Hills Prescription Diet K/d Kidney Care Dry Dog Food
Hills Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care, a prescription dry food, is low in both phosphorus and sodium. The amino acids in the food help your dog build and maintain lean muscle, and the other ingredients work to protect both the canine kidneys and heart. This line of low phosphorus dog food is also offered as a canned wet food, so if your dog needs more hydration, you might want to consider that instead.
Rethink What Treats You Give Or Eliminate Them Altogether
Many dog treats contain high levels of protein, phosphorus and sodium, so youll want to rethink what treats you offer your dog with CKD. Treats that are high in protein and, subsequently, phosphorus include treats such as jerky, deli meats, cheese, rawhides, pig ears and others made predominantly with meat or meat meals. High-salt-containing treats to avoid include cheese, deli meat, bread and many commercial dog treats.
While forgoing treats altogether is always an option, it isnt necessarily a practice that most dog owners want to stop. So instead, you can substitute low-protein and -sodium options such as baby carrots, green beans, broccoli, apple slices, banana or air-popped popcorn without salt or butter. You can also use a canned kidney diet to make homemade treats.
Homemade Dog Food For Kidney Disease Instructions
With all the key factors that make dog food for kidney disease ideal, lets show you some alternatives you can try cooking at home.
These are cheaper and provide similar results. Though, if you make a mistake in the ingredients, you could end up producing the opposite effect on your dogs kidneys.
Luckily, we reduce the likelihood of that happening with the following recipes:
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Purina Pro Plan Dog Food For Kidney Disease
Coming with the high quality, this Purina Pro Plan has been popular recently with many dog lovers. Moreover, the recipe is also considered suitable for dogs suffering from kidney disease.
The first reason why it is one of the best dog food for kidney disease is that it contains a restricted level of protein, as well as a low amount of sodium and phosphorus. These features can support kidney health and function while, it can still give optimal nutrition for your dog. As a result, this Purina Pro Plan becomes one of the veterinarian-recommended dog food.
Also, it includes a high level of water that is very important in helping your dogs kidneys to get rich of toxins.
Besides, there are also beef, liver, meat by-products, and chicken by-products that are the primary protein sources for your dog. Also, some other ingredients such as corn and rice provide the fiber content meanwhile, the fish oil helps to develop overall health like coat and skin health. Moreover, this recipe also includes Vitamin E, vitamin D3, Vitamin B, zinc, calcium, folic acid, magnesium, and others.
You can use this food as a stand-alone meal or mix it with others to encourage the dogs appetite.
Pros
- Can mix with other food
- Contain a large amount of water
- Low protein, sodium and phosphorus content
Cons
- Quite hard for some dogs with bad teeth
The Honest Kitchen Whole
Red meats are not the best ingredients for dog food for kidney issues. Thats where fish and grains enter into action.
This Whole-Grain recipe comes with wild-caught fish thats surprisingly healthy for your dog. The food contains high amounts of lean protein that reduces the damage to the kidneys while improving your dogs health.
Plus, you get the fatty acids. With a surprising 9% fat content in the food, this dehydrated recipe makes for an almost perfect addition to your dogs diet.
This pairs up with the array of grains and vegetables. They provide a decent amount of fiber for your dog to have little to no issue digesting the food. And sure enough, this also means more vitamins and minerals to enjoy.
The food is sold as dehydrated because you need to prepare it. While it contains only 8% moisture when unprepared, you can make it decently moist for easy digestion afterward. This adds up to its quality eventually.
TO CONSIDER: The food is so well-made that its considered human-grade. That is, if you decide to test it and eat it for a while the food wont cause any damage to your system.
What We Liked
- It contains tons of fish oil for kidney function
- Healthy amounts of fiber and vitamins
- Dehydrated but easy to prepare
- Safe to eat
What We Didnt Like
- Not the best taste for dogs to enjoy
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What Are The Risks For Senior Dogs
Risks of renal failure increase the older your pooch gets. Generally, it affects anywhere from 0.3 and 4% dogs. Lifestyle can also be a contributing factor, as most chronic kidney failures are caused by bacteria in their mouth entering the bloodstream.
Kidneys also filter artificial ingredients and chemicals from, normally found in dog food, from canine bloodstream, and extended exposure to such elements can and will cause damage. So, a balanced lifestyle and food devoid of harmful ingredients can reduce the risks of renal failure.
Food That Contains An Abundant Amount Of Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and very helpful for humans and pets. It is a harmful free ingredient, which helps to reduce inflammation and cognitive aging. Dogs synthesize vitamin c in their own, and when there is vitamin c deficiency in the body, then supplementation may offer. Besides these benefits, vitamin c is also the cause of kidney stones gradually.
According to Dr. Richard Pitcairn informs giving 100 500 mg of vitamin c is recommended for dogs. This dose may vary from puppy to dogs. Over Feeding of vitamin c can also cause looseness of the bowels and that singular resistance levels change.
