What natural foods can I feed my dog to prevent bladder stones?

Question

Other than medicated food, what all natural foods can I feed my dog to help prevent bladder stones? I've read blueberries and whole grain wheat are good for this. Pet's info: Dog | Pug | 6 years and 2 months old

Jacqueline Nobles, DVM, DACVECC · Accepted Answer

It's is difficult to say which foods in particular because ultimately it is a question of how that food affects the pH of the urine. The acidity or alkalinity (pH) of the urine influences whether the stone constituents will remain dissolved or form stones. Some stones, such as struvite, form in alkaline urine, whereas others, including calcium oxalate stones, form in acidic urine. Depending on the type of stone (struvite vs calcium oxalate-in most cases but there are exceptions such as ammonium urate) you may want to feed a diet that decreases the pH or one that increases the pH. Furthermore, any underlying urinary tract infections must be treated as bacteria can alter the pH. In order to obtain the information needed, have your veterinarian perform a urinalysis or if your pet had surgery for bladder stones ask for the stone analysis report. As far as blueberries, I think that it is fine. However, grains may result in more of an alkaline urine which could promote further struvite stone formation.

What natural foods can I feed my dog to prevent bladder stones?

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