Some dogs need extra support and nutrition to function and lead healthy lives. One of the most common issues with many pups are urinary health issues.
If your dog is prone to urinary issues, or if they get UTIs, it may be time to switch their food. But what’s the best dog food for urinary health?
Our number one option is Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Healthy Weight dry dog food.
It’s full of probiotics and vitamin C to help reduce uric acid which can cause infections. And, it has healthy proteins and fats to support digestive health too for all life stages.
But, I’ve also listed other foods for your dog as well — including veterinary-prescribed diets for unique needs. Many of these are low in purines but high in vitamins and antioxidants that can support your dogs well-being and urinary health.
Our Best Dog Food for Urinary Health
- Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food (Best Overall)
- Castor & Pollux Organix Healthy Grains Organic Puppy Dry Dog Food (Best for Puppies)
- Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Urinary Care Dry Dog Food (Best for Seniors)
- Freshpet Vital Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Small Breed Fresh Dog Food (Best for Small Breeds)
- Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Grain-Free Large Breed Dry Dog Food (Best for Large Breeds)
- Weruva Jammin’ Salmon in Pumpkin Soup Grain-Free Canned Dog Food (Best Wet Food)
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St Dry Dog Food (Best Budget Food)
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Dog Food (Best Premium Food)
- FirstMate LID Grain-Free Chicken Meal with Blueberries Dry Dog Food (Best Food With Antioxidants)
- Nom Nom Turkey Fare Dog Fod (Best Fresh Food)
10 Best Dog Food for Urinary Health Reviewed
The following formulas on our list meet the AAFCO’s nutrient profile guidelines. Before switching your dog to new dog food, please consult with your veterinarian.
Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Lentils, Peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: 35% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 13% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 367 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: High-protein dog food with probiotics and vitamin C for urinary health
If your dog is prone to have urinary health issues, you’ll want to feed them food that works as preventative or urinary health maintenance.
Luckily, you don’t have to have a prescription to do this! In fact, Wellness CORE RawRev Healthy Weight dry dog food can meet those needs.
This grain-free formula is high in fiber, antioxidants, and probiotics. And, it’s lower in certain minerals that can cause urinary stones or crystals in the bladder.
It starts with delicious deboned turkey, raw turkey liver, and turkey heart. These provide glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints and B vitamins to support energy levels.
Salmon oil is full of omega fatty acids for joint support. And it also includes DHA and EPA for a healthy heart and cognitive function.
Lentils, pea fiber, and kale provide essential nutrients like prebiotic fiber. This helps introduce healthy gut flora and boosts digestive health. But it also aids in cleaning out the colon and helping the kidneys absorb more vitamins.
This recipe is full of antioxidants from apples, blueberries, broccoli, and parsley. These help boost your dog’s immune system. And these ingredients have vitamins C, which can help prevent UTIs.
Wellness CORE is free of fillers, wheat, corn, and soy.
Dog parents love the raw bits of turkey added to this food. And, many are happy with how the probiotics keep their dogs regular.
Castor & Pollux Organix Healthy Grains Organic Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Meal, Organic Oatmeal, Organic Barley, Organic Brown Rice
- Guaranteed Analysis: 26% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 11% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 408 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: Non-GMO dry puppy food with DHA and probiotics for young dogs
Help get your puppy’s life started on the right paw with food filled with vitamins, organic ingredients, and probiotics. Castor & Pollux Organix Healthy Grains dry puppy food can protect their urinary health and aid in healthy and steady growth.
This formula starts with organic and free-range chicken. This real animal protein contains vitamins like B12 for healthy nerve cells. And it also has choline for proper liver and kidney function.
Organic sunflower oil and fish oil are packed with DHA to help support your puppy’s brain development. And they contain essential amino acids for flexible and limber joints.
Organic blueberries and organic sweet potatoes contain antioxidants and beta-carotene. These wholesome ingredients aid immune and eye health, and keep the urinary tract from retaining too much fluid.
Last but not least, Castor & Pollux sprinkle probiotics onto the food after it’s cooked. These provide beneficial microorganisms, which can help prevent UTIs.
This formula is made in the US with non-GMO ingredients. It’s free of artificial ingredients, synthetic fertilizers, and chemical pesticides. It also doesn’t include corn, soy, wheat, chickpeas, or lentils.
