When Stones Aren’t Set in Stone — Nutritional Management of Canine Struvite Uroliths

Imagine this: you take your dog in for what you thought was a simple urinary tract infection check… and the vet tells you there’s a bladder stone. Not just a tiny pebble, but something big enough to make you think, “Oh no… will my dog need surgery?”

For many pet parents, that news can be scary. But here’s the good news: not all bladder stones require surgery. In fact, certain types — like struvite stones — can often be dissolved completely with the right nutrition plan and careful monitoring.

Let’s dig into what struvite stones are, how they form, and how food can play a starring role in dissolving them.

What Exactly is a Struvite Stone?

A struvite stone is like a little mineral snowball that forms inside your dog’s bladder (and sometimes kidneys).Most of the time, it’s the uninvited “plus one” to a bladder infection.

Here’s the chain reaction:

1. Certain bacteria (often Staphylococcus) sneak into the urinary tract.

2. These bacteria produce an enzyme called urease — think of it as a chemical kitchen mixer.

3. Urease changes the urine chemistry, making it more alkaline (less acidic).

4. In alkaline urine, minerals like magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate decide to clump together… and voilà — a struvite stone starts to grow.

Fun fact: female dogs are more prone to struvite stones than males, likely because they’re more at risk for urinary tract infections.

Why Not Just Remove It with Surgery?

Surgery can be the right choice in some cases, especially if the stone is blocking the flow of urine. But when surgery isn’t urgent or possible, medical dissolution has some impressive benefits:

• Ensures all stones are dissolved — eliminating the risk of missing small or hidden stones during surgery.

• No suture material left behind — which can sometimes act as a “seed” for new stones.

• Treats stones you didn’t know were there — like hidden ones in the kidneys.

• Gentler recovery — no abdominal surgery means less stress on your dog’s body.

The Nutritional Game Plan

When we talk about “dissolving” a stone, what we really mean is changing the urine chemistry so the stone can’t survive. This is where diet comes in.

A struvite-dissolution diet will typically:

• Lower certain minerals (moderate reductions in protein, phosphorus, and magnesium) to starve the stone of building blocks.

• Make the urine more acidic (pH ≤ 6.5) so struvite can’t form or survive.

• Increase water intake — canned diets often work faster than dry because they add more moisture.

Think of it like changing the “weather” inside your dog’s bladder. Struvite stones only form in a certain climate — and diet changes flip the forecast to one where they can’t stick around.

Antibiotics — The Other Half of the Plan

If the stone is infection-induced (and most are), your vet will prescribe antibiotics for the entire dissolution period — often 8–12 weeks. Stopping antibiotics too soon can let the infection (and the stone!) come back.

In rare cases, dogs can develop sterile struvite stones (not caused by infection). Those can be dissolved with diet alone, no antibiotics needed.

Monitoring Progress

Your vet will want to keep a close eye on how things are going:

• X-rays or ultrasounds every 4–6 weeks to check the stone’s size.

• Urinalysis and urine cultures to make sure the infection is gone and the urine chemistry is right.

If the stone is shrinking, you’re on the right track. If not, it’s time to re-check compliance (is your dog really only eating the prescription diet?) or explore other options.

How Long Does It Take?

Some dogs see full dissolution in as little as 3–6 weeks. Others — especially with bigger stones or kidney involvement — may take a few months. The key is patience + persistence — and sticking to the plan exactly as prescribed.

Final Thoughts — Teamwork is Everything

Nutritional management of struvite uroliths isn’t a “feed this and forget it” solution. It’s a partnership between you, your vet, and (if you’re lucky) a veterinary nutrition specialist.

When done right, it’s a non-invasive, compassionate way to get your dog back to comfort — without a scalpel in sight.

So if your dog is diagnosed with a struvite bladder stone, take a deep breath. Ask your vet if nutritional dissolution is an option. With the right food, the right infection control, and the right follow-up, you might just watch that stone disappear for good.

💡 At CANS, we work with vets to create tailored nutrition plans for pets just like yours — ensuring every recommendation is backed by science, compassion, and a love for happy, healthy animals.