Switching foods with history of calcium oxylates

[Tinker's mom]

I need some advice and thoughts on switching Tinker from the Royal Canin Urinary s/o to something more nutritious.She has a history of calcium oxylates three years in a row. The first two times resulted in surgical removal and the third and last time she formed two small stones and with extra fluids at the vet's was able to pass them. I talked with my vet about changing her to raw and she was positively opposed.I think she needs another diet because her tummy is dark, she has no energy and I don't like the ingredients on the s/o.I'm in an area that doesn't have many resources for people or canines. I did find a holistic trainer about an hour away and saw her 2weeks ago.I started Tinker on Dogzymes ultimate and probiotic max and pure coconut oil at that time. Her tummy is starting to pink up and her energy is markedly better.At the same time I started to give her plain boiled chicken with her pumpkin at both meals and asparagus at the evening meal.I'm still giving her 2 tbsps of s/o with each meal.I don't think the s/o has anything in it to prevent stones, I do think it's the water intake. We have quadrupled her water by adding pinches of tuna or canned chicken and treating water as a treat. Tell me what you all think I should do next. I'll be especially interested to hear from you villagers that have pugs with calcium oxylate histories.

[Pugpillow]

You are absolutely right that it is the water that is having a positive effect rather than the s/o. And you are wise not to take your vet's advice about nutrition. Some of them have a vested interest in pushing the product they stock and don't know what they don't know.

As for recommendations, I am a raw feeder for my own pugs and so would suggest that. But for my foster pugs, I have used Taste of the Wild grainfree with success. And no matter what I feed, I flood their bowls with water. For the kibble, I flood it several hours in advance so that the kibble reconstitues and absorbs the water. Then I add some more upon serving.