Puppy parents agree that this is top-quality food with ingredients that support healthy puppy growth.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Urinary Care Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Starch, Peas, Pea Protein
- Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 17% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 309 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: Grain-free and high-fiber dog food with cranberries for urinary care in senior dogs
Senior dogs tend to have trouble urinating. Because of this, they are prone to chronic UTIs and other urinary health issues. If this is the case for your older pup, you may want to get prescription dog food from your vet.
One of the best options is Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Urinary Care formula. This senior dog food keeps your senior at a healthy and maintained weight. Plus, it helps avoid muscle loss, and keeps their urinary tract healthy.
This grain-free recipe starts with deboned chicken and chicken meal. These contain high-quality protein to keep your dog satiated. But they’re also low in fat and calories to keep them from gaining weight or having digestive issues.
This veterinary diet is high in fiber, too, from pea fiber, pea starch, and tapioca starch. This helps keep your dog fuller longer while supporting their digestion system too. And it helps keep them regular.
The best benefit about this food? It’s formulated with controlled levels of minerals that can cause urinary crystals and stones that cause issues.
This includes less magnesium and sodium to help support your fur baby’s urinary health. And it contains cranberries to avoid harmful bacteria.
Senior dog owners were happy that their vet recommended this food. They say it stops chronic UTIs and even helps overweight dogs lose a few pounds.
Freshpet Vital Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Small Breed Fresh Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Pea Protein
- Guaranteed Analysis: (wet matter basis) 16% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 63% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 265 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: Human-grade dog food with cranberries for small breed urinary health support
Small breeds are more likely to experience urinary tract health issues. This is because their urethras are shorter than their larger counterparts. But, preventative measures can protect your pup, and you can do it without a prescription.
Freshpet fresh dog food is perfect for even the pickiest pooches. And, because it’s grain-free and includes plenty of antioxidants, you’ll also be able to help your dog avoid potential urinary problems.
It starts with deboned chicken, chicken liver, eggs. These are rich in choline and betaine — aiding in cell production and proper kidney function. And chicken liver provides extra flavor to entice your dog to eat their food.
Antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes, cranberries, and carrots are gently cooked and full of benefits. First, they include high sources of vitamin C and vitamin E for urinary health. And they also contain fiber for healthy digestion.
The ingredients in this formula are non-GMO verified. It doesn’t include preservatives, meat by-products, or rendered meals. You can serve it as a complete meal or as a tasty food topper.
Pet parents exclaim that this is their dogs’ favorite food. They love the small bites and wholesome ingredients.
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Grain-Free Large Breed Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes
- Guaranteed Analysis: 38% Crude Protein, 17% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 11% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 386 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: High-protein dog food with probiotics and yucca schidigera extract for large breeds of all life stages
Large breeds are usually less likely to have urinary health issues. But that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. And some big dogs (like Dalmatians) can have kidney and liver issues that affect the urinary tract.
So, to prevent problems and still give your pup a high-quality diet, try Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed dry dog food.
Real deboned chicken and chicken meal are the first ingredients. This formula includes other high-quality proteins — salmon meal, deboned duck, and real lamb. These provide a healthy dose of nutrients like B12 for energy and taurine for heart health.
Chicken fat includes essential nutrients like fatty acids and vitamin E. It offers glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint function. But, it also gives your dog itch-free skin and a shiny coat.
This natural dog food is freeze-dried raw-coated for extra protein and vitamins. It also includes four probiotic strains for plenty of gut health help and to keep your dog’s digestion healthy. And yucca schidigera extract helps reduce uric acid, which can protect your dog’s kidneys and urinary tract.
Pet owners are fond of this food for its raw friendly ingredients. And, they admit to seeing a positive difference in their dogs’ digestion and coat health.
Weruva Jammin’ Salmon in Pumpkin Soup Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken (Boneless, Skinless, White Breast), Pumpkin, Salmon, Tomato, Peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: (wet matter basis) 8% Crude Protein, 1.4% Crude Fat, .5% Crude Fiber, 86% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 219 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: Low-fat and non-GMO canned dog food with high moisture content for regularity
The more moisture your dog drinks or eat, the more they’re able to pee. This helps flush out any harmful bacteria and keep their bladder strong. If your dog doesn’t drink enough water, wet food may be the best option to keep urinary issues at bay.
