Water Intake Is Important To Help Prevent Dehydration
Dogs with CKD cant conserve water by concentrating their urine, so their water intake is critical to prevent dehydration. Make sure your dog always has plenty of fresh, clean water to drink. You can also help increase your pets water intake by adding warm water to their dry kibble .
The nutrient profiles of kidney-friendly dog foods are different from adult maintenance dog foods in other ways, in addition to phosphorus, protein, sodium and omega-3 fatty acids. To learn more about how they differ, read How a Kidney-Friendly Food Helps Manage Your Dogs Kidney Disease or talk with your veterinarian.
The information in this blog has been developed with our veterinarian and is designed to help educate pet parents. If you have questions or concerns about your pets health or nutrition, please talk with your veterinarian.
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Meal Preparation For Dogs With Kidney Disease
Regardless of the food that you and your vet choose, the most challenging part will still be to get your dog to continue eating regularly. Consider increasing the amount of times you feed your dog since those with kidney disease struggle to maintain their weight. Their appetite will invariably go down, so it is up to you to try different options to see what will work.
Most critical is their access to fresh water. Many experts recommend, if possible, that you ensure the water your pet has is fresh and free of contaminants. Filtered water is best because it removes all contaminants. Whether you end up filling your pets bowl several times per day from your filtered tap or acquiring a pet water fountain, explore what works for you. One point about pet water fountains: they provide a stream of fresh, filtered water for your pet, but need to have their filter changed regularly.
If you look for pet food recipes for kidney disease, look for ones that have been created within the last five years. There are resources on the internet that have not gotten up to speed on the current research and recommendations. Use the guidelines above and your best judgment when preparing your dogs food. One good resource that adheres to these current recommendations is Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs, Revised Edition: The Definitive Guide to Homemade Meals.
On The Other Hand Here Are Some Great Options For Healthy Homemade Dog Food For Kidney Failure:
-Cooked white rice Brown riceCanned pumpkin Fish oil capsules
What is the best food to feed a dog with kidney failure?
When a dog has kidney failure, they are unable to process phosphorus in their diet. Phosphorus is found in many foods, including meat, cheese and eggs. The best food to feed a dog with kidney failure is low-phosphorus dog food.
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Moist Foods Are Good For A Dog With Kidney Disease
An internet article about how the word moist is the worst word ever went viral, getting four million views, but whether you hate that word or not, moist is a useful word to remember when feeding a dog with kidney disease.
After all, kidneys are all about water. Water helps everyones kidneys remove waste from the blood, coming out of the body as urine.
When a dog is having kidney failure, its vital that his food is moist to provide much-needed hydration, says Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a holistic veterinarian based out of Los Angeles. He owns California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness and provides holistic treatment for cancer patients at the Veterinary Cancer Group.
In kidney failure, the body is not properly excreting toxins through the kidneys, Dr. Mahaney says. As a result, more moisture is needed to flush out nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorous, and other metabolic wastes from the body. Therefore, my primary recommendation is to feed a diet that is moistened by water or low-sodium and free from vegetables of the onion and garlic varieties.
That doesnt necessarily mean that you need to buy canned brands of dog food that are formulated for kidney disease, or that you should stay away from dry dog food brands formulated for kidney disease.
Dr. Mahaney also recommends that protein sources be highly bioavailable, which means that the nutrients are readily absorbed and cause minimal stress on the body in the digestive process.
Homemade Dog Food For Dog With Kidney Disease
For dogs with kidney disease using a homemade recipe can be helpful for dogs who have become increasingly picky due to the disease process. Homemade, warmed foods tend to be more palatable than dried diets, and can be customized in flavor preferences according to what your dog currently prefers.
Often dogs with kidney disease will associate the nausea of their condition with particular foods and tastes, and then avoid them in the future This can make feeding times extremely challenging. And as most proteins we typically use to top foods to stimulate our dogs to eat are not ideal for dogs with kidney disease. Keeping a pet eating the prescribed kidney diet low in phosphorus can be difficult.
A home-prepared diet that allows for flexible rotation of proteins and ingredients can be a great option in order to keep our pups eating and maintaining their body condition and health for longer.
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Your Dogs Kidneys Are Integral For His Health
The kidneys of your dog are more important than you may realize. His kidneys help filter waste out of the blood. When the kidneys are not working correctly, toxins can begin to build up in the blood, and this condition is ultimately fatal.
