Low Protein Dry Dog Food Kidney Diet

Canine kidney disease is most common in older dogs, but it occurs at any age from many causes, including genetics, other diseases, infections, parasites, poison, injury and kidney stones. Kidney disease prevents the kidneys from removing toxins from the body. Diet is an important part of managing your dog's kidney disease.

  1. History

    • The concept of a low-protein diet for animals and humans who had kidney disease was based on old testing methods. However, as new testing and research has been developed with better technology, the need for low-protein diets for kidney disease has failed to be supported. The National Research Council dropped its 1972 recommendation of a low-protein diet for those with kidney disease.

    Research

    • Research shows that low-protein diets may not provide enough nutrition. Furthermore, research has shown that dogs on low-protein diets do not live longer and that normal protein helps improve kidney function. Iams and university studies found normal protein helped dogs with kidney disease keep higher energy levels and improved muscle mass better than low-protein diets.

    Low Protein

    • Many companies have created low protein diet dog food. Veterinarian Kenneth C. Bovee believes that because many owners and veterinarians continue to believe in the low-protein myth, these dry dog foods are still popular even though no research supports them as beneficial. Bovee noted that even for dogs with severe kidney disease, a low-protein diet did not statistically slow their kidney disease.

    Damage

    • Bovee states that research shows low protein is not only unproven to help in kidney disease but may harm kidney function, decrease renal plasma flow and affect chemical balances.

    Protein

    • Dr. David S. Kronfeld's research showed that high quality, easily digested protein is important for both nutrition and kidney function in dogs. Meat and organ tissues are high quality. Chicken is more easily digested than other meats, but any meat is appropriate. Read the ingredients label on dry dog food with normal levels of protein and select one with high-quality meat as the main ingredient and meat byproducts and carbohydrates second and third. If the food recommended by your vet does not meet that standard, ask for other recommendations. Most kidney prescription foods that are not low protein are adequate.

    Dietary Supplements

    • Check the dry dog food for supplements. Some supplements such as omega-3 and omega-6 may help high blood pressure, which is common with kidney disease. Vitamins E, B complex and C and iron may help kidney function. If you choose to use more supplements than are in the dry dog food, ask your veterinarian for safe amounts to use for your dog.

    Options

    • If your veterinarian recommends a low-protein dry dog food, ask about her reason and discuss research. It may be helpful to request a referral to a kidney specialist for a second opinion.