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“Diet management plays a crucial role in preventing urinary stones.”
Urinary stones in dogs are known to cause severe pain, leading pet owners to seek foods that promote kidney and bladder health.
Kim Ji Hyun, director of VIP Animal Medical Center in Dongdaemun, Seoul, South Korea, emphasized the importance of diet management, warning, “Foods that pet owners think prevent stones can actually contribute to their formation.”
According to VIP Animal Medical Center, urinary stones typically form when minerals accumulate in the urine, clustering in the kidneys, bladder, or urinary tract.
The condition can coincide with bacterial cystitis or increased urine retention. Moreover, behaviors such as a dog holding urine or insufficient water intake significantly increase the risk of urinary stone development.
If a dog attempts to urinate but cannot produce urine, has a distended abdomen, or seems restless near the bathroom, these could be signs of urinary stones. In severe cases, the dog may vocalize due to pain.
Common symptoms of the condition include blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, accidents while urinating, abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Managing urinary stones is crucial due to their high recurrence rate.
Maintaining basic hygiene and cleanliness around the genital area is essential to prevent cystitis.
Ensuring sufficient water intake is also crucial. Providing wet food or soaking dry food in water can help dogs consume approximately 50 to 60 milliliters of water per kilogram of body weight daily.
The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine stresses the importance of dietary management in preventing urinary stones.
Vegetables like carrots and broccoli, fruits such as strawberries, tangerines, peaches, pears, and kiwis, and staple foods like sweet potatoes, potatoes, and beans should be cautiously approached.
Kim commented, “I often see pet owners who, out of sympathy for their dogs eating solely prescription food, incorporate meat or vegetables. However, this practice can contribute to stone formation, so caution is necessary.”
She added, “I frequently encounter guardians who believe cranberry juice, in particular, benefits the bladder and substitutes it for water. However, it is actually one of the foods that can contribute to stone formation. There is not a specific food that is beneficial for stones.”
To treat your dog, consider offering small amounts (less than 30g) of unsweetened yogurt, unprocessed cheese, peeled apples, watermelon, melon, or zucchini.
However, when introducing these foods, it’s essential to regularly conduct urine tests to monitor for stone recurrence after adding each ingredient.
Urinary stones can often be treated non-invasively if detected early through consistent management and regular check-ups.
Kim highlighted, “Laser lithotripsy offers significant advantages in the rapid and safe removal of stones. If a minimally invasive method for stone removal is available, I recommend prioritizing its consideration.”