singen kidney diet for dogs

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 14, 2024

Contributions sourced from

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, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary...

Dietary Guidelines for Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

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How to Feed Dogs With Kidney Disease

How to feed dogs with kidney disease? What should they avoid?

One of the more common serious health problems for dogs is kidney disease, which affects more pets than people realize.

According to WebMD, dogs may experience either acute or chronic kidney issues.

While chronic kidney failure develops slowly over time, acute kidney failure occurs suddenly over a few days.

The most frequent cause of acute renal issues in dogs is toxin ingestion.

It might be a chemical, such as antifreeze, cleaning supplies, or contaminated food.

Older dogs are more likely to develop chronic renal disease, and because it usually manifests slowly, it can be challenging to identify the specific cause.

A proper dog kidney disease diet will be one of the crucial treatments to get your pooch on the path toward recovery.

What is Kidney Disease?

Kidneys are organs with the basic function of eliminating waste and toxins from the dog's body.

Any health issue that affects this process can be classified as kidney disease.

It can be referred to as kidney failure in dogs, renal failure, renal disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and similar.

Many things can cause kidney disease in dogs, including birth defects, poor diet, high blood pressure, bacterial infections, and diseases associated with the canine's immune system (Ettinger, Feldman; 2010).

Symptoms of kidney disease include drinking more, frequent urination, weight loss, vomiting, and decreased appetite.

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from a kidney-related problem, take him to your vet to get the right diagnosis.

This article will not explain kidney disease.

To learn more, read other vet's science-based guides on Kidney Failure in Dogs for symptoms, diagnosis, treatments (including at-home remedies), and more.

Instead, I will walk you through the most crucial part of dealing with this problem.

Proper dog kidney disease diet, what it entails, and how to feed dogs with kidney disease, including a homemade kidney diet for dogs.

How to Feed Dogs With Kidney Disease

The two are closely related (Polzin et al. 2013); therefore, a dog kidney disease diet is a big part of essential treatment that's often required for any canine with kidney problems to get better.

Remember that it's very important for you to discuss this with your vet.

Listen to the vet's advice because every pet is different, and not every homemade kidney diet for dogs will work for your pooch.

Dietary Guidelines for Dogs with Kidney Disease

There is a very specific evidence-based set of guidelines and dietary plansdeveloped by vets that need to be followed to treat dogs with kidney disease.

While you can follow the below guidelines to understand the concept of a dog kidney disease diet, make sure to go over this dietary plan with your vet.

I will also make it easy for you to understand.

We cannot advise here the exact amount of food needed for your specific dog, but your vet can help you determine the best portion sizes daily.

The vet can also help you choose the kidney-friendly dog food brand or go over this homemade kidney diet for dogs if cooking yourself to see if it's the right and safe fit for your Fido.

The current scientific and veterinary consensus on the treatment diet for dogs with kidney disease is as follows (Jacob et al. 2002):

Reduce phosphorus

Phosphorus is one of the most common minerals in the dog's body, and it's essential to many health functions.

However, it can also stress the dog's kidneys, and when dealing with chronic renal failure, the stress needs to be reduced.

Less protein

Based on the above, reducing the amount of protein intake will subsequently reduce the amount of phosphorus in the dog's body.

Less salt

Sodium (salt), similar to phosphorus, will put extra pressure on kidneys by forcing them to work more.

Therefore, including less salt in your dog's diet will relieve some of the work from his kidneys.

Include omega-3s

Studies have shown that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids can help the function of kidneys and assist with dog kidney disease in general.

This includes feeding foods higher in omega-3 fatty acids or using fish oil dog supplements.

A regular dosage can be used as indicated on the supplement.

Calcitriol supplementation

This will likely be administered by your vet if needed.

The calcitriol is specifically used for patients with kidney problems, both humans and dogs.

Your veterinarian will recommend how to use this supplement, if at all.

Furthermore, dogs with kidney disease should stay in shape, and you must relieve stress from digesting food and processing liquids.

The best thing to do is lower the amount of food in a single portion and increase the number of meals per day (4-5 times a day).

That will make digestion easier and faster for a dog with kidney disease.

Most dog foods for kidney disease are developed with the above science-based instructions in mind.

They will be low in protein, low in phosphorus, and low in salt and include different supplements and ingredients shown to alleviate the stress on the kidneys.

However, commercial food isn't essential if you know how to make a dog kidney disease diet yourself, following the vet's guidelines (as outlined in this TVP article).

Healthy water intake should be encouraged. Thus, water needs to be accessible to your Fido at all times.

