Strombeck Kidney Diet

Donald R. Strombeck, D.V.M., a veterinarian specializing in internal medicine at the University of California at Davis, devised diets for cats and dogs with kidney disease, especially those with chronic renal failure. The most common symptom of kidney disease is frequent water consumption and urination; a blood test confirms the diagnosis, explains Jean Hofve, D.V.M., who references Strombeck's work on the website Little Big Cat. Strombeck advocates a protein-restricted diet to reduce nephrons' exposure to toxins. (Nephrons are the kidneys' filtering units that remove waste from blood.)

  1. Types/Amounts of Protein

    • In his book titled "Home-Prepared Dog &Cat Diets: A Healthful Alternative," Strombeck explains that, in addition to shielding nephrons, restricting dietary protein also decreases the kidneys' excretion of waste products and exposure to phosphorous, which is toxic. Not all proteins are created equal in terms of nutritional value, however. Strombeck calls for an emphasis on those with a "high biological value," which Northwestern University defines as those that are complete because they have all nine essential amino acids needed for protein synthesis. Protein from animal sources has the highest biological value; eggs top the list, followed by milk, chicken or beef, soybeans, oats, rice and corn. Protein restriction also reduces blood flow, which helps prevent hypertension and reduces the amount of phosphorous in the diet, which damages nephrons. As a result, he calls for dogs with kidney disease to eat 2g to 3 1/2g of animal protein per kilogram of body weight. Adult cats should consume 24 percent protein or 3 1/2g of protein per kilogram of body weight.

    Other Nutrient Ratios

    • Calcium supplementation may be beneficial for animals that don't have high blood calcium levels because calcium carbonate binds phosphorous, causing it to be excreted. Strombeck also calls for low-sodium diets to maintain blood pressure; many commercial dog foods are high in salt, he points out. No minimum amount has been set for cats. In addition, because frequent urination can lead to potassium deficiency, supplementation of this mineral may be needed. Adequate amounts of magnesium also are needed to prevent calcium crystallization and the formation of kidney stones. (For the recommended daily doses of these minerals for dogs and cats, see the excerpt from Strombeck's book linked in the References section.)

    Sample Strombeck Recipes

    • (Dogs) Dr. Strombeck's Egg &Potato Diet (low-protein, low-phosphorous, high-potassium, normal sodium):

      1 egg, large, cooked
      3 cups potato, boiled with skin
      1 tbsp. chicken fat
      1 1/2 calcium carbonate tablet (600mg calcium)
      1/2 mulitple-mineral tablet
      This provides 600 kilocalories, 15.1g protein and 18.5g fat. It supports caloric needs of an 18-pound dog. It also provides phosphorus at 53 percent, potassium at 322 percent and sodium at 114 percent of dogs' daily needs. To feed this diet with a normal amount of phosphorus, substitute 3 bonemeal tablets for the 1 1/2 carbonate tablets.

      (Cats) Dr. Strombeck's Chicken and Rice Diet (low-protein, low-phosphorus, normal potassium, normal sodium diet providing 46.4g protein/1,000 kilocalories):

      1/4 cup cooked chicken breast
      1/2 oz. clams, canned, chopped in juice
      1 cup rice, long-grain, cooked
      1 tbsp. chicken fat
      1/8 tsp. salt substitute-potassium chloride
      1 calcium carbonate tablet (400mg calcium)
      1/4 multiple vitamin-mineral tablet
      (The author recommends that the vitamin fed to the cat be a supplement prepared for humans with allergies, without vitamins A or D.)
      1/10 B-complex vitamin-trace mineral tablet
      This diet provides 399 kilocalories, 18.5g protein and 14.7g fat. It also provides phosphorus at 43 percent, potassium at 164 percent and sodium at 124 percent of a cat's daily needs.

      Strombeck's book, "Home-Prepared Dog &Cat Diets: A Healthful Alternative," was published by The Iowa State University Press, 2121 S. State Ave., Ames, Iowa, 50014; (800) 862-6657.