets for cystine stones include:

• Reduced protein content overall
• Low sodium levels
• Limited amounts of cystine and methionine amino acids (the precursors that convert to cystine)
• Encourage alkaline urine with a higher pH

Purine Stones

Purine stones can consist of urate or xanthine. Urate stones generally respond well to dietary dissolution, and some xanthine stones do too, though not all.

If diet and medications aren’t effective, stone removal is necessary. Diets designed to dissolve purine stones typically have:

• Reduced total protein, focusing on limiting purine-rich proteins such as fish and organ meats
• Low sodium content
• Alkalizing ingredients to raise urine pH

Calcium Phosphate Stones

Calcium phosphate stones are relatively rare and usually require surgical removal as they don’t respond to dietary dissolution.

Silica Stones

Silica stones are uncommon and cannot be dissolved by diet or medicine. Physical removal via surgery, lithotripsy, or urohydropropulsion is needed.

Preventing Bladder Stones in Dogs Through Diet

Dogs who’ve developed bladder stones once are vulnerable to future episodes, but dietary changes can significantly reduce this risk. Since diet heavily influences the chemical composition of a dog’s urine, feeding specially formulated food helps minimize the minerals and compounds that lead to stone formation.

Preventing Struvite Stones

Struvite stones almost always stem from bacterial infections, so preventing infection is key. Maintaining urine that is dilute and slightly acidic can lower the chance of stones recurring, though long-term diet changes may not always be necessary.

Preventing Calcium Oxalate Stones

While diet cannot dissolve existing calcium oxalate stones, therapeutic diets help prevent new stones by:

• Reducing calcium intake
• Avoiding ingredients rich in oxalates
• Promoting dilute urine
• Maintaining slightly alkaline urine to discourage crystal formation

Suitable diets include:

• Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St
• Hills Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit

Preventing Cystine Stones

Dietary strategies that help dissolve cystine stones also serve prevention well, including low protein (especially limiting cystine and methionine), low sodium, and promoting alkaline urine.

Recommended diets involve:

• Hills Prescription Diet u/d
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary UC

Preventing Purine Stones

The same low-purine, low-protein, low-sodium, and urine-alkalizing diets used to dissolve purine stones work for preventing recurrence.

Preventing Calcium Phosphate Stones

Though no specialized diet exists for prevention, keeping urine dilute and slightly alkaline may help. Vets often recommend calcium oxalate-preventive diets for their similar urine-modifying effects.

Preventing Silica Stones

To prevent silica stones, diets high in animal protein but low in plant-based ingredients rich in silica—like corn gluten—are advised. Increasing water intake to dilute urine and maintaining a slightly alkaline pH are also important.

Common recommendations include:

• Hills Prescription Diet Derm Complete
• High-quality, grain-free canned foods with added water

Preventing dogs from consuming soil or unfiltered water, especially in volcanic areas where silica may be abundant, is also crucial.

Homemade Diets for Dogs With Bladder Stones

While home-cooked meals can be a comforting option, formulating balanced, nutritionally complete meals tailored to your dog’s bladder stone condition is complex.

Special attention must be paid to urine parameters, so collaborating closely with a veterinary nutritionist who understands your dog’s unique needs is essential. Incorrect homemade diets might worsen their condition.

How Much Water Should Dogs Prone to Bladder Stones Drink?

Hydration plays a pivotal role in preventing bladder stones. Dehydration concentrates urine, increasing the likelihood that crystals will form. Well-hydrated or even slightly overhydrated dogs tend to produce dilute urine that keeps stone-forming substances dissolved and less likely to aggregate.

To encourage hydration:

• Feed wet canned dog food or add extra water to meals
• Always provide abundant fresh, clean water for your dog to drink freely

Adding water to dry kibble can also help, but large volumes are needed to match canned food’s moisture, which can reduce a dog’s appetite and intake of essential nutrients.

Since daily water requirements vary due to activity, temperature, and individual factors, monitoring urine specific gravity (USG) offers the best insight into hydration status.

A USG below 1.020 is an excellent target for minimizing stone risk. Your veterinarian can provide a refractometer so you can check your dog’s USG at home, or perform quick, affordable tests from urine samples during vet visits.