High-protein diets are rumored to cause kidney disease in dogs. While traditional treatments for canine renal failure do involve low-protein foods, a moderate to high-protein dog food will not harm a healthy dog. When the diet is appropriately low in nitrogen and phosphorus, it can even be beneficial to dogs in the early stages of kidney disease. Learning how high-protein foods interact with kidney function can help owners take proper care of their pets.
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Nitrogen
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As an animal metabolizes protein, nitrogen by-products are released. This nitrogen must pass through the kidneys to be excreted. High protein diets do cause more nitrogen to be released, which must be processed through the kidneys. In healthy animals, this does not lead to kidney damage. In animals with kidney disease, a low-nitrogen protein must be chosen because the damaged kidneys are less efficient, and high nitrogen levels may harm other parts of the body, according to Peteducation.com. Appropriate levels of protein should still be maintained, to keep nitrogen levels from becoming too low.
Glomerular Filtration Rate
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In the past, it was believed that high-protein diets would increase the glomerular filtration rate, or GMR, of the kidneys. A high rate was thought to promote damage. However, according to Buckeye Nutrition, even diets as high as 56 percent protein may be consumed by dogs without any problems. Higher protein levels do increase the filtration rate, but they do not speed up the progression of kidney failure.
Weight
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Dogs that consume inadequate amounts of protein are at risk of losing muscle mass. A high-protein diet can help prevent muscle wasting and anemia, especially in older dogs, which often need more protein. Weight loss is a common problem in dogs already suffering from kidney problems, so an appropriate high-protein diet could help maintain better health.
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