Kidney Function Diet for Dogs

Causes of Canine Kidney Trouble

• Sources of chronic, long-term kidney malfunction in dogs include diabetes, urinary tract infections, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease and bacterial infection. Acute and curable cases of kidney malfunction in dogs are generally the result of bacterial infection or mild cases of poison ingestion. Changing your dog's diet will not reverse chronic kidney trouble, but can help manage the affliction, and lessen the physical discomfort of the symptoms.

Signs of Canine Kidney Trouble

• There are a handful of telltale signs that indicate kidney malfunction in your dog. One of the symptoms of kidney trouble is a marked increased in the amount of water the dog drinks, accompanied by more frequent urination. Digestive and excretory problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea, will also often occur. Additionally, weight loss and anemia are symptoms of kidney problems in your dog. A dog suffering from anemia will have lighter-colored gums than normal. Blood tests run by a veterinarian will often show elevated levels of creatine and phosphorus, along with a low red blood cell count.

Specialized Canine Kidney Function Diet

• A kidney function diet will include high levels of fish oils, vitamin B-complex, vitamin E, vitamin D3, and Co-enzyme Q10. According to the B-Naturals Newsletter, the amount of fish oil administered to your dog should be 1,000 mg per 10 lbs. of body weight, and the amount of Co-enzyme Q10 administered should be 1 mg per pound of body weight.

  What a specialized diet should attempt to reduce is your dog's sodium, phosphorus and protein intake. Specialized dog food products that meet these criteria include Purina Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Canine Formula, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Renal MP 14 Modified, and Iams Veterinary Formula Renal Early Stage Dog Food. With the exception of Iams, these products come in dry and soft form, and all require veterinary approval before purchasing. Since bones are high in phosphorus, you'll need to avoid feeding these to your dog for the duration of the illness.

  If the cause of the kidney problems is a bacterial infection, penicillin will also need to be administered.

Homemade Kidney Function Meals for Your Dog

• The B-Naturals Newsletter, courtesy of Lew Olson, offers a few meal ideas for the afflicted dog. One recipe involves mixing one part cooked sushi rice (cooked in unsalted butter) with one part high-fat hamburger, two cooked egg whites and dry, ground eggshell. The ground eggshell acts as a calcium source, as well as a phosphorus binder, and should be added at 1/2 tsp. per pound of food.

  Another homemade recipe involves mixing one part sushi rice cooked in unsalted butter with one part boiled sweet potatoes and one part ground pork, lamb or fatty hamburger.

  To both of these recipes, add appropriate levels of fish oil, Co-enzyme Q10 and vitamins B, E and D.

How the Diet Helps

• Co-enzyme Q10 facilitates the elimination of creatine, and thus the lowering of blood creatine levels, through urination. Since the kidneys process and eliminate proteins, a lowered protein intake helps impaired kidneys avoid the risk of being overloaded beyond their processing capacity.

  Vitamins B and E are vital for healthy kidney function, and since unhealthy kidneys can't properly convert vitamin D2 to vitamin D3, an increased level of vitamin D3 needs to be supplied via food. Additionally, it should be noted that lower levels of vitamin D production in your dog result in lower levels of calcium, as vitamin D facilitates the resorption of calcium from your dog's food. Because of the lower levels of vitamin D your dog is likely to produce and maintain during a bout of kidney illness, increased levels of calcium in the diet will help maintain bone health.