10 Best Dog Food For Urinary Health

This is my detailed guide on what is the best dog food for urinary health in 2022.

I spent an entire day searching for the best products. I asked several of my veterinary acquaintances about the subject. We found that Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care dog food is best suited for treating urinary health problems. I also reviewed other products in my article, you might want to check them out.

I have also gathered a lot of useful information for you on the subject. I think you should read it.

It is very important that an experienced veterinarian also examines your dog’s problem.

Let’s start!

What are the best foods for dogs with Urinary Problems?

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Below you will find the best prescription and commercial dog foods. I think these products are great for supporting the urinary tract health of dogs. At the end of the section, of course, I choose my favorite. However, it is important to know that you should consult your veterinarian before making your decision.

Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care

Key features:

Controlled levels of high-quality, highly digestible protein
Reduced levels of calcium
Added taurine and high levels of L-carnitine
Added antioxidants
Promotes desirable urine pH levels

If you want a prescription special food for your dog, Hill’s is definitely one of the best brands for you. Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care is very effective for many urinary problems. If your dog has a bladder stone or a urinary tract infection, be sure to consider it.

The food is formulated with the help of veterinarians, so you can be sure that your dog will receive a balanced and healthy diet. Certain minerals are present in moderate amounts. This is a great way to prevent the formation of various stones and crystals in the urinary system.

Added taurine and L-carnitine support healthy heart function. In short, it is a perfect food for your dog with a urinary problem. However, it is a prescription food, so be sure to check with your veterinarian before purchasing.

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Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St

Key features:

Great taste
Created with the help of nutritionists, researchers, and veterinarians
Reduces the risk of urinary stone formation in dogs
Contains high-quality ingredients and healthy antioxidants
Helps dissolve existing sterile struvite stones

I also recommend this dog food for urinary tract problems. It effectively prevents the formation of struvite stones, calcium oxalate stones, or idiopathic cystitis. This is possible due to, among other things, the moderated calcium and phosphorus content.

This food not only provides a healthy and balanced diet but is also delicious. If your dog has a urinary tract infection or stones, be sure to consider this awesome product. It is also available in a canned wet form. You may want to choose this if your dog needs extra moisture.

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Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care

Key features:

Weight management and urinary care for dogs
Increased level of fiber
Controlled levels of minerals
Free of grains
Beneficial nutrition for your dog

Feel free to give this Blue Buffalo product to dogs with any type of urination problem. The recipe is perfectly balanced and helps treat urinary tract infections and prevents the formation of stones. The amount of minerals is moderated. The added L-carnitine is also beneficial for senior dogs.

It’s also a prescription meal, so be sure to check with your vet before making a final decision.

Otherwise, the product is also available in wet form. This is very important in some cases. If your dog needs more moisture, I definitely recommend the canned wet form.

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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Key features:

Suitable for dogs under 22 pounds with urinary health issues
Dilutes excess minerals
Adapted kibble size
Helps lower ion concentration in urine
Helps with urinating issues

As you can read in detail in my article, small breed dogs are more prone to urination issues. Increasing the amount of urine is a good way to prevent urinary tract infections and stones. This product does this perfectly.

As a result, the minerals found in the urine leave the body. The food is specifically made for small breeds under 22 pounds. The protein and mineral content is moderated, thus maximizing support for urinary health.

As this is also a prescription product, talk to your veterinarian before purchasing.

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Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe

Key features:

Limited ingredient recipe
Highly-digestible protein
Contains omega fatty acids and antioxidants
Made in the US
Free of grains, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives

This is the first non-prescription product on my list. The Instinct brand is deservedly popular for its high-quality food. The Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe consists exclusively of natural ingredients.

The primary source of protein is turkey, which is perfect for urination problems. Turkey liver contains useful nutrients. In addition, the product contains added vitamins and chelated minerals. Digestibility is also an added point, which is why you should definitely consider this dog food when making a choice.

Alternatively, it is also available in a canned wet form.

Check on Chewy

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FirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet

Key features:

Single source novel protein
Grain-free and gluten-free
78% protein, 22% vegetables, and 0% grains
Added blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries
Made in Canada

There are non-prescription dog foods that are suitable for maintaining urinary health. FirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet is such food. It is hypoallergenic, that is, does not contain any ingredients that would be harmful to your dog.

The ingredients guarantee the necessary nutrients and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and stones. Dog food also contains cranberry, which has been shown to be effective in urinary diseases.

Digestible fibers not only support the intestinal tract, but help in the natural absorption of minerals.

