urinary tract diet for dogs

Understanding your dog's urinary health and its diet

Urinary problems can affect dogs at any time in their life, caused by a combination of breed or genetic predispositions, lifestyle and factors like bacterial infection. Their diet plays an important role in maintaining good urinary health, and can be used as an aid to help prevent potential problems.

Why is my dogs urinary health important?

A healthy urinary system is crucial to your dogs internal functions. Your dog's urinary system,which includes the kidneys and bladder, works to process and remove waste products from their body. If there are kidney issues, the system can no longer remove these products. Bladder problems may include infections or stones. These problems can affect your dogs comfort and overall health.

What problems can dogs have with their urinary system?

Like humans, dogs can be prone to developing urinary stones. These occur when the concentration of certain minerals in your dogs urine becomes too high. The urine pH, urine volume and other factors also play a role in their formation.Dogs are most likely to suffer from these stones in their bladder, rather than their kidneys (which is where theyre commonly found in humans).Stones in the bladder can cause inflammation, predispose to urinary tract infections and even cause an obstruction of the urinary tract.

There are different types of stone composed of different minerals and compounds. Examples of these are struvite, calcium oxalate, urate and cystine. These stones form in different conditions, with urine pH and genetics playing a role as well as other factors.

Dogs can also suffer from bacterial infection in their urinary system, which can lead to discomfort in the lower urinary tract.Urinary incontinence, congenital anatomic abnormalities and tumours are amongst other conditions which affect the urinary tract in dogs.

Homemade dog food recipe for urinary health

Welcome tomy comprehensive guide for a homemade, natural dog food recipe specifically designed to support your furry friend's urinary tract health. Providing your beloved pet with the right nutrition can significantly improve urinary health and prevent common conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or stones. We'll delve into the advantages of a tailored diet, crucial ingredients that promote urinary wellness, and the perfect steps to prepare this home-cooked feast. This article is the ultimate resource for pet parents seeking to enhance their dogs' urinary health naturally and effectively, filled with expert advice, practical tips, and scientifically-backed knowledge on canine urinary care (research referenced).

Follow the steps to create the perfect homemade diet for your dog

Step 1 Read the general rules for support Urinary Health, and implement them!

Step 2 Learn how to support your dogs specific Urinary issue

Step 3 Adjust the Urinary Support recipe (as shown in video below) orpurchase the Urinary Support Plan for my health plan plus email support from me.

General Rules for canine urinary support

What is the urinary tract?

The urinary tract is a waste removal system. When your dog eats, the body takes nutrients from the food and it goes into the blood. Not everything taken into the blood is needed or in fact healthy, its waste. The kidneys and urinary system help the body to eliminate the waste.

All of the waste thats carried in the bloodstream (after entering the blood through the digestive process) gets to the kidneys, where it is removed along with water and other waste.

However, if the diet is imbalance or the urinary tract is not functioning optimally, due to bacterial imbalance or a genetic predisposition, waste can accumulate and cause infection and/ or urinary crystals and stones.

Appropriately Balanced Fresh Food

Creating a balanced fresh food diet will reduce the risk of infection and stone formation, as imbalance reduces urinary tract function. A good way to think about it, is that bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms feed off the food you feed your dog, and if you provide too much of the wrong food, it feeds the bad bacteria more than the good.

Urine infections affect around 27% of dogs. These are infections that cause inflammation in the urinary tract and are mainly an overgrowth of bacteria, but they can also be caused by fungus overgrowth, and in extremely rare cases, viral infection. (1)

Removing inflammatory ingredients like gluten (pasta, bread, corn, wheat, rice, maize etc.) is imperative. Check the treats you feed your dog to ensure these ingredients arent being made available.

You must also remove any intolerances from your dogs diet, these are proteins (meats) that they dont digest as well. Signs of poor protein digestion include ear infections, itchiness, paw licking and regular lose stools.

Gut and Urine Microbiome Support

A diverse, balanced and healthy microbiome, both in the gut and the urine, comes from having a range of natural fresh foods in the diet (2).