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Best Foods For Dogs With Kidney Failure: Summed Up
If you suspect that your dog might have kidney problems or recently found out that they were in either the early or late stages of kidney failure, you might be wondering about your next steps. One of the first things you will need to figure out is your dogs diet and whether you will go with a commercial option or make your own dog food.
Should you decide to go with a commercial food, there are plenty of kidney support diets available made by trusted brands. One of the best is Blue Buffalo KS. Compared to similar brands, this formula is lower in phosphorus and owners have noted that they have seen improvements in their dogs after starting them on this food. It tastes great too and doesnt have problem ingredients like corn and wheat.
Whichever way you choose to go, just remember that a carefully balanced diet with the right additions and supplements should help slow the progression of your dogs kidney disease and ease unpleasant symptoms. Before making changes to your dogs diet, its important to consult your vet to make sure your dog is getting the appropriate nutrition for the stage of kidney failure they are at.
Have you tried any of these or another dog food brand & recipe? Tell us in the comments! Wed love to hear!
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What To Look For In A Good Dog Food For Bladder Stones
When choosing a dog bladder stones diet, there are two primary goals to focus on. The first is to dilute the urine with an increase in moisture intake. Diluting the urine helps prevent stones from forming.
The second goal is to reduce the intake of compounds which make up bladder stones. To choose the best dog food for bladder stones, you may need your veterinarian to perform tests to identify the type of stone so you know what foods your dog should avoid.
If your veterinarian is able to identify which type of stone your dog has, he may recommend a therapeutic diet. If youre simply looking to reduce stone formation or prevent bladder stones, however, there are a few things to look for in a dog bladder stones diet:
Remember, there is a difference between diets made to dissolve bladder stones and diets made to prevent them. If your veterinarian recommends a therapeutic diet for a specific type of stone, that is your best bet.
Keep in mind that, in order for dietary dissolution of bladder stones to work, you need to feed your dog the special diet exclusively. This means no treats and no supplements while your dog is on the diet unless they are approved by your vet.
Now that you have a better understanding of bladder stones in dogs and what causes them, youre ready to start shopping for a dog bladder stones diet! Take what youve learned here to start shopping around or simply choose one of our top dog food picks above. Best of luck to you and your dog!
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Royal Canin Canine Health Nutrition
If your dog is suffering from the kidney problem, you should avoid feeding him with high-protein foods. So, these recipes that come with the moderate level of protein are always loved In which this Royal Canin Canine Health Nutrition is the right choice.
Well, this Royal Cannin Canine consists of enough amount of protein, as well as comes with the delicious taste for your dog. Moreover, it is also the wet recipe so that it can also provide your dog a large amount of water. This plays a significant role in supporting the kidney to remove waste.
Additionally, this food has low phosphorus content, which allows you to maintain kidney function and improve your dogs health.
Regarding its ingredients, the first is water the most significant one for the dog with kidney disease. Next, chicken and pork-bu products are considered as the primary sources of protein. Other ingredients such as dried beet pulp, rice, corn, and fish oil can help to provide your dog with minerals and all necessary vitamins. These nutrients also support good skin as well as a shiny coat.
You can also mix this food with others to make your dogs meal more delicious and nutritious.
Pros
- A large amount of water
- Easy to mix with other food
Cons
- Little bit expensive
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+u Weight Management + Urinary Care
If your veterinarian is adamant that even the best non-prescription dog food for urinary health wont be enough for your dog, at least go with a trusted brand like Blue Buffalo.
This Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Urinary Care wet food is a prescription formula, but it is made with much higher quality ingredients than the leading brand.
It comes in both a dry food and canned food formula, both featuring increased levels of fiber to boost satiety with controlled levels of magnesium and sodium to support urinary health.
This canned food is made with fresh chicken as the main ingredient followed by chicken broth for a boost of moisture and natural flavor.
It contains fresh fruits and vegetables, including cranberries, as well as added vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
- Pros: Veterinarian-recommended for urinary health, increased moisture content, fresh chicken as the main ingredient, fresh fruits and veggies for natural nutritional content
- Cons: Fairly expensive compared to non-prescription diets, contains plant protein as main ingredient
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What To Avoid When Choosing Dog Food For Kidney Disease
The kidneys have to work hard to filter a lot of things out of the blood, so some ingredients from your dogs diet need to be considerably reduced. You dont want your pet to ingest foods with toxins or additives.
You also dont want too much protein content, as this can be harmful to dogs with CKD. However, too little protein can upset your dogs overall health.
Talk with your vet about the perfect amount of protein for your canine, as this will differ from dog to dog.
Avoid feeding your dog high-protein treats, like meat, jerky, rawhides, chews, pig ears, and cheese.
Similarly, you should avoid treats with high sodium levels. This includes cheese and deli meats. Many types of commercial dog treats will be pretty high in sodium, so be sure to check.
