best diet for dogs with kidney stones
Kidney Stone Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid
You may be able to prevent kidney stones from forming with dietary changes, including staying hydrated, consuming more citrus, and avoiding certain foods like those high in sodium.
Kidney stones in the urinary tract are formed in several ways. Calcium can combine with chemicals, such as oxalate or phosphorous, in the urine. This can happen if these substances become so concentrated that they solidify. Kidney stones can also be caused by a buildup of uric acid. Uric acid buildup is caused by the metabolism of protein.
Your urinary tract wasnt designed to expel solid matter, so its no surprise that kidney stones are very painful to pass. Luckily, they can usually be avoided through diet.
If youre trying to avoid kidney stones, what you eat and drink is as important as what you shouldnt eat and drink. Here are some important rules of thumb to keep in mind.
Stay hydrated
Fluids, especially water, help to dilute the chemicals that form stones. Try to drink at least 12 glasses of water a day.
Up your citrus intake
Citrus fruit, and their juice, can help reduce or block the formation of stones due to naturally occurring citrate. Good sources of citrus include lemons, oranges, and grapefruit.
Eat lots of calcium (and vitamin D)
If your calcium intake is low, oxalate levels may rise. Its preferable to get your calcium from food, rather than from supplements, as these have been linked to kidney stone formation. Good sources of calcium include milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and other types of cheeses. Vegetarian sources of calcium include legumes, calcium-set tofu, dark green vegetables, seeds, and blackstrap molasses. If you dont like the taste of cows milk, or, if it doesnt agree with you, try lactose-free milk, fortified soy milk, or goats milk. Also make sure to include foods high in vitamin D each day. Vitamin D helps the body absorb more calcium. Many foods are fortified with this vitamin. Its also found in fatty fishes, such as salmon, mushrooms, and cheese.
Limit salt
High sodium levels in the body, can promote calcium buildup in urine. Avoid adding salt to food, and check the labels on processed foods to see how much sodium they contain. Fast food can be high in sodium, but so can regular restaurant food. When youre able, ask that no salt be added to whatever you order on a menu. Also, take note of what you drink. Some vegetable juices are high in sodium.
Lower your animal protein intake
Many sources of protein, such as red meat, pork, chicken, poultry, and eggs, increase the amount of uric acid you produce. Eating large amounts of protein also reduces a chemical in urine called citrate. Citrates job is to prevent the formation of kidney stones. Alternatives to animal protein include quinoa, tofu (bean curd), hummus, chia seeds, and Greek yogurt. Since protein is important for overall health, discuss how much you should eat daily with your doctor.
Be mindful of oxalates
Eat oxalates wisely. Foods high in this chemical may increase formation of kidney stones. If youve already had kidney stones, you may wish to reduce or eliminate oxalates from your diet completely. If youre trying to avoid kidney stones, check with your doctor to determine if limiting these foods is enough. If you do eat foods containing oxalates, always make sure to eat or drink a calcium source with them. This will help the oxalate bind to the calcium during digestion, before it can reach your kidneys. Foods high in oxalate include:
- chocolate
- beets
- nuts
- tea
- rhubarb
- spinach
- swiss chard
- sweet potatoes
Dont drink colas
Avoid cola drinks. Cola is high in phosphate, another chemical which can promote the formation of kidney stones.
Reduce or eliminate added sugar intake
Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added to processed foods and drinks. Added sucrose and added fructose may increase your risk of kidney stones. Keep an eye on the amount of sugar you eat, in processed foods, such as cake, in fruit, in soft drinks, and in juices. Other common added sugar names include corn syrup, crystallized fructose, honey, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, and cane sugar.
Having kidney stones increases your risk of getting them again unless you actively work to prevent them. This means taking medications prescribed to you for this purpose, and watching what you eat and drink.
If you currently have stones, your doctor will run diagnostic tests, to determine what type you have. They will then prescribe a specific diet plan for you, such as the DASH Diet. Tips that will help include:
- drink at least twelve glasses of water daily
- eat citrus fruits, such as orange
- eat a calcium-rich food at each meal, at least three times a day
- limit your intake of animal protein
- eat less salt, added sugar, and products containing high fructose corn syrup
- avoid foods and drinks high in oxalates and phosphates
- avoid eating or drinking anything which dehydrates you, such as alcohol.
Kidney stones are typically a painful condition. Fortunately, diet can be an effective tool in managing and preventing kidney stones. Staying hydrated and avoiding certain foods that are high in salt and sugar, and pairing calcium with oxalate rich foods are important elements of a kidney stone diet.
Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Kidney Stones
Can I help prevent kidney stones by changing what I eat or drink?
Drinking enough liquid, mainly water, is the most important thing you can do to prevent kidney stones. Unless you have kidney failure, many health care professionals recommend that you drink six to eight, 8-ounce glasses a day. Talk with a health care professional about how much liquid you should drink.
Studies have shown that the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet can reduce the risk of kidney stones. Learn more about the DASH diet.2
Studies have shown that being overweight increases your risk of kidney stones. A dietitian can help you plan meals to help you lose weight.
Does the type of kidney stone I had affect food choices I should make?
Yes. If you have already had kidney stones, ask your health care professional which type of kidney stone you had. Based on the type of kidney stone you had, you may be able to prevent kidney stones by making changes in how much sodium, animal protein, calcium, or oxalate is in the food you eat.
You may need to change what you eat and drink for these types of kidney stones:
A dietitian who specializes in kidney stone prevention can help you plan meals to prevent kidney stones. Find a dietitian who can help you.