The bacterial urinary microbiome in healthy state has a greater taxonomic richness, meaning having a balance gut microbiome is a clear indicator of health. (3)

Support comes from the balance fresh food, and also the use of probiotics like natural organic yoghurt, kefir, goats milk or sauerkraut. Use these at least 2-3 times per week.

Increase urine supersaturation (less concentrated urine)

Many urinary stones formation, like calcium oxalate, cystine and urate stones, are affected by the concentration of the urine. (4,5,6)

Increasing the moisture in your dogs diet, by adding water to their meals (25ml per 100g) can help.

I recommend also feeding bone broth, 25ml per 10kg/ 20lbs of body weight up to FOUR times per week.

Specific Canine Urinary Support

Using the Urinary Support recipe on YouTube and the information provided on the specific issue, amend it to suit your dogs needs.

Urinary Tract Infection Support for dogs

Generally UTIs are caused by inappropriate diets (not the best ingredients, and too many carbs) causing an alkaline urine. A healthy dog produces slightly acidic urine between 6.0-6.5 pH. There is a correlation between bacterial overgrowth with more neutral urine, around pH 7. (7)

You want to increase the acidity, which will come from using my recipes naturally, but use apples and cranberries regularly to help this. Do not use carbs for the first 2 weeks.

The overuse of antibiotics can also cause more regular UTIs, you need to minimise their use as much as possible. Legally Im obliged to say consult your Vet, but try diet and every other option before using antibiotics. The more they are used, the more regularly your dog will get an infection. (8)

Homemade dog food for Calcium Oxalate Stones

Calcium homeostasis is a major cause of calcium oxalate stones. To provide a correct balance of calcium, you need ensure sufficient phosphorus and Vitamin D. (4)Do not remove calcium from the diet. Use the recipe provided, and make liver and ideally fish too, are also given on a regular basis.

Remember to increase the water intake of your dogs diet too (follow the general rules for Canine Urinary Tract Health).

Homemade dog food for Cystine Stones

There is little evidence to support dietary restriction of protein, however the restriction of methionine contain foods like broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflower, potatos is recommended. Also the vegetables used should have a high in organic anion content (9)

Dietary management of cystine stones is designed around maintaining a urine pH 6.5 - 6.75. This is done by having a slightly more alkaline diet than is normally prescribed for a dog. This can be hard, and dont lose too much sleep over this, as following the general rules for Canine Urinary tract health play a more effective role in managing the issue. Avoid apple, broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflower and potatoes. Use squash if using carbs.

You need to restrict salt intake. No more snacking on leftovers that have human levels of salt.

The inclusion of Alpha Lipoic Acid (flaxseed oil as the oil you use) is a safe and well tolerated food supplement that has been remarkably effective in a mouse model of cystinuria. (10)

If stones are present, or you think your dog is beginning to struggle to pee, an initial high alkaline diet with the inclusion of potassium citrate is recommended to increase the speed in which the stones dissolve (11).

Urate Stones

Many cases of urate stones come from Dalmatian dogs, as all pure-bred Dalmatians excrete excessive quantities of uric acid (and therefore have two abnormal copies of the gene).

Generally this only affects male Dalmatian, due to the width of their urinary tract veign slightly less wide. However, dogs with a history of stones must only consume low fat meats; lean beef, cod, venison and rabbit.

Much is made of low purine diets being affective, I have only seen one study funded by Royal Canin (Mars), so it should most certainly be taken with a pinch of salt (do not add to your dogs diet).

To reduce purines effectively, organ meat should be liver or heart from beef, chicken or lamb. Organ meat should only make up 5% of the diet for sensitive dogs and 10% for healthy dogs (Ideally chicken liver or lamb liver or heart)

Using small amount (10-15%) of grated low purine vegetables is generally great for all breeds with a purine metabolism problem. (Avoid higher purine veggie, check here).

Additional Support for dogs with Urinary Tract Issues

If you want specific recipes or help with your dogs diet, please sign up for a consultation, or the Urinary Support Plan which comes with specific recipes to each issue.

