If your dog is experiencing kidney failure, feeding them the proper diet will be key to treating and managing their symptoms. Our Vienna vets may recommend a therapeutic diet featuring phosphorus, sodium, restricted protein, and increased omega-3 fatty acids for dogs with kidney failure and kidney disease.
What is kidney failure in dogs?
Chronic kidney failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and chronic renal disease all refer to internal medical conditions characterized by the declining function of the kidneys in dogs. The kidneys play essential roles in filtering toxins from the blood of healthy dogs.
Chronic kidney disease causes a gradual deterioration in your dog's ability to function effectively. When a dog's kidneys fail, they can no longer fully eliminate toxins from the body, leading to a buildup of toxins in the pet's blood.
Although there is no cure for chronic kidney disease in dogs, the condition can be managed with a therapeutic diet in many cases. Depending on the specific circumstances, this diet may help your pet enjoy a good quality of life for several months.
How is kidney failure or disease treated in dogs?
Your veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical examination and provide nutritional consulting for your dog if a serious illness is suspected.
If your dog is diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, the vet will assess the severity of the case and consider individual factors such as your dog's health and age before recommending appropriate treatment.
Treatment for kidney disease often involves dietary changes, restrictions, and medications. While medications are mainly used to reduce symptoms, a therapeutic diet will help slow the progression of the disease and reduce the workload on your dog's kidneys.
What should I feed my dog with kidney disease?
For dogs suffering from chronic kidney disease, a vet will typically recommend a therapeutic diet containing reduced amounts of sodium, protein, and phosphorus combined with increased omega-3 fatty acids. In some cases, your vet may also recommend potassium.
Why should I reduce the amount of protein in my dog's diet?
Although reducing the amount of protein in a dog's diet remains controversial, this approach has two main goals. The first is to help lower the amount of waste produced during protein metabolism, and the second is to minimize the amount of protein entering the kidneys' filtration system.
This means feeding a diet with reduced protein levels may help reduce the amount of work your dog's kidneys must do, possibly preserving kidney function.
Why should I reduce the amount of phosphorous in my dog's diet?
As your dog's kidneys fail, the level of phosphorus in the blood increases. High phosphorus levels have been associated with various negative effects, such as vitamin D deficiency and reduced ability of your dog's body to process calcium. For dogs with chronic kidney disease, adjusting their diet to maintain normal blood phosphorus levels may help slow the disease's progression.
One important thing to note is that the phosphorus level in dog foods is directly related to the amount of protein in the food. Restrict protein intake to reduce the phosphorus in your dog's diet. It is also important to know that normalizing the phosphorous levels in your dog's blood through diet alone is typically only successful if the kidney disease is diagnosed and treated early. Medication will also be necessary in more advanced stages of the disease.
Why should I reduce the amount of sodium in my dog's diet?
Reducing sodium in the diet of dogs with chronic kidney disease may also be beneficial. Reducing sodium can help reduce the workload on your pup's kidneys and help your dog maintain normal blood pressure. Beyond feeding your dog a therapeutic diet, reducing your pooch's sodium intