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Dogs often develop kidney stones when excess mineral salts accumulate in their urine—substances that are typically flushed out through urine. These salts form stones in the urinary tract or kidneys. Kidney stones may also be caused by urinary tract infections, kidney infections, medications, age, diet, or breed-specific factors. Nephrolithiasis and Uroliths are the respective terms for kidney and urinary stones. After understanding the risks of kidney stones in dogs, you can take steps to help your dog prevent this condition.
Steps
Ensure your dog drinks enough water
Make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water. Water helps dilute urine, potentially dissolving the minerals that could form stones. Sufficient water intake also encourages frequent urination, which flushes minerals out of the body.
- Change your dog's water daily and clean the water bowl several times a week to prevent bacterial buildup.
Ensure your dog drinks the right amount of water each day. The amount of water a dog needs daily depends on its body weight. On average, a dog needs around 30 ml of water for every 0.5 kg of body weight. For example, a 4 kg dog should drink about 1 cup (240 ml) of water daily. A 40 kg dog would require 10 cups (2400 ml) of water each day.
- Note that active dogs, pregnant dogs, or nursing dogs require more water.
- Provide additional water when it’s hot outside. Always offer fresh, clean, cool water, especially during hot weather.
- Avoid giving ice water during cold weather. Dogs cannot hydrate sufficiently by eating snow or ice. In fact, consuming snow or ice forces the dog’s body to use more energy to melt it, which increases their water needs.
Add water to your dog's food if they aren't drinking enough water. If your dog is picky about drinking water or you're unsure they’re getting enough, you can add warm water to their food until it blends together. You can also opt for canned wet food to supplement their water intake.
- Just ensure that the water you provide is fresh and clean, even if you’re offering wet food.
Allow your dog to urinate frequently. A healthy adult dog should urinate every 6-8 hours. Smaller dogs, puppies, or dogs with urinary tract issues may need to urinate more often, at least every 4 hours.
- If you can't take your dog out to relieve itself regularly, you can create a designated outdoor spot for them to go, train your dog to use an indoor dog toilet, or hire a dog walker to take your dog out several times a day.
- Monitor your dog’s urination at least once a week. Clear, light yellow urine indicates a healthy dog. If your dog’s urine is brown or red, or if you notice abnormal urination behavior, you should take them to a vet immediately.
Control your dog's diet.
Buy high-quality dog food. Look for brands where the first ingredient listed is meat (not meat by-products), or consult your vet for advice. While a special diet to prevent kidney stones is not mandatory, ensuring your dog’s diet is balanced and nutritious is important. A dog’s nutritional needs depend on their breed, age, and other factors.
- Consult your vet if you're unsure about choosing the right food for your dog.
Follow the veterinarian's advice on dog food. If your dog is prone to urinary tract infections or has a history of kidney stones, you should follow your veterinarian's guidance on food choices. The vet will recommend a special diet (including special treatments) that helps prevent kidney stones from recurring.
- Foods high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and protein can contribute to kidney stones as they may increase the levels of minerals and protein in the urine. For dogs prone to kidney stones, a diet low in these nutrients (while still meeting nutritional needs) can help prevent stone formation and even dissolve small stones.
- There are various types of kidney stones. The most common types are Struvites (formed from magnesium-ammonium-phosphate), Calcium oxalate (formed from calcium), and Uric acid stones (often seen in Dalmatians). There are also mixed kidney stones. After analyzing the dog's urine, the veterinarian can identify the type of kidney stone and recommend the most suitable diet for your dog.
Consult a pet nutritionist if you make your dog's food at home. If you prepare homemade meals for your dog, it’s essential to consult a pet nutritionist to ensure that the diet is balanced and provides all the necessary vitamins and minerals. An imbalance of minerals (especially calcium and phosphorus) can lead to kidney issues in dogs.
- Your veterinarian can also guide you on how to meet all of your dog’s nutritional needs through a homemade diet.
Consider giving your dog urinary health supplements. These supplements are designed to help maintain your dog's urinary health. They typically contain cranberry extract, which is very beneficial for urinary tract health. Cranberries help prevent bacteria in the urine from adhering to the urinary tract lining.
- Supplements are available in the form of tablets, capsules, or chewable tablets, and they can complement your dog’s regular diet. If your dog is already ill, it’s best to consult your veterinarian before introducing supplements into their routine.
Understanding Kidney Stones
Recognize the signs and symptoms of kidney stones. In some cases, kidney stones in dogs show no obvious symptoms. They can be detected through X-rays or ultrasounds during a medical check-up. In other cases, a veterinarian will diagnose kidney stones based on the following suspicious signs:
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urination and increased thirst
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Poor appetite
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Difficulty urinating
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
Understanding the formation of kidney stones. Kidney stones form due to the accumulation of minerals in the urine. The kidneys are the organs that produce urine in the body. In some cases, minerals that should dissolve in urine do not, leading to their buildup and the formation of stones.
- These stones can be very small or large enough to fill gaps in the kidneys. Whether large or small, kidney stones are abnormal and can cause damage to the kidneys.
Learn about the dangers of kidney stones. Kidney stones can block the flow of urine in dogs and cause swelling in the kidneys if the stones are too large. Urinary blockage can lead to serious problems, even death. Therefore, if you suspect your dog has kidney stones, you should take them to the vet immediately.
- Kidney stones can invade the bladder or form within it. This process is more common, and the dog's bladder can fill with stones. Stones forming in any location cause infection and pose a threat to the kidneys or bladder.
Know which dog breeds are more prone to kidney stones. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to kidney stones than others. It's important to know if your dog belongs to one of these breeds so that you can monitor symptoms more closely.
- Lhasa Apso, Yorkshire Terrier, and Miniature Poodles are breeds more likely to develop kidney stones made from calcium and oxalic acid.
- Dalmatians, Yorkshire Terriers, and English Bulldogs are breeds prone to kidney stones formed from uric acid.
Understanding common kidney stone treatments. If you suspect your dog has kidney stones, it's important to visit the vet as soon as possible. Waiting could make the condition worse. Treatment options for kidney stones vary depending on the severity of the disease. Common treatments include medication, dietary changes, and sometimes surgery.
- If surgery is required, you will need to keep your dog hospitalized until they fully recover.
Advice
- Some dogs tend to prefer certain types of drinking bowls. Plastic bowls can sometimes irritate the skin and harbor bacteria. Ceramic or steel bowls are generally easier to clean and cause less skin irritation.
- Regular physical activity, like walking, helps improve overall body functions, including kidney health. Daily walks also provide opportunities for your dog to urinate.
- If you suspect your dog may have a urinary tract issue, collect a clean urine sample in a single-use container and take it to the vet for testing.
- Ensure that your dog drinks plenty of water. Drinking more water makes it easier for your dog to prevent kidney stones.
Warning
- If your dog hasn’t urinated within 12-24 hours, you should take them to the vet immediately.
