kidney disease in dogs what to feed

Kidney Disease in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Your dogs kidneys are essential organs that filter waste products from the bloodstream. When the kidneys are weakened, either by acute or chronic kidney disease, your dogs health could suffer. Because kidney disease progresses over time, its important to learn the common symptoms so tha you can recognize them. If you catch kidney disease in dogs early on, treatment can slow down the progression and allow your dog to live longer.

What Is Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Kidney disease in dogs is sometimes called renal or kidney insufficiency because it occurs when a dogs kidneys stop doing their job as efficiently as they should. The main job of the kidneys is to help clear and excrete waste products from the blood and convert them to urine, says Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC. If the kidneys are not working properly, these waste products can build up in the blood, causing detrimental effects.

Dogs can get either acute kidney disease, which develops suddenly, or chronic kidney disease (CKD), which develops slowly and worsens over an extended period. Both involve loss of kidney function, but they result from different circumstances. Acute kidney disease is a sudden attack or injury to the kidney, whereas chronic kidney disease is a slow, degenerative loss of kidney function, Dr. Klein explains.

What Causes Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Dr. Klein warns that kidney disease could be caused by a lot of things, including infection (such as with the bacteria that causes leptospirosis), trauma, genetics, drugs, toxins, cancer, mechanical obstructions (like kidney stones), and degenerative diseases (where the job and form of the affected body part get worse over time). Anything that decreases blood flow to the kidneys, such as dehydration or heatstroke, can cause the kidneys to fail.

Acute kidney disease in dogs can be caused by exposure to hazardous materials, including toxic plants such as lilies, certain drugs, harmful foods such as grapes or raisins, or antifreeze. Puppy-proofing your home and yard can keep your dog away from potentially harmful items or foods that could be toxic.

Chronic kidney disease in dogs is also associated with growing older. Because kidney tissue cant regenerate once its damaged, the kidneys can wear out over time. As small-breed dogs often live longer than large-breed dogs, they tend to show early signs of kidney disease at an older age10 years old or more, compared to as young as 7 for the large breeds.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs?

The earliest signs of kidney disease in dogs are increased urination and therefore increased thirst. Other symptoms dont usually become apparent until about two-thirds of the kidney tissue is destroyed. So, in the case of CKD, the damage may have begun months or even years before the owner notices. Because of this, its common for the signs of kidney disease in dogs to seem like they came out of the blue when in fact, the kidneys have been struggling for a long time.

Other signs of chronic kidney disease in dogs to watch for include:

Dr. Klein says there are some rarer symptoms of kidney disease in dogs to be aware of, as well. On occasion, there can be abdominal painurinary obstructions or stonesand in certain instances, one can see ulcers in the oral or gastric cavity. In extreme cases, little or no urine is produced at all.

What Are the Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Kidney disease in dogs is measured in stages. Many veterinarians use the IRIS scale, which has four stages. Blood work measurements like creatinine and SDMA (biomarkers for kidney function) allow your vet to assign your dog to a particular stage which will determine the exact treatment.

Dr. Klein explains, The stages determine how well the kidneys can filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. As the stages go up, the kidney function worsens. In the early stages of CKD, the kidneys are still able to filter out waste from the blood. In the latter stages, the kidneys must work harder to filter the blood and in late stages may stop working altogether.

How Is Kidney Disease in Dogs Treated?

Dialysis (a medical procedure that removes waste products and extra fluid from the blood) is far more common in humans than in dogs, although peritoneal (kidney) dialysis can be performed in some cases. On rare occasions, surgical kidney transplant is possible in dogs.

But Dr. Klein specifies that depending on the type and stage of kidney disease, the main treatments for CKD are diet changes and administration of fluids, either directly into the veins (intravenous) or under the skin (subcutaneous). The balancing and correction of electrolytes are extremely important in the management of kidney patients, he explains.

Proper nutrition is needed, and there are many available diets formulated for cats and dogs with kidney issues, some by prescription only. Your veterinarian can help guide you to the most appropriate diet for your pet.

Because kidney disease, particularly in the late stages, can cause a dog to lose their appetite, it can be difficult to encourage your dog to eat enough. Dr. Klein advises, There are medications used as appetite stimulators available, such as the prescription drug mirtazapine. Capromorelin has recently been FDA-approved for dogs to address appetite in chronic kidney disease.