High sodium diets can increase a dogs blood pressure, similar to people. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys. If your dogs kidneys are already damaged, high blood pressure is essential to avoid.
What Happens When Dog Kidneys Are Notfunctioning Properly
Kidney diseases develop when damage occursto the kidneys, resulting in their inability to filter blood correctly. As yourkidneys ability to filter the blood decreases, your dogs body accumulatesthese toxins, leading to more health problems, including kidney failure.
Unfortunately, unlike the liver, kidneyscannot rejuvenate, which means dog owners must discover any signs of developingkidney problems and take action before the condition could worsen.
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Holistic Select Beef Pate Recipe
Another nutritious option in moisture-rich canned food for your dog is this Holistic Select Beef Pate Recipe Canned Food. It features a holistic recipe made with several premium sources of high-quality animal protein including beef, pork liver and whitefish.
It is grain-free, made with digestible carbohydrates including peas and flaxseed with cranberry and blueberry powder to provide a boost of urinary tract-supporting antioxidants. This recipe provides the ideal blend of protein and healthy fats plus essential vitamins and chelated minerals for balanced nutrition.
It is a highly digestible formula, made with supplemental fiber, so you can rest easy knowing that your dog will be able to absorb and utilize more of the nutritional content. Plus, it contains a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote shiny skin and coat so your dog looks his best.
- Pros: Rich in moisture and premium animal proteins, optimal blend of protein and healthy fats, cranberry powder for urinary health support, chelated minerals
- Cons: Contains some plant protein , contains some thickeners
Potassium And Canine Kidney Disease
For dogs with kidney disease, potassium is another important electrolyte to consider. Because dogs with kidney disease may have potassium levels that are too low, many prescription low-phosphorus diets contain a higher level of potassium to offset that deficit.
However, in some cases, this higher level of potassium may be harmful to the dog. Although this is more likely to occur in dogs with acute kidney injury, dogs with chronic kidney disease may also end up with hyperkalemia . Thus, it is very important to work with your vet to find out how much potassium your dogs food should have.
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What Not To Feed Your Dog With Kidney Disease
We recommend a specialized diet designed for renal care for dogs diagnosed with kidney disease. However, you can stick to a normal, low-protein formula if the condition is in the early stages. The key is to avoid certain ingredients, and that would include:
- Excess protein
- Fruits and vegetables such as onions, garlic, grapes, and raisins
- Avoid wheat gluten
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney Support
Out of all the high-end dog brands on the market, few are as respected or affordable as Blue Buffalo, with almost 2 decades of experience. That said, the Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney Support sits in a bit of an odd position on our list with some excellent qualities for highly active dogs.
If your dog is keen on eating dry dog foods most, you can feed him this food. This kibble is actually low in sodium, protein, and phosphorus but rich in other micronutrients. Its easy to digest.
This is really a good option for pet parents looking for safe and tasty dog foods for their pets.
Like being said that, this food is low in protein. This content only makes up 14%. It comes with high-quality animal protein sources.
They include deboned chicken, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pea protein, and other veggies. Besides, it contains flaxseed for omega-3 & 6 fatty acids.
The main issue with this dry dog food and Blue Buffalo dog foods is they include a high carbohydrate content which is not ideal for weight management. Thankfully, the Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney Support is at least grain-free and does not use by-products to avoid certain allergies and bad carb issues.
Pros
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Natures Variety Instinct Lid Real Turkey Recipe
Whether youre looking for the best dog food for urinary incontinence or simply something with a higher moisture content, this Natures Variety Instinct LID Real Turkey Recipe Canned Food is a great option.
Coming from one of the top brands on the market, this recipe is packed with premium natural ingredients including cage-free turkey as a single source of animal protein. It also contains turkey liver, an ingredient known to contain several nutrients that support urinary health.
This formula is loaded with moisture and is complete and balanced with the help of added vitamins and chelated minerals. It is highly digestible, loaded with natural flavor, and proudly made in the USA.
- Pros: Cage-free turkey main ingredients, highly digestible and properly balanced, rich in moisture and urinary health-supporting nutrients, limited ingredient list
- Cons: Expensive compared to most brands, contains a plant protein as main ingredient
Can You Give Homemade Food For Kidney Disease To Your Dog
Kidney disease requires a particular diet, which is challenging to do when cooking it at home. You can work with your vet to make great homemade food.
However, its usually better to go with a commercial diet that is designed for kidney disease.
Heres a recipe you can try at home:
What you need:
- One cup of chopped chicken
- One mashed boiled egg
- A quarter cup of steamed carrots
- Plain yogurt
- A quarter cup of green beans
- A quarter cup of cooked brown rice
All you need to do is combine all the ingredients in one bowl and its ready to serve to your pup. You may also add other vegetables like sweet potato or pumpkin.
Just make sure that the ingredients are chopped into bite-size pieces for your dog.
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