Is there any benefit of raw dog food for urinary health? At Mersey Raw, we’re faced with many customers dealing with all kinds of issues regarding their dogs' health, including urinary issues. A common question is whether raw dog food can be good for pets' urinary health. Well, we’re here to tell you! Follow on to explore the potential benefits that raw dog food can have for urinary health.
Does Your Dog Struggle With Urinary Health?
If you believe that your dog may be struggling with urinary issues, it’s important to seek help from a vet. Urinary issues in dogs shouldn’t go ignored, and resolving the issue is key in preventing further problems from occurring.
There are many reasons why your dog could have urinary issues, but believe it or not, their diet could be having a big impact. Choosing a healthy, balanced diet for your dog is essential, more so if they begin showing signs of poor urinary health.
Good vs Bad Urinary Health in Dogs
Potential urinary issues in dogs can be hard to recognise, especially if you’re unsure what to look out for. Let’s take a look at some common signs of good and bad urinary health in dogs.
| Signs of Good Urinary Health | Signs of Bad Urinary Health |
|---|---|
| Clear or pale yellow urine | Darker urine |
| Regular toilet visits | Increase in toilet visits |
| No straining | Straining |
| No blood or cloudiness | Blood, cloudiness, or both |
| Comfortable during urination | Discomfort during urination |
| Odourless or normal-smelling urine | Strong-smelling urine |
While these common signs of good and bad urinary health in dogs are typical, they can vary. Other potential issues display in dogs with poor urinary health, such as excessive licking of the genitals or changes in drinking habits. If you spot any signs of poor urinary health, you should consult with a vet.
Common Urinary Health Issues in Dogs
Some of the most common urinary health issues in dogs often (but not always) include incontinence, UTIs, and bladder stones. But what do these issues cause exactly?
Incontinence
Urinary incontinence in dogs is an unintentional leakage of urine. Dogs struggling with incontinence are unable to control their bladder, which may result in them urinating in places they don’t usually. Research from last year at the Royal Veterinary College stated that urinary incontinence affects 1 in every 30 female dogs in the UK, with those that are spayed being over three times more likely to experience it.
UTIs
It’s not uncommon for dogs to be diagnosed with a UTI. However, similar to humans, UTIs can often be treated using antibiotics and pain relief. With that being said, it’s not always smooth sailing - UTIs in dogs are either uncomplicated and treatable or recurring. Your vet will assess the severity of your dog's UTI and advise on the necessary steps to take.
Bladder Stones
Bladder stones vary in size and number, with some dogs experiencing them more severely than others. If your dog has bladder stones, they may show signs of pain, have blood in their urine, or experience general changes in urination (although this varies). Symptoms of bladder stones can be somewhat similar to a UTI in some cases, which is why your dog needs to be seen by a vet to find out the exact issue.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Dogs' Urinary Health
Diagnosis and treatment for your dog's urinary health will widely vary depending on the type of health issue they’re facing.
For example, what diagnosis and treatment would be advised for a UTI?
We can’t pinpoint exactly how your vet will diagnose and treat your pup for a UTI, as some cases are different from others. However, a typical diagnosis for a UTI tends to involve a general evaluation, a urine sample (or a urinalysis in veterinary terms), and further additional tests if necessary. In summary, treatment would be dependent on the outcome of the tests.
Can Your Dog's Food Affect Their Urinary Health?
Your dog's diet significantly impacts their health, so it’s no secret that their diet could be affecting their urinary health specifically. Particular components in dog food can either contribute to or help avoid urinary issues. In short, what you choose to feed your dog can have a huge impact on their health, including issues related to urination.
The Best Dog Food for Good Urinary Health
So, what’s the best dog food for good urinary health in dogs? We’ll start by saying that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and one diet that works for your dog's urinary health may not work for another. However, we strongly believe that raw dog food can be beneficial in supporting your dog's urinary health.
But how?
Raw diets contain a high moisture content, which is ideal for dogs facing urinary problems or struggling with water intake. Not only this, but raw diets are aligned with your dog's natural diet, and their bodies will certainly thank you for feeding such a species-appropriate diet.
Why Raw Food for Urinary Health? The Potential Benefits
A raw diet is three things - all of which are potentially beneficial to your dog's urinary health:
- Healthy: Supporting the overall health and well-being of your dog.
- Species-Appropriate: Containing no nasty fillers, cereals, or preservative ingredients that could cause inflammation or other potential health issues.
- Moisture-Rich: Helping keep your dog hydrated at feeding time, supporting the bladder's function.
There are certainly likely benefits of raw dog food for urinary health. Not only does feeding raw benefit your dog's urinary health, but it also helps promote healthier skin, clean teeth, and firmer (less smelly!) stools.
Shop Our Moisture-Rich Raw Dog Food Today!
At Mersey Raw, we take pride in providing healthy, nutritious, and moisture-rich raw minces for dogs. We’re committed to helping dogs across the UK transition to a species-appropriate diet to benefit their overall health.
We understand it can feel overwhelming with so many dog food options on the market today. Rest assured, at Mersey Raw, we make feeding your dog a simple and hassle-free experience! Each of our minces is packed with high-quality ingredients and moisture to potentially aid your dog's kidneys and bladder.
Shop our moisture-rich raw minces or add bone broth to your dog’s meals for extra hydration support. Unsure where to start? Contact us today for extra help!