Top Prescription and Premium Pet Food Diets for Urinary and Renal Health Problems

If your dog or cat has recently been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, urinary stones (urolithiasis), early kidney disease, chronic renal failure (CRF), or similar health problem, chances are high that your veterinarian also recommended a prescription pet food diet such as Hill's Prescription Diet k/d or u/d, Waltham's Royal Canin URINARY SO (recall news alert for URINARY SO), IVD Select Care Modified for Chronic Renal Failure (CRF), Purina Canine NF (Kidney Function), or Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Early Stage Kidney Formula.

If your vet recommends or prescribes one of these formulas, there are several important issues you should consider before making the switch from a premium dog food. First and foremost, give both the ingredients label and the guaranteed analysis listing close inspections, as many of these formulas utilize substandard proteins (meat byproducts, chicken byproducts, animal digest, etc.) or fail to include protein sources of any kind in their first six ingredients. Most of the prescription-based diets also include chemical preservatives, corn and corn products as major ingredients (unnecessary fillers in dog food), high-purine yeast, added salt, and/or potential allergens in the form of soy and corn products.

Then there are the issues of price and palatability. Some of the formulas can cost upwards of $2 a day to feed a 50 lb. dog, compared to $1 or less for most premium healthy pet food brands. Plus, many dogs do not take well to the diets – not at all surprising given the lack of protein sources in many cases – and need to have gravies (which can be high in purines) or treats added to the foods before they'll eat them.

The field of pet nutrition and health care has made dramatic advances in the last few years, but the largest pet food manufacturers have been slow to catch up. These manufacturers continue to spend countless millions of dollars marketing their high-margin prescription diets to veterinarians (and vets-to-be), but have failed in large part to update their pet foods with healthier ingredients and more balanced formulas that can make a world of difference in ensuring long, healthy lives for your animal companions that are free of pain and disease.

An ideal diet for combating urinary stones and renal health-related problems is one that's moderate in high-quality proteins (and devoid of substandard protein sources), high in complex carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits, and low-purine vegetables help rid the body of extra uric acid), low in fat (fat holds onto uric acid in the kidneys), low in unnecessary fillers (foods that add little in the way of nutrients and for the most part simply result in larger stools for your dog), low in phosphorus (more important during advanced renal failure than in early stages of kidney disease), low in salt, and, for Dalmatians, low in purines (components of certain foods – primarily found in animal proteins – that metabolize into uric acid in the body).

Some of the newer scientifically developed premium wellness pet foods for dogs and cats meet the ideal diet criteria while also delivering highly nutritious, balanced wellness diets that can boost your pet's immune system and give him or her a shinier coat, healthier teeth and gums, and more energy. Flint River Ranch in particular has developed several premium wellness dog food formulas that offer the highest quality human-grade protein and grain sources without using large amounts of high-purine ingredients.

The following is a handy guide for comparing many of the prescription-only dog food diets commonly recommended for pets and pet breeds prone to urinary tract problems (including kidney and renal issues) and commercially available premium health pet food diets, as well as some of the pros and cons to consider for each of the diets. This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but we do hope to continue adding additional formulas for comparison. We welcome and encourage feedback on the list.

New: By popular request we've added complete ingredients listings and guaranteed analysis information for each of the dog food and cat food formulas. Click on the 'Ingredients' or 'Guaranteed Analysis' buttons associated with each of the pet food formulas to display the information for that formula. The information displays at the foot of the table (beneath the 'Cons' listing).

Notes and additional information for the various fields can be found at the foot of this page.