Your dogs kidneys are also responsible for maintaining the water/salt ratio in the body. When sodium levels are off, Hypernatremia is the result . This is a potentially life-threatening condition that results in a volume reduction in the brain. Kidney disease can lead to hypernatremia, which is why it is so critical this condition is treated by the vet.
Is Green Tripe Good For Dogs With Kidney Disease
Green tripe is the raw, unprocessed stomachs of cud-chewing animals like cows, goats or sheep. Supermarket tripe is white because it has been bleached and deodorized, which destroys fragile nutrients.
Green tripe contains easily digestible protein, beneficial bacteria, abundant enzymes, and relatively low phosphorus levels. Its rich chlorophyll content is good for detoxifying your dogs blood and lymph systems.
When the lymphatic system is free of toxins, dogs enjoy stronger immune responses to invading pathogens and increased energy due to lymph fluid promoting absorption of digested fats in the intestines.
Raw green tripe is considered by veterinarians and canine experts to be one of the most nutritional foods available for dogs. It contains the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 , proteins, fats and an ideal phosphorus to calcium ratio necessary to facilitate absorption of either nutrient.
Never cook raw green tripe. Heating tripe will destroy the beneficial digestive enzymes found in tripe.
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Simple Rice Turkey And Beef Meal
This recipe is far easier to make than the last. It only has three ingredients.You can add extras to beef up the nutritional content. Just make sure to ask your veterinarian about any supplements you should provide your dog.
Ingredients
- 1 lb of ground beef
- 1 lb of cooked turkey meat
Instructions
Once again, start your recipe by cooking the rice.
For two cups, you’ll need about four cups of water. Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil.As you wait, clean and prepare the turkey.
There should be no bones or skin. It’s easier to use pre-cooked turkey meat for simplicity. Cut or shred the meat into small, bite-sized pieces.After the rice has boiled for about 10 minutes, add the turkey. Continue to cook the rice until it’s soft and fluffy.This recipe calls for a healthier alternative to standard beef browning.
Instead of cooking the meat in a frying pan, boil it in a large stockpot.
Once the water is boiling, you can add the meat and cook it for about five minutes.
You’ll know it’s done when you can’t see any more pink.Remove any foam or fat that’s floating on the water. Then, drain the beef and wash it in cold water. Give the beef a good chop and add it to the rice and turkey mixture.
Once it’s cooled down to room temperature, it’s ready to eat.
Low Protein Dog Food Recipes For Kidney Disease
Are you looking for low protein dog food recipes for kidney disease? Well, youre in luck. Weve got a few tasty homemade meals that are safe for senior dogs on a low protein diet. Its easy to feed your pooch these made-from-scratch foods tailored for his health conditions daily. All you have to do is follow our simple steps.
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What Homemade Food Is Good For Dogs With Kidney Disease
For dogs with renal health issues, feed them a diet of high-quality protein with low phosphorus and sodium, and added omega-3 fatty acids, such as a mix of good quality meat, veggies like bell peppers, and either a supplement of omega-3s or fish, flax, sardines, or anchovies.
Things To Monitor And Try To Bump Up And Supplement Would Be:
- Phosphorus obviously
I did a LOT of reading. I read and read and read, trying to discern what to feed him, what the trade-offs were in nutrients and what ultimately he would still eat. One of the best sources I found was from a Phosphorus Food List published by Kaiser-Permanente and from info on that Mayo Clinics website on a low-phosphorus diet. I cross referenced this information with dog food diets, labels of dog food ingredients, and numerous other sources. In the end, this is what I determined.
Research Post-Script: There are many comments throughout this blog from people who have been using this recipe for a year or two with success. Many have added their own research and information. Some have different opinions and every dog is different with unique tastes or other underlying conditions, but most people have independently supported this recipe with other research or discussions with other health professionals. One reader, Kerrie E., went to a nutritionist and posted the advice she received here as well. Ive summarized her information as a PDF attached here.
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Remove The Most Common Causes Of Kidney In Dogs
Their kidneys are failing, so we need to reduce their workload. First up is anything that causes an immune reaction as the debris from these reactions clogs the kidney highways. This is the most overlooked step in dogs with kidney failure . Thus you need to remove:
- Pet store treats, including dental sticks, rawhide chews, etc.
- Needless chemicals including chemical flea and worm treatments, kennel cough treatments, annual boosters for dogs already adequately vaccinated for viruses, etc.
Raw, fresh food is the best dog for kidney disease
Skinless chicken Although a limited protein intake is necessary for some people with kidney issues, providing the body with an adequate amount of high quality protein is vital for health. Skinless chicken breast contains less phosphorus, potassium, and sodium than skin-on chicken.
