Maximizing Your Dog s Health with Salmon Enriched Diets

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

5 Best Non Prescription Dog Foods For Urinary Health (2024)

How to Choose the Best Non Prescription Dog Food for Urinary Health

When a dogs normal urinary habits are markedly different, it is an indication that a visit to the veterinarian is in order. A change in urination can be indicative of a number of different issues, some of which are merely uncomfortable for the dog while others can have life altering impacts.

Among the most common problems associated with a change in urinary health are:

Urinary tract infections
Kidney infections
Bladder stones
Kidney stones
Incontinence
Kidney failure

Sometimes a change in an established urinary pattern is observed because the dog is advancing in age. Elderly dogs experience a weakening of their ability to contain their urine when the urge strikes to use the bathroom, meaning accidents can become a more frequent occurrence.

Some of the most common signs which indicate a dog may be struggling with an issue affecting their urinary health include:

An increase in the frequent need for urination
Difficulty or pain when passing urine
An increase in drinking habits
Frequent genital cleaning
Bloody urine
Restless behavior
Poor energy levels
Loss of interest in play
Urine that is opaque or that has an unpleasant smell
Incontinence
Urination in out of the ordinary places
Pain in the lower back

If a dog displays any of these symptoms, it is imperative that the dog be taken to a veterinarian for a wellness exam and further testing. Most typically, diagnosing the underlying cause creating the issue with urinary health is not terribly difficult for a qualified professional to do. A urinalysis is one of the tools veterinarians often use to help get to the root cause of the problem.

Some urinary issues can be resolved simply through the use of antibiotics. Others are more serious in nature and require a different approach. But regardless of what is causing the issue, a change in diet can reap great benefits for dogs suffering from poor urinary health.

Both bladder and kidney stones are often the product of impaired urinary function. These are very painful, and if exceptionally large, they may require surgery for removal since passing them organically is not possible.

Bladder stones are often the result of diets that are too acidic in nature. To help prevent their development, many canine nutritionists recommend feeding a diet that is more alkaline with low to moderate protein amounts and added moisture to dilute the acid in the urine which can lead to stones.

Both bladder and kidney stones are sometimes diagnosed when a dog presents with a urinary tract infection or kidney infection and a regular round of antibiotics does not alleviate all of the problems a dog is experiencing.

It is also recommended that dogs with compromised urinary function consume more water to help keep the kidneys flushing toxins from the body. However, feeding canned food is another way that owners can get additional fluids into their dogs to help with restoring the body to an alkaline state.

There are also several different natural foods which can assist with achieving and maintaining urinary health. One of the superfoods to look for in the best dog foods for urinary health is cranberries, a natural diuretic that provides excellent support for the kidneys.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Non Prescription Urinary Health Dog Food

Establishing how much of the best dog food for urinary health to feed a canine can be a challenging task. Experts recommend using the suggested serving sizes listed on the bag as a starting point. These values can be adjusted until the correct portion is found.

The dogs weight and appetite will both serve as a helps in how much food should be in each meal portion. Since free feeding can easily lead to weight gain, this is strongly discouraged.

Adult dogs require a high quality diet that contains a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat while puppies do best on a food comprised of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat.

Dietary Requirements for Dog Foods for Urinary Health

As a basic rule of thumb, any diet suited to the needs of dogs with poor urinary health should be comprised of high quality ingredients from natural sources as much as possible. Limited ingredient diets are often an excellent choice for dogs with compromised urinary function as they are easy on the body and digestive system.

Whole foods are the preferred ingredients for the best dog foods for urinary health. This includes proteins which should be derived from an easily digestible meat or meat meal. By-products should be avoided; however, if a dogs urinary health is extremely poor, a veterinarian may advise the use of a prescription diet based on plant-based proteins until the problem has been resolved.

Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives contribute no nutritional value to a diet. In addition to this, they are common allergens for many dogs. Foods containing these items should be avoided.

Healthy fats are critical in a food to ensure optimal health and wellness in dogs. These are best obtained from animal origins and can include such items as chicken fat, salmon, mackerel, herring, anchovies, or sardines. These powerhouse oils provide dogs with the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids they need to fuel their metabolism and encourage healthy skin and coat.

