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Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones in Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on by Jonh Luke
A dog drinking water from a bowl

Dealing with kidney stones in your canine companion can be a source of significant worry, especially when conventional veterinary advice often points towards surgery as the primary solution. While surgery is indeed a necessary option for severe cases, there are also instances where dietary adjustments and natural home remedies can effectively manage your dog’s condition and even help them pass existing stones. This guide explores how you can potentially avoid invasive procedures and prevent future occurrences of kidney stones in your beloved dog.

Understanding Canine Kidney Stones: Natural vs. Conventional Approaches

The decision between conventional and natural treatments for kidney stones in dogs can be challenging. It is often beneficial to consult with both a conventional and a holistic veterinarian to gain a comprehensive understanding of your dog’s condition and the available treatment options. A holistic vet can help you weigh the pros and cons of each approach based on your dog’s specific health status.

The most critical situation arises with a complete urinary blockage. If your dog is unable to urinate, this is an immediate emergency requiring prompt surgical intervention. However, for milder cases, you may have the flexibility to explore natural alternatives that can offer a less invasive path to recovery.

Natural Management of Canine Kidney Stones

Some dogs are predisposed to developing recurring kidney stones. Fortunately, many natural approaches can be utilized for both treatment and prevention. The following dietary and herbal strategies can significantly aid in managing kidney stones in your dog.

1. Encourage Ample Water Intake

This fundamental step is crucial and often underestimated, even by veterinary professionals. Regardless of the type of stones your dog has, adequate hydration plays a vital role in their management.

Most dogs developing kidney stones are typically fed kibble, which contains only 9% to 11% moisture. In contrast, a raw diet naturally provides 80% or more moisture.

Keeping your dog well-hydrated dilutes the minerals in their urine, which is essential for preventing stone formation. While a high-moisture diet is a great starting point, you might observe your dog drinking less water when switched to raw food.

Ensure your dog always has access to plenty of filtered or spring water, avoiding tap water due to potential contaminants. Here are several methods to encourage increased water consumption:

  • Multiple Water Bowls: Place additional water bowls throughout your home and yard.
  • Flavoring Water: Enhance the appeal of water by adding a small amount of unsalted bone broth.
  • Water Fountains: Invest in a pet water fountain that offers circulating, moving water, which can entice some dogs to drink more.
  • Bone Broth: Serve bone broth directly or incorporate it into their food.

It is important to let your dog drink voluntarily. Never force your dog to consume more water than they desire. Concurrently, with increased fluid intake, ensure your dog has frequent opportunities to relieve themselves.

A dog drinking water from a bowlA dog drinking water from a bowl

2. Tailor Diet to Prevent Kidney Stone Formation

A fresh, whole-food diet is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle for any dog, regardless of their health status. It is particularly important to avoid highly processed, starchy kibble diets, especially if your dog is prone to struvite stones. This recommendation extends to prescription diets, which, while they might offer short-term relief, often lack the essential nutritional value your dog needs for long-term health.

RELATED: Why you should avoid prescription diets …

Below are dietary recommendations for different types of kidney stones, based on advice from Homeopath and Certified Canine Nutritionist Brenda Tobin DiHom, DVetHom, Cert CN.

Diet for Struvite Stones

Struvite stones form when a dog’s urine is alkaline and contains high levels of magnesium and phosphate. Bacterial infections are a common cause of struvite stones. Dogs that produce a concentrated amount of urea are more susceptible, as bacterial urease can convert urea to ammonia, a key component of struvite.

Since animal proteins are acidifying, a raw meat-based diet rich in other acidic foods is recommended for managing struvite stones.

INCLUDE Acidic Foods For Struvite Stones:

  • Chicken (organic, free-range preferred)
  • Beef
  • Eggs
  • Pork
  • Cottage cheese
  • Brown rice
  • Black beans
  • Chickpeas
  • Kidney beans

AVOID Alkaline Foods For Struvite Stones:

  • Broccoli
  • All sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Pumpkin
  • Asparagus
  • Carrots
  • Cucumbers
  • Green beans
  • Peas
  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Swiss chard
  • Fruits: bananas, apples, pineapple, strawberries

Diet for Calcium Oxalate Stones

Oxalate crystals form when oxalates are excreted in the urine and bind with calcium, leading to calcium oxalate stones. Urine with a high concentration of calcium oxalate crystals is acidic, requiring a diet rich in alkaline or neutral foods.