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 pets 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.
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At The End Of 2019 During Our Yearly Vet Check We Received The Devastating News That Our 11 Year Old Dog’s Blood Work Showed That He Was In Stage 4 Kidney Failure
Honestly, I was a basket case, how on earth did we miss this? He seemed like he was just dealing with some symptoms of getting older – frequent urination, sometimes excessive water drinking. It definitely didn’t feel like life-threatening symptoms. As much as the diagnosis was a shock, the price tag of the prescription diet he would need to eat for the remainder of his life was pretty horrifying too!
Vitamins Supplements & Treats
No matter the state of their health, its important for any dog to receive a complete and balanced diet. However, dogs with kidney disease need extra consideration when it comes to the amount of sodium and phosphorus in their diets. Keep these levels in check with low-sodium treats like fresh produce, and avoid most commercial treats and consumable chew toys, like pigs ears. A dog with renal issues will often suffer from a reduced appetite, so finding a lower-protein food they like can present a challenge. Consult with a nutrition-focused veterinarian to identify safe dietary supplements.
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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
Feed Your Dog An Intelligent Design Prescription Meal For Dogs
At Darwins Pet Products, our number one goal is to help keep your pets healthy and active for as long as possible. Thats why weve worked with leading veterinarians to develop a diet specifically to meet the nutritional needs of dogs with kidney disease. With Darwins Intelligent Design KS Kidney Support for Dog you can rest assured that youre serving your pet the best possible combination of proteins, calcium, vitamin B, and Omega-3 fatty acids to aid in managing their disease. We produce affordable, high-quality raw dog and cat meals which we ship directly to consumers so they are as fresh and convenient as possible. Our meals are high in protein, gluten-free, wheat free, and are created to provide complete and balanced nutrition. We also provide a library of articles in the hope of providing consumers with useful information to help their pets.
We encourage you to learn more about our meals for dogs and meals for cats. If you think you might want a trial of Darwins , we would love to send you our meals and hear how much your dog or cat loves them.
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Easy Homemade Dog Food
To make prepping this homemade dog food a cinch and to save LOTS of time and dishes in the process I like to cook the hard boiled eggs and the rice in my Instant Pot!
I start with cooking the eggs first, then while the rice is cooking the Instant Pot I brown the sirloin and get all of the fresh ingredients together. It really does help make the process of meal prepping homemade dog food so much easier!
See recipe notes for Instant Pot cooking tips and times!
Simple And Quick Homemade Dog Food For Kidney Disease Recipe
As you’ll see in my video guide, I prepared many ingredients for this homemade dog food for kidney disease before beginning to put it all together.
It’s easiest to take 20 minutes and prepare many of the ingredients before mixing the food.
It’s a pretty simple homemade dog food for kidney disease recipe that will yield about 12 cups.
For better digestion, it’s best to serve your pet food 3 times per day. Your vet will discuss this with you.
The recommended serving size for this recipe is about 1/2 cup for every 20-25 pounds of body weight.
This is just an estimate, as more active dogs may need more calories, and lazier dogs may not need quite as many.
You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. You can also store them in an airtight container in the freezer for 6-8 weeks.
This is ideal for busy pet owners that may want to prep food in advance for use during weeks when they don’t have the time to prepare a homemade meal.
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How To Feed Dogs With Kidney Disease
It’s important for dogs with chronic kidney disease to ingest enough calories and nutrients on a regular basis. If your vet recommends a special diet to help manage your dog’s kidney diet, it’s important to gradually introduce the new diet while weaning your dog off the usual diet.
Some dogs will have a poor appetite soon after being diagnosed with CKD. Your vet may recommend starting other treatments first to help your dog feel better before starting a special diet. Throughout treatment, it’s important to make sure your dog eats well. Talk to your vet if your dog is reluctant to eat the special kidney diet they may recommend changing brands of food or prescribing an appetite stimulant.
There are several commercial diets designed for dogs with kidney disease. Most of these are specially developed therapeutic diets that are only available through your veterinarian. Common brand names include Hill’s Prescription Diets, Royal Canin Veterinary Diets, and Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diets. To save time and money, your vet can likely help you set up food orders through a website that sells these foods.
Some dog owners wish to prepare a homemade diet for their dogs, especially if the dog is a picky eater or has other dietary restrictions. Be sure to discuss recipes and ingredients with your vet before attempting a homemade diet. The diet must be complete and balanced and properly formulated for dogs with CKD.