References:

1. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/urinary-tract-infections-in-dogs/
2. Rodrguez, F.M., Rubio, L.S., Nanne, I.G., Martn, F.S., Emiliani, E. and Feu, O.A., 2020. The relationship between calcium oxalate lithiasis and chronic proinflammatory intestinal dysbiosis pattern: a prospective study.Urolithiasis,48(4), pp.321-328.
3. Melgarejo, T., Oakley, B.B., Krumbeck, J.A., Tang, S., Krantz, A. and Linde, A., 2021. Assessment of bacterial and fungal populations in urine from clinically healthy dogs using nextgeneration sequencing.Journal of veterinary internal medicine,35(3), pp.1416-1426.
4. Hunprasit, V., 2017. Epidemiologic Evaluation of Risk Factors for Calcium Oxalate Urolith Formation and Recurrence in Dogs
5. Stevenson, A.E., Blackburn, J.M., Markwell, P.J. and Robertson, W.G., 2004. Nutrient intake and urine composition in calcium oxalate stone-forming dogs: comparison with healthy dogs and impact of dietary modification.Veterinary therapeutics: research in applied veterinary medicine,5(3), pp.218-231.
6. Bartges, J.W. and Callens, A.J., 2015. Urolithiasis.Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice,45(4), pp.747-768.
7. Robin R. Shields-Cutler, Jan R. Crowley, Chia S. Hung, Ann E. Stapleton, Courtney C. Aldrich, Jonas Marschall, Jeffrey P. Henderson.Human Urinary Composition Controls Siderocalin's Antibacterial Activity.Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2015; jbc.M115.645812 DOI:10.1074/jbc.M115.645812
8. Werner, M., Suchodolski, J.S., Straubinger, R.K., Wolf, G., Steiner, J.M., Lidbury, J.A., Neuerer, F., Hartmann, K. and Unterer, S., 2020. Effect of amoxicillinclavulanic acid on clinical scores, intestinal microbiome, and amoxicillinresistant Escherichia coli in dogs with uncomplicated acute diarrhea.Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine,34(3), pp.1166-1176.
9. Moussa M, Papatsoris AG, Abou Chakra M, Moussa Y. Update on cystine stones: current and future concepts in treatment.Intractable Rare Dis Res. 2020;9(2):71-78. doi:10.5582/irdr.2020.03006
10. Wiener, S.V., Chi, T. and Stoller, M.L., 2018. Alpha lipoic acid as a novel therapeutic approach to cystinuria.Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs,6(4), pp.295-300.
11. Lulich, J.P., Berent, A.C., Adams, L.G., Westropp, J.L., Bartges, J.W. and Osborne, C.A., 2016. ACVIM small animal consensus recommendations on the treatment and prevention of uroliths in dogs and cats.Journal of veterinary internal medicine,30(5), pp.1564-1574.

The 8 Best Dog Foods For Urinary Health

Dogs suffering from urinary health problems often feel miserable.

Whether its bladder stones or a urinary tract infection (UTI), these issues can take a toll on your dogs overall health and wellbeing. The longer they persist, the more miserable it can be, and if youre like most dog lovers, you dont want your baby to be in pain.

Contrary to popular belief, lack of water is not the only culprit; lack of quality diet can also contribute to urinary health issues. Some commonly included ingredients contribute to urinary problems as well.

Magnesium, phosphorous, and sodium are just a few examples of essential ingredients that can cause trouble in the urinary tract.

So, if you have a dog with symptoms of urinary problems, or a history of related illness, or a breed that is susceptible to urinary diseases you want to be watchful of the ingredients in your dogs food.

The Best Dog Food for Urinary Health

How to Switch Dog Food Without Getting Your Pup Sick

1. Hills U/D Non-Struvite Urinary Tract Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Brewers Rice, 2. Corn Starch, 3. Pork Fat, 4. Egg Product, 5. Powdered Cellulose

When it comes to prescription diets for specific health concerns, Hills has one of the most diverse and respected lines of targeted products. Hills U/D Non-struvite Urinary Care formula is one of the most trusted foods for dogs with bladder stones and UTIs. It is specifically formulated by veterinarians to ensure balanced nutrition without increasing the risk of non-struvite stones. There is a special focus on mineral balance, as a higher amount of certain minerals can lead to crystal and stone formation.

