When our dogs have health issues, we want to do all we can to help them. Of course, that usually means a trip to the vet, and can also include the need for prescription foods to be given. In cases where urinary or gastrointestinal health is concerned, many vets will prescribe Royal Canin diets — which include both the GI and urinary health varieties.
But when it comes to this particular brand, many of us have concerns. Whether it’s the cost, the ingredients, or the simple fact that our dogs refuse to eat it (or cats, in my experience), we need to know if there are alternatives available that will do the same job as Royal Canin promises to do: give our fur babies relief from their tummy troubles or urinary health issues.
Thankfully, there are indeed quite a few alternatives available, of both the prescription and non-prescription varieties. While you might feel better about feeding a veterinarian recommended food (and that’s totally ok!), you may still want to have a look at the options I’ve found below.
If you’re not happy with feeding your pooch Royal Canin for whatever reason, check out these alternatives to their urinary and GI prescription dog foods. You might be surprised at the number of options available, and your pup could be thanking you momentarily!
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Dog Food Alternatives
I and Love and You Lovingly Simple Lamb + Sweet Potato
Many a pooch suffers from a sensitive stomach, leaving their owners scratching their heads for what to try next. A great option for these cases is a simple, limited ingredient food that’s free from allergens, and also includes tummy-loving pre and probiotics to get their digestive tract back to optimal health. I and Love and You offer exactly this with their Lovingly Simple formula, which is designed for pups with tummy troubles that keep their owners up at night.
With real lamb as the first ingredient followed by gut-soothing sweet potato, prebiotics, probiotics, and a host of vitamins and minerals, simple doesn’t mean lacking when it comes to this formula. You’re giving your pup what they need to feel their best, without unnecessary fillers, preservatives, or allergens that upset their tummy! Another great feature is that this option is a cheaper alternative to Royal Canin gastrointestinal dog food — so you’re actually paying less to do a better job of supporting your fur baby!
Dog owners swear by ILY’s Lovingly Simple formula for their pups with sensitive tummies. They love that it provides simple, nutritious food while leaving out all the additives of other brands, as well as the fact that it’s more reasonably priced than many of the alternatives. But most of all, they love that it makes their dogs feel like themselves again!
Here are a couple of pros and cons if you’re on the fence about ILY’s Lovingly Simple formula:
PROS
- Limited ingredient list for sensitive tummies/dogs with allergies
- Real lamb as first ingredient
- Loved by many dogs with sensitive tummies (and their owners)
- Great price for the quality
- Includes gut-healthy pre/probiotics
- Grain and poultry free
- Small sized kibble suitable for all breed sizes
CONS
- Not technically a prescription food
- May have to order online depending on local options
Earthborn Holistic Meadow Feast
Many dog owners believe that a holistic diet is the way to go for their pups, and Earthborn supports this theory with their wide variety of foods. Their Meadow Feast diet is the recommended option for dogs with sensitive stomachs and is expertly crafted in the most thoughtful way to ensure happy customers — of both human and canine varieties. This formula is created with a minimal ingredient list to avoid upsetting canine tummies and its natural properties work to soothe and restore the GI tract back to its optimal state.
With lamb, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes high on the list, this formula has all the right ingredients to give your pup his vitality back, letting him enjoy food again. Free from grain, corn, gluten, and poultry (all common allergens in dogs), it’s chock-full of great stuff and leaves out all the unnecessary fillers. While this isn’t a prescription diet that you need your vet’s approval for, it’s still a great alternative to the Royal Canin gastrointestinal diet — and one that your pup is sure to love!
Happy customers abound thanks to the limited ingredient formula in Meadow Feast — they love how it restores their pups’ GI health with natural, allergen-free ingredients. Sounds like this holistic formula does what it’s supposed to do: gives dogs relief from their sensitive tummy troubles!
If you’re wondering whether Earthborn Meadow Feast is right for your pup, check out a few pros and cons to help you make the decision:
PROS
- Limited ingredients for dogs with allergies or sensitive tummies
- High-quality protein and ingredients
- Free from grain, corn, soy, and poultry
- Highly rated by happy customers
- Conveniently available from multiple online retailers
CONS
- Pricier than some brandsNot available in all pet food stores
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet: GI Gastrointestinal Support
If you’re looking for a prescription diet from a well-known brand, Blue Buffalo has a great option that your pup is sure to love. Their Natural Veterinary Diet for gastrointestinal support is formulated especially for pups with sensitive tummies, providing them with the much-needed relief they deserve. While you’ll have to go through your vet to buy this formula, you’re sure to find it’s well worth the trouble. Blue prides itself on providing species-appropriate nutrition through the use of high-quality ingredients, and their GI Support diet is no different.
