grain free kidney diet for dogs
Grain-free for dogs is good - fad, fact or fiction?
In recent years weve seen a growing trend for owners to switch their dogs to a grain-free diet. The internet is awash with conflicting information of varying quality which can make it very difficult for us as owners to know what is the best thing to do for our pets. Id like to take the time to have a look at why people feel they want to change to grain-free and whether its actually a good idea.
Why do owners want a grain-free food for their dog?
One of the underlying reasons that pet owners are interested in grain-free food is that they see dogs like their wolfy-ancestors and truly believe that we should feed them as such. There are many problems with this assumption. You will often hear that dogs are carnivores therefore they should only eat meat. This is incorrect. Dogs are classed as carnivores anatomically but they are dietary omnivores like bears and are perfectly capable of eating both plants and meat. Lets not forget that the beautiful, iconic giant panda is classed as a carnivore that is 100% vegetarian in eating habits!
Dogs evolved alongside us over 20-40,000 years. In this time they started to eat our scraps and leftovers and we know from genetic research that dogs are over 99% able to digest carbohydrates such as grains. There are literally millions of stray dogs round the world surviving on scraps and very little meat. Wolves do not have the same genetic makeup.
Another crucial difference is volume of food and calorie needs. Wolves need about 3-4 times the calories of an average sized dog so they eat very large volumes of food. This ensures adequate levels of vitamins and minerals. If we fed dogs in this way they would either be morbidly obese or drastically deficient in certain nutrients.
Many owners have also heard scary sounding things about grains like that they are simply used as cheap fillers. Do we see cereals and wholegrains that we encourage ourselves and our children to eat in this way? The fact is that for dogs and humans alike, grains are a great source of vitamins and fibre. They also supply what we call prebiotic fibre. This is the type of fibre that feeds your healthy gut bacteria which in turn keep your gut cells healthy and active.
What about grain allergy?
One reason that some owners want a grain-free food is because they are worried about allergies. True food allergies are rare in dogs and allergies to proteins in plants are not very common. A small number of dogs are allergic to certain foods, however, and the most common ones in dogs are beef, chicken, dairy and wheat.
Gluten Sensitivity
Some owners worry about gluten in pet foods. Gluten sensitivity is incredibly rare in dogs and has only been found in a small number of Irish Setters as an inherited disease.
So is grain-free necessarily bad?
As with all food and dietary decisions this depends on the diet you use. Dogs can certainly do well on a grain-free diet but it is essential that it is balanced and complete. This means that it still meets all their dietary needs in the right proportions. Some owners have heard about a certain heart disease (called dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM for short) being caused by grain-free foods. At the time of writing this is not proven and you can read more from the PFMA (Pet Food Manufacturers Association) about the ongoing research.
In summary
The most important thing when it comes to feeding dogs is that they have a balanced and complete pet food that is suitable for their lifestage. Simply removing one ingredient or trying to balance meals at home is fraught with danger and can lead to severe nutritional excesses as well as deficiencies. Dogs are perfectly adapted to a diet with meat and plants and are entirely capable of digesting carbohydrates.
Many veterinarians and pet owners have healthy and happy dogs eating foods with grains. Unless there is a medical reason, high quality complete and balanced pet foods with grains are fine for dogs. Grains are a good source of nutrients and help make a balanced diet. If you feel you really do want a grain-free pet food, talk to your vet about the most reputable ones to choose from and always make the change slowly over a number of days to avoid digestive upsets.
Contributor Bio
Dr Emma Milne qualified as a vet in 1996. She worked in small animal practice for 12 years and as a clinical nutrition advisor for seven years. She is well known for her animal welfare work and has written ten books on pet animals.
What To Feed a Dog With Kidney Disease
Nutrition plays a big role in the management of dogs with kidney disease. Because dogs with kidney disease usually arent feeling well, the first step is often to merely get your dog to eat anything.
Kidney disease can make dogs nauseated, and they can also develop ulcers in their mouth or stomach, which makes eating painful. A feeding tube may be necessary to get dogs with severe kidney disease the nutrition they need.
Once your dogs condition is more stable, you can turn your attention to providing more optimized nutrition. Kidney diets for dogs have to tick a lot of boxes. Heres a guide that explains nutritional needs and what to feed a dog with kidney disease.
What To Look For in a Kidney Diet for Dogs
Kidney diets for dogs are significantly different from regular dog foods. However, no single kidney diet is going to be best for every dog throughout the rest of their life.
For example, a dog in the early stages of kidney disease could thrive on a kidney diet with more protein, but as their disease progresses, a diet lower in protein and phosphorus might better control their symptoms.
As a rule of thumb, good kidney diets for dogs tend to have anutrient profilethat looks like this:
Nutrient | Grams/1000 kcal |
Protein | 31-41 |
Phosphorus | 0.5-0.8 |
Sodium | 0.4-1.2 |
EPA and DHA | 0.4-1.2 |
Unfortunately, it can be hard tofind this information on dog food labelsor on pet food manufacturers websites. If you are having trouble getting the numbers, your veterinarian can help you pick a good kidney diet based on your dogs needs.
Here are several important elements to look for in kidney diets for dogs:
Taste
The most important characteristic of a kidney diet for dogs can be the hardest to achieve: It has to be delicious! Thats because the metabolic and physical changes associated with kidney disease can lessen a dogs appetite.
To counteract this effect, kidney diets need to smell and taste great. After all, a kidney diet that isnt eaten isnt going to do a dog any good. Kidney diets should also be calorie- and nutrient-dense, so dogs can eat less and still get a lot of nutrition.