Suitable for adult and senior dogs, it contains L-carnitine, which supports healthy heart muscles and optimal heart function. Moreover, Hills U/D Non-struvite Urinary Care formula is beneficial for the immune system. It is a prescription product that required veterinary authorization.

2. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Urinary Care Canned Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Broth, 3. Chicken Liver, 4. Pea Protein, 5. Carrots

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet WU Weight Management + Urinary Care Grain-Free formula is suitable for all breeds, especially ones prone to urinary issues. It is a balanced formula that can help with urinary infections and prevent the formation of bladder stones. Many dogs find this prescriptive recipe extremely tasty, so its a great option for picky eaters. And while it is primarily an adult dog food, controlled levels of minerals and a good dose of L-carnitine make it senior-friendly as well.

This urinary care formula is available in both wet and dry forms. I recommend the canned variety for dogs that do not drink enough water on their own. A higher amount of moisture is generally better for dogs with urinary problems. However, if you can make your dog drink enough water, then the dry kibble is equally good. As the name suggests, this one also required veterinary authorization.

3. Purina Canine UR Urinary Ox/St Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Whole Grain Corn, 2. Brewers Rice, 3. Chicken By-Product Meal, 4. Corn Gluten Meal, 5. Animal Fat

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St is another highly recommended prescription formula for dogs with urinary tract issues. It is formulated to prevent the formulation of various types of stones and crystals, including sterile struvite stones,calcium oxalate stones, or idiopathic cystitis. The amount of calcium and phosphorus is lower than most dog foods out there. Yet, a perfect balance of nutrition eliminates the risk of malnutrition, which is a concern with many prescription diets for dogs.

This selection is one of the best bets for dogs with a history of urinary tract infections and stones. It is available in dry as well as wet form, the latter being a better option for dogs who dont drink a lot of water. This product is only available by prescription.

4. ROYAL CANIN Canine Urinary SO Small Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Brewers Rice, 2. Corn, 3. Chicken Fat, 4. Chicken By-Product Meal, 5. Corn Gluten Meal,

Small breed dogs are more prone to lower urinary tract problems. One way to prevent infections and stones in the urinary tract is to increase the amount of urine passed by your dog. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO is formulated to do that. Increased urination is a natural way of flushing out minerals that contribute to the formation of struvite and calcium oxalate crystals. So, this one is a great option for the prevention of infections, inflammations, and stones.

Formulated for small breeds that weigh around 22 pounds or less, it has a high-quality protein and mineral balance. What I like is that the kibble size is also appropriate for small and toy breeds. Overall, a solid recommendation for small dogs with pre-existing urinary conditions. Dont forget to get your veterinary authorization before you buy it. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO is also available in canned variety.

5. Firstmate Australian Lamb Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Lamb Meal, 2. Burbank Potato, 3. Norkotah Potato, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Tomato Pomace

If you dont want to go for a prescription diet, FirstMates Australian Lamb recipe is a great option to keep a check on your babys urinary health. It is a hypo-allergenic formula that is free of grains, gluten, and other ingredients that can disrupt digestion. It contains novel proteins and a handful of ingredients that offer a nutritious blend while minimizing the risk of urinary infections.

FirstMate Australian Lamb formula is suitable for all life stages, including seniors. What makes it even better for urinary health is superfoods such as cranberry, which is often cited as beneficial to urinary health. Plus, there is enough digestible fiber to ensure the natural absorption of minerals. You do not need a prescription or authorization for this product.

