Not all dogs that have pee accidents in the house are dirty dogs. Canine urinary incontinence is one of the most given reasons dogs end up in animal shelters.

If your dog has any urinary tract or kidney issues, you may have to give him a special diet. Then, you can consider feeding him dry dog foods. They can help to prevent the formation of the kidney.

Depending on the serious level of urinary tract problem your dog is having, you can choose the right dog food. Let’s take a look at our article to learn about the best dog foods for urinary health.

Causes of canine urinary incontinence

There are several things that can cause urinary incontinence in dogs. It isn’t always a behavioral problem. Frequently, dogs with incontinence urinate involuntarily and are often unaware of what is happening.

Some dog incontinence issues are chronic and long-term while others are acute and short-term. An acute issue is often caused by a urinary infection in the dog. Canine urinary infections are easily treated with antibiotics.

Another acute dog urinary incontinence issue can be caused by struvite crystals forming in the dogs urine. Struvite crystals irritate the urinary tract and cause frequent urination.

Crystals can become bladder stones and a chronic issue if not treated. While your veterinarian can treat crystals, you can save money and treat the crystals yourself with a simple change to a high quality dog food.

Dog foods with a high ash content are known to cause struvite crystals. Dog foods with a high protein content can also present a problem with crystal formation. Even some high quality dog foods can present an issue.

When to seek help from your veterinarian for your dogs urinary incontinence

If a change in diet to a high quality, low protein, low ash and mineral content dog food doesn’t cure your dogs urinary incontinence, it is time to see your veterinarian. It is possible your dog has formed bladder stones. Anytime your dogs urine is cloudy or blood tinged seek help. Also, if your dog appears to be having trouble or pain while urinating you need to contact your veterinarian.

Canine incontinence drugs

Sometimes your dog may require a prescription even with a high quality diet. Even though you feed your dog the best food possible, your dog needs his “peeps pill” for a 100% cure. L

Phenylpropanolamine marketed under brand name Propalin, which improves the tone of the sphincter muscles, particularly the urethra and the bladder neck. This drug is very effective for dogs that leak urine.

Your dog frequently wake up with a small puddle near his hind end. This was obviously an issue where his muscles used to contain himself didn’t work properly. This drug strengthens those muscles.

The number one thought to keep in mind is not all dog incontinence problems are behavioral. A change in diet should be your first step in trying to tackle a dog urine issue.

If the dog incontinence continues, contact your veterinarian to have the urine sampled for issues such as a urinary infection in your dog. With a little effort, canine urinary incontinence is treatable.

Urinary Tract Issues in Dogs

First, we will learn about the types of issues that can affect your dog’s urinary tract. Here are some common types:

A Bladder, Kidney, and Urinary Tract Infection

If your dog has lower urinary tract infections, it’s important to treat it. Otherwise, it can threaten his life. You can treat these infections with antibiotics. Sometimes, a change in his diet may be a good treatment. These conditions are actually more common in females than males.

Bladder or Kidney Stones

Stones in dogs may be a result of minerals crystallizing in your dog. If he has small tones, they may pass through your pet’s urine. However, large ones can block his urinary tract. So, he may feel painful.

Kidney Failure

Your dog may get kidney failure when he ingests a toxic substance. Then, he needs treatment for comfort as well as his appetite.

Best Dog Foods for Urinary Health

1. Holistic Blend My Healthy Pet All Life Stages Dog Food

This is known as one of the best options for urinary health. It’s a hypoallergenic formula. It ensures to give your pet healthier stools and urine. Its ingredients can be able to reduce ammonia content. So, it can help to reduce the risk of bladder stones as well as urinary tract infections.

This food is made with high-quality ingredients so that your pet can feel fuller quicker. So, it’s ideal to get better digestion for urinary health.

2. Hill’s Presciption Diet u/d Urinary Care Original Dog Food

If your dog has frequent urinary tract infections, this dog food is the best option for him. The formula is formulated with added nutrients and antioxidants so they can help to promote his heart and immune system.

In addition, the food also contains calcium and proteins at low levels. Therefore, it can help to reduce the risk of developing stones in your dog’s urine.

3. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St Canine Formula

This recipe is one of the most recommendations for dogs that have urinary health problems. This dog food is highly recommended for your dog by most veterinarians.

This recipe is low in calcium and phosphorus. Its protein content is on AAFCO standards, while it can decrease the risk of crystal buildup.

In addition, this dog food is received a lot of positive reviews from customers. It can help to improve your dog’s urinary tract health quickly.

4. FirstMate Australian Lamb Meal Formula Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Diet

This food is limited in ingredients. It focuses on highly digestible hypoallergenic formula. That’s why it’s listed here as a good option for urinary tract health for dogs.

Because it is packed with limited ingredients, your dog will get less negative reactions. The main ingredient of this food is lamb meal. This ingredient is more digestible protein than other ingredients.

Also, the food contains cranberries for acidity and a superfood you can choose to promote your dog’s urinary tract health.

Plus, there is plenty of fibrous ingredients. Therefore, it can prevent your pet from the risk of mineral buildup within the bladder.

5. NutriSource Pura Vita Dry Dog Food

If you are finding a good dog food for adult dogs with urinary health issues, you can choose this recipe. It can help to promote maximum nutrient absorption. The food ensures to give your dog a balanced meal.

There are lots of fibers and carbohydrates found in this recipe. So, it helps to keep him fill for longer. It also means that you will need to feed him less when compared to other brands.

