Although there are other causes as well, dogs that do not drink enough water or those that are not allowed to urinate frequently are at a greater risk of forming bladder stones. Diet plays an important role since excess amounts of magnesium, calcium or phosphorus can lead to the formation of bladder stones.

Other causative factors are the pH balance and urinary tract infection. In dogs urine normally tends to be more acidic. Stones of different composition of minerals can form in both acidic and alkaline urine.

Many medications like diuretics, cortisone, sulpha drugs and tetracycline increase calcium levels in the urine that sets the stage for the formation of crystals and stones. Ammonium urate bladder stones are also among the many consequences of a liver shunt, a condition of abnormal blood flow to the liver.

The treatment of canine bladder stones depends upon the type, size and composition of the stones. Almost fifty percent of the bladder stones are struvite and are predominantly found in female dogs. Excessive struvite crystals are normally formed due to urinary tract infection.