Since many carbohydrates that are difficult to digest can lead to inflammation in the body, low starch and high fiber ingredients are the preferred choice. These can come from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables though an emphasis should be placed on fruits that are not highly acidic as this can contribute to poor urinary health.

The moisture content found in a food plays a vital role in keeping urine output alkaline to support proper health. Many veterinarians recommend canned food over dry for dogs with recurring issues with stones or infections as the added moisture in these foods is a great help in reducing the amount of acid found in concentrated urine.

Probiotics help to promote excellent digestion. Foods that contain these items can be a great help in ensuring a healthy body. Though not linked to urinary health itself, glucosamine and chondroitin are powerhouse supplements that keep joints and hips in good condition.

Things to Look for in the Best Non Prescription Dog Food for Urinary Health

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a dog food for urinary health:

Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list (in non-veterinary diets)
Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
Contains healthy amounts of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to support coat and skin health
Rich in moisture content to dilute additional acid in urine

Best Omega-3 Rich Food For Dogs

We can read endless features on dietary changes for humans, but many of us don't think the same about our pets. Feeding our dogs commercial dog food is easy and it can be sufficient for the majority of dogs. Even though some of them are marketed as being nutritionally complete, some may be lacking in certain nutrients. While omega-3 fatty acids are great for all dogs, some will need them more than others.

In this AnimalWised article we look at the best omega-3 rich food for dogs. We look at the reasons why dogs need omega-3 fatty acids in their diet and which dogs in particular might benefit from them.

Omega-3 fatty acid benefits for dogs

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential oils which are only available to dogs via their diet. This is to do with how the omega-3 oils are metabolized as nutrients in the body, since they cannot synthesize them on their own. They are referred to as essential fatty acids due to the inability of dogs to manufacture them themselves. Here are the general health benefits omega-3 fatty acids provide for dogs:

Boost their immune system
Strengthen joints and reduce chances of arthritis
Reduce joint pain if they already have arthritis or other joint diseases
Helps keep the heart healthy
Helps liver and kidney function
Improves skin and coat quality
May help prevent certain cancers

A deficit of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to various health problems in the dog. Some of the most noticeable are those which affect the condition of the dog's skin, hair and nails. Less obvious, but no less serious, problems include joint weakness. Not only are omega-3 fatty acids essential for a dog's well-being, they can also provide specific health benefits to improve their fitness and appearance.

These fatty oils act in a similar way to antioxidants in the body. Although their exact effects are still to be determined, reports show they have a mild anticoagulant effect^[1]. This means they can be beneficial in helping to prevent cardiovascular disease. Since they have the potential for positive influences on the dog's cardiovascular system, this makes them especially important for young puppies and senior dogs.

Since the omega-3 fatty acids help to keep a dog's coat and nails healthy, they are beneficial to protect them from the elements. Since a dog's coat and nails are indicators of their general well-being, they should be incorporated into their diet.

There are certain breeds which are believed to have even greater benefit from omega-3 fatty acids. This is because dog breeds such as the Shar Pei, French Bulldog or Pug have folds in their skin which make them prone to diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Essential fatty oils can help keep their skin healthy and avoid such health problems. This is why omega-3 fatty acids should be included in their diet.

Do dogs need omega-3 supplements?

While omega-3 fatty acids are essential for a dog's health and well-being, they may not necessarily need them supplemented in their diet. The reason for this is because the food they eat may already have enough for their nutritional needs. The types of food a dog can eat include:

Commercial dry dog food
Commercial wet dog food
Homemade cooked dog food
BARF or raw food diet

Of course, it is also possible you may want to give your dog some combination of these different dog food types. A quality dog food, both wet canned food and dry kibble, will have omega-3 fatty acids as part of its formula. However, some less reputable brands may be nutritionally deficient. It will be up to you to check the quality of the food you buy and you can always ask your veterinarian for a recommendation if you are unsure.

