What foods are good for dogs with kidney disease?
Fully functioning kidneys are used to remove excess phosphorus, proteins and sodium from the bloodstream, so with the onset of kidney disease these waste materials aren’t properly filtered and a higher level than normal in the bloodstream. Because of this, animals with kidney disease need food that does not contain large amounts of phosphorus, protein or sodium, so that stress can be taken off of the kidneys and allow them to perform their functions without any risk of further damage.
There are many different renal dog foods on the market, but it is always recommended to check the label to see how much of each of the reduced minerals and protein is in each meal. The NRC (National Research Council) recommend that no more than 22.25mg of phosphorus should be fed to your dog per day. They should also be fed a low percentage of protein, and the protein that is fed must be a really high-quality protein with high bioavailability. Also less than 1mg of sodium (usually found in salt) per Calorie.
With is reduction in their food, it is important that they are supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil (NOT cod liver oil, as this is inflammatory). These fatty acids are very good for dogs, especially those suffering from heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis and many other long-term health conditions. When buying omega-3 tablets, check the manufacturers website or ask your vet if that particular brand is right for your dog to take.
While it is more common in older dogs, having your dog diagnosed with kidney disease doesn’t mean the end of their life, and many animals with the diagnosis can continue to live happily for years afterwards. However, the bad news is that there is no way to repair the damage done to the kidneys, they don’t regenerate like some organs like the liver can; but further damage can be prevented with a few relatively easy lifestyle changes.
Once you have the diagnosis from a vet, it is always recommended that you follow any instructions they have given you for medication or dietary requirements to the letter, as this can be vital to the health of your dog. This involves giving the prescribed medication exactly as instructed, as any changes in the dosage of medication can cause major issues.
My 10-year-old dog was just diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and I was told she needs to eat special food. What does this mean for her?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common kidney-based disease in dogs. Waste products are normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, but dogs with CKD will end up with an accumulation of these waste products in the bloodstream as the filtering process breaks down. For more information on this condition please see the handout “Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs”.
Nutrition plays an important role in managing CKD in dogs. There are four core goals for managing CKD in dogs:
Nutrition addresses all of these goals. Commercial diets for dogs with CKD are developed to prioritize these key goals. When compared with normal maintenance adult dog food, a kidney support diet contains less protein, sodium, and phosphorus, and increased omega-3 fatty acids. These diets are formulated to help dogs with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian. Examples include Hills® Prescription Diet® k/d®, Royal Canin® Veterinary Diet Canine Renal Support, Purina® ProPlan® Veterinary Diet NF Kidney Function®, and Rayne Clinical Nutrition™ Adult Health-RSS™.
What Are the Signs of Kidney Disease and Failure in a Dog?
If you are a pet owner, it is important to be able to identify the signs of kidney disease and failure in your dog. The signs of acute kidney disease can appear suddenly and be quite grave. Acute kidney failure is a life-threatening emergency, and your pet’s recovery is dependent on the kidneys’ degree of damage, what caused the damage, and the treatment. Good treatment can often turn acute kidney failure around. Sometimes acute kidney failure becomes chronic kidney disease. However, the onset of CKD is slow and difficult to see. Providing supportive treatment can help your dog become and stay stable for a longer period of time. However, chronic kidney disease is usually irreversible.
The top three symptoms of acute kidney failure are:
The signs and symptoms of CKD may be similar to other, often-underlying conditions such as hypertension or anemia (see below for a larger list). These symptoms may not show up until the kidneys have lost at least 70 percent of their function, and what you’ve noticed most is a change in your dog’s well-being. While all of these symptoms of CKD may not appear in every dog, here are some signs to look for:
The sooner you recognize the symptoms of kidney disease in your dog, the better the chance your vet has to make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan to slow down its progression.
Kidney Failure In Dogs | Everything You NEED To Know | Veterinarian Explains | Dogtor Pete
So your vet just diagnosed your best friend with kidney disease. Your pet is not alone, 10 percent of dogs will be affected by the disease, and it’s especially evident in older dogs. While the truth is that kidney disease is a diagnosis that does not go away, the right diet can make a big difference in your pet’s overall health. Armed with adequate information and preparation, you can help your dog live a healthy life with kidney disease, and in some cases of acute kidney failure, you may even be able to turn the prognosis around.
In this article, you’ll learn more about kidney disease and renal failure, how to spot the signs in your dog, what can lead to the disease, and the benefits of a special diet. Discover the best types of treats to give a dog with kidney disease, how to make the switch to a renal-supportive diet, and what you need to know about proper meal prep. Experts will help you get to the bottom of common myths about renal diets for your dog.