When administering supplements, ensure they do not contain excessive amounts of Vitamin C, as it is acidifying.

FEED Low Oxalate Foods:

  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Organ meats
  • Clams
  • Fish (cod, whitefish, salmon, oysters)
  • Eggs
  • Fruits – apples, pears, watermelon, banana, lemon, pineapple
  • Vegetables – broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, mushrooms, lettuce
  • Herbs – parsley, peppermint, garlic, ginger, basil

AVOID High Oxalate Foods:

  • Peanuts
  • Legumes – lentils, beans (black, white, navy)
  • Turmeric
  • Soy
  • Grains – wheat, corn, rice
  • Fruits – apricots, figs
  • Vegetables – collard, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, okra

Diet for Urate Stones

Breeds like Dalmatians are prone to urate stones and require a low-purine diet. A fresh, whole-food diet focusing on low and medium-purine options from the list below is recommended. Always avoid high-purine foods.

FEED Low and Medium Purine Foods:

  • Green leafy vegetables (excluding spinach)
  • Eggs
  • Dairy products (plain yogurt, kefir, low-fat cottage cheese)
  • Nuts (excluding macadamia nuts, which are toxic to dogs)
  • Muscle meats from chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, and beef
  • Oats and oatmeal
  • Fruits

Green tripe can be fed in moderation, about once a week. While it is medium to high in purines, it offers significant benefits, including enzymes and beneficial bacteria that aid digestion and metabolism.

AVOID High Purine Foods:

  • Organs/offal (brain, heart, liver, kidneys)
  • Game
  • Duck
  • Goose
  • Yeast (including nutritional and brewer’s yeast)
  • Oily fish (mackerel, herring, sardines)
  • Mussels
  • Scallops
  • Spinach
  • Cauliflower
  • Mushrooms
  • Peas
  • Legumes (kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas)

Additional Foods for Kidney Stone Prevention

Several other foods can contribute to preventing kidney stones in dogs:

Cranberries: Cranberries can be a valuable addition to your dog’s diet, particularly for preventing struvite stones. Research suggests they are effective in managing and preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are often the underlying cause of struvite stone formation. Cranberries also help to acidify your dog’s urine, further deterring struvite stone development. Always opt for organic cranberries. If your dog tolerates whole cranberries, start by sprinkling a few on their food. Unsweetened freeze-dried cranberries are another excellent option. Alternatively, a cranberry supplement specifically formulated for dogs can be used, following the dosage instructions on the label. If using a human supplement, adjust the dosage based on your dog’s weight compared to a 150 lb person.

RELATED: How cranberries help your dog …

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Many dogs prone to struvite stones respond positively to regular administration of apple cider vinegar. It aids in acidifying the urine, thereby reducing the likelihood of struvite stone formation. Choose raw, organic, unfiltered ACV. Mix it with your dog’s food or water (if they prefer) according to their weight:

  • Up to 15 lbs: 1 tsp
  • Up to 35 lbs: 2 tsp
  • Up to 85 lbs: 1 Tbsp

Disclaimer: This is a placeholder image. Actual images should be sourced appropriately.

3. Utilize Herbal Support for Kidney Stones

Several herbs can be instrumental in managing kidney stones. Canine Herbalist Rita Hogan’s protocol successfully helped her own dog avoid surgery for bladder stones. After adopting her dog Francis, who had severe bladder stones, Rita opted for a raw diet and the herbal blend detailed below. Within three weeks, the stones were gone.

RELATED: Want to get your dog started on raw? Here’s how …

Emergency/Acute Herbal Blend for Kidney Stones

Rita Hogan recommends this blend for dogs experiencing acute symptoms of bladder stones. This formula is effective for both struvite and oxalate stones.

Combine the following tinctures in these proportions:

  • Marshmallow root glycerite: 20%
  • Cleavers leaf and flower tincture: 15%
  • Nettle leaf tincture: 20%
  • Plantain leaf tincture: 10%
  • Blackberry leaf tincture: 10%
  • Uva ursi leaf tincture: 10%
  • Gravel root tincture: 10%
  • Yarrow flowers and leaf tincture: 5%

Dosage: Administer 3 drops for every 10 lbs of body weight, three times daily.

