How to Use a Diet to Prevent Canine Struvite Bladder Stones
A poor-quality diet which contains too many alkaline foods and processed dry dog food containing low quality proteins can contribute to struvite crystals in dogs.
This type of diet causes the kidneys and bladder to work much harder than necessary.
Before dogs became domesticated to the extent they are now, raw meat and grasses were the main staple in their diet.
This natural diet which was consumed during years and years prior to domestication is exactly what your dog needs to be consuming, or as close as possible.
If you want to use diet to prevent canine struvite bladder stones, either because your dog already had stones removed or if you want to prevent the occurrence (some breeds are more susceptible) of stones, then the main bulk of the diet should be composed of chicken, beef, pork and fish; all high quality proteins.
You can add some non meat treats such as rice, yogurt, beans, eggs and cottage cheese but remember these foods are in addition to meat.
The main thing you are trying to accomplish is to not allow the pH to become alkaline.
Dogs did not evolve eating processed grains and many veterinarians have found that a diet high in grains and carbs are the principal reason for so many health issues in our pets today.
Bacterial infections can cause the pH to become alkaline, so infections in the bladder and urinary tract can also contribute to bladder stones.
Supporting a healthy urinary tract system by providing plenty of fresh water to flush the urinary tract, the above mentioned diet to prevent canine struvite bladder stones and using specialized combinations of nutritional support like uva ursi, berberis, cantharis for the bladder along with echinacea, Indian ginseng, milk thistle and dandelion for liver and immune support can help reduce bladder infections and eliminate the formation of bladder stones.
This type of diet causes the kidneys and bladder to work much harder than necessary.
Before dogs became domesticated to the extent they are now, raw meat and grasses were the main staple in their diet.
This natural diet which was consumed during years and years prior to domestication is exactly what your dog needs to be consuming, or as close as possible.
If you want to use diet to prevent canine struvite bladder stones, either because your dog already had stones removed or if you want to prevent the occurrence (some breeds are more susceptible) of stones, then the main bulk of the diet should be composed of chicken, beef, pork and fish; all high quality proteins.
You can add some non meat treats such as rice, yogurt, beans, eggs and cottage cheese but remember these foods are in addition to meat.
The main thing you are trying to accomplish is to not allow the pH to become alkaline.
Dogs did not evolve eating processed grains and many veterinarians have found that a diet high in grains and carbs are the principal reason for so many health issues in our pets today.
Bacterial infections can cause the pH to become alkaline, so infections in the bladder and urinary tract can also contribute to bladder stones.
Supporting a healthy urinary tract system by providing plenty of fresh water to flush the urinary tract, the above mentioned diet to prevent canine struvite bladder stones and using specialized combinations of nutritional support like uva ursi, berberis, cantharis for the bladder along with echinacea, Indian ginseng, milk thistle and dandelion for liver and immune support can help reduce bladder infections and eliminate the formation of bladder stones.