Canine Diet for Kidney Problems

Kidney disease in dogs can be caused by infection, blockage in the urinary tract, antifreeze poisoning, congenital kidney problems or abdominal injury. Renal failure can be sudden or progressive, and can cause symptoms of thirst, excessive urination, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Veterinarians once thought that dogs with renal disease should be given a low-protein diet, but recent studies, including one at the University of Georgia in the 1990s, suggest that a low-protein diet has no effect on the progress of the disease or on the dog's longevity.

  1. Prescription Foods

    • Diets formulated for dogs with kidney disease have been available for decades. These can only be obtained by prescription and through your veterinarian. Royal Canin, Iam's and Hill's all have formulas for dogs with renal disease. These foods often contain increased levels of phosphorus, a lower level of protein, reduced sodium to aid with blood pressure, and increased omega-3 fatty acids and B-complex vitamins for nutritional support.

      The food comes in both canned and dry varieties. Though lower protein levels have not been scientifically shown to have any effect on managing kidney disease or in the longevity of the dog's life, these foods are high in quality and are convenient, although expensive, for owners to use. Low-protein formulas can be helpful to those dogs with uremia (high creatinine and BUN levels.)

    Non-Prescription Foods

    • There is some evidence that dogs with early-stage renal failure should consume lower levels of phosphorus, in the range of 7 to 18 mg/lb. Because of lower phosphorus levels in some senior and 'light' diet formulas, they can be an acceptable diet for dogs with kidney problems. Non-prescription food options include Hill's Mature Adult Activity Formula, Nutro's Natural Choice Large Breed Weight Management Formula, or Royal Canin's LA23, Maxi, Medium and Mini Adult Dry Formula.

    Homemade Diets

    • If you are inclined, you can create your own diet at home for a dog with kidney problems. High-quality protein, like green tripe, ground beef or ground lamb, is an essential ingredient, and can be combined with low-phosphorus components such as whole milk yogurt, egg whites, cream of wheat, carrots, broccoli, peas, squash or green beans. Sodium content should be kept low. The diet should be about 50 percent high-quality protein, with the rest being carbohydrate, vegetables and fruit, and carbohydrate being more than the vegetable and fruit components.