Best Puppy Food for Urinary Health

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Recipe

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Turkey Meal, 4. Potatoes, 5. Peas

Urinary tract diseases often develop over time and, therefore, are less common among puppies. However, since some breeds are more prone to urinary health issues, it is a great idea to go for preventive measures. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Turkey Recipe is already one of our favorite puppy foods. And that is because it has the right balance of ingredients. Your pup gets all the essential nutrients, plus a controlled level of calcium or phosphorus. This means the risk of buildup and stone formation is reduced. Also, it is a grain-free, gluten-free option that prevents digestive and urinary tract inflammation as well.

Best Senior Dog Food for Urinary Health

Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Lamb Meal, 4. Brown Rice, 5. White Rice

CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula is my top recommendation for seniors for many reasons. While it is an all life stages formula, it works wonders for seniors who arent active anymore. It can take care of their urinary health while keeping the extra pounds off your pal. It is an extremely digestible dog food with lean proteins and quality fiber. Plus, you get Canidaes own Health PLUS trio of antioxidants, probiotics, and fatty acids. It is a complete health solution that tastes delicious and doesnt require a prescription.

Your dog relies on you to provide it with a healthy diet. As a pet parent, you need to keep your dogs needs in mind when choosing its food, especially when your baby is susceptible to a specific health issue. Now you know the best dog food for urinary health, good luck finding the right one for your dog.

Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients:1. Whole Grain Corn, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Pork Fat, 4. Corn Gluten Meal, 5. Egg Product

The award-winning Hills Prescription c/d Urinary Care is considered to be one of the best dog foods for urine health due to its MultiCare formula that improves all aspects of a dogs urinary health. Its designed to provide complete holistic nutrition while controlling the quantity of certain minerals like magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus to ensure that your dog gets proper micronutrient support without developing bladder stones.

Moreover, the dog food helps your canine maintain optimal weight while also delivering omega fatty acids to nourish their skin and coat. Hills Prescriptions Multicare Urinary Dog Food is recommended by several veterinarians to promotes and improve a dogs urinary health in all terms.

Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Turkey Recipe Wet Canned Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients:1. Turkey, 2. Turkey Broth, 3. Turkey Liver, 4. Peas, 5. Pea Protein

Treating urinary issues requires a diet with good hydration and a selection of ingredients thats less burdensome on the kidneys. Instincts Limited Ingredient Real Turkey fulfills those requirements and provides high-quality food that supports and improves your dogs overall health, including their urinary system.

The wet foods low protein content reduces strain on your dogs kidneys, while the high water content helps flush out toxins and minerals. More importantly, the use of cage-free turkey loaf helps provide premium-quality proteins and the dog foods delicious savory flavor can tempt even the pickiest eaters.

Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Oatmeal, Barley & Ocean Fish Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients:1. Oatmeal, 2. Pearled Barley, 3. Peas, 4. Ocean Fish Meal, 5. Dried Eggs

Whats better than improving both your dogs urinary and digestive health at one time? Solid Gold Holistique Dog Food aims to fulfill that purpose with their special recipe that provides controlled amounts of minerals and lots of fibers and probiotic support to give your dog the best of both worlds.

The dog food is made from ocean fish meal and highly-digestible grains such as oatmeal and barley to provide complete nutritional support. The diet minimizes mineral density to prevent the buildup of bladder stones while still fulfilling your dogs micronutrient needs. Aside from that, the dog food also uses a mix of superfoods that strengthen your dogs immune system while benefiting their overall health.

Related:

FAQ

Now you know my top five best dog food for urinary health. Before moving on to whats best for seniors and puppies, lets find out the answers to the commonly asked questions regarding canine urinary health.

What dog food is good for urinary health?

A raw diet is often preferred for dogs with urinary health issues because of higher pH value. Look for food with a good balance of proteins and fiber and a lower percentage of minerals that cause buildup and crystals.

Is canned dog food better for canine urinary health?

Because of its higher moisture content and less processed meat, canned food is often preferred over dry. But be careful because it isnt the same for all brands. Lower quality canned foods can be more damaging than a high-quality kibble.

What are the common urinary health issues in dogs?

There are different types of urinary health issues that can affect your dog. These include infections in the urinary tract and bladder, as well as the formation of stones and crystals in the bladder. Some dogs develop weakness of urethral sphincter.

