How to Read Pet Food Labels Like a Pro (Urinary/Struvite Version: Dogs & Cats)

Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s diet.

This guide is general, but it will help you understand what to look for when choosing food for dogs or cats prone to urinary issues or struvite crystals.

Feeding a pet with urinary sensitivities can feel confusing at first. However, once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier.

Even foods that don’t say “urinary” or “struvite” can still be suitable. The key is knowing how to read the label.

Why reading labels matters

Diet plays a major role in urinary health. The wrong food can increase the risk of:

• Struvite crystals or stones
• Urinary irritation or inflammation
• Increased thirst or frequent urination
• Discomfort, accidents, or infections

Learning to read labels is essential. It helps you avoid problematic ingredients and choose better options.

Urinary diets vs struvite diets

Urinary and struvite diets are closely related but not exactly the same.

Both types of food:

• Support urinary tract health
• Control key minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, calcium)
• Encourage hydration
• Use digestible, high-quality protein
• Avoid artificial additives

Struvite-specific diets go further:

• Magnesium is more strictly limited
• Urine pH is adjusted to be slightly acidic
• Phosphorus and calcium may be more restricted
• Protein levels may vary depending on the pet

In simple terms:

• Struvite diets are more targeted
• Urinary diets are broader and help prevent different types of crystals

Key nutrients to check

When reading a label, focus on these nutrients first:

• Magnesium (Mg): High levels can contribute to struvite crystal formation
• Phosphorus (P): Should be moderate, not excessive
• Protein: Quality matters more than quantity
  • Dogs: 18–25%
  • Cats: 25–35%
• Sodium (Na): Moderate levels help support hydration
• Moisture: Essential for diluting urine; wet food (75–85% moisture) is especially helpful
• Other minerals: Calcium and potassium should remain balanced

How to read the label step by step

Pet food labels can look technical, but they’re easier to understand than they seem.

Focus on these key areas:

• Guaranteed analysis: Shows protein, fat, fibre, moisture, and ash
• Mineral content: Pay attention to magnesium and phosphorus levels
• Ingredients list: The first ingredients matter most; look for clear protein sources like chicken or turkey
• Palatability: If your pet doesn’t eat it, it won’t help

Dogs vs cats: key differences

Dogs and cats have different needs, so their diets should not be the same.

Cats:

• Need higher moisture intake
• Rely on high-quality protein
• Are more sensitive to mineral imbalances
• Benefit strongly from wet food

Dogs:

• Need balanced protein and fat
• Require controlled mineral levels
• Benefit from consistent hydration

Always adjust based on your vet’s advice.

What to avoid

Some foods can make urinary issues worse. Try to avoid:

• High magnesium or phosphorus levels (unless prescribed)
• Artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives
• Low-quality or hard-to-digest proteins
• Very dry diets without hydration support

Extra ways to support urinary health

Food is important, but it’s not the only factor.

You can also help your pet with:

• Wet food or broths to increase hydration

• Low-magnesium treats

• Supplements such as prebiotics or probiotics

💡 Tip: A mix of wet and dry food can improve hydration and keep meals interesting.

Key takeaways

• Reading labels helps you make better feeding decisions
• Low magnesium and balanced minerals are essential
• Hydration plays a key role in urinary health
• Good nutrition reduces the risk of crystals and infections

Where to find quality products

You can find urinary-friendly and struvite-supporting foods, treats, and supplements at indarpet.co.uk

Each product is carefully selected to support dogs and cats with urinary sensitivities and help them stay healthy.