When Do You Need to Call Your Vet?

The prognosis and expected life span for a dog with kidney disease depend on the type of disease, the speed of progression, and underlying conditions present in the dog. However, the more serious the disease, the poorer the outcome. Thats why its so crucial to catch the illness early on.

According to Dr. Klein, In chronic kidney disease, there are methods, such as diets and medications, that can be used to lessen the burden of work the kidneys need to do and may help slow down the progression from one stage to the next. In acute kidney disease, there is less time and fewer choices available to prevent further damage to the kidneys and to try to jump-start the kidneys to get them to function normally.

Regular veterinary exams, including bloodwork, are an excellent way to spot kidney problems before the outward symptoms become apparent. And if you notice any of the above signs, dont hesitate to get your dog to the vet for further testing. It can make a huge difference in preserving kidney function and your dogs well-being for as long as possible.

Dietary Guidelines for Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

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7 Vet Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes For Kidney Disease

A friend of mine is a huge dog lover. She has always had a dog (but mostly, dogs). Practically, she was born with them, and she knows a great deal about all the topics concerning a dogs health, nutrition, training almost everything.

So, she is my emergency call person when it comes to any issue that bothers me about my pooch. If she says that my dog needs a vet, he really does. Thats what happened the other day when I came home with a whole book of vet approved homemade dog food recipes for kidney disease.

I noticed earlier that my doggie was not the same. He was not in the mood at all. He had just been dragging himself around, drinking enormous amounts of water, and always being thirsty.

Of course, after that much water, he had been peeing a lot. Besides urination, there was occasional diarrhea, especially at night. I was aware that he was no longer the healthy dog he used to be.

So, the first thing I could think of was to call my friend and ask for advice. I had described to her all the symptoms that I noticed. She said it was probably some kind of renal failure.

And, she was right. As a responsible dog owner, she first told me to make an appointment at the veterinary station. I took my dog for an examination, and the vet confirmed it was renal disease. I was shocked and terrified.

My dog got therapy, and I got all the instructions for the dogs diet. I got a recommendation to prepare homemade dog food for kidney disease. Here, I have collected a few recipes that helped us on our journey. I hope they will help you, too!

Vet Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes For Kidney Disease

Kidney failure is not an uncommon condition. It certainly requires big changes in lifestyle and diet. When your dog gets some sort of diagnosis that is connected with impaired renal function, there is a big challenge in front of you.

The first thing is to listen to your vet. He knows best, and he will give you further directions as to how to cooperate. The most important thing is to change your dogs diet.

This is essential in order to prevent further adversities that could occur. There are a certain number of vet approved homemade recipes for kidney disease that you can include in your daily meal prep.

When preparing a meal, you should have a few things in mind. The most difficult thing is to balance the amount of harmful ingredients in meals.

Low phosphorus levels are the goal when you are feeding a dog with kidney disease. But, this is not easy to achieve due to the fact that it appears in almost all meat.

That is why you should choose wisely what your dog chews. To successfully avoid all the traps, here are six vet approved homemade recipes for kidney disease easy to prepare.

Recipe No. 1

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 pound of ground pork

2 cups of white rice

1 cup of green beans

1/2 cups of chopped beets

1 cup of chopped sweet potatoes

1 cup of chopped carrots

Preparation:

Step 1:

Prepare the vegetables. Wash them thoroughly or defrost them if you use those purchased in the supermarket. Chop them into small pieces. Do this with the sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets.

Step: 2

Cook two cups of rice in four cups of water. Do not add salt in water. When the water starts to boil, add rice and cook it for up to 15 minutes. When its done, extract the excessive water.

Step: 3

Take a frying pan and put the meat in it. Fry it until it is well done with no blood. Remove all the excessive fat and leave it to cool down.

Step: 4

Take all the vegetables and put them in a pot filled with water. Cook the veggies until they are soft. When the vegetables are cooked, remove the excessive water and let it cool down.

Step: 5

Mix together all the cooked ingredients and mash them down. Serve the portions.