When it comes to canned options, Weruva is one of the best. First, it includes supplemented vitamin E, B12, and vitamin C for proper immune and digestive support. But, it also includes fiber and omega fatty acids to support urinary health.
It starts with boneless, skinless, white breast chicken and wild-caught salmon. These include omega-3s for healthy skin and a lustrous coat. And, they make the food high-protein for dogs who need to keep up with their lean muscle development.
Green peas, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin are pureed to create a soup-like food. These grain-free carbohydrates are great for pups with sensitive stomachs or those who have allergies. And they provide prebiotic fiber for better digestion.
This canned food is free of soy, corn, and wheat. It’s also non-GMO and filled with wholesome ingredients free from antibiotics and hormones.
Dog moms and dads say that even their pickiest dogs gobble up this food. But, some admit that while it’s great for those with liver and kidney issues, it can make their dogs a little gassy.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Whole Grain Corn, Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat
- Guaranteed Analysis: 21% Crude Protein, 9% Crude Fat, 6.5% Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 408 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: High-fiber and pea-free veterinary diet that helps reduce urinary stones
Buying veterinary prescription dog food can cost a pretty penny. But, it doesn’t have to. If your dog has increased uric acid, or if they get urinary stones often, you don’t have to spend a fortune to help them.
Instead, ask your vet about Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Urinary Ox/St dry dog food. It’s nutritionists, researchers, and veterinarians crafted and approved.
This is a lower-protein food to keep uric acid at bay, so the formula starts with whole grain corn. But, it does include chicken by-product meal from regional sources. And don’t let the “by-product” label scare you. Purina ensures that it’s real chicken mixed with poultry bones and feet.
Chicken fat and vitamin E provide essential amino acids. These help reduce inflammation in the joints and help your dog digest their food easier.
This dry dog food is for breeds that suffer from urinary stones and crystals. It’s developed to help dissolve existing sterile struvite stones. It also prevents both new crystals and calcium oxalate stones from forming in the future.
Canine owners say this food is a godsend. Many switched after their dogs received bladder surgery. And, most say their dogs haven’t had a single stone since switching to this formula.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Corn, Chicken Fat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice Flour
- Guaranteed Analysis: 17% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 3.7% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 333 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: Low-protein dog food with marigold extract for digestive and immune support
Some dog owners are willing to spare no expense to keep their dogs healthy throughout their life stages. And while budget-friendly foods aren’t bad, some want to spoil their pup with a high-quality and high-value option.
If you’re looking for a premium formula, Royal Canin Canine Urinary SO is a prescription dog food just for your pup.
It’s developed to nutritionally support your adult dog’s urinary tract and bladder health. And it promotes a urinary environment that eliminates the formation of both struvite and calcium oxalate crystals.
Just like the Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin is a lower-protein formula. Due to this, its first ingredients are brewers rice, corn, and chicken fat. These provide prebiotics to help flush out harmful bacteria.
Marigold extract, a less common ingredient in dog food, is the perfect addition to this food. It is high in antioxidants for an immune system boost. And it also has anti-inflammatory properties to protect gut health.
This formula was crafted to increase the amount of urine your dog produces. Relative Super Saturation (RSS) methodology is also used to help lower the ion concentration in urine. This helps to dilute excess minerals that can cause crystals and stones.
Also, this recipe has a reduced level of magnesium. This helps dissolve pure struvite stones and prevent struvite stones from forming.
Pet owners say this food has solved recurrent urinary tract infections for their dogs, and they consider it a lifesaver.
FirstMate LID Grain-Free Chicken Meal with Blueberries Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Burbank Potato, Norkotah Potato, Chicken Fat, Whole Blueberries
- Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 4% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 537 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: Sensitive digestion dry dog food that’s low in purines for urinary health
Dogs who need low purine dog food to thrive can benefit from a diet like FirstMate’s Limited Ingredient dry dog food. Not only does it help reduce uric acid, but it also helps reduce the chance of urinary stones. And it doesn’t require a vet prescription!
This formula starts with free-run chicken meal. This is mono-protein dog food, with chicken being the only inclusion. This is helpful for dogs that may be allergic to other animal proteins like beef or pork. It also has natural omega fatty acids for joint health.
The other four ingredients, minus vitamins, include two different potatoes, chicken fat, and whole blueberries. These are easy-to-digest carbs, and the blueberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C for a boost to your dog’s immune system and acidify the urine.
