Six Ways to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Kidney Stones

Everyone is susceptible to kidney stones, including our beloved canines. We all know how painful kidney stones and urinary tract infections are in humans, and can only imagine a similar pain dogs experience and how much vet bills cost.

Understanding Kidney Stones

Firstly, it is important to understand what kidney stones are, how they grow, the different types, as well as what they can lead to. Kidney stones are crystal formations in the kidneys resulting from the concentration of mineral salts in the urine. The stones can form in the bladder, ureters and urethra. Kidney stones will form if the pH of the urine is too acidic or alkaline or the urine becomes too concentrated; crystals of salt will develop and form the stones. Causes may include: dehydration, urinary tract infection (UTI), increased mineral salt concentration in the urine (due to diet or UTI), or genetic predisposition.

They can grow up to 3-4 inches in length and if they are small or a piece breaks off, it can get lodged in your pet’s urethra and cause a lot of damage, and could even be fatal. The type of kidney stone can easily be determined by your vet with samples and tests.

Although kidney stones can also develop in cats, guinea pigs and most pets, dogs (especially certain breeds) are more susceptible to them. Kidney stones are likely to be found in breeds such as Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, and Miniature Poodles, Dalmatians, Yorkshire Terriers, English Bulldogs, Bichon Frisés, Miniature Schnauzers, Shih Tzus, and Cocker Spaniels.

If you believe your dog might have kidney stones, book an appointment with your vet for as soon as possible. Don’t worry – your pet will recover completely if treated correctly! Although kidney stones are often unavoidable, here are a few things you can do to prevent your dog from getting kidney stones:

1. Keep your pup hydrated

Hydration is key! Make sure all your pets always have access to fresh water. It helps dilute the urine. It also encourages frequent and regular urination, which helps flush minerals from the body. Remember to change your pets’ water at least once
a day to avoid any bacterial growth!

2. Give your pet the right amount of water

An easy way to figure out what your dog’s daily water requirement is weigh your dog and to follow this rule: 1 pound of dog = 1 ounce of water. Remember that physically active, pregnant and nursing dogs will require more. Allows give extra water to all your pets in hot weather, and make sure their bowl is never empty!

3. Add water to your dog’s food if they are not drinking enough water

Some dogs do not drink enough water and since you can’t force it down their throat, adding water to their dinner is a good alternative. Adding warm water to dry food until a stew-like texture is formed, or feeding your dog wet food can help add water to their diet.

4. Allow your dog to relieve themselves often

Dogs typically need to go to the bathroom every 6 to 8 hours on average. However, sick, small, or dogs with certain medical conditions need to go outside as often as every 4 hours. It is also important to check your dog’s urine regularly – a normal dog’s urine is diluted yellow. If your dog’s urine is brown or red or if your dog is having trouble urinating, bring your dog to the vet’s immediately.

5. Manage your dog’s nutrition

Feed your dog high-quality commercial food and ask your vet for advice on which dog foods are best for their breed, size, and any other (medical) requirements your dog may need. Your vet may also even recommend certain treats for your dog specially designed to prevent kidney stones. Check the ingredients and nutritional content of your dog’s food – foods high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and protein can cause kidney stones due to high mineral and protein content in the urine. Foods lower in these nutrients can help prevent the formation of the stones and even dissolve smaller ones.

6. Talk to your vet

Your vet can recommend you some special food and treats for urinary tract infections and kidney stones. You can also make your own home-made dog food to avoid the use of unnecessary preservatives, sodium and sugar in most commercial dog foods. Health supplements, such as cranberry extract can help prevent bacteria in the urine from latching onto the urinary tract. These supplements are usually available under pill, chewable, or capsule form.

Symptoms

Symptoms to look out for in your dog for kidney stones or urinary tract infection include:

• Blood in urine
• Frequent urination
• Recurring UTIs
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Difficulty and pain when urinating
• Painful belly
• Fever

Diagnosis and treatment

If untreated, the stones may cause acute pain, inflammation of kidneys, rupture of the bladder, blockage of the urethra, dehydration, kidney disease and other complications. It is therefore important for the vet to diagnose your pet properly. Some stones can be felt through the bladder; however, your vet will usually use ultrasound technology and may request you to bring a urine sample, which can be collected directly from the dog’s urine stream in a clean container. Your dog becomes susceptible to kidney stones in the future if they have already developed them once, which is why your pet may need to take antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, supplements, or any other treatment prescribed by your vet. Kidney stones are often removed by surgery.

Always ask your vet for their advice before changing your pet’s diet, exercise or before introducing supplements, as you may be unaware of certain medical issues your dog may be having and which may be causing further detriment.

Have any of your pets experienced kidney stones or UTIs? Let us know in the comments!