Diets to prevent or treat bladder stones are vastly different depending on the type of bladder stone present. It is very important to follow a few general guidelines when dealing with stones. A diet for a dog who is prone to “uroliths” needs to be 70 % water. This means either canned food, wetting dry food or home cooking and adding broths and soups. Be sure your veterinarian approves or recommends a diet because if the diet is not right the stone may come back. It is very important to encourage lots of water drinking as this dilutes the urine, flushes out the crystals and helps prevent infrection.

Struvite bladder stones can be considered the “infection” stone and in general you want the dog’s urine to be acidic, to prevent the formation of these stones. There are 3 commercial diets available that will dissolve struvite stones. Ask your vet to recommend one. A holistic veterinarian may be able to formulate a balanced, homemade diet to prevent this condition. Cranberry juice or extract may be recommended to acidify the diet to prevent infection. Raw diets tend to be high in acidic foods which are good to help prevent struvite stones.

Treats and foods to avoid for dogs who have struvite stones are listed here:

Meats: Poultry and Eggs

Fruits and Vegetables: Cabbage, Cauliflower, Mushrooms, Peas, Radishes, White Potatoes, Bananas, Melons, Plums

Grains etc: Macaroni, Rice and Spaghetti

Calcium oxalate stones are more difficult to treat and do not need an infection to start. Dietary treatment of these stones is also very strict. Canned food or homemade are the best for these dogs too.

Treats and foods to avoid with these dogs are:

Meats: Bologna or processed meat, Salmon, Herring , Oysters, Sardines

Fruits and Vegetables: all with the exception of cauliflower, bananas, melon and white potatoes, all citrus fruit

Grains: Cornmeal

Along with a good diet these dogs need proper Omega 3 fatty acids and probiotics. These help balance the body.

It is very important that you consult a veterinarian before you try to formulate a diet on your own for a dog with bladder stones. When properly managed this condition does not have to cause problems for your dog.