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The Honest Kitchen Chicken Recipe

Key features:

Contains real chicken, fruits, and vegetables
High in nutritional value
Free of grains, corn, wheat, soy, and sugars
No GMO ingredients
Made in the US

This dehydrated recipe is outstandingly good for non-prescription dog foods for urinary health.

Due to the dehydrated quality, the product retains all the valuable nutrients that are essential for the health of dogs. You need to add water or broth before serving.

The Honest Kitchen Chicken Recipe contains ingredients such as chicken, flaxseed, sweet potatoes, fruits and veggies. This provides not only the necessary amino acids and carbohydrates but also important vitamins and minerals.

This is a non-prescription dog food.

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Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Key features:

Great for dogs recovering from illness or injury
USDA certified organic formula
Contains Omega fatty acids
Helps maintain a healthy digestive system
Free of corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives

This dish contains minimally processed ingredients. So your dog gets all the nutrients he needs for overall health. Fresh vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. The product is just ideal for calcium and phosphorus. Therefore, it is suitable for maintaining urinary health levels in dogs. In addition, free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial ingredients.

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Best puppy food for urinary health

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Turkey Recipe

Key features:

Small kibble size for puppies
Contains chicken, turkey, salmon oil, fruits, and vegetables
A complete and balanced diet
Supports healthy growth
Contains antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals

I think now you are interested in what puppies need urinary care. Indeed, urinary conditions are very rare in puppies. However, some breeds are more prone to these diseases, so it’s a good idea to take preventative measures. The Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Turkey Recipe is the best choice for this.

Nutrients are balanced, calcium, and phosphorus content is moderated. This way, your puppy will get all the nutrients he needs for overall and urinary health. The food is grain-free, and gluten-free, meaning it does not cause digestive problems, it is easy to digest.

Check on Chewy

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Best Senior Dog Food for Urinary Health

CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula

Key features:

Protein sources are chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish meals
Includes probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids
Free of corn, wheat, and soy
Veterinarian-formulated
Added vitamins and minerals

Last but not least comes a product that is specifically suitable for senior dogs. The CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula provides your old pooch with the nutrients it needs and helps maintain a healthy weight. It also has a good effect on urinary health.

This dog food is very digestible. It contains lean proteins, fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, probiotics, and omega fatty acids. If you have an elderly dog and want to keep his urinary system healthy, be sure to consider this product.

Check on Chewy

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My pick

The list above is guaranteed to include the best dog food on the market for urinary health. I recommend each with a calm heart but check with your veterinarian before making a choice. It is important to know whether you need a prescription or non-prescription product. If so, I definitely recommend Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care. This brand is one of my favorites when it comes to prescription diets. This brand has put a lot of energy into creating a proper urinary care diet for dogs. By the way, all my veterinarian acquaintances have recommended these products.

Click here to get one from Chewy.

Finding the best diet for your dog is not easy. You have to consider several aspects, e.g., activity, breed, age, health condition, etc. If you want to make the best decision possible, check out my comprehensive guide on how to choose the best dog food.

More about urinary health in dogs

Peeing is a completely natural habit in dogs. However, if you notice any change in your dog’s habit, you may want to take him to a vet. There may be several reasons why urinary tract health is compromised. These are the following:

Kidney or bladder stones: In some cases, the minerals in the urine can crystallize in the urinary tract and form stones. The size of these stones varies. There are small ones that can be excreted in the urine. However, there can be larger stones that cause significant pain and block the urinary tract.
Other kidney or bladder issues: There are other kidney and bladder problems. These include ureteral stones, urinary calculus disease, urinary calculi, and urolithiasis.
Infections: Urinary tract infections (especially lower urinary tract infections) are common in dogs, especially females. These problems can also lead to more severe kidney infections if left untreated.
Kidney failure: There can be several reasons for kidney failure. One such reason is the ingestion of some toxic substance (e.g. antifreeze). Kidney failure produces symptoms of urination.
Incontinence: In older dogs, the urethral sphincter does not always work well. This can lead to incontinence, which of course causes frequent urination.

It is important to note that urination habits can vary from dog to dog. Habits may change with age (e.g., incontinence). So discrepancies do not necessarily indicate that there is a problem. It is safest to visit your veterinarian in such cases. He will be able to pinpoint the problem.

However, there are warning signs that may suggest that there are some issues with your dog’s urinary tract:

Much more frequent urination
Change in water consumption patterns
Bloody urine
Painful or difficulty urinating
Restlessness
Frequent genital licking
Incontinence
Lower back pain
Lack of energy
Urinating anywhere
Stinky urine

Basically, any breed can develop urinary health problems. However, for some breeds, these problems are more common. Male dogs are less prone to these, but because of their anatomy, these diseases are more dangerous to them.

