Stones

“Urolithiasis is a general term referring to stones located anywhere within the urinary tract. Uroliths can develop in the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra and are referred to as nephroliths, ureteroliths, urocystoliths, and urethroliths, respectively. Uroliths in all animal species are composed of ~10 different minerals. Identification of the minerals in uroliths by qualitative analysis is unreliable. The type of minerals in uroliths can be readily identified by optical crystallography, infrared spectroscopy, and/or x-ray diffraction. Minerals found in uroliths have a chemical name and often a mineral or crystal name (see Table: Urolith Names). “ https://www.merckvetmanual.com/urinary-system/noninfectious-diseases-of-the-urinary-system-in-small-animals/urolithiasis-in-small-animals

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/urinary-system/noninfectious-diseases-of-the-urinary-system-in-small-animals/urolithiasis-in-small-animals#v3296008

Urinary Tract Problems (Dogs & Cats UTI)

“Overweight and obesity in people, dogs and cats are strongly associated with an increased risk for urinary stone formation. Overweight dogs have twice the risk for developing uroliths (Lekcharoensuk et al, 2000). Overweight cats have nearly three times the risk of calcium oxalate urolithiasis compared to lean cats (Lekcharoensuk et al, 2001).” [1]

Dispelling Myths About CaOx Uroliths

Calcium-Oxalate Cyrstals (Stones & “Leaky gut Syndrome”)

Dogs with “leaky gut syndrome” or issues with calcium-oxalate crystals potentially forming into kidney stones may need to avoid high oxalates foods; (Dr. Jean Dodds)

“opt instead for lower oxalate choices” “And, of course, feed in moderation.” [2]

  • Collard greens

  • Watercress

  • Cabbage

  • Bibb lettuce

  • Dino kale

AVOID if issues with calcium-oxalate cyrstals

  • Apples

  • Beans - Green beans (black beans, white beans, great northern beans, navy beans and pink beans)

  • Beets

  • Beet greens

  • Brown rice

  • Buckwheat

  • Corn

  • Cumcumber

  • Eggplant

  • Green peppers

  • Nuts

  • Peanuts

  • Soy

  • Spinach

  • Summer squash

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Swiss chard

  • Tofu

  • Wheat & Wheat germ

  • Yogurt, milk, & cheese

Struvite Crystals

“To reduce urine pH, which is the goal for most pets with struvite crystals, I recommend feeding a low-carb, grain-free, starch-free, potato-free, preferably fresh food diet. “My second choice is canned food or a dehydrated or freeze-dried diet that has been reconstituted with lots of water.” One of the best things you can do for a pet struggling to maintain a healthy urine pH is reduce the amount of carbohydrates or starches in her diet.” “When you look at the ingredient list on your pet's processed food, you'll see things like corn, wheat, rice and soy, as well as perhaps oatmeal, chickpea, sweet potato, potato and tapioca. All of those carbohydrates alkalize your pet's urine.” https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2017/07/09/struvite-stones-in-pets.aspx

'Therapeutic' Diets

Protein sources that are acidifying

  • Poultry meal

  • Corn gluten meal

Other acidifying ingredients

  • calcium chloride

  • calcium sulfate

  • dl-methionine

  • Phosphoric acid

Alkalinizing ingredients

  • Calcium carbonate

  • Potassium citrate

  • magnesium oxide

Diets For Dogs With Bladder Stones