Edited by: Mike Powell
Reviewed by: Abby TexasLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Adult Dry Dog Food
“Blue Buffalo Adult Dry Dog Food has deboned lamb, Menhaden fish, healthy grains and slow-burning vegetables that work together to give your dog the right amount of nutrition to keep him healthy inside out.”
Best For Small Breeds: Blue Buffalo Small Breed Recipe
“Blue Buffalo Small Breed Recipe is made with healthy ingredients that include cranberries for urinary health. Small breed dogs will enjoy munching on the small-size kibbles.”
Best Premium Option: CANIDAE All Life Stages Dog Food
“CANIDAE All Life Stages Dog Food is ideal for every dog in the household. Not only is it a good dog food for urinary health, but it also contains vitamins and minerals to strengthen the immune system of your dog.”
Urinary health is something often neglected by pet parents, but it can cause extreme discomfort and even lead to bigger health problems in your pet.
If your dog’s peeing habits have suddenly changed, it could be a cause for concern. A simple change in diet could help keep their urinary system healthy, but it’s best to check with your vet first.
We’ve carefully evaluated many dry kibbles, and chosen our best dog food for urinary health. They’re all of the highest quality, so your pup will benefit in more than one way from eating these foods!
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- 10 Best Dog Food For Urinary Health in 2022
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food
- Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
- Zesty Paws Cranberry for Dogs – UT Incontinence Support + Immune Health Dog Antioxidant
- Canine Caviar Limited Ingredient Alkaline Holistic Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Food
- Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care Original Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
10 Best Dog Food For Urinary Health in 2022
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food
Best Overall: Highly recommended kibble
PROS
- Contains no chicken for those who are sensitive
- Antioxidant ingredients
- Calorie-friendly at 377 per cup
- Added vitamins in LifeSource Bits
CONS
- May be too low in protein for active dogs
Once again, Blue Buffalo dog food proves itself to be a fantastic choice, and we highly recommend Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food.
While there’s no chicken ingredients, it may be a little low in protein for dogs who are very active. In that case, supplementing with a few high-protein treats between meals could do the trick.
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All-Round Adult Dog Nutrition
You’ll find a protein count of 22%, which is right in the zone for most adult dogs who are of an average activity level. 14% fat should see most dogs through their day quite well.
Deboned lamb and Menhaden fish meal are the first two ingredients, followed by some healthy grains which will give this dog food a fiber boost.
Slow-burning vegetables like sweet potatoes, potatoes, and carrots are slightly further down the list, followed by some superfood ingredients like turmeric, garlic, kelp, blueberries, and cranberries.
It also has a nice level of glucosamine and Omega fatty acids to keep your dogs’ skin and coats shiny and healthy.
Blue Buffalo Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Best For Small Breeds: Best nutrition and improved urinary health
PROS
- Added LifeSource its for extra vitamins
- High in Omega fatty acids
- Joint supplements added
- Cranberries included for urinary health
CONS
- No variety in flavor
Just like their larger counterparts, small breed dogs need a specific blend of nutrients in order to achieve optimal health. Blue Buffalo Small Breed Dry Dog Food is formulated for the little guys and girls in particular, catering to their nutritional needs while improving their urinary health at the same time.
Just like the one above, this is Blue Buffalo’s signature Life Protection formula, which means it’s fortified with vitamin and mineral bombs that go to work quickly in the body and improve the immune system.
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Meets Small Breeds’ Nutritional Needs
With 26% protein and 15% fat, this dry dog food not only maintains muscle mass in these little dogs, but also provides them enough energy in the form of healthy fat to see them through the day comfortably.
It features healthy, gluten-free grains as well as slow-burning carbs for sustained energy, like sweet potato and potatoes. Fruits like blueberries and the all-important cranberries provide a great dose of antioxidants and urinary support.
You won’t find a more vitamin-packed food, thanks to LifeSource Bits. These will support and build up your dog’s immune system, leaving them less prone to urinary problems.
As well as being the perfect meal nutritionally for a small breed, this dog food features a smaller-than-usual kibble size to make it easier for the littles to chomp on it comfortably.
CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula Dry Dog Food
Best Premium Option: Ideal for Multi-dog Families
PROS
- Suitable for all dogs in a household
- Moderate in protein and fat
- Contains joint supplements
- Includes cranberries for a urinary cleanse
CONS
- May not be suitable for dogs who are sensitive to potato or chicken
This healthy, wholesome dog food is our top choice as the best dog food for urinary health. It’s ideal for those with multiple dogs in one household, who may not be able to buy separate foods for each dog.