A few healthy vitamins that are important to urinary health are chelated in this formula. These include B vitamins and vitamin A. And, manganese helps your dog metabolize their food better, which can help them avoid urinary tract infections.
Pet parents say to be careful portioning out this food. Since it’s high-calorie, some noticed that their dogs gained weight over time. But, they love the simple ingredients and say it’s great if your dog suffers from kidney or digestion problems.
Nom Nom Turkey Fare Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Ground Turkey, Brown Rice, Eggs, Carrots, Spinach
- Guaranteed Analysis: (wet matter basis) 10% Crude Protein, 5% Crude Fat, 1% Fiber, 72% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 201 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: Human-grade high-quality dog food high in B vitamins for a healthy urinary tract
If you’re looking for a way to give your dog a diet suited to their needs, give Nom Nom a try. This human-grade dog food is made with locally sourced ingredients like ground turkey, brown rice, and spinach. And, it’s as close to homemade dog food that you can get.
And, if your dog has intolerances or needs help with their urinary health, they can craft the perfect nutrition for them.
Nom Nom starts with a quiz about your dog — including questions like potential allergies, their weight, and their activity level. Once you complete the quiz, they calculate your dog’s caloric, protein, and fat needs.
From there, you can choose between four different recipes — turkey, pork, beef, and chicken. If your dog has urinary health problems, I suggest avoiding red meat like beef. But the other options can be great too.
After choosing the recipe (or multiple options) to feed your pup, Nom Nom will ship the food to your door every two to four weeks. Each recipe is made in small batches and tested to ensure high-quality food.
Dog owners love how easy this food is to customize. And, they’re happy with the high-quality ingredients.
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Urinary Support
There are quite a few things to look out for when it comes to your dog’s urinary health. Here’s how to take care of your dog and choose the best food.
Urinary Health In Dogs
What are some possible urinary health problems your dog may experience, and what causes them? Here’s what you need to know.
Common Urinary Health Issues
Many different urinary health complications can affect your pup.
The most common problems are bladder stones, bacterial cystitis, crystals in the bladder and kidneys, or even a weak urethral sphincter.
And other health problems like cancer and urinary tract infections can affect the bladder, too, even if it’s not the main issue.
Last but not least, external trauma, like obstruction of the urethra, can happen too. While these aren’t as common, they can still cause significant damage.
If you feel like your dog has urinary health issues or incontinence, get them seen by your vet immediately.
Causes of Urinary Tract Health Problems
So what causes urinary tract health issues? A few things can happen. Bladder inflammation or lower urinary tract infections can affect urinary health. Stones and crystals in the bladder can also be a common cause.
While not as common, other health problems include:
- Prostate disease
- Kidney disease
- Urinary tract disease
- Spinal cord abnormalities
- External or internal trauma
- Incontinence due to old age or holding pee
If your dog’s use schedule is out of whack, and you notice other symptoms like extreme thirst, whining and pain, and even “wetting the bed” when they’ve gone outside, see your veterinarian.
Dogs Prone to Urinary Tract Issues
While urinary tract issues can happen to any dog, a few breeds and types are more susceptible.
Small breeds — especially Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, and Yorkshire Terriers — are prone to urinary tract stones, for example.
Female dogs are more likely to get urinary tract infections since their urethras are shorter than male dogs, and bacteria don’t have to travel as far upwards.
Dogs with diabetes can develop a urinary tract infection faster, too, since their organs can’t filter as many minerals and waste. And, dogs with kidney issues (like Dalmatians) are more likely to have bladder stones and UTIs.
Symptoms of Urinary Health Issues
How do you know if your dog is having urinary health issues? There will be symptoms that alert you.
Keep an eye on:
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Incontinence or frequent urination
- Peeing in the home
- Needing to go out often
- Straining or whining during urination
- Strong urine odor
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
These symptoms should be taken seriously. If your dog exhibits one or more of these, see your vet as soon as possible.
Diet and Urinary Health
Your dog’s diet plays a crucial role in maintaining their urinary health. It will need to keep their urine pH balanced, limit the possibility of stones, and avoid urinary tract health problems .
The best dog foods to prevent urinary health issues will include B12 vitamins, Vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids.
And, prebiotics and probiotics can be helpful as well. These nutrients help reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and add live digestive enzymes to keep the urinary tract healthy.