With a homemade diet, you will need to ensure their omega-3 fatty acid levels are well-maintained. With a raw food BARF diet, it can be very difficult to give them all the nutrition they need. Raw meat such as chicken and beef does not have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. For this reason, you will have to include some other omega-3 rich food in their diet or provide them with suitable supplements as recommended by your veterinarian.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids for dogs

While there is some debate, a dog is considered omnivorous with a carnivorous bias. Much of their nutrition comes from animal-protein, but they have also been able to digest other food types thanks to their history of domestication. However, some nutrients such as taurine and vitamin D cannot be synthesized naturally, so they need it in their diet. This is similar to their need for omega-3 rich foods.

Some of the most common omega-3 rich foods are found in the blue fish category. However, there are also vegetables and other foods which can be used in the dog's diet. Foods for dogs high in omega-3 include:

Salmon: perhaps the most well-known omega-3 rich food, salmon provides many other benefits. Being high in protein, it will also meet many of the dog's other nutritional needs. However, it is not a cheap ingredient and is often prohibitively expensive for many dog owners.
Sardines: a little cheaper than salmon, sardines are also high in omega-3 fatty acids. They should be eaten fresh as canned sardines often have lots of oil, salt and other ingredients which would be counterproductive to give your dog.
Anchovies: similar to sardines, these small fish are high in omega-3 and are relatively cheap.
Linseed: also known as flax, linseed is a non-fish source of omega-3 which can be easily added to your dog's food. Linseed oil is also rich in these fatty acids, so this can be stirred in easily to your dog's food.
Chia seeds: another great seed which has the benefit of high levels of omega-3. They are often added to commercial dog foods to help boost their nutritional value, but they can also be added to homemade food.
Soybean: as well as being a legume which is known as having a high protein count, soybeans are also full of omega-3. Edamame is the name for the prepared version of soybeans when cooked, but they too can contain additives which are not beneficial to your dog.

There are other foods for humans which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. They include oysters, walnuts and caviar. However, these are not suitable for practical reasons. Oysters and caviar are prohibitively expensive and walnuts should not be eaten in large amounts as they can cause digestive issues.

However, there are also other ways to supplement omega-3 in your dog's diet. Capsules, oils and tablets can be used, but we need to be careful. Fish oil is a particularly common way of giving it to dogs. Each formulation is different and some may contain other ingredients which are not suitable for canine consumption. For these reasons, before you supplement omega-3 in your dog's diet, we remind you of the importance of consulting a veterinarian.

Can dogs have too much omega-3 fatty acid?

A balanced diet is just that, not too much, not too little. While omega-3 fatty acids are essential for a dog's well-being, we shouldn't go overboard. Some people will add fish oil and other oils to every meal a dog has. An excess of such oil will not be particularly toxic, so the side effects are considered mild.

The problem is that, although many of the omega-3 rich foods have healthy fats, they are still fats. Adding too many to your dog's diet can result in the dog becoming overweight. They can also cause certain gastrointestinal issues which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms.

Omega-6 fatty acids for dogs

While this article is focused on omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids are also very important for your dog's health. Omega-6 fatty acids work in similar ways to omega-3 and have similar health benefits for your dog. They are important for cell structure, growth and repair, meaning they are especially important for developing dogs. However, they need to be of quality and in the right balance to provide benefit to your dog^[2].

Foods high in omega-6 fatty acids include:

Hemp seeds
peanut butter
Avocados
Eggs
Almonds cashews

However, while these foods are not necessarily toxic to your dog in small amounts, large amounts can be dangerous. Not only can they seriously increase their fat intake, they may also cause gastrointestinal issues. For this reason, commercial food rich in omega-6 fatty acids are usually enough to provide what they need.

If you want to read similar articles to Best Omega-3 Rich Food For Dogs, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.

References

1. Sokoa-Wysoczaska, E., et al. (2018). Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Potential Therapeutic Role in Cardiovascular System DisordersA Review. Nutrients, 10(10), 1561.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213446/

2. Biagi, G., Mordenti, A., & Cocchi, M. (2004). The role of dietary omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids in the nutrition of dogs and cats: A review. Progress in Nutrition, 6(2), 0-0.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272784328_The_role_of_dietary_omega-3_and_omega-6_essential_fatty_acids_in_the_nutrition_of_dogs_and_cats_A_review