Use purified or distilled water because tap or well water can sometimes be high in added minerals that are bad for dogs with kidney disease.

You can also use bottled water, but keep in mind that it is extremely important that your dog is hydrated at all times.

Dehydration will further complicate the kidney disease problem.

Important Nutrients

Protein

Debate is still on when it comes to the amount of protein that dogs with kidney disease should have (Foley, 2008).

Today, most vets generally agree that an extremely low-protein diet is unnecessary unless your canine is uremic, but they would often recommend slightly lowering the protein intake anyway.

The safest bet is a dog kidney disease diet that has a moderate level of protein (not too high and not too low).

However, it is important that you feed high-quality protein to your dog.

Meat is always a great place to start, whether raw (safe) or cooked/prepared meat for your homemade kidney diet for dogs.

Eggs are a good source of high-quality protein, but egg yolks are also very high in phosphorus, so it is best to stick to egg whites and limit egg yolks.

Fat

The amount of fat you should feed your dog will depend on his weight and activity level.

If he is overweight or inactive, stick to moderate fat intake.

If he is in good shape and really active, you can increase his fat intake because fat is a healthy source of energy (but high in calories) and is low in phosphorus.

Keep in mind that increasing fat, especially containing sources of omega-3 fatty acids, has been shown to help with kidney disease in dogs.

Too much fat can be bad for some pets, especially for their digestive system.

An increased amount of fat may cause diarrhea or mucus in stools.

Dogs with a predisposition to pancreatitis cant handle a lot of fat in their dog kidney disease diet.

If you want to increase your dogs fat intake, you need to do it gradually and carefully, hopefully, as your vet monitors your pet's health.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are not nutritionally necessary for dogs as they get their energy from fat and protein, but for dogs with kidney disease, you must include carbs.

Research shows that vets recommend a dog kidney disease diet with up to 50% of carbs.

They're a good source of calories for dogs with CKD because most foods are low in phosphorous.

These foods will include vegetables and fruits, as well as appropriate grains.

Phosphorus and Calcium

As discussed above, studies show how a low-phosphorus diet had positive results in slowing down the progression of kidney disease in dogs.

Foods high in phosphorous include dairy products, bones, fish with bones, egg yolks, and organ meat (among others).

When structuring a dog kidney disease diet, these foods should be highly limited or avoided completely, depending on the stage of the kidney disease.

You also need to keep track of the phosphorous in the grains and vegetables that you give your dog.

While most carb sources will generally contain low to none of it, some foods still may be a source of phosphorus minerals.

It is best to stick to 10 mg per pound of bodyweight phosphorous in your dogs daily diet.

Calcium is very important because it acts as a phosphorus binder.

Lack of calcium in the dog's diet will often lead to an excess of phosphorus minerals in the body, which then can cause problems with the kidneys.

You can simply add half a teaspoon of ground eggshell per pound of food in each meal or use calcium supplements or other calcium-heavy foods.

Dont use bones as a source of calcium because they are high in phosphorus.

SIMILAR:Guidelines and Diet for Dogs with Struvite Crystals

Structuring Dog Kidney Disease Diet

Even though dogs with kidney disease can eat almost anything in moderation (with a few adjustments discussed above), some foods are better than others for your dog (Yabuki et al. 2010).

You can use the above-mentioned guidelines to understand better how to make your own homemade kidney diet for dogs.

But here are some foods specifically that you should probably include and others to avoid altogether.

Foods to Include

There are many foods you can include in a dog kidney disease diet, but here are some ideas to get you started.

Meats

Include fatty meats like lamb, pork, or beef.

You can also include dark meat turkey or chicken since they contain more fat than white meat and dont avoid the skin as well.

Chicken has the highest amount of phosphorus of all these meats, so be careful with it.

Dairy

Dairy products can be included, but they must be given in moderation.

Use cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, and go for the low-salt option.

Yogurt is also good, especially if your dog also has digestive problems.

Yogurt has good bacteria, which can help regulate his digestion, but probiotic supplements will have a much higher concentration of bacteria.

Vegetables

Include cabbage in your dogs diet because it can be good for ulcers, which are a common occurrence in dogs with kidney disease.

Include other vegetables like asparagus, beet, broccoli, pumpkin, squash, celery, carrots, and other vegetables that contain fiber.

Fruits

Fruits like apples, mango, peach, pineapple, and pear are also good for your dog.

Cranberries are good for dogs that often develop urinary tract infections, and they can also be good for their kidneys.

Bananas are high in potassium, which is good for your dogs water balance.

Wheat/Grain

In this instance, white rice is better than brown rice because it is lower in phosphorous.

