renal diet for senior dogs
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...
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
READ NEXT: Why Does My Dog Poop So Much? Healthy Pooping Amounts
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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