Kidney Insufficiency Diet for Greyhounds

Dogs can experience kidney problems resulting in insufficient kidney functioning. Racing greyhounds may be at a higher risk than some other breeds for kidney problems, so it is important to be prepared. Dogs with kidney insufficiency may benefit from a diet adjustment, and you should closely monitor what your dog eats if it has kidney insufficiency.

  1. Kidney Problems in Greyhounds

    • Most veterinarians diagnose kidney problems when blood tests show high levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. The problem for greyhounds is that they naturally have higher levels of BUN and creatinine in their blood, so if your veterinarian diagnoses kidney insufficiency and your greyhound hasn't shown any signs of kidney trouble, you may want to get a second opinion.

    Diet Components

    • Greyhounds with kidney insufficiency need a diet lower in protein than healthy dogs; however, the protein provided should be of the highest nutritional quality possible. Restricting protein in your greyhound's diet will also help you to restrict phosphorus, which vets recommend limiting for greyhounds with kidney problems.

      To help restrict the amount of phosphorus your greyhound gets in its diet, some vets recommend phosphorus "binders" like calcium carbonate. Unflavored antacids are usually safe for greyhounds and are a good source of calcium carbonate, but you should talk to your veterinarian before administering any over-the-counter medications to your greyhound.

      According to Vet Info, omega 3 fatty acids may protect already damaged kidneys from further damage. However, greyhounds with insufficient kidneys should not consume excessive amounts of omega 6 fatty acids, because these could further damage the kidneys. A good source of omega 3 fatty acids is fish oil, which can be found in supplement form.

      The 2nd Chance website suggests that diets high in fiber may allow some unfiltered waste buildup to be filtered through the large intestine.

      Greyhounds with kidney problems sometimes lose their appetites, so if your greyhound refuses to eat, try increasing its intake of B vitamins, which are appetite stimulants.

    Foods

    • Perhaps the most important foods to avoid feeding a greyhound with insufficient kidneys are foods that are high in phosphorus. Foods high in phosphorus include meat, poultry, fish, dairy, peas and beans. In order to decrease the amount of phosphorus in the diet, it is safe to limit the amount of protein the dog eats; however, remember that cooked egg whites are a complete protein source and yet they are very low in phosphorus.

      If you are interested in increasing the amount of fiber in your greyhound's diet, try feeding limited amounts of oatmeal (as long as it doesn't contain cow's milk, garlic or onion), carrots or canned pumpkin.

      If you are worried that your greyhound's new diet limitations may cut out the essential vitamins it needs, talk to your vet about supplementation with a multivitamin.

      If you do not want to feed your dog any homemade foods, formulated foods are suitable for greyhounds with kidney problems. Talk to your veterinarian about which brands are safe for your dog.