Recipe No. 2

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups of white rice

1/2 cup of water

0.25 pound of ground beef

1 teaspoon of calcium carbonate

3 slices of white bread

1 egg

Preparation:

Step: 1

Take the ground beef, put it in a pot, and cook it in a small amount of water. It is important to use ground beef, and not lean. Lean beef is not appropriate for this kind of diet. Boil the beef until it is well cooked. You will know it is cooked when the meat is soft and easy to pull apart.

Step: 2

While the beef is cooking, prepare the rice. Cook two cups of rice in four cups of water. Do not add salt in the water. When the water starts to boil, add rice and cook it for up to 15 minutes. When its done, extract the excessive water.

Step: 3

Cook the egg. It should be hard-boiled. When the egg is cooked and cold, peel it and chop it into small pieces.

Take the bread and crumble it.

Step: 4

Mix together the rice, the egg, the bread, and the calcium carbonate. When mixed, add it into the cooked ground beef. Stir it all together well.

This recipe is enough for one meal. If you want, you can prepare a couple or three portions in advance and freeze them. Your dog should be fed twice a day with this mixture. In addition to the main meal, your dog should be getting supplements.

Recipe No. 3

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

2 pounds of ground turkey meat

3 cups of water

6 eggs

2 sweet potatoes (three if they are small)

6 cups of white rice

1/2 cup of cranberries

15 ounce of peas

1/4 cup of parsley

1/4 cup of hemp hearts

3 tablespoons of chopped rosemary

3 tablespoons of chopped sage

3 tablespoons of olive oil

Preparation:

Step: 1

Cook the ground turkey meat in three cups of water. Let the water boil and then cook the meat until it becomes soft and easy to pull apart. When it is done, remove the excessive water.

Step: 2

Cook six cups of rice in 12 cups of water. Do not add salt in the water. When the water starts to boil, add the rice and cook it for up to 15 minutes. When its done, extract the excessive water.

Step: 3

Make six hard boiled eggs. When cooked, peel them and chop them into small pieces.

Step: 4

Take two large or three small potatoes, wash them, and peel them. Chop the potatoes into cubes and put them on to steam.

Step 5

Cook the peas shortly in a small amount of water. While the peas are cooking, slice cranberries in thin layers.

Step 6

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Be sure that you stir the ingredients well. When done, place the bowl in the refrigerator. Feed your dog three times a day, and keep the rest of the blend in the fridge.

READ NEXT: How To Boil Chicken For Dogs: Everything You Need To Know!

Recipe No. 4

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

2 pounds of ground pork

2 cups of white rice

1 pound of green beans

1 pint of egg white in liquid state

1 pound of sweet potatoes

1/1 cup of chopped parsley

4 tablespoons of coconut oil

1 apple

pinch of pepper

Preparation:

Step: 1

Cook two cups of rice in four cups of water. Do not add salt in the water. When the water starts to boil, add the rice and cook it for up to 15 minutes. When its done, extract the excessive water.

Step 2

Take the parsley and wash it. Remove the leaves and stems, and chop the leaves. Try to chop them as finely as possible. When done chopping, take the parsley and stir it in the cooked rice.

Step: 3

Peel the sweet potatoes and cook them.

Step: 4

Take the green beans and steam them in a separate pot.

Step: 5

Take the ground pork and put it in a frying pan. Fry the pork for about 10 minutes and then put it aside. Add a pinch of pepper, even though it is optional. Consult with your vet first.

Step: 6

Put half of the pork and the beans together in a blender and blend it until you get a smooth mixture. Then, stir the mixture along with the rice. Blend the rest of the pumpkin and beans with 1/4 of pork. Stir the mixture into the rice. Add the remaining pork.

Step: 7

Melt the coconut oil in a frying pan. Add the egg whites and stir them until they are cooked.

Step: 8

Stir all the ingredients together, and separate it into small amounts. You can use freezing bags for this purpose. Serve your dog 1/2 a cup up to five times a day.

Recipe No. 5

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 egg

1 cup of chopped chicken

1/4 cup of brown rice

1/4 cup of green beans

1/4 cup of carrots

2 tablespoons of yogurt

Preparation:

Step: 1

Take a chopped chicken and boil it until it is cooked. Hard-boil the egg. Let it cool down, and then peel it. Chop the egg. Combine the egg and chicken in one bowl.