And lower fat and protein diets can also help decrease acid levels in the urine. This can reduce the chance of unwanted bacteria clogging the bladder or urethra and causing urinary health issues.
Also, dog foods with real animal proteins, fresh fruits, vegetables, and probiotics can keep UTIs at bay.
Last but not least, make sure your dog has plenty of water to drink. Increased water consumption will help produce more urine, which will help decrease the concentration of minerals. And it helps flush out the urinary tract and keep it clean.
Prescription and Non-Prescription Diet
If your dog doesn’t have any current urinary health issues, you may not need a prescription diet. Instead, feeding one of the non-prescription dog foods from this list can be a preventative measure.
And even if your dog is diagnosed with a health issue, some non-prescription dog foods can still help.
However, if your dog suffers from problems like chronic UTIs or bladder stones, it’s better to get a prescription. These prescription diets contain lower amounts of minerals like phosphorus and sodium. Plus, they’re lower in protein and fat.
If you want to explore a prescription diet for your dog, your veterinarian can help you pick the best option.
What Food Should You Be Buying for Urinary Health?
If looking for new dog food for urinary health, here is what to keep watch for.
More Moisture
First, you should choose a food that has higher moisture content. While wet and canned food would be the best solution, dry food can also have higher moisture content.
Ideally, you want at least 10% moisture. And, you can mix wet food and dry kibble if you’re looking to cut costs.
Avoid Certain Minerals
If your dog is prone to urinary health problems or UTIs, you’ll want to choose food that doesn’t include high levels of certain minerals. These include magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.
These minerals can cause the formation of crystals in your dog’s bladder and urinary tract. And, in some instances, your dog’s kidneys can’t filter out these crystals, thus causing other problems.
On top of these minerals, you will want to limit your dog’s sodium intake too. The excess salt content can cause fluid retention and lead to UTIs.
Vitamins
Vitamins like B12, Vitamin C, and vitamin E can be beneficial in your dog’s diet. They help boost your dog’s immune system, making it stronger to fight off potential infections.
And they also help reduce inflammation in the gut and other organs. Vitamin E, your dog gets nourishment that helps them break down nutrients better.
Cranberries
Like their human counterparts, dogs with UTIs can benefit when cranberries are added to their diet.
Why? Because cranberries contain A-type proanthocyanidins (also known as PACs). These help prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. This means that the bacteria can’t grow, thus avoiding infections.
While some dog foods contain cranberries or a powder supplement, you can also buy cranberry powder to top your dog’s food.
Our Verdict
Your dog doesn’t have to suffer from urinary health issues. Many formulas can support their unique and sensitive needs.
Our favorite is Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Healthy Weight dry dog food.
It includes DHA and EPA for healthy heart function and a brain boost. And it’s full of prebiotic fiber for healthy gut flora and cleaning out the urinary tract.
But all of the other formulas on this list protect your dog’s urinary health too. And there are multiple options based on what they need, whether it’s preventative measures or to get rid of urinary stones.
FAQ
Want to boost your dog’s urinary health? Here are some frequently asked questions and our answers!
How can I increase my dog’s urination?
You can increase the supplementation of ingredients like cranberries or blueberries. And you can also get food that has probiotics to aid in better gut health and reduce inflammation. Of course, the easiest thing to do is provide more water.
However, some cases will require vet recommendations and possibly even medication. If you’ve tried the natural methods above with little success, book an appointment to get your dog evaluated.
Can a lack of urination cause urinary problems in dogs?
Yes. If your dog can’t urinate enough, this can cause infections (like UTIs) and even an over-distended bladder. If your dog has stopped peeing regularly, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
Can commercial dog food cause urinary health issues?
Yes, although it’s not always the main reason. But lower-quality food may not have the proper balance of minerals and nutrients that aid nutrient absorption. If this causes your dog’s pH levels to lower, bacteria that causes UTIs thrives.
Be sure that whatever food your dog eats is balanced in vitamins and minerals that suit them. And, you can consult with your vet if problems persist, even if switching foods.
Why does my dog keep getting UTIs?
Chronic UTIs can have multiple causes. This can include muscle weakness, rupture of the bladder, or loss of movement. Or, it can be the symptom of more severe health issues like tumors. Be sure to check with your veterinarian if your dog has multiple UTIs.
