Low-Protein, Higher-Sodium Diet
One way to help with struvite crystals in dogs is through a low-protein diet because protein is very taxing on dogs kidneys.
Be aware that feeding dogs low protein diets does not mean they will not develop urinary tract stones. However, a few studies with cats have shown that high protein diets may increase the risk of bladder stones.
While a low protein diet isnt meant to prevent stone formation, it may speed up their dissolution in theory. The low-protein diet should be accompanied by antibiotic treatment.
Most low protein dog foods have a protein content of around 25 percent, so look for foods that have at least two times less the amount of protein, about 10-15 percent.
If you are cooking for your dog, try to stick to this percentage as well (more on this below).
Minerals to Avoid for The Prevention of Urinary Crystals
Some minerals contribute to the formation of struvite crystals in dogs. Avoiding the below-mentioned minerals is suitable for both prevention and therapy of urinary tract stones.
Note that the minerals are essential to the overall health of the dog. Thus their restriction should only be temporary and closely monitored.
Phosphorous is found in foods like eggs, milk, and fish in different amounts. Either track the quantities and adjust the diet as necessary or avoid these foods altogether.
Magnesium is mainly found in vegetables, especially in spinach and broccoli. It would help if you also avoided green beans and whole grains, at least while your dog is in therapy.
After that, include these things in moderation because they are suitable for your dogs digestion, and they will help him stay healthy. Seafood is also rich in magnesium.
Ammonia is naturally found in beef, as well as other animal proteins. It means that a low-protein diet will already decrease ammonia levels for your dog.
However, it would help if you also avoided cheeses of any kind and processed food. Dont feed your dog human food as well.
Feed Your Companion a Therapeutic Diet
Commercial therapeutic diets are the best option for reducing the development of most types of stones, says Heinze, who is board-certified in veterinary nutrition.
“Home-cooked diets are usually a second choice for dogs that can’t eat a commercial diet, rather than the first choice for stone prevention, because they can’t undergo the kinds of testing that commercial therapeutic diets do to ensure that the urine produced has the greatest chance of reducing stone risk,” she says.
Therapeutic diets work by providing less of the substances that form the stones, Su says. “Some of these diets are designed for prevention of stones, and some for dissolution of stones (and are therefore more depleted in stone formation ingredients), so make sure the pet is monitored by a veterinarian while on these diets.”
The type of diet your vet prescribes will depend on the stone. For example, “for dogs with urate and cysteine bladder stones, your vet will recommend specific lower protein therapeutic diets that promote alkaline pH and reduce intake of stone precursors,” says Larsen, who is board-certified in veterinary nutrition.
To prevent calcium oxalate stones, the prescribed diet will likely have moderate levels of protein, calcium, and phosphorous. “And it may have increased sodium chloride (to induce dilute urine) or higher fiber,” explains Dr. Joe Bartges, professor of medicine and nutrition at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia in Athens.
A cat or dog on a therapeutic diet shouldn’t be allowed to eat other foods without the permission of your vet. Dr. Susan Jeffrey, a veterinarian with Truesdell Animal Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, had a client who had been mixing a therapeutic diet with an over-the-counter diet. “The cats stones returned and he needed another surgical procedure to remove them,” she recalls.
Although your vet has the final say about which foods are appropriate, there are some general guidelines. “Avoid rawhide, pig ears, bully sticks, and other collagen-rich treats,” Larsen says. “They are not only not high enough in moisture but also provide compounds converted to oxalate by the body,” which is an obvious no-no for pets with calcium oxalate stones. Su adds, “For patients with calcium oxalate stones, make sure to avoid excess calcium (avoid dairy products, extra supplementation), and high oxalate ingredients (like spinach).” Animals with urate and cysteine stones should avoid added protein (especially from seafood and organ meat for those with urate), Larsen says.
And continued, close monitoring for symptoms of stone recurrence is vital. Dietary manipulation does not work in all cases. “Recurrence of stones, especially calcium oxalates, can occur in some patients even if they are strictly fed the appropriate therapeutic diets,” Su says.