There are many different canine diets being sold in the high street, as well as prescription diets… but which dogs should be on which? Remember that every dog is different and different diets will suit different dogs better than others.
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What are urinary diets?
Urinary diets should be used when your veterinary professionals suggest them to help support your dog’s kidneys and bladder function. The kidney and bladder form part of the urinary tract and their job is to help excrete toxins and metabolites (broken down nutrients and body waste products). If your pet has had a recurring urinary tract disease such as urinary tract infections, crystals and/or stones, and relevant tests have been performed, special diets can be recommended to help reduce the risk of the problem recurring. This will usually mean fewer trips to the vets and less long-term medication.
Urinary diets come in wet and dry form. There are many different brands of urinary food too, meaning if your pet does not take to one brand, you can try another. Be sure to gradually change their diet though; sudden changes to a dog’s diet can result in gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea.
Why are they needed?
Your pet will have had a thorough medical work up prior to a urinary diet being recommended. This work up will have included a urinalysis, looking at the pH of the urine, as well as analysing any cells including bacteria present. Crystals may be identified using microscopy and, as they get larger, they may form stones.
Both bacterial infections and crystals can cause inflammation of the urinary tract, or cystitis. This affects the ability to urinate comfortably and, in severe cases, the bladder can become blocked. Being aware of the components and characteristics of the urine is important in choosing a diet which will help to neutralise the problem.
For example, dogs with alkaline urine are more likely to develop struvite crystals, so opting for a diet which will make the urine more neutral and dissolve struvite crystals is beneficial. Contrastingly, acidic urine is more likely to create calcium oxalate crystals. There are different diets used to treat different problems. These diets are supported by scientific data and research.
What are the signs of urinary problems?
Bacterial infections and crystals within the kidneys or bladder present with similar clinical signs. These signs include blood in the urine, straining to urinate, changes in frequency of urination, changes in the timings of their urination, changes in the colour of urine and changes in drinking habits. These problems can be congenital, weight related, diet related or due to progressive disease.
Can a urinary diet cure the problem?
Even whilst on a special diet, recurring urinary tract problems may still occur, meaning additional medications are sometimes also needed. You will need to keep in contact with your veterinary professionals and book for a veterinary consultation should your pet have any clinical signs associated with their urine.
Seeing your pet strain to urinate should not be overlooked. It is a medical emergency. A ruptured or blocked bladder needs urgent medical help and could lead to an invasive surgery into the bladder to remove the blockage. While this is more common in cats, it can also happen in dogs.
With any cystitis or urinary disease, we recommend you collect a urine sample in a clean pot, if possible, prior to your appointment, so a urinalysis can be performed quickly. In some cases, there may be kidney involvement and therefore a blood test may be necessary too. Unfortunately, problems such as bladder tumours cause similar symptoms and therefore, ultrasound scanning of the bladder may be suggested too.
Even if it isn’t a cure, medication quantity and dosage may be reduced if you follow a suitable diet strictly
If your dog has been told to go on a specific diet by a veterinary professional, we strongly recommend that you stick to this diet. You should avoid giving treats as this could reverse progress you have made. Your pet is likely to be on this diet for a long period of time, so keep your eyes peeled for any bulk buy discount codes or speak to your veterinary practice to see if they have any specific deals with different brands.
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