Shop For Your Dog
Pet Food Cafe is dedicated to the holistic well being of your beloved family companions.
For the most part, your dog eats the same food every day. That is why carefully choosing a food is so important to your dog’s long-term health.
Shop For Your Cat
Our cats are special and we are committed to providing our soulful friends with natural foods made with the freshest ingredients, effective nutritional solutions and supplements, treats with a healthy purpose and luxurious pet care products created to beautify and pamper your feline.
Does your food help with crystals in urine?
| I have a dog with higher PH that has the tendancy to form crystals in the urine. Does your food naturally help with this? I ask because she had been on FRR for over 2 years without a problem and then as soon as we switched foods, the problem started. |
| First question: Why did you
switch foods? Flint River Ranch foods are formulated with proper mineral and
protein levels to minimize the risk of urinary problems. Bladder stones are fairly common in dogs and can be fatal if they go untreated and a blockage occurs. They form when excess minerals and waste products accumulate in the bladder. These materials form crystals ranging in size from microscopic to as big as a baseball. These crystals or stones irritate the bladder lining causing urinary tract infection, urinary blockage and ultimate kidney failure. Bladder stones can occur at any age, and occur with equal frequency in both males and females. However, bladder obstruction is far more common in males due to their longer, narrower urethra. Urinary blockage is an emergency. It requires immediate veterinary care if the animal is to survive. The symptoms of bladder stones include frequent urination, slip-ups in housebreaking, bloody urine and straining, followed by the inability to pass any urine. Symptoms of urinary blockage most often seen are vomiting, severe pain, depression and collapse. The smaller breeds seem more predisposed to bladder stones than larger dogs. Perhaps this is because as house dogs, they often do not get the regular exercise which has been proven to lower the risk of crystal formation. Diets that are high in magnesium and phosphorous along with high protein foods have been directly related to this condition. The pH levels of all Flint River Ranch dog foods are in the range from 5.8 to 6.2, and promote acidic urine. According to Dr. Richard Pitcairn (Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats), your dog might also benefit from supplementation with: Cod-liver Oil The lining of the bladder and urinary tract is kept in top condition by adequate vitamin A in the diet. In addition, vitamin D, which is produced by the animal's body in the presence of sunlight, can be deficient in many animals that live indoors much of the time. Cod-liver oil is a good source of vitamins A and D. (Use enough cod-liver oil to provide 2,500 IU of Vitamin A per day for dogs up to 20 pounds, 5,000 IU for dogs from 20 to 40 pounds, and 10,000 IU for larger dogs.) Vitamin C Give vitamin C to aid detoxification and to acidify the urine, which helps control bacterial infection and reduces the likelihood that stones will form. (Give 250 milligrams twice a day for dogs up to 20 pounds, 500 milligrams twice a day for dogs from 20 to 40 pounds, and 500 milligrams three times per day to larger dogs.) |
|
Click here to return to FAQ list |
Enter your email address to receive monthly speical offers and discounts delievered right to your inbox!
©2008 Pet Food Cafe. All Rights Reserved. Design by Solid Cactus.