Prescription Diet Pet Foods Available for Renal / Urinary Issues

Purina Veterinary Diets Canine NF (Kidney Function) A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  $0.95 Cost/lb.: $1.52 Cost: $56.99 (37.5 lb. Bag) Manufacturer's Description:  Purina Veterinary Diet NF Kidney Function canine formulas provide complete and balanced nutrition for adult maintenance and have been formulated for dogs with renal failure, calcium oxalate urolithiasis, early stages of congestive heart failure, or hepatic disease. Purina Veterinary Diet Feline NF formula also available Pros:  Palatable diet, low purine content in dry food, low phosphorus and low sodium content, Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids, lower cost to feed than most prescription-based diets Cons:  No protein sources listed in the first six ingredients for dry food, contains animal digest (unspecified parts of unspecified animals, with no control over quality or contamination), whole grain corn (unnecessary filler) is the first ingredient listed, contains added salt; canned formula is chemically preserved with BHA, canned formula also includes high-purine liver as its primary protein source

IVD Select Care Modified for Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  $1.24 Cost/lb.: $1.65 Cost: $32.99 (20 lb. Bag) Manufacturer's Description:  IVD Select Care Modified for Chronic Renal Failure uses the highest quality sources of low phosphorus protein to safely restrict excessive protein and phosphorous and aid in managing renal disease and urolithiasis Pros:  Low phosphorus and low sodium content; chelated minerals for improved nutrient absorption Cons:  Canned food uses chicken by-products and meat by-products as its primary protein sources in canned food, also includes iodized salt and high-purine brewer's yeast and high chromium yeast; dry food formula has no protein sources listed in the first six ingredients, has corn as the first ingredient, contains added salt, and includes high-purine content (liver digest, herring meal, and yeast culture)

Hill's Prescription Diet k/d A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  $1.12 Cost/lb.: $1.50 Cost: $59.99 (40 lb. Bag) Manufacturer's Description:  Hills Prescription Diet Canine k/d formula is scientifically developed to aid in the management of dogs with kidney disease and similar conditions. Hills Prescription Diet Feline k/d formula also available Pros:  Low purine, low phosphorus, and low sodium content; added Taurine, Omega 3 fatty acids, and antioxidants Cons:  Low protein (12%), but higher than Hill's u/d formula, no protein sources in the first six ingredients, chemically preserved with ethoxyquin, includes corn gluten meal and pork fat as major ingredients, contains soy fiber (a potential food allergen), also contains added salt, dogs tend to dislike the taste and smell of the food

Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Early Stage Kidney Formula A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  $1.43 Cost/lb.: $1.91 Cost: $31.49 (16.5 lb. Bag) Manufacturer's Description:  Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Early Stage Kidney Formula provides appropriate amounts of protein to help your dog or cat maintain overall condition, plus special ingredients to minimize waste build-up in the bloodstream Pros:  Low purine, low phosphorus, and low sodium content; higher protein content (18%) than most prescription diets for urinary / renal problems Cons:  Corn meal and corn grits (unnecessary fillers) are the first two ingredients, contains ethoxyquin (a potentially harmful chemical preservative), includes high-purine chicken liver and brewer's yeast, contains added salt, some Eukanuba Vet Diets weight management formulas contain chromium tripicolinate

Hill's Prescription Diet u/d A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  $1.21 Cost/lb.: $1.77 Cost: $52.99 (30 lb. Bag) Manufacturer's Description:  Hills Prescription Diet Canine u/d formula is scientifically developed to aid in the management of dogs with problems associated with urolithiasis, specifically calcium oxalate, urate and cystine urolithiasis, and can also be used to help dogs with advanced stages of renal disease. Hills Prescription Diet Feline c/d formula for FLUTD also available Pros:  Low purine, low phosphorus, and low sodium content; added Taurine, Omega 3 fatty acids, and antioxidants Cons:  Only 8% Protein!! No protein sources listed in the first six ingredients, chemically preserved with BHT and BHA, second major ingredient is corn starch, includes pork fat as a major ingredient, contains soy fiber (a food allergen for some dogs) and added salt, dogs tend to dislike the taste and smell of the food