Female small-breed dogs between 4 and 8 years of age are most prone to urinary health problems. In addition, these types of diseases also occur in German Shepherds, Bulldogs, and Dalmatians.

Does diet play an important role in the urinary health of dogs?

In short, yes, but I would like to explain this in more detail.

Your veterinarian can very easily diagnose you if there is a problem with your dog’s urinary health. There are different ways to deal with different issues. Infections are usually treated with antibiotics. Bladder or kidney stones may even require surgery.

There are several types of urinary stones. The most common of these are struvite crystals and calcium oxalate. The former is formed in alkaline and the latter in acidic urine.

In the past, struvite crystals were quite common in pets. In response, pet food manufacturers began to develop acidifying diets. However, this resulted in an increased number of cases of calcium oxalate due to increased acidity of the urine in pets.

The best thing to do is to choose a slightly acidic diet for your dog. This keeps the pH of the urine at an appropriate level and controls the formation of the two crystal types.

If your dog has any urinary health issues, see your veterinarian immediately. In addition to the necessary treatment, he may also suggest dietary changes.

How to choose the best dog food for urinary health?

Ingredients

Avoid potentially inflammatory ingredients. These include artificial chemicals, preservatives, additives, fillers, and sometimes grains. Fruits containing vitamin C and antioxidants, such as cranberries, have been shown to be effective in some urinary tract infections. They can help rebalance the urine’s pH in your dog. It is important to point out that vitamin C intake should be reduced in the case of stones. This is because this vitamin is not good for these problems.

Minerals

Certain minerals can contribute to the formation of bladder and urinary tract stones. Examples are magnesium and phosphorus. It is better to avoid foods that contain too much of these minerals. It is also worth knowing that too much and too little calcium can lead to the formation of calcium oxalate stones.

What ingredients are worth including?

There are ingredients that support the overall health of the urinary system. Cranberries have a very good effect on the health of the urinary system. (Remember, in some cases, a lot of vitamin C is not good.) Also, good ingredients are vitamins B and E, cod liver oil, and chitosan.

Based on the above, you already know some principles. Find a healthy, balanced dog food with limited natural ingredients. Ingredients should include real animal protein, whole grains or vegetables, and essential fatty acids.

What about Prescription vs. Non-Prescription foods?

Most dog food on my list is prescription. This is no coincidence, as these have been developed specifically for urinary tract issues. The ingredients in these foods are formulated to support the urinary system. They are low in protein, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, and harmful ingredients. So these products are necessary if there is a problem.

In contrast, you should choose non-prescription products for prevention. If you have a small-breed dog that is prone to urinary health problems, be sure to consider these.

Frequently asked questions about the best dog food for urinary health

What dog food is good for urinary problems?

So-called pH-neutral diets help keep the urine from having too high or too low a pH. High meat content acidifies, vegetables alkalize urine. Strive to provide your dog with a balanced diet. Keep the amount of minerals low.

Does dry dog food cause urinary problems?

If you avoid problematic ingredients, your dog’s food should not cause urinary problems.

Why is my little dog peeing so much?

Frequent urination in many cases indicates some health problems in dogs. Such problems may include bladder stones, bladder infection, kidney disease, bladder disease, liver disease or diabetes.

Is wet food better for my dog’s urinary health?

Due to the higher moisture content and less processing, wet dog food is better for urinary health. However, you should be aware that this is not always the case. Only choose products from high-quality brands.

What supplements are good for my dog’s urinary health?

There are many types of supplements for different urinary problems. If the problem is caused by inflammation or infection, you may want to choose antibiotics or anti-inflammatory supplements. Cranberry products are also helpful for urinary problems. Talk to your veterinarian before using different supplements.

Can I give my dog medicines to improve urine health?

The causes of urinary health issues can be many. Proper treatment depends on these reasons. Never give your dog medicine without a diagnosis, prescription, or permission from your veterinarian.

How can I tell if my dog has a urinary tract infection?

There are unusual urination habits that indicate a urinary tract infection. Examples include increased frequency, straining, and crying or whining. Frequent licking of the genitals can also be a sign. There are also more severe symptoms such as bloody urine.

How can I tell if my dog has bladder stones?

Straining, difficulty in urination, or urinating too often can be a common symptom of bladder stones. Symptoms may include vomiting and loss of appetite.

Can a dog die from urinary diseases?

Untreated urinary problems can lead to more serious conditions. Infections can spread to the kidneys, and this can even be life-threatening for dogs.

Click Here To Find More Dog Food Guides By Health Issues

Resources for this article:

10 best dog food for urinary health – Reviews, buying guide, and nutrition tips

What are the best foods for dogs with Urinary Problems?