Your Comprehensive Guide To Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food
What Is Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food?
Is your dog having trouble passing urine? Does his vet say he has bladder stones? Are you plagued by struvite crystals in your dog? Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food is for you! This is a specially formulated diet that can start working to dissolve those pesky stones less than a fortnight!
What Are Bladder Stones?
Bladder stones are made up of mineral deposits in your dog's urine. They build up in a dog's bladder and are also known as struvite stones. Bacterial infections in the bladder most commonly cause struvite stones. These bacteria give off an enzyme called urease that breaks down urea in the urine and causes an excess of ammonia.
Ammonia makes your dog's urine alkaline, and it also causes inflammation in the bladder. These conditions cause the formation of struvite crystals, which in turn form struvite or bladder stones. The incidences of struvite stones are much higher in female dogs than male dogs.
Can Only Infections Cause Bladder Stones?
No, many other things can cause bladder stones. If your dog has been on antidiuretic drugs for a long time, this can cause bladder stones. Long-term use of antacids can also cause struvite crystals and stones. Certain kidney diseases make your dog's urine alkaline, which precipitates these stones.
Suppose your dog is ingesting anything or has any medical condition that makes their urine alkaline, raises its pH, or causes elevated levels of phosphorus or ammonia in the urine. In that case, it will make your dog more likely to develop crystals in their urine, which will turn into bladder stones.
How Does Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food Help?
Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food is a diet formulated by veterinarians and canine nutritionists. It is made specifically to support urinary health and dissolve these pesky bladder stones. This diet creates an inhospitable environment for struvite stones and crystals in your dog's kidneys and bladder.
Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food has exactly the amount of phosphorus, protein, and magnesium that your dog needs to ensure proper body functions while still working away on the formation of crystals and stones in your dog's urinary system. This food also provides optimum canine urinary pH as well.
This diet has the added benefit of containing all the calories, vitamins, minerals, and more that your dog needs to live a happy, healthy life. This wet dog food is enriched with antioxidants that will prevent cell damage from free radicals while also supporting your dog's overall immunity.
Supporting your dog's overall health is vitally important as struvite crystals and stones can often be caused by medication for long-term conditions and other medical conditions themselves. Additionally, since they are also caused by bladder infections, your dog needs all the dietary support they can get while fighting it off!
Are There Any Precautions I Should Take When Feeding This Dog Food?
Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food is perfectly safe to feed to your dog without worrying about any side effects or precautions. However, if you have other dogs, make sure they don't eat any food they have not been prescribed! Additionally, you should not feed this diet for longer than six months.
How Much Should I Feed My Dog?
You can use the following recommended guidelines to feed your dog Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food:
| Your Dog's Weight (lbs.) | Amount You Should Feed Per Day (can) |
|---|
| 5 lb | 1/2 can |
| 10 lb | can |
| 15 lb | 1 can |
| 20 lb | 1 cans |
| 30 lb | 1 cans |
| 40 lb | 2 cans |
| 50 lb | 2 cans |
| 60 lb | 2 cans |
| 70 lb | 3 cans |
| 80 lb | 3 cans |
| 100 lb | 4 cans |
| 120 lb | 4 cans |
These are general feeding guidelines. If your vet has asked you to feed different amounts from what you see here, you should listen to your vet. If you have any doubts about the quantity of the food you should give to your dog, you should ask your veterinarian as this food is likely part of a treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Prescription to Buy This Food?
Yes, you need a prescription to buy Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food. Since this is a veterinary diet that is fed to achieve short-term medical goals, you should only feed this dog food under the supervision of a medical professional.
Why Can't I Give This to My Other Dogs?
Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food is made with specific minerals that will dissolve any struvite crystals and stones in your dog's urine and also keep the urine at a particular pH level. If you feed this to your healthy dogs, you might mess with their correctly functioning urinary system and cause health issues.
Can I Give This to My Cat if They Have Bladder Stones?
Canine and feline physiology and nutritional needs are very different. Cats need more protein than dogs. If your cat has bladder stones, visit your vet to get a prescription for Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food instead.
Does Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food Contain Protein?
Yes, Hill's Prescription Diet s/d Urinary Care Canned Dog Food contains protein in the form of chicken fat, pork liver, and eggs, among others. If your dog has a protein allergy, you should discuss your concerns with your vet before you start giving them this canned dog food.
How Should I Use and Store the Cans?
You should store unopened cans away from direct heat and moisture. Store opened cans in the fridge and used any leftovers immediately in the next meal. You shouldn't leave the opened cans in the refrigerator for more than a day if you can help it!