With ingredients like high-quality chicken, pumpkin, and cranberries in the mix along with flaxseed, blueberries, and a bundle of other healthy additions, this diet sets itself apart from other brands in the GI support department. Free from corn, soy, wheat, and other known irritants, it’s sure to soothe your fur baby’s upset tummy while pleasing her palate at the same time. Blue proves that prescription diets don’t have to be full of fillers and preservatives to do the job they’re designed to do. If you’re all about giving your dog the best, try this and see for yourself!
Many dog owners love Blue Buffalo for its real ingredients and lack of fillers. The fact that they make a GI support diet is an even bigger plus! They praise this diet for its effectiveness, reliability, and the fact that Blue uses such high-quality ingredients. The fact that they can get the reassurance of their vet with this food doesn’t hurt either, I’m sure!
Check out a few pros and cons to help with your final decision:
PROS
- High-quality, natural ingredients
- Soy, corn, wheat, and by-product free
- Specially designed to restore and soothe sensitive tummies
- Loved by dog owners (and their dogs) everywhere
CONS
- Contains chicken (not for pups with poultry allergies)
- Must be obtained through your vet
- Pricier than some options
NULO Freestyle Limited + Turkey
Far too many dog foods contain high amounts of carbohydrates that our pups just don’t need. Not so with the next option on this list — they pride themselves on their high protein kibble that’s also made with limited ingredients for pups with tummy troubles. NULO is their name, and their Freestyle Limited + Turkey formula for adults and puppies is designed to not only help dogs with their GI issues, but also to keep them healthy in every way possible.
Their ingredient list may be limited, but it includes some pretty great stuff. You’ll find things like de-boned turkey, sweet potatoes, and probiotics — all helpful for restoring your pup to optimal gut health. They also include other nutritional powerhouses like salmon oil, folic acid, and a host of other helpful vitamins and minerals to help keep your pup feeling her best, even after her tummy troubles are a thing of the past. If you’re interested in seeing what a difference high-quality food can make in your fur baby’s tummy issues, give this one a try!
Dog owners of pups with digestive issues love NULO’s simple, high-quality ingredient list, and swear by its effectiveness. The high protein content and addition of probiotics help to gain their confidence, as well as the minimal ingredients that help their fur babies’ digestion. If your puppy or adult is having a hard time with their tummy, NULO might be their best bet!
Here are a few pros and cons if you’re still on the fence about NULO Freestyle Limited + Turkey:
PROS
- High protein content
- High-quality, natural ingredients
- Limited ingredient list
- Probiotics included
- Free from grain, corn, and soy
- Suitable for puppies and adults
- Helpful for GI support and overall health
CONS
- Not for pups with general poultry allergy
- More expensive than some brands
Royal Canin Urinary SO Dog Food Alternatives
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U: Weight Management and Urinary Care
Blue Buffalo made their name by providing dogs (and cats) with quality, natural food that contains the best possible ingredients. Their prescription diets are no different — and this one aims to help your pooch with his/her urinary issues while also contributing to their overall health. This formula also helps dogs to maintain a healthy weight, so if you’re looking for a solution to your pup’s extra pounds, this one could be for you!
With wholesome ingredients like chicken, carrots, flax seed, cranberries, and blueberries, Blue’s urinary health diet provides dogs with all they need to feel like themselves again. One of the best features of Blue Buffalo is their grain-free formula, as well as their promise to use real meats opposed to the by-products that you’ll find with many other brands. After all, you want to feel good about what you’re feeding your dog, right?
Dog owners love Blue Buffalo for its natural, high-quality ingredients, as well as the positive results they see in their fur babies. The fact that they can get this high-end diet through their vet inspires confidence in this product, and the results speak for themselves. Many a dog owner trusts Blue W+U for their pup’s urinary and weight issues, so why not be one of them?