Waltham's Royal Canin URINARY SO Diet A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  $1.83 Cost/lb.: $1.63 Cost: $56.99 (35 lb. Bag) Manufacturer's Description:  Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Urinary SO (canned) and Urinary SO 13 (dry) dog foods are formulated to aid in the prevention and management of canine lower urinary tract disease. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Urinary SO also available Important Note:  Some production lots of Royal Canin Urinary SO have been recalled as of Feb 2006 — see recall news alert Pros:  Dry food is naturally preserved; low purine and low phosphorus content; added Taurine Cons:  Expensive to feed ($1.77/day for dry food); canned food uses meat and chicken byproducts as primary protein sources, corn grits (unnecessary filler) as the main grain source, and chemically preserved animal fat (preserved with BHA/BHT); for the dry food, the protein content is on the low end (13.2%), ground corn and corn gluten meal (unnecessary fillers) are in the top five ingredients, and more chicken fat is used than chicken meal in the formula; higher sodium content than most prescription diets, both canned and dry foods are intended only for intermittent or supplemental feeding

Premium Wellness Dog Foods

Flint River Ranch Lamb & Rice Premium Wellness Formula A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  $0.67 Cost/lb.: $1.34 Cost: $53.49 (40 lb. Bag) Description:  Flint River Ranch's Lamb and Rice wellness dog food formula is an all-natural, premium dog food formulated with the highest-quality, human-grade ingredients, including free-range lamb as the primary protein source Pros:  Highly palatable diet with no high-purine ingredients; human-grade lamb meal as primary protein source; inexpensive to feed ($0.67/day); low sodium content; naturally preserved; chelated minerals, probiotics, and digestive enzymes for better food digestion and nutrient absorption; ground whole millet and rice as primary grain sources Cons:  Phosphorus levels may be suitable for early stage kidney disease but not as ideal for advanced renal failure

Flint River Ranch Fish & Chips Premium Wellness Formula A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  $0.71 Cost/lb.: $1.34 Cost: $53.49 (40 lb. Bag) Description:  Flint River Ranch's "Fish and Chips" wellness dog food formula is an all natural, premium dog food formulated with the highest-quality, human-grade ingredients, including trout as the primary protein source Pros:  Highly palatable diet; human-grade trout meal as primary protein source; inexpensive to feed ($0.71/day); naturally preserved; low sodium content; assortment of herbs, fruits, vegetables, chelated minerals, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat Cons:  Healthy diet with many low-purine ingredients (but with some higher-purine ingredients than the Lamb & Rice formula – includes higher-purine herring meal as a secondary protein source and brewer's yeast); phosphorus levels may be suitable for early stage kidney disease but not as ideal for late stage renal failure

Flint River Ranch DryWater Ultra Dog Food A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  $1.46 Cost/lb.: N/A Cost: $37.45 (9 lb. Bag) Description:  Flint River Ranch's DryWater Ultra Dog Food is a healthier and more economical alternative to canned food for dogs. A moist pet food without the can, the Dry Water formula packs the healthiest natural ingredients, vitamins, chelated minerals, and "live enzymes" to help your dog's body holistically heal itself with quality nutrition Pros:  Highly palatable diet; no byproducts or rendered meat sources (prevalent in the majority of canned dog foods); human-grade chicken as primary protein source; low-purine whole wheat flour, rice, and pasta as primary grain sources; rich assortment of vegetables, vitamins, probiotics, chelated minerals, and live enzymes; low sodium content; naturally preserved Cons:  Healthy diet with many low-purine ingredients (but with some higher-purine ingredients than the Lamb & Rice formula – includes higher-purine brewer's yeast and peas as ingredients); also includes added salt; expensive to feed as a primary diet ($1.46/day), but can also be used as a tasty topping for dry foods; phosphorus levels may be suitable for early stage renal failure but not as ideal for advanced kidney disease