CANIDAE All Life Stages Dry Dog Food is well-rounded in terms of nutrition, and contains supplements that will benefit any dog, not just those with urinary tract issues.
Just be careful if you have dogs with allergies or food intolerances. This dog food contains both chicken and potato, which could be a problem for pups who are sensitive to either one.
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Ideal for Multi-Dog Families
The fact that this dog food is made for pups of all life stages makes it very easy for pet parents who have multiple dogs in one family and can’t buy separate food for each one.
With 24% protein and 14.5% fat, it should cater for most dogs, adult, senior, or puppy. The ingredient list is of premium quality, with multiple protein sources (all meat meal), healthy grains, and a small number of fruits, including the important cranberries, which not only benefit urinary health but add some flavor to the food too.
It’s packed with vitamins, which is important to strengthen the immune system. You’ll also find an abundance of chelated minerals, which are different to just normal minerals. They’re healthy and aid in digestion, so it’s a positive to see them on an ingredient list.
While it contains glucosamine, if you wish to feed it to a puppy you’ll need to buy DHA separately as this dog food doesn’t contain any.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food
Best for Large Breeds
PROS
- High in antioxidants
- Contains cranberries for urinary health
- Contains L-carnitine
- Joint supplements added
CONS
- May be a little low in fat for active large breeds
Large breed dogs naturally need slightly different nutrients than smaller ones. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food is our pick for the best dog food for urinary health for the bigger guys and girls.
This kibble is formulated specifically for the large pups, and has a slightly different mixture of ingredients and numbers than Blue Buffalo’s other foods.
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Large Breed Nutrition
Large breed dogs typically need less protein than their tiny cousins. This dog food contains a nice 22% protein, which is perfect for large breeds who have urinary problems.
It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin which are necessary for the bigger pups who are prone to joint dysplasia. L-carnitine is a fantastic addition, as it helps to regulate metabolism and expend energy sustainably throughout the day.
You’ll notice various added vitamins on the guaranteed analysis list, including vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, and D3. These come in the form of Blue’sLifeSource Bits, which are cold-formed little nuggets of vitamins that give an extra health boost.
Apart from the very useful addition of cranberries, you’ll find other antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like blueberries, garlic, and turmeric. It’s also not badly priced at all for such a nutrient-packed dog food.
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
Best Value For Money
PROS
- Very affordable for a great quality food
- Superfood ingredients high in antioxidants
- Good protein and fat levels for active dogs
- Contains DHA and Vitamin E
CONS
- No flavor variation
- Doesn’t contain glucosamine
If your dog is struggling with urinary problems, it may feel overwhelming trying to make sure they’re well fed and their dog food contains ingredients that will improve their urinary health. If you check out some prescription foods, you may feel even more despondent when you see the prices!
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Dry Dog Food is our top choice for pet parents who are on a budget but still need a high-quality, wholesome meal for their beloved pup.
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High in Nutrition, Low in Price
The first thing that sets this dog food apart from others of the same price is the impressive quality of the ingredient list. It begins with chicken and chicken meal, two wholesome sources of protein (although some dogs may be sensitive to chicken).
Carb-wise, it includes some great quality gluten-free grains like rice, barley, and sorghum. That’s not all, though – it’s packed with fantastic fruits and vegetables which add a large dose of antioxidants. You’ll find chia seeds, blueberries, kelp, and coconut.
The addition of DHA is super, and the Omega fatty acid levels are at a nice high level. The only downside to this dog food, apart from the potential chicken problems, is that it doesn’t contain glucosamine. If your dog needs joint support, you’ll need to buy a separate supplement.
Zesty Paws Cranberry for Dogs – UT Incontinence Support + Immune Health Dog Antioxidant
Best Urinary Supplement
PROS
- Heat-free cooking method for nutrient preservation
- All-natural ingredients for bladder and kidney health
- 90 chews in a tub
CONS
- Read the instructions carefully to avoid overfeeding!
Whatever food you’re feeding your pooch, if they need an extra urinary boost why not use these chews as a daily treat?
The Zesty Paws Cranberry for Dogs is loaded with ingredients that positively affect urinary health, such as cranberry, marshmallow root, licorice, and astragalus, all of which are completely organic.
Be careful to follow the instructions and only feed your pup the recommended amount!
Canine Caviar Limited Ingredient Alkaline Holistic Dog Food
Best Limited Ingredient
PROS
- All-natural, hypoallergenic ingredients
- Various flavors with varying nutrient counts
- Good Omega levels
- High digestibility
CONS
- No glucosamine
A limited ingredient diet won’t necessarily fix urinary issues, but it can uncomplicate things just enough to allow for easier digestion and in turn, affect the urinary system in a positive way.