Step: 2

Steam the green beans and carrots separately. Then, add them into the chopped chicken and egg mixture.

Step: 3

Cook 1/4 cup of rice in 1/2 cup of water. Do not add salt in the water. When the water starts to boil, add rice and cook it for up to 15 minutes. When its done, extract the excessive water.

Step: 4

Add the rice to the mixture and stir it all together. Then, add 2 tablespoons of yogurt and mix it thoroughly. When done, separate the mixture into smaller portions, and keep them in a cold place. You can keep them like that for five days. If you want it to last longer, you can freeze it.

Recipe No. 6

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

1 pound of ground beef

1 pound of turkey meat

2 cups of white rice

Preparation:

Step: 1

Prepare the turkey meat. Wash the meat, remove the bones and skin, and chop it into cubes.

Cook 2 cups of rice in 2 cups of water. Do not add salt in the water. When the water starts to boil, add rice and cook it for up to 15 minutes.

Add the turkey meat and cook it until it is mushy.

Step: 2

Fill a pot with water, and put it on the stove. When the water is boiling, put in the meat and cook it for five minutes. When its done, extract the excessive water and fat. Wash the meat under tap water.

Step: 3

Chop the beef into small parts. Mix together the meat, the rice, and the turkey mixture. Cool it down before serving.

Recipe No. 7

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

3 pounds of turkey meat

3 cups of spinach

2 big carrots

1/2 cup of peas

1 zucchini

1 1/2 cups of white rice

1 tablespoon of olive oil

Preparation:

Step: 1

Cook 1 and 1/2 cups of rice in 3 cups of water. Do not add salt in the water. When the water starts to boil, add rice and cook it for up to 15 minutes. When cooked, remove it from the stove.

Step: 2

Take the olive oil and put it on the stove on low heat. When the oil is heated, add the turkey meat and fry it until it turns goldish.

Step: 3

Take the veggies and cut them. Cut the carrots into small cubes, and chop the zucchini and spinach.

Step: 4

When the meat is fried, add the vegetables and the rice. Stir them together, and continue to cook for up to five minutes. When done, make portions and put them in the freezer. Now, you have a fine, gluten-free meal for your dog.

Things You Need To Know About Kidney Disease

At one moment, due to different causes, the kidneys may lose their function. Or, that function can be weakened. If not treated properly, acute problems could develop into chronic kidney disease.

The main function of the kidneys is to filter blood and wash out toxins, which are extracted through urine. Kidneys extract phosphorous and calcium.

When there is a problem in their function, phosphorus and calcium can not be extracted, and they build up in the body. Over time, these sediments can cause further problems, such as heart failure or problems in other organs.

The problem with kidney failure is that one of the protein products is phosphorus. Due to the fact that this can not be easily extracted, you should prepare food that is low in phosphorus. It is important to know what the color of your dogs urine means so you can react in time.

Proteins are essential for muscle growth and overall health. That is why you want to keep them in a meal. All in all, it is best to use ingredients that are low in phosphorus, have a low sodium rate, and have a moderate protein level. That is the reason why it is good to use vet approved homemade food recipes for kidney disease.

Symptoms Of Kidney Disfunction

There are certain symptoms that are indicative of kidney problems. They are mostly connected with water intake and urinating. Also, general health changes like a loss of body weight are often an alarm. In order to be sure, it is best to visit a vet and do a few checkups.

You can find out a lot from blood work. The levels of creatinine, calcium, potassium, sedimentation, and phosphorus can tell a lot. Here is a list of the most common symptoms of kidney dysfunctions, which can serve as a guideline. However, there can be other symptoms that are not listed here.

Excessive water intake

Excessive urinating

Decreased urinating

Urinating while sleeping

Blood in urine

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Low energy level

Acidic stomach

Nausea

Weight loss

Lost appetite

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What Does A Dog Need To Eat If It Has Kidney Disease?

There are certain ingredients that should be included in its diet, and also, those that should be excluded from its diet. You should take extra care if your dog has other issues. Some dogs have allergies, or other chronic diseases like pancreatitis.

Some dogs are already on a raw diet regiment. In that case, it is an even bigger challenge to balance protein intake. This all means that there are more ingredients you should exclude from the diet. It is best to consult with your vet about this.