Premium Wellness Cat Foods

Flint River Ranch Adult Cat and Kitten Premium Wellness Formula A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  N/A Cost/lb.: N/A Cost: $37.99 (20 lb. Bag) Description:  Flint River Ranch's Feline Wellness Formula cat food is an all-natural, premium cat food formulated with the highest-quality ingredients, including human-grade chicken and range-fed lamb as the primary protein sources Pros:  Highly palatable diet; pH-controlling acidifiers for maintaining optimal pH to help prevent/manage urinary tract disorders such as FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) (aka F.U.S. - Feline Urinary Syndrome); low ash, sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium content; human-grade chicken meal and lamb meal as primary protein sources; ideal for cats of all ages; inexpensive to feed; naturally preserved; chelated minerals for better food digestion and nutrient absorption Cons:  Contains added salt and higher-purine brewer's dried yeast

Flint River Ranch Lite Adult Cat Premium Wellness Formula A+ FRR Rating:   Cost/day:  N/A Cost/lb.: N/A Cost: $19.89 (9 lb. Bag) Description:  Flint River Ranch's Lite Adult Cat Wellness Formula cat food is an all-natural, premium weight management cat food formulated with the highest-quality ingredients, including human-grade chicken and range-fed lamb as the primary protein sources Pros:  Highly palatable diet; pH-controlling acidifiers for maintaining optimal pH to help prevent/manage urinary tract disorders such as FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) (aka F.U.S. - Feline Urinary Syndrome); low ash, sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium content; human-grade chicken meal and lamb meal as primary protein sources; reduced fat, reduced calorie weight management cat food formula; inexpensive to feed; naturally preserved; chelated minerals for better food digestion and nutrient absorption Cons:  Contains added salt and higher-purine brewer's dried yeast, not ideal for kittens or underweight cats

Notes: The prices listed for the dog and cat foods above do not include sales tax, and may vary from region to region (and from store to store). The cost per day figures are for the dry dog foods only and are based on the manufacturers' suggested feeding recommendations for a 50 lb. dog, which are as follows: 2 1/2 cups/day - Purina Canine NF, 3 cups/day - Eukanuba Early Stage, 3 cups/day - IVD Select Care Modified CRF, 2 3/4 cups/day - Hill's Prescription Diet u/d, 3 cups/day - Hill's Prescription Diet k/d, 4 1/2 cups/day - Royal Canin Urinary SO 13, 2 cups/day - Flint River Ranch Lamb and Rice, 2 1/8 cups/day - Flint River Ranch Fish and Chips, and 1 3/4 cups/day - Flint River Ranch DryWater Dog Food.

The A+ Flint River Ranch star ratings are based on four factors: ingredients (well-balanced diet, low/high purine content, added vitamins and minerals, presence of unnecessary fillers, artificial additives, and chemical preservatives, etc.), guaranteed analysis (primarily protein, phosphorous, and sodium content), daily cost to feed, and palatability (a taste and smell combination that's appealing to dogs). Pet food manufacturers are not required to list the level of purines in their pet foods, leaving it up to the consumer to research the purine content in a given pet food.

Dog breeds predisposed to urolithiasis (the clinical term for urinary stone health issues) and similar urinary and kidney issues include the Dalmatian (aka Dalmation), Beagle, Bulldog, Basset Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzer, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier, Dachshund, Newfoundland, Irish and Scottish Terrier, and Irish Setter.

Disclaimer: No ratings or claims are made for the efficacy of any of the dog food formulas. No pet food can claim to offer a cure for kidney or urinary diseases; however, a nutritious and balanced wellness diet may strengthen the immune system and improve vital organ function (among other health benefits), which may help to prevent and/or manage renal health issues. The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and is in no way meant to be interpreted as veterinary advice. Nutritional veterinary advice on a specific pet's case cannot be given due to laws regulating veterinary licensing, and any decision to change a pet's diet should be made in consultation with a veterinarian and/or licensed pet nutritionist.

If you're looking for additional information on Flint River Ranch pet foods and products, we'd like to recommend:

Flint River Ranch Top 10 - The Top 10 reasons you should make the switch to Flint River Ranch Wellness Pet Foods

Feed The Best for Less - Why Flint River Ranch is cheaper to use than competing pet foods (with detailed price comparisons)

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Shop A+ Flint River Ranch - Purchase Flint River Ranch premium pet foods, treats, and products online at the best prices