Stones
“Urolithiasis is a general term referring to stones located anywhere within the urinary tract. Uroliths can develop in the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra and are referred to as nephroliths, ureteroliths, urocystoliths, and urethroliths, respectively. Uroliths in all animal species are composed of ~10 different minerals. Identification of the minerals in uroliths by qualitative analysis is unreliable. The type of minerals in uroliths can be readily identified by optical crystallography, infrared spectroscopy, and/or x-ray diffraction. Minerals found in uroliths have a chemical name and often a mineral or crystal name (see Table: Urolith Names). “ https://www.merckvetmanual.com/urinary-system/noninfectious-diseases-of-the-urinary-system-in-small-animals/urolithiasis-in-small-animals
Urinary Tract Problems (Dogs & Cats UTI)
“Overweight and obesity in people, dogs and cats are strongly associated with an increased risk for urinary stone formation. Overweight dogs have twice the risk for developing uroliths (Lekcharoensuk et al, 2000). Overweight cats have nearly three times the risk of calcium oxalate urolithiasis compared to lean cats (Lekcharoensuk et al, 2001).” [1]
Dispelling Myths About CaOx Uroliths
Calcium-Oxalate Cyrstals (Stones & “Leaky gut Syndrome”)
Dogs with “leaky gut syndrome” or issues with calcium-oxalate crystals potentially forming into kidney stones may need to avoid high oxalates foods; (Dr. Jean Dodds)
“opt instead for lower oxalate choices” “And, of course, feed in moderation.” [2]
Collard greens
Watercress
Cabbage
Bibb lettuce
Dino kale
AVOID if issues with calcium-oxalate cyrstals
Apples
Beans - Green beans (black beans, white beans, great northern beans, navy beans and pink beans)
Beets
Beet greens
Brown rice
Buckwheat
Corn
Cumcumber
Eggplant
Green peppers
Nuts
Peanuts
Soy
Spinach
Summer squash
Sweet potatoes
Swiss chard
Tofu
Wheat & Wheat germ
Yogurt, milk, & cheese
Struvite Crystals
“To reduce urine pH, which is the goal for most pets with struvite crystals, I recommend feeding a low-carb, grain-free, starch-free, potato-free, preferably fresh food diet. “My second choice is canned food or a dehydrated or freeze-dried diet that has been reconstituted with lots of water.” One of the best things you can do for a pet struggling to maintain a healthy urine pH is reduce the amount of carbohydrates or starches in her diet.” “When you look at the ingredient list on your pet's processed food, you'll see things like corn, wheat, rice and soy, as well as perhaps oatmeal, chickpea, sweet potato, potato and tapioca. All of those carbohydrates alkalize your pet's urine.” https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2017/07/09/struvite-stones-in-pets.aspx
'Therapeutic' Diets
Protein sources that are acidifying
Poultry meal
Corn gluten meal
Other acidifying ingredients
calcium chloride
calcium sulfate
dl-methionine
Phosphoric acid
Alkalinizing ingredients
Calcium carbonate
Potassium citrate
magnesium oxide