Here are a few pros and cons to determine whether Blue’s W+U is best for your canine family member:
PROS
- High quality ingredients
- Grain, corn, soy, and by-product free
- Helps maintain healthy weight while neutralizing urinary imbalances
- Positive reviews from other dog owners
CONS
- High amount of pea protein
- Contains chicken (not for pups with poultry allergies)
- Slightly pricey
The Farmer’s Dog: Fresh, Pre-Portioned Dog Food
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If you’re interested in a urinary health diet that also contributes to your pup’s overall health, you might consider The Farmer’s Dog. While this option is a little off the beaten path as far as prescription diets go, dog owners rave about how much their dogs love it as well as the many health benefits it provides their canine family members.
Formulated with high-quality, human grade ingredients like real meat and fresh veggies, The Farmer’s Dog works closely with veterinarians and nutritionists to make sure each canine customer gets the perfect blend of nutrient-rich foods at the perfect pre-portioned size for their age, weight, breed, and health needs. You’ll customize your pup’s order based on their unique profile, which involves answering questions about any health conditions they may have — including urinary health issues.
Dog owners love the convenience of having pre-portioned, fresh food delivered to their doorstep for their pups to enjoy, and the fact that it addresses individual health concerns is a huge bonus. They love how excited their dogs are to eat this food, while at the same time getting the nutritional help they need. Seems like dogs love this food just as much as their owners do, which makes this fresh food option well worth a try!
Here are a few pros and cons if you’re considering The Farmer’s Dog for your fur baby:
PROS
- Fresh, high-quality ingredients
- Formulated to suit each dog’s nutritional needs
- Created with the help of veterinarians and nutritionists
- Conveniently delivered in pre-portioned packages
- Praised by dog owners for its positive effects on canine health and energy levels
CONS
- More expensive than some brands
- Not technically a prescription diet
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare
Hill’s is a well-known brand in the prescription pet food industry and has been used by dog owners to improve their urinary health for decades. I can personally attest that this diet works well for cats, and many dog owners say the same for their canine family members. The c/d diet comes in both wet and dry varieties, making it easier to feed to potentially picky pets that might not like one version or the other.
While it does do the job when it comes to correcting urinary health issues, I do wish I’d known a little more about nutrition before feeding this diet to my cat. As a temporary option it should be fine, but not so much for chronic issues that need long-term help. The ingredients in this diet — though helpful for the issue at hand — aren’t the best for overall health, so keep this in mind when using it for your pup’s urinary health issues.
Dog owners that use Hill’s prescription diet have great things to say about it, simply because it does the job it’s designed for. Having a pup in pain or discomfort is no fun for you or for them, so you want something that’ll get to work, and fast! Hill’s customers concur that this product does exactly that, and they love that their vets prescribe it with confidence.
A few pros and cons to consider when it comes to Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare:
PROS
- Excellent at correcting urinary tract issues (dissolving stones, eliminating crystals)
- Well-known brand gives dog owners confidence
- Comes in both wet and dry varieties
- Recommended by many vets for effectiveness
CONS
- Not much flavor variety
- Contains ingredients that may not be desirable (corn, soy, etc.)
First Mate Australian Lamb Meal Formula
The occurrence of allergies in dogs is more and more common these days, and a lot of that is down to what they eat. This can make things tricky for loving dog owners who just want to do what’s best for their pups, especially when there are other issues — like urinary health concerns — present. That’s where the beauty lies with First Mate: their limited ingredient list is not only great for fur babies with allergies, but with urinary issues as well.
Thanks to high quality ingredients like grass fed lamb, an antioxidant-rich berry blend (blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries are great for urinary health), and an impressive collection of vitamins and minerals, First Mate brings allergen-free, tasty meals to your pup’s bowl without any unnecessary ingredients. All of these contribute not only to your dog’s urinary health, but their overall health as well, making First Mate a great choice for your sensitive pooch at mealtime!
First Mate makes dogs and their owners happy everywhere, and it shows in the positive reviews it receives. People are singing its praises, grateful that it helps their pups feel better — and they love that it’s all natural, too. For a urinary health diet that’s simple in all the best ways, you’d be smart to consider First Mate for your pup!
A few pros and cons on First Mate for you to consider:
PROS
- Simple, uncomplicated ingredient list for sensitive pups
- High-quality, grass-fed protein
- Antioxidant-rich berry blend promotes urinary health
- Also available in small breed formula
- Free of gluten, grain, and pea protein
- Formulated by veterinarians
CONS
- Dry formula may need supplementing for additional moisture
- Not technically a prescription diet
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