How can I tell my dog has UTI?

Look for abnormal urination habits such as higher frequency, crying or whimpering during urination, straining during urination, or breaking house training. Severe UTI symptoms include blood in urine or dribbling. If your dog is licking its genital area too often, it may also be a symptom of UTI.

How can I tell my dog has bladder stones?

Look for symptoms such as straining or difficulty in urination. Frequent urination in smaller volumes is also an indicator of bladder stones or crystals. These stones can also cause lower appetite and vomiting after meals.

Why does my dog keep getting UTI?

Recurrent urinary tract infections in dogs are quite common and are caused by the presence of infectious agents in the system. Proper treatment with the right medications prescribed by a vet can help you get rid of the issue.

Can commercial dog food cause urinary health issues?

Low-quality commercial dog food is a common cause of urinary health issues in dogs. They do not contain the proper balance of minerals and nutrients that aid mineral absorption. They also have a low pH level, which provides a suitable environment for bacteria to thrive.

Can my dog die from urinary diseases?

Untreated lowerurinaryproblemscanlead to serious medical issues in addition to causing discomfort for yourpet.Bladderinfectionscanmove to the kidneys and cause life-threatening infections. Stonescancause partial or complete obstruction of the urethra, preventing adogfrom urinating.

Can a lack of urination cause urinary problems in dogs?

Lack of urination may be a symptom of an existing urinary problem in the first place. However, if your dog doesnt drink a lot of water, or holds its pee habitually, it can become the cause of a urinary infection or stones.

How can I increase my dogs urination?

Encourage your dog to drink more water. Switch to canned food for at least one meal a day. If your dog is deliberately holding its pee, gently squeeze the lower tummy between thumb and finger to let it release the urine.

Which dog breeds are more susceptible to urinary issues?

Smaller breeds and toy breeds are often more susceptible to urinary issues possibly because of the smaller bladder and narrower track. These breeds urinate less frequently. Encourage your little one to drink more water.

Which medicines can I give my dog for better urinary health?

Any number of underlying reasons can cause urinary health issues. The medication depends on the diagnosis, which is only possible after proper medical examination. It is never a good idea to use medicines without your vets prescription and authorization.

Which supplements can I give my dog for better urinary health?

You can give your dog urinary health supplements for the specific issue. There are anti-inflammatory supplements available for infections and there are a lot of cranberry based supplements as well. Cranberry is a natural cleanser and can help keep all kinds of urinary issues at bay.

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Buyers Guide: Best Senior Dog Food for Urinary Health

The FAQ section covered a lot about the conditions and symptoms. Now, lets move back to the diet part and how you can find the best dog food for your furry friend with urinary problems.

Ill keep it simple by limiting it to what to look for and what not to buy:

How to Choose the Right Dog Food for Urinary Health

Look for food with higher moisture content. Canned food is usually a better option because it has more moisture. Plus, the meat is closer to its unprocessed form, and the pH level more appropriate as compared to kibble. If you cant afford wet food all the time, switch it with one meal a day or just sprinkle some of it on the kibble as a topper.

Suspect ingredients can potentially cause or increase inflammation. They include grains, refined carbs, chemical preservatives, artificial additives, and fillers.

Some minerals, such as magnesium and phosphorus, are often the cause behind the formation of crystals in the bladder and urinary tract. It is better to avoid food with a high concentration of these minerals.

Look for ingredients that support urinary health. I always recommend dog food with cranberry, since it is a fantastic cleanser for the urinary system. Vitamin E and B are also good for the system. Other UT friendly ingredients include cod liver oil and chitosan.

Prescription vs. Non-Prescription

You must have noticed that most products on my list are prescription diet products. These are specially formulated for dogs suffering from UTI or bladder stones. These foods contain a lower amount of phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, and harmful ingredients but it is also low on proteins and sometimes other essentials.

So, it is not something you can feed your dog regularly.

Non-prescription diets, on the other hand, are more of a preventive. They are an excellent choice for small breed dogs susceptible to urinary health issues.

References: