This is our review of the best alternatives to Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO dry dog food in 2024.
Does your dog have urinary health problems? If so, they aren’t alone. 14% of dogs will have a UTI in their lifetime. And around 20% of adult and senior dogs have kidney, liver, or bladder issues — including stones.
Because of this, many vets recommend specialized dog food formulas to support their dietary needs. A popular option is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO dry dog food.
It’s low in calcium, phosphorus, and protein. And it contains antioxidants and omega fatty acids to prevent inflammation and avoid bladder and kidney stones.
But this formula also contains grains, which may not be best for dogs with food allergies. And it requires a vet’s approval. Here are Royal Canin’s SO alternatives that may be better choices.
Best Royal Canin Urinary SO Alternatives
- Best for Urinary Care – Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care
- Best for Picky Eaters – Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Urinary Care Wet
- Best Low Protein – Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Selected Protein
- Best Budget Option – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St
- Best Non-Prescription – SquarePet VFS Low Phosphorus Formula
Dog Food Similar to Royal Canin Urinary SO Reviewed
Here are our top picks for the best substitutions to Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO dog food. They meet AAFCO’s nutrient requirements for dogs. Please consult with your vet before changing your dog’s diet.
1. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Dog Food
If you love Royal Canin’s food but need a lower fat or low sodium option, try Hill’s Multicare. It’s similar to the SO formula in ingredients. Still, it has extra support for dogs who need to maintain a healthy weight.
Both recipes are low in magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus to reduce the risk of struvite and calcium oxalate stones. And they’re also lower in protein to protect your dog from excess vitamins and minerals that cause bladder, liver, and urinary issues.
Unlike Royal Canin’s chicken fat and fish oil, Hill’s has soybean oil. While it’s not the best option for healthy fats, it’s still beneficial. It contains omega-6 fatty acids that aid in joint and gut health. And it keeps your dog’s coat soft and shiny.
Both foods also contain grains — including whole-grain corn and brewers rice. These gentle carbohydrates contain prebiotic fiber. It aids in reducing inflammation in the body and keeps your dog regular.
And complex carbohydrates are essential since they get digested in the small and large intestines and add to healthy gut flora.
Both formulas also share the same chelated vitamins and minerals and their ingredients. They include taurine for heart and eye health, and beta-carotene to reduce the chance of UTIs.
Parents report that this food is perfect for their dogs with diabetes. But overall, many recommend this for any dog that needs urinary support.
2. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Urinary Care Wet Dog Food
If you have a fussy eater, you’re in luck. While there aren’t many wet dog foods for urinary health, there are still options. One of the most popular is Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Urinary Care wet dog food.
This formula is perfect if you need to balance weight management and urinary care. It’s lower in fat and calories but higher in fiber and prebiotics for bladder health.
And, like Royal Canin, it contains controlled levels of minerals, like magnesium and sodium, to avoid kidney and bladder stones.
Unlike Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo is considered a grain-free formula. Instead, it contains ingredients like potatoes, brown rice, and carrots. If your dog is sensitive to components like wheat and corn, Blue Buffalo may be worth the switch.
The added moisture from chicken broth creates a taste your dog will love. Even the pickiest eaters can’t resist. And the moisture helps your dog urinate more often, which can help them flush out extra minerals.
Similar to Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo contains chicken fat. This helps nourish your dog’s digestive system with omega fatty acids. But Blue Buffalo also has flaxseeds, which contain omega-3 acids. These aid in cognitive function and lowers the risk of bladder stones forming.
Picky dog parents love that this food contains cranberries. They note that their dog hasn’t had as many UTIs or bladder stones since switching.
3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Selected Protein Dry Dog Food
Some dogs with urinary issues also have other problems — including food allergies or intolerances. Unfortunately, many dog foods that focus on bladder and kidney health tend to have chicken as their primary protein, which can cause allergic reactions.
If your dog needs a lower protein food with urinary health ingredients, try Royal Canin’s Selected Protein dry dog food. Instead of high allergen proteins like chicken or beef, it contains whitefish.
It’s also a limited ingredient diet to avoid other potential allergens. If your dog needs an elimination diet for their nutrition needs, this is perfect for that.
Similar to their SO formula, Royal Canin’s Selected Protein is easy to digest and contains omega-3 fatty acids. These come from the whitefish, fish oil, and vegetable oil. They also have EPA and DHA to help promote healthy skin and coats.
For bladder support, the Selected Protein recipe provides l-carnitine and taurine. These supplements offer heart and nerve support. But l-carnitine also supports the liver and kidneys by keeping their enzymes at normal levels.
Dog parents are happy to find a dog food that supports their pup’s allergies and urinary tract.
4. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St Dry Dog Food
Vet visits, prescription food, and urinary support supplements can cost a fortune. It may seem impossible for dog owners on a budget to afford it all. But that doesn’t have to be the case.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St dry dog food is wallet-friendly and excellent for dogs with urinary issues.
Like Royal Canin’s SO dog food, Purina’s formulated to help reduce the risk of urinary stone formation in dogs. It also helps prevent new stones and calcium oxalate crystals from forming. And it features high-quality ingredients and antioxidants for the immune system and urinary health.
This low-protein food contains similar ingredients to the SO formula, including whole-grain corn and brewers rice. But it is higher in fiber, so it also has corn gluten meal and powdered cellulose. These offer insoluble fiber, which helps your dog’s body process waste and urine easier.
Purina Ox/St dry dog food is also considered a limited-ingredient diet. If your dog can handle chicken but needs to avoid certain ingredients, it can be an excellent option.
Dog parents say this food helps their dogs avoid urinary tract infections and kidney problems. And they note that even their small pup can eat the food without struggling, so it’s excellent for small breeds.
5. SquarePet VFS Low Phosphorus Formula Dry Dog Food
If you don’t want to get a vet’s approval for dog food, other foods can support urinary health. Our favorite option is SquarePet VFS Low Phosphorus Formula dry dog food.
Like Royal Canin, Squarepet is low in protein, phosphorus, and sodium for dogs who need urinary support. But it’s also packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and other ingredients to defend against oxidative stressors. These promote a healthy immune system and overall wellness for most dogs.
It starts with cage-free turkey and whole eggs. So it’s a decent alternative to Royal Canin’s SO food if your dog can’t handle chicken. These ingredients offer glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and muscle support.
Unlike Royal Canin, SquarePet doesn’t have wheat, corn, or soy. It provides white rice and sweet potatoes for prebiotic fiber and complex carbohydrates. These are easy to digest and contain high vitamin A and E concentrations for eye and skin health.
One of the best additions to the VFS formula is turmeric. This is a natural antioxidant, helping keep your dog’s immune system strong. But it can also help relieve the inflammatory response of their bladder. Even if it’s not vet-prescribed, SquarePet is an excellent alternative to Royal Canin’s SO dog food.
Pet owners say their dog prefers this kibble over Royal Canin and Hill’s. And they love the simple ingredients and low phosphorus levels.
How To Transition To A New Dog Food
When you switch your pup to a new food, transition them over 5 to 7 days. To do this, start by adding a small amount of the new food to their current kibble.
Each day, increase the amount of new food until it’s the only food they eat.
And, of course, always consult with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet.
Our Verdict
Urinary issues don’t have to be the norm for your pup. Many dog food choices can support their urinary tract, kidneys, liver, and bladder.
The most common prescribed food is Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO formula.
Its low calcium and phosphorus levels keep inflammation, UTIs, and stones at bay.
But if your dog needs specific ingredients, you’re on a budget, or they don’t need a prescription, there are alternatives that you can switch to.