Related: How Much Raw Food To Feed A PuppyEverything You Need to Know

Some foods contain significant amounts of possibly harmful matter. Vet approved homemade dog food recipes for kidney disease will balance these ingredients in the right amounts.

Ingredients That A Dog With Kidney Disease Can Consume

Your dog needs to consume protein in some measure because it is an ingredient that builds up muscles. He needs carbs for energy. Without vitamins, he will get sick. These foods are all rich in nutrients that are necessary.

Vet approved homemade dog food recipes for kidney disease include the following ingredients:

Fat Source avocado oil, coconut oil, butter, yogurt

Carbohydrate Source pumpkin, sweet potatoes, acorn squash, apples, carrots, rice, popcorn

Protein Source egg whites, ground beef, white fish, ground pork, ground turkey, ground chicken, chicken breasts

Vitamin Sources veggies such as kale, green beans, broccoli, collards, watermelon, bananas, blueberries

Omega-3 fatty acids salmon oil

Ingredients That A Dog With Kidney Disease Should Avoid

There are numerous ingredients that are not part of vet approved homemade dog food recipes for kidney disease. For example, you should avoid giving bones, bully sticks, treats, pig ears, raw hides, antlers, organ meat, and yolks to a dog with kidney disease.

You should also avoid polyunsaturated oils such as soy, corn, flaxseed, cod liver, and sunflower. Besides that, there are four main ingredients that sick kidneys cant extract.

Those are:

Phosphorus Phosphorus accumulating in blood affects other systems in the body, and causes hormonal balance and less bone density

Omega 6 fatty acids This causes inflammations

Sodium Sodium increases blood pressure, which can lead to heart arrest, and it also causes water retention, which can cause dehydration

Vitamin D The kidneys have a hard time extracting Vitamin D

Useful Tips For A Quality Life With Kidney Disease

Provide your dog with clear and filtered water, and be sure it does not contain any toxins. Water from your tap is not always chemically correct.

A kidney diet often requires a lot of water because your dog is often thirsty. It is recommended to purchase a slow water feeder. You can find this in your local pet shop or online.

It is recommended to feed your dog with his homemade diet in several smaller portions during the day. Combine this with a lot of exercise to get the best results in kidney function.

Do not forget toinclude supplements in pet food kibble. A Prescription diet for kidney failure does not cover all the nutritional needs of a dog. No matter how much of a high-quality, homemade meal you make, your doggo still needs a few more vitamins and minerals.

Senior dogs with kidney failure need meat that contains a lot of fat. Their kidney diet should be a low protein diet. This means you should use ground meat with less protein and more fat.

If you are often short on time, it is good to prepare meals in advance. Make bigger amounts of food, and separate it into portions. Put the portions in the freezer, and take them out when you need them.

Invest in a kitchen scale. This is an essential thing for cooking homemade recipes. There are a lot of choices online, on sites such as Amazon, along with going to your local supermarket.

You should avoid feeding your dog human food, such as vienna sausages, because they are rich in additives. Also, fish sticks because they are too salty. It is not recommended to feed him with industrial foods like cheerios, doritos or sour cream. Try to stick with vet approved homemade recipes.

Conclusion

We are living in a chaotic world with almost no time to stop. Take in a deep breath and take it easy. In all of that hurry, we forget to take the time for proper and mindful eating. It is more effective to take some quick snacks and continue with work.

And, if you have a dog, then life is even more complicated though it is sweeter. Maybe you are used to feeding your dog with quick solutions like commercial dog food. He is probably used to dry food, dog treats, or Royal Canin in the best case.

If your dog is having health issues, then you should probably consider preparing homemade meals. Nutritionists will recommend the proper food diet considering your dogs health conditions. When it comes to kidney health, there are a number of vet approved homemade dog food recipes for kidney disease.

Do not panic. With the proper diet, your furry friend can live a happy life for quite some time. First things first it is of major importance to consult your veterinarian before starting a diet. Then, take it day by day.

It just takes a few changes in your daily routine and your overall lifestyle. But, if those changes are for the better, then a little bit of effort should not be a problem. After all, it is all for our puppys good and our own benefit, too.

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