Caution: This blend is not suitable for dogs with kidney or liver disease, or for pregnant dogs.

Healing Herbal Infusions for Kidney Stones

Once your dog’s acute symptoms subside, Rita suggests using either hot or cold infusions based on her recipes to support ongoing healing.

Hot Infusion:

Combine equal amounts of the following dried herbs. Add 2 tablespoons of dried herbs to 8 ounces of nearly boiling water. Steep for 45 minutes, then strain and cool before use. This infusion can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; then, prepare a fresh batch.

  • Nettle leaf
  • Plantain leaf
  • Blackberry leaf
  • Uva Ursi leaf
  • Yarrow leaf and flower
  • Gravel Root

Dose: Administer 1/8 cup per 10 pounds of body weight over food, twice daily.

Cold Infusion:

Use equal amounts of the following dried herbs. Add 2 tablespoons of dried herbs to 8 ounces of water. Steep overnight, then strain and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Prepare a fresh batch thereafter.

  • Marshmallow root
  • Cleavers leaf and flower

Dose: Administer 1/8 cup per 10 pounds of body weight over food, twice daily.

Other Herbal Options

Herbs can also be used for general support when your dog has kidney stones by:

  • Helping to moderate urine pH.
  • Reducing infection.
  • Soothing the bladder and urinary tract.

Mucilaginous herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow root can lubricate mucous membranes, aiding in the passage of stones. Herbalists Gregory Tilford and Mary Wulff recommend the following formula to soothe, lubricate, reduce inflammation, and help prevent or reduce infection:

Herbal Formula for Urinary Infections and Stones:

Prepare a strong tea from dried herbs or use low-alcohol tinctures.

  • 3 parts marshmallow root
  • 1 part couch grass
  • 1 part nettle
  • 1 part echinacea
  • 1 part Oregon grape

Administer this on an empty stomach and encourage your dog to drink plenty of water.

Tea Dosing: 1 tsp (5 ml) of cooled tea twice daily per 30 lbs body weight.
Tincture Dosing: 1-2 ml twice daily per 30 lbs body weight.

4. Homeopathic Remedies for Kidney Stones

Homeopathy can provide supplementary support for your dog. Consider these remedies:

  • Cantharis: A primary remedy for stones. Your dog may strain to urinate, often passing only drops of blood-tinged urine.
  • Aconite: Beneficial if early signs of a urinary tract infection are present, particularly if accompanied by a fever.
  • Causticum: Useful for older dogs experiencing incontinence, leakage, dribbling, and difficulty urinating.
  • Natrum muriaticum: Indicated if your dog exhibits excessive thirst and passes large amounts of pale urine. This remedy is considered for “clearing out the kidneys,” and you may observe the passage of large quantities of cloudy urine after its use.
  • Berberis: Effective for dogs experiencing back pain, especially near the kidneys. This is an excellent choice for oxalate crystals.

How to Administer Homeopathic Remedies

Obtain remedies in 30C or 200C potency. Select the remedy that best matches your dog’s symptoms.

  • Place 2-3 pellets in 1/4 cup of spring or filtered water. Avoid touching the pellets directly, as this can diminish their efficacy.
  • Stir vigorously, then use a dropper or teaspoon to administer a small amount onto your dog’s gums. This constitutes one dose.
  • Dosing Frequency: For 30C potency, administer twice daily for 5-7 days. For 200C potency, give a single dose and observe for improvement before repeating.
  • Do not refrigerate the remedy. Prepare a fresh water solution daily.

Disclaimer: This is a placeholder image. Actual images should be sourced appropriately.

5. Monitor Urine pH

For dogs prone to any type of kidney stones, regularly monitoring their urine pH is advisable. Urine pH test strips are readily available for home use. For more detailed analysis, consider VetStixTM, which can be purchased from many online pharmacies without a prescription. These strips are user-friendly and can potentially save you the expense of a veterinary urinalysis.

Consult your holistic veterinarian for the ideal pH level for your dog. Generally, aim to maintain a neutral pH, around 7.0.

While kidney stones can be painful and life-threatening, numerous natural approaches can effectively manage the condition. Even if surgical removal of stones becomes necessary, the right diet and herbal remedies can significantly contribute to preventing their recurrence.

References:

Jonh Luke

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