Most other grains should be avoided or extremely limited because of their phosphorus levels.

Pasta, especially if you add a bit of butter to make it tastier for your dog, is a great choice for a dog kidney disease diet-friendly meal with low-phosphorus calories.

Omega-3s

Fish oil is great for your dogs kidneys because it contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish itself is also a great source of omega-3, but you should avoid fish with bones since bones are high in phosphorous.

Avoid fish liver oil as well. Coconut oil can also be good for your dog.

Treats

Dog treats are fine in moderation.

Make sure they are NOT a regular part of your dogs diet, and carefully pick those that are friendly for your structured dog kidney disease diet; choose healthy dog treats with beneficial ingredients.

Natural treats are good choices, too rice cakes, for example, are a great option you can give to your dog because they are low in phosphorous.

Other options

Adding a bit of alfalfa or kelp can also be good, but you should do it once or twice a week only because alfalfa can act as a diuretic, and kelp contains sodium.

Green tripe is an excellent addition to your dogs diet because it is really low in phosphorous, and dogs usually enjoy it.

It can even help anorexic dogs develop an appetite.

Foods to Avoid

Sodium (salt) is dangerous for dogs with kidney disease, and many vets recommend a low-sodium diet and generally carefully monitor your pet's salt intake.

However, removing salt from the dog's diet is also harmful to your Fido.

I would recommend a diet with a medium sodium intake, around 3.2 grams of sodium per 1,000 calories, which has been supported by studies mentioned in the above references.

Remember that reducing sodium should be done gradually, or it can cause dehydration or even a renal crisis.

Avoid vegetable oils because they are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be inflammatory and are generally not a good source of fat for dogs.

The same goes for fish liver oils, especially cod liver oil.

If your dogs diet is based on raw and meaty bones, you should consider lowering the amount of bone fed.

If your dogs kidney disease progresses, you should completely eliminate bones from his diet.

Bones are really high in phosphorous and other minerals, and that can be hard on a dog's kidneys.

ALSO READ:How to Feed Dogs With Renal Disease and Kidney Problems

Best Dog Kidney Disease Diet

When planning a diet for a dog with kidney disease, you can choose between homemade meals (see below), commercial dog foods, or a combination of both.

Discuss with your veterinarian what would be an appropriate option in your pet's case.

Some of the best dog food for kidney disease brands currently are:

Homemade Dog Kidney Disease Diet

Commercial dog food brands are an easier option, and most vets agree that it's the safest way to structure a dog's kidney disease diet because you don't need to do any guesswork.

However, if you'd rather cook for your pooch, then you can do that as well.

Whether you choose to feed your dog raw meat or cooked meat, making a homemade meal for him means that you know exactly what he eats and how much of everything he consumes.

I'll include my personal favorite dog kidney disease diet recipe below, but you can also take a look at these four recipes from Samantha (they have videos with instructions):

Ground Beef with Rice Recipe

This homemade kidney diet for dogs recipe is full of good protein sources and low in phosphorous, which makes it great for dogs with kidney disease.

Ingredients

2 pounds lean ground beef
12-15 egg whites
1 pound of green beans
2 cups of rice
2 of acorn squash
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 cup of fresh parsley
1 apple
Pinch of fresh ground pepper

Preparation

The first thing to do is to cook rice. Put it in boiling water and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

While the rice cooks, you can wash and chop the parsley.

When the rice is done, just add parsley to it and mix.

Cut the squash in half and get rid of the seeds.

Then, cut it into strips and peel the skin off.

Cut the squash into small cubes and put it in a pot with water. A medium pot filled to half is best.

Let the water boil, and then let the squash simmer for 20 minutes. Steam the green beans.

Fry the ground beef in a frying pan for 10 minutes and season it with ground pepper.

Let the meat cool off, and dont drain the fat.

When all ingredients cool off and become warm, put the squash, meat, and green beans in a blender or food processor and puree the mixture until it becomes smooth. Add the puree to the rice mixture. In the same pan where you fried the beef, melt the coconut oil, and then add the egg whites and scramble them for around 4 minutes.

Add the egg whites to the other ingredients and stir them in.

Let it cool off a bit, and serve it to your pooch.

Dog Kidney Disease Diet: Key Takeaways

You can prepare a diet for a dog with kidney illness that combinescommercial dog food and homemade meals.
If the main component of your dog's diet is raw, meaty bones, you might want to reduce the quantity you feed him.
For your homemade kidney diet for dogs, meatwhether raw (safe) or cooked/preparedis always a fantastic place to start.