However, the volume of water ingested usually plays a significant role. By increasing water consumption, the urine concentration of urolith-inducing constituents will be decreased or diluted. We highly recommend feeding a canned diet and providing ready access to fresh water at all times to increase water consumption and urine voiding . Both of these goals decrease the risk factors for urolith formation. Ask your veterinarian about testing urine pH at home.
Struvite uroliths tend to occur in alkaline urine.
Calcium uroliths are associated with acid urine. Urinalysis is an important part of preventative therapy. A sterile needle is inserted into the bladder and a urine sample is withdrawn into a sterile syringe. This is the preferred method for collecting a urine sample for culture. Identification of crystalline material is best performed at the veterinary hospital.