Hydration and Water Content
Kidney diets should also contain a lot of water. Dogs with kidney disease struggle to maintain their hydration. All dogs always need to have access to bowls of fresh clean water, but a diet that has high water content is a great way to boost a pets water intake when they have kidney disease.
Wet foods are almost always a better option for dogs with kidney disease than dry foods. If you are feeding your dog kibble, ask your veterinarian about adding water to the dry food or other ways you can supplement their water intake.
It's also important to keep an eye on the sodium levels in kidney diets for dogs. Too much sodium increases the chances that your dog will becomedehydrated.
The Right Amount of the Right Protein
Next comes the balancing act that is protein. Dogs with kidney disease need protein, but not too much. The breakdown products of protein digestion are responsible, in large part, for making dogs with kidney disease feel yucky.
The goal is to feed just enough protein to meet a dogs needs for muscle maintenance, immune function, and the other vital jobs proteins have in the bodybut not to feed too much more. Extra protein will only be turned into calories that can be more safely provided by carbohydrates and fats.
Protein quality is also important. Proteins should be highly digestible and supply all the essential amino acids dogs need.
Low Phosphorus Levels
Theres a close relationship between protein intake and blood phosphorus levels. Dogs with kidney disease gradually lose the ability to excrete phosphorus in their urine, so it backs up in the bloodstream. Reducing phosphorus intake has been shown to slow the progression of kidney disease in dogs and increase their lifespan.
An important way to reduce phosphorus levels in the diets of dogs with kidney disease is to not overfeed protein and to ensure thatproteins relatively low in phosphorusare included in the diet. Plant-based sources of protein tend to be lower in phosphorus than animal-based sources of protein.
Supplements
Nutritional supplements can also help dogs with kidney disease. Supplements often included in kidney diets for dogs include:
Omega-3fatty acids:eicosapentaenoicacid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which can reduce inflammation in the bodyincluding in the kidneysand possibly improve kidney function
Antioxidants,which neutralize free radicals that can further damage the kidneys
Fermentable fiber,which helps get rid of protein digestion waste products in poop. This allows dogs to eat more protein than they might be able to otherwise.
Prescription Kidney Diets vs. Homemade Kidney Diets for Dogs
What abouthomemade kidney diets for dogs? Astudypublished in 2012 showed how hard it is to find nutritionally complete and balanced kidney diet recipes in books and online. Of the 39 recipes evaluated, none met all the National Research Councils recommended nutrient allowances for adult dogs.
In contrast, prescription kidney diets produced by reputable dog food manufacturers undergo testing to ensure they are safe for long-term feeding and have a positive effect on a dogs health.
How To Cook for Dogs With Kidney Disease
One big benefit of homemade kidney diets, however, is taste. If your dog simply wont eat anything else, a homemade kidney diet is worth considering. To avoid nutrient deficiencies or excesses, make sure a veterinary nutritionist or a service likeBalanceIT, which requires veterinarian approval, is involved in formulating recipes for your dog.
Common Prescription Kidney Diets for Dogs
After a dog has been diagnosed with kidney disease and their condition is stabilized, veterinarians typically recommend switching over to a prescription kidney diet. Your veterinarian may have recommended a particular food based on the details of your dogs case. Here are three popular options:
Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Careis available in wet and dry formulations and different flavors:
How To Transition Your Dog to a Kidney Diet
special attention to how you make the transition. Do notchange your dogs foodwhile they are still nauseated or feeling bad. They may associate their symptoms with their new food and refuse to eat it.
Once your dog has a good appetite, start making the switch very slowly. Give them lots of time to get used to the new flavors, textures, and ingredients. This reduces the chance of food refusal and lets your dogs digestive system adapt.
Here is a timetable for taking two weeks to switch your dog to a new diet:
Days 1 and 2:Mix 5% of the new food in with 95% of the old food
Days 3 and 4:Mix 10% of the new food in with 90% of the old food
Days 5 and 6:Mix 20% of the new food in with 80% of the old food
Days 7 and 8:Mix 40% of the new food in with 60% of the old food
Days 9 and 10:Mix 60% of the new food in with 40% of the old food
Days 11 and 12:Mix 80% of the new food in with 20% of the old food
Days 13 and 14:Mix 90% of the new food in with 10% of the old food
Day 15:Try 100% of the new food
If at any point your dog turns their nose up at their food or develops signs of digestive upset, move back a step in the timetable and proceed more slowly.
Signs to Watch for After Starting Your Dog on a Kidney Diet
Dont give up if you initially have trouble switching your dog to a kidney diet. Call your veterinarian if your dog wont eat the recommended food. They can help by:
Recommending an appropriate food topper to make the food more appealing. Avoid products that are high in phosphorus and salt.
Prescribing medications to reduce nausea, stomach inflammation, ulcers, or other symptoms that may be reducing your dogs appetite
Recommending a different prescription kidney diet or, if necessary, a suitable over-the-counter food
Referring you to a veterinary nutritionist to get recipes for homemade kidney diets
Talking to you about the benefits of a feeding tube
Many dogs with kidney disease live happily for quite a long time, particularly if they get the right kind of nutrition. Onestudyshowed that on average, dogs who were fed a kidney diet lived 13 months longer than those who ate regular dog food. Thats certainly a goal worth striving for!
Featured image: iStock.com/RichLegg
WRITTEN BY
Jennifer Coates, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary...
