Processed foods for "Struvite Crystals in her urine"....

[Scarlett_O']

EEEEKKK.....

OK, now Im over posting here!!HAHAHA

ANYWAYS....

A friend of mine has a Siberian Husky is on Royal Canine SO for her urinary issues.
This is what I know of from her vet visit: "she has Struvite Crystals in her urine, so we are trying to get rid of and prevent them from coming back as she has had 4 UTI's in the past 6 months. All had the Struvite Crystals in the urine."

Another friend of hers has suggested Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck...Im not a BB fan....and I told her I would start a thread here asking for ya'll opinions.

From what I understand, and what Victoria stated as well the issue with Struvite crystals is that there needs to be a lot of moister in the diet, so I am HIGHLY suggesting (for processed foods) canned, or freeze dried "raw".

We are NOT looking for a "stick with the vet food" answer...we are looking for BETTER food options then what she is currently on.

Oh and right now raw isnt an option for her, for various reasons, and that is why I put this over here(until I can get her convinced other wise!)


I will be linking this thread over to her....so feel free to ask any/all questions and I will answer them if needed, or she might join!

(Cari, if you join feel free to post any more info, or answer any/all questions!)

[malluver1005]

Aspen had struvite crystals once in the past, and they disappeared on a raw diet. One thing is for sure, she needs to add a lot of water to her dog's diet, and let her pee as often as she can. I still do.

[CariLynn]

Thank you for the comment, LOVE your Malamute! Dakota is going to be 13 in March and I have noticed, now that she is older, she is getting the UTI's more frequently. We keep her water fresh, she is outside 90% of the time on a 32ft lead, has water all times, and yes, she wakes my husband up when she has to go out so he lets her, if it is an hour or so before we get up, then she gets to stay outside.

I was looking at the Blue Buffalo Wilderness food, particularly the duck formula and if you look at the ingredients, there is no grain at all. Also has cranberries as well, we have a friend who has her Newfie on it and she is doing really well now.

[Unosmom]

I posted on FB as well, but I know several people who's had success with solid gold's berry balance, in addition to moisture rich food, so its worth a shot. Prescription diets just mask the underlying condition plus considering how much they cost, its a ripoff. Looking at the ingredient list, the only thing that stands out to me is salt being high on the list, which makes the dog thirsty, making them drink more. Why not just feed a decent quality food and mix some canned food with it to boost moisture content?

[Unosmom]

heres another good read
Bladder Stones + Crystals | B-Naturals.Com Newsletter

[MollyWoppy]

Not that I know anything about this horrible disease, but could it help adding something to their water making them want to drink it? Like, I add cornish hen blood to Windy's (cat) water and she'll sit down and drink a whole saucer full. Maybe something like a no salt beef or chicken broth? Please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just going by the idea that the more liquid you get in to them, the better.
A bit like if we get UTI's.

[CariLynn]

I didn't even think of canned but great idea! I am going to PetsMart tomorrow and will see if they have canned food and what is in it and comparing ingredients! I really appreciate the comments and ideas, I really want to do the right thing with Dakota, she is such a great dog. After loosing her best buddy Rocky in April, who was a Malamute/GSD and at the age of 14, that is still very raw for me.

Here is Rocky and our 1st grand daughter Lily when she was a wee baby:

[Scarlett_O']

Not that I know anything about this horrible disease, but could it help adding something to their water making them want to drink it? Like, I add cornish hen blood to Windy's (cat) water and she'll sit down and drink a whole saucer full. Maybe something like a no salt beef or chicken broth? Please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just going by the idea that the more liquid you get in to them, the better.
A bit like if we get UTI's.

That is what we do for my sister's 16 year Lhasa.
She is SUPER stubborn (only dog I know who will LITERALLY starve her self because she is bored with food)....but she WILL drink slightly warm beef broth(homemade) and/or meat juice...so she gets 3 cups a day...now she is only at a MAX 19.5lbs...so that is a LOT of water along with her homemade mostly raw/barf-ish diet.....but MAN does it help!! Last time she was checked NO crystals!!

[BoxerParty]

Honest Kitchen, maybe? It's less processed, and the added water means she would be more hydrated than on dry food.

[CariLynn]

I have some nice beef ribs I could make stock with and freeze what I don't use....maybe between that and a bit of wet dog food, that would get the moisture into her diet....Thank you ladies!!