Diet Plans for Dogs With Kidney Diseases

When it comes to dog ailments, we've all heard about joint problems and cataracts, but dogs are also susceptible to many diseases we normally associate with humans, such as diabetes and kidney diseases. In addition to vet-prescribed medications, you can also introduce a new diet to dogs with kidney diseases. Any changes to your dog's diet should only be made after consulting with your veterinarian.

  1. Reduce Phosphorus

    • The National Research Council (NRC) recommends that lowering the intake of phosphorus can significantly slow down the progression of kidney disease in your dog. Foods that rank highest on the list for phosphorus include dairy products, bone-in fish, egg yolks, organ meats and bones. Although it is not necessary to completely stop feeding these foods to your dog, it is best to feed them in moderation. Your dog should consume not more than 10 mg of phosphorus daily per pound of body weight.

    Sodium

    • It is likely that a dog with kidney disease also suffers from hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Monitoring the daily sodium intake for your pet is an important part of treating kidney disease. There are conflicting recommendations on sodium intake. While some nutritionists recommend reducing sodium intake to control the hypertension, others claim that it makes no difference in dogs. Should you choose to reduce the sodium intake for your pet, it is important that it be done gradually, since reducing too quickly can cause dehydration and spiral your pet into a renal crisis.

    Green Tripe

    • Green tripe is a food naturally low in phosphorus. Green tripe differs tremendously from the bleached tripe that is sold in your local butcher shop; it does not have the same nutritional values. Green tripe is very palatable to dogs and can even tempt dogs that have anorexia to eat. On the downside, green tripe can be hard to find. It may be necessary to find an online supplier and have the green tripe shipped directly to your home.

    Fat, Protein and Carbohydrates

    • High-fat foods are generally low in phosphorus, which, as mentioned, can help slow the progression of kidney disease. It is important not to overfeed with fatty foods. Pets that have renal disease can be at risk for pancreatitis, and higher fat diets can lead to this. It is important to feed high quality proteins to your dog. Limit the amount of protein intake for the uremic dog. Dogs really do not have a need for carbohydrates, but you may find it necessary to increase carbohydrate consumption to make up for the reduction of foods high in phosphorus.