Feed your dog with smaller amounts of this food, he will make less waste. Ask your dog to drink lots of water so that the food can help to promote his urinary health.

Moreover, this recipe is also a good choice for your wallet. This dog food is made to meet your dog’s metabolic and nutritional needs.

6. Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food

This dry dog food is great for supporting your pet’s digestive health as well as his urine health. It’s packed with prebiotics, probiotics, botanicals, digestive enzymes, and natural fibers. Overall, it’s made of quality ingredients.

Because it’s formulated with lots of premium proteins sourced from fruits, veggies, and chicken, it ensures to give your pet balanced meals.

This product can be able to promote your dog’s health at all stages of his life. In addition, this food is also made to prevent your furry friend from urinary infections.

We highly recommend this option for owners who are looking for all-natural dry dog food for their dog’s urinary health.

Best Dog Foods for Struvite Crystals in Dogs

Your dog may be affected by two types of bladders, including struvite and calcium oxalate. In which, the most common one in dogs is struvite crystal. There are some points you need to keep in mind when choosing the best dog food for urinary tract health as below:

Slightly Acidic

If you choose foods with too many acidic ingredients, your dog may face too acidic urine. It’s important to choose a healthy balance of acidic ingredient. For example, you can look for foods with cranberries in the recipe.

Restricted in Protein, magnesium, and phosphorus:

You should give your dog a minimal amount of phosphorus and magnesium because they are forms of struvite crystals. Also, avoid feeding him too many proteins because this ingredient converts into ammonia known as one of the parts of struvite crystals.

Light Salt Content

The need for thirst is created by salt content. This ingredient helps to encourage your pet to drink more.

Besides your dog’s diet, your dog needs to drink plenty of water. This factor is also important to reduce the risk of developing stones. You can give your pet healthy digestion by feeding him small amounts.

How to Choose Best Food for a Dog’s Urinary Issues

Your dog may be affected directly by the foods you feed him. If there is any issue, it’s best to switch to a diet that can help support urinary well-being.

On the contrary, if he doesn’t suffer from a urinary problem, the proper dog food can also help him prevent these problems.

Nowadays, there are many different options to choose from. But, some of them may cause urinary tract problems worse due to high mineral content. For instance, dry dog foods are available in less water content.

It’s important to look for foods with ingredients that are perfect for not only optimal urinary tract but also kidney health. Here is some advice for you:

Affected Breeds

There are many certain dog breeds that can develop urolithiasis or bladder stones such as the Dachshund, basset hound, beagle. Bichon fries, bulldog, miniature poodle, Dalmatian, miniature schnauzer, Scottish terrier, cocker spaniel, Irish setter, Yorkshire terrier, Lhasa apso, and so on.

If your dog seems to be suffering from urinary tract issues, consult your vet’s suggestion about the food designed for him.

Also, mixed- dog breeds are also prone to getting urinary tract issues. In fact, middle-aged dogs are more frequently affected by bladder stones when compared to younger canines.

Prescription Diets

If you want to feed your dog dry dog foods for his urinary tract health, you need a prescription from your vet. These foods are actually low in magnesium, phosphorus, and protein compared to standard dry dog foods. Also, these foods are low in sodium. So, they can reduce high blood pressure.

Non-prescription Diets

If you worry that your dog may suffer from urinary tract issues, it’s best to feed him a non-prescription diet in order to reduce these conditions.

There are some famous dog food companies you can choose such as Purina, Iams, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Royal Canin, and Flint River Ranch.

Non-prescription diets are recommended highly for dogs with urinary tract problems because they are low in protein.

Read the Ingredients List

When you decide to feed your pet a non-prescription dry dog food, remember to check the ingredients list of products. Not all expensive dog foods are accompanied by high-quality ingredients.

Also, you should check the guaranteed analysis for the protein, sodium, purines, phosphorus, and magnesium content. Don’t choose foods with a high amount of fillers as well as chemical preservatives.

You can also find special ingredients and supplements such as spirulina, cod liver oil, or chitosan. Consider recipes with other ingredients to promote your pet’s kidney healthy such as vitamin B & E.

Beware of Inflammatory Ingredients

There are some ingredients found in dog foods that can worsen inflammation such as refined carbohydrates, grains, and high-starch ingredients. It’s best to choose a great diet with meat and vegetables.

Restrict Certain Ingredients

We suggest you choosing a diet with minimal amounts of phosphorus and magnesium since these factors can increase the formation of struvite crystals.

Focus on Moisture and Taste

For dogs with urinary tract issues, you will have to give them appealing and tasty dog foods. Also, you should look for a diet made with moisture in order to promote proper hydration.

Dry Dog Foods vs Canned Dog Foods

You can more easily store dry dog foods than canned dog foods. However, your dog can get some benefits from wet or canned dog foods if he has urinary tract issues. In fact, it’s a good idea to give your furry friend canned dog foods at least part of his diet.

You can find canned foods for urinary tract health in both prescription and non-prescription forms. The higher water content can help to reduce the risk of stone formation.

Conclusion

One of the most important things in your dog to pay attention to is urinary tract health. If your dog is stressed, it’s best to put a call into your vet. Then, your vet can help you know exactly if everything is okay.

As a pet owner, you should are always proactive in order to avoid potentially serious problems. In addition to doing besides regular vet visit, you also have to choose the dog food with urinary crystals.

A healthy diet can help your pet a lot. Once you notice your pet is suffering from urinary tract infections or bladder stones, it’s time to think about one of these foods said above. They are designed to promote a healthy urinary tract.