Canine Caviar Limited Ingredient Alkaline Holistic Dog Food is hypoallergenic and limited ingredient, but that doesn’t mean your dog won’t be getting good stuff. It’s a big bonus that it comes in various flavors, as you can easily avoid ingredients that could potentially be a problem for your dog’s stomach.
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Alkaline Formula
Its unique alkaline formula was designed to reduce the amount of acidity in the urinary tract, effectively decreasing the chances of urinary tract infections and diseases.
While it doesn’t contain the golden ingredient, cranberries, it’s packed with healthy all-natural ingredients that promote all-round health.
You won’t find supplements like glucosamine or L-carnitine, though – if your dog needs them, you’ll have to purchase them separately.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Best For Seniors’ Urinary Health
PROS
- Prescription diet for urinary health
- Contains L-carnitine for energy regulation
- Cranberries added for urinary health
- Added vitamins
CONS
- May be too high in protein for some dogs with urinary problems
- May be too low in fat for seniors who are still quite active
Surprisingly, this is a “prescription” dog food aimed at urinary health that’s actually pretty wholesome. As you’ll see further down, we don’t usually recommend prescription kibble as they’re loaded with fillers, but the Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care Grain-Free Dry Dog Food contains premium quality ingredients and will do good things for your dog’s immune system, digestive system, and urinary system.
It’s pricey, but most prescription foods are so you can expect to be paying something similar for the low-quality foods. Because of its particular nutrient profile, we recommend it for seniors who need extra urinary support.
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High Quality Ingredients
This is a great choice if your senior is slowing down a little. It has a lower fat count (10%)while retaining a high protein count (30%) to maintain muscle mass.
The ingredient list is of the highest quality, although dogs who are sensitive to chicken or potato may struggle to digest it comfortably.
It has plenty of added vitamins for an immune system boost, high levels of Omega fatty acids, and also contains L-carnitine, which is a surprising but nice thing to see, especially to help seniors regulate their energy.
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Food
Best For Puppies’ Urinary Health
PROS
- No chicken for pups who are allergic
- Good puppy protein and fat levels
- Contains DHA and glucosamine
- High in antioxidants
CONS
- Slightly expensive
It’s unusual for puppies to suffer from urinary problems at a young age, but it does happen. If you have a little one who’s having some urinary trouble, Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Food would be healthy and wholesome enough to boost not only his or her urinary system, but their immune system on the whole.
It’s a touch on the pricey side, but the quality is such that it’s worth the buy. It’s a bonus that it’s free from chicken, so if you have a puppy who’s sensitive to chicken that won’t be a problem!
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Puppy-Specific
Puppies tend to need more protein than adults, but this dog food remains at a decent protein level of 28%, which should be just perfect. The quality of this food is such that it should improve your little one’s immune and urinary systems to the point where there’s no chronic infections, so a super low-protein diet won’t be necessary.
It’s made for puppies, so it contains all the right nutrients in all the right amounts. You’ll find DHA, which will help your pup’s eyes and brain develop properly, glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support from an early age, and high levels of Omega 3s and 6s to keep your puppy’s skin and coat soft and moisturized.
It also has a slightly elevated calorie count, at 400 per cup, and plenty of chelated minerals to help make digestion easier.
Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care Original Dry Dog Food
Prescription Dog Food
PROS
- Formulated for kidney care
- Added vitamin B, C, D, and E
- Good Omega-3 levels
CONS
- Sub-par ingredient list
- Very pricey for its quality
We don’t recommend prescription diets, but we’ve included this one to compare the difference quickly and easily.
Although its specially formulated for kidney care and is lower in minerals that could potentially be problematic, the ingredient list shows no meat, fruits, or vegetables, rendering it rather low-quality in terms of nutrition and antioxidants.
Hill's Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care Original Dry Dog Food is one of the better prescription foods on the market, too – it doesn’t contain corn, wheat, or soy, which many of them do.
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria #1: Ingredient Quality
This is always one of the first factors we consider when evaluating a dog food. Too many commercial dog foods are packed with low-quality fillers, and we don’t believe in sacrificing health for a lower cost.
We’ve looked for dog foods containing real food ingredients, with the first ingredient being a real meat or meat meal source. Fruits and vegetables should follow that, and the inclusion of gluten free grains like rice, oats, millet, sorghum, and quinoa is quite acceptable.
