Which dogs are at risk of urinary problems?
Although all dogs have the potential to develop urinary problems, some breeds are predisposed to these problems. Smaller breeds can be at a higher risk of forming certain types of stones, in part because they drink less water, have more concentrated urine and urinate less frequently than bigger dogs.
Dalmatians have a genetic mutation that affects protein processing in their body, putting them at risk of urate stones. English Bulldogs and several other breeds can also be affected by this mutation. Alongside this, if your dog is overweight, it’s more likely to develop calcium oxalate stones.
How can my dog’s diet support their urinary health?
Your dog’s diet plays a useful role in maintaining a healthy urinary environment to help reduce the risk of developing certain stones. This is done many ways, including by influencing the pH of the urine, limiting the number of precursors for the stones, and in some cases helping to encourage dilution, which helps to prevent "supersaturation" of urine, a state where sones spontaneously form.
If your dog has stones, certain types of stones can be dissolved with veterinary urinary formulas and medication, other types can't be dissolved and may need to be removed, for example, with minimally invasive procedures or surgery. If your dog has an infection, this must be treated medically with antibiotics.
Importantly, providing your dog with plenty of water will encourage them to drink. The increased water consumed will help produce a larger urine volume, which will help decrease the concentration of minerals and also result in more frequent urination flushing the urinary tract when offered opportunities to urinate. In some cases, your veterinarian may advise you to feed a special formula designed to help increase your dog's voluntary water intake. It's important to make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times and provide frequent opportunities to go out and urinate.
If you notice your dog’s behaviour when it comes to urination has changed, make sure that you visit your veterinarian who will be able to conduct a full examination and help you choose the right diet to support your dog’s urinary health.