Calcium Oxalate Stones
Reduce oxalate
If youve had calcium oxalate stones, you may want to avoid these foods to help reduce the amount of oxalate in your urine:
- nuts and nut products
- peanutswhich are legumes, not nuts, and are high in oxalate
- rhubarb
- spinach
- wheat bran
Talk with a health care professional about other food sources of oxalate and how much oxalate should be in what you eat.
Reduce sodium
Your chance of developing kidney stones increases when you eat more sodium. Sodium is a part of salt. Sodium is in many canned, packaged, and fast foods. It is also in many condiments, seasonings, and meats.
Talk with a health care professional about how much sodium should be in what you eat. See tips to reduce your sodium intake.
Limit animal protein
Eating animal protein may increase your chances of developing kidney stones.
A health care professional may tell you to limit eating animal protein, including
- beef, chicken, and pork, especially organ meats
- eggs
- fish and shellfish
- milk, cheese, and other dairy products
Although you may need to limit how much animal protein you eat each day, you still need to make sure you get enough protein. Consider replacing some of the meat and animal protein you would typically eat with beans, dried peas, and lentils, which are plant-based foods that are high in protein and low in oxalate.
Talk with a health care professional about how much total protein you should eat and how much should come from animal or plant-based foods.
Get enough calcium from foods
Even though calcium sounds like it would be the cause of calcium stones, its not. In the right amounts, calcium can block other substances in the digestive tract that may cause stones. Talk with a health care professional about how much calcium you should eat to help prevent getting more calcium oxalate stones and to support strong bones. It may be best to get calcium from low-oxalate, plant-based foods such as calcium-fortified juices, cereals, breads, some kinds of vegetables, and some types of beans. Ask a dietitian or other health care professional which foods are the best sources of calcium for you.
Calcium Phosphate Stones
Reduce sodium
Your chance of developing kidney stones increases when you eat more sodium. Sodium is a part of salt. Sodium is in many canned, packaged, and fast foods. It is also in many condiments, seasonings, and meats.
Talk with a health care professional about how much sodium should be in what you eat. See tips to reduce your sodium intake.
Limit animal protein
Eating animal protein may increase your chances of developing kidney stones.
A health care professional may tell you to limit eating animal protein, including
- beef, chicken, and pork, especially organ meats
- eggs
- fish and shellfish
- milk, cheese, and other dairy products
Although you may need to limit how much animal protein you have each day, you still need to make sure you get enough protein. Consider replacing some of the meat and animal protein you would typically eat with some of these plant-based foods that are high in protein:
- legumes such as beans, dried peas, lentils, and peanuts
- soy foods, such as soy milk, soy nut butter, and tofu
- nuts and nut products, such as almonds and almond butter, cashews and cashew butter, walnuts, and pistachios
- sunflower seeds
Talk with a health care professional about how much total protein you should eat and how much should come from animal or plant-based foods.
Get enough calcium from foods
Even though calcium sounds like it would be the cause of calcium stones, its not. In the right amounts, calcium can block other substances in the digestive tract that may lead to stones. Talk with a health care professional about how much calcium you should eat to help prevent getting more calcium phosphate stones and to support strong bones. It may be best to get calcium from plant-based foods such as calcium-fortified juices, cereals, breads, some kinds of vegetables, and some types of beans. Ask a dietitian or other health care professional which foods are the best sources of calcium for you.
Uric Acid Stones
Limit animal protein
Eating animal protein may increase your chances of developing kidney stones.
A health care professional may tell you to limit eating animal protein, including
- beef, chicken, and pork, especially organ meats
- eggs
- fish and shellfish
- milk, cheese, and other dairy products
Although you may need to limit how much animal protein you have each day, you still need to make sure you get enough protein. Consider replacing some of the meat and animal protein you would typically eat with some of these plant-based foods that are high in protein:
- legumes such as beans, dried peas, lentils, and peanuts
- soy foods, such as soy milk, soy nut butter, and tofu
- nuts and nut products, such as almonds and almond butter, cashews and cashew butter, walnuts, and pistachios
- sunflower seeds
Talk with a health care professional about how much total protein you should eat and how much should come from animal or plant-based foods.
Losing weight if you are overweight is especially important for people who have had uric acid stones.
Cystine Stones
Drinking enough liquid, mainly water, is the most important lifestyle change you can make to prevent cystine stones. Talk with a health care professional about how much liquid you should drink.
Tips to Reduce Your Sodium Intake
Most Americans consume too much sodium. Adults should aim to consume less than 2,300 mg a day.3 One teaspoon of table salt has 2,325 milligrams (mg) of sodium. If you have had calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones, you should follow this guideline, even if you take medicine to prevent kidney stones.
Here are some tips to help you reduce your sodium intake:
- Check the Percent Daily Value (%DV) for sodium on the Nutrition Facts label found on many foods. Low in sodium is 5% or less, and high in sodium is 20% or more.
- Consider writing down how much sodium you consume each day.
- When eating out, ask about the sodium content in the food.
- Cook from scratch. Avoid processed and fast foods, canned soups and vegetables, and lunch meats.
- Look for foods labeled: sodium free, salt free, very low sodium, low sodium, reduced or less sodium, light in sodium, no salt added, unsalted, and lightly salted.
Check labels for ingredients and hidden sodium, such as
- sodium bicarbonate, the chemical name for baking soda
- baking powder, which contains sodium bicarbonate and other chemicals
- disodium phosphate
- monosodium glutamate, or MSG
- sodium alginate
- sodium nitrate or nitrite
References
[2] Taylor EN, Fung TT, Curhan GC. DASH-style diet associates with reduced risk for kidney stones. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2009;20(10):22532259.
[3] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 20202025. 9th ed. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published December 2020. Accessed July 15, 2021. www.dietaryguidelines.gov