Above all, the dogs foods on this list should be free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, as well as corn, wheat, soy, and any by-products.
We’ve taken care to ensure the foods we recommend only contain healthy, wholesome ingredients. In cases where we’ve included foods we don’t specifically recommend (as in the case of prescription dog food that we’ve included for comparison purposes), we’ve been honest about the quality of the ingredients and our feelings about the food.
Criteria #2:Moderate Protein
Although going super low-protein is not a cure and not recommended for dogs with urinary problems, a lowered count can be beneficial.
Protein can contribute to urinary stones. When your dog ingests protein, it’s metabolized by the kidneys, so if they’re already predisposed to kidney or urinary problems, too much protein could be a bit of an overload.
There’s no need to go ultra-low, though. Prescription dog foods often don’t offer enough protein to sustain your pup’s muscle mass.
In the low 20s is a good number to aim for. It’s not so low that it compromises your dog’s strength and muscle, but not so high that it should overload the kidneys. We’ve tried to make sure every food on this list fits within that parameter.
If the protein is slightly higher, we’ve mentioned it. It may be suitable for some dogs, especially those who are fairly active, but we’ve made an effort to choose dog foods that would suit every dog.
Criteria #3: Antioxidant-Rich
Whether or not your dog is suffering from urinary problems, antioxidants are a fantastic way of improving the immune system and increasing health.
You’ll find them to be abundant in fruits and vegetables, so we’ve made sure the foods we;ve reviewed here contain a good amount of fruits and veggies as their carbs.
We’ve also tried to include as many foods as possible with cranberry in their ingredient list. This little berry does wonders for urinary health, in both humans and pets!
Whether or not the little red berry is included, we’ve made sure the foods on this list hit the spot in terms of antioxidant content.
Criteria #4: Added Vitamins
Vitamins and minerals are often paired together as one thing, but in this case we’re looking for added vitamins, but not minerals.
Minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and even protein can contribute to urinary stones. They build up in small increments and clump together to form stones that can block the urinary tract and cause pain and discomfort.
Vitamins, especially vitamin E and B, can help improve the immune system and reduce the chances of urinary stones forming.
We’ve tried to choose dog foods that have extra vitamins added. If they haven’t, we’ve made sure they at least contain a decent amount of vitamins in their ingredients!
Criteria #5: Affordability
Affordability is always a consideration for us here at Dog Embassy. We understand that being a pet parent comes at a cost, and we also know what most pet parents want to feed their dog the best food possible.
Thankfully, not all super quality dog foods cost a fortune. While some on this list will be on the top end of the price range, our Best Value for Money product is just as high-quality as the rest but for a very friendly price.
There’s no need to go for a cheap, low-quality dog food just because the quality stuff is pricey. You can still feed your pup healthy, wholesome dog food, if you just know where to look!
That’s why we include this criteria – so you can see at a glance where your pup’s food is on the scale and if you may be able to find something more affordable but just as high-quality.
Questions & Answers
What are the most common urinary problems in dogs?
Urinary problems come in many forms. Some of the most common include:
These can have various causes and each exhibits slightly different signs and symptoms.
What are the symptoms of urinary problems?
Our pups can’t tell us when they’re feeling bad, so it’s up to us pet parents to pay attention and notice when they start to act differently.
Some signs and symptoms of urinary problems in your pup include:
- Incontinence
- Struggling to urinate
- Pain when urinating
- Excessive licking around the genital area
- Strong-smelling urine
- Off-color urine
- Lethargy & weakness
What should I look for in the best dog food for urinary health?
The best dog food for urinary health should, first and foremost, contain wholesome ingredients. You shouldn’t see artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Other no-nos include corn, wheat, soy, and any by-products.
What you should be seeing is a high-quality protein source (or multiple sources), fruits and vegetables, gluten-free grains, chelated minerals, vitamins and minerals, and Omega 3s and 6s.
Things that are nice to see but not always absolutely necessary are glucosamine and chondroitin, L-carnitine, and DHA and EPA (necessary for puppies).
Do I need to get my dog a prescription food?
We’ve evaluated many dog foods for many health conditions. In our humble opinion, prescription dog foods are not all they’re cracked up to be.
Although many of them are created by reputable brands and contain less phosphorus, magnesium, and protein than others, most of them contain low-quality filler ingredients that we simply can’t endorse.
Don’t be fooled – just because a dog food states that it’s formulated for kidney or urinary health, it doesn’t mean it’s good quality!
We suggest choosing a food for your dog based on its ingredient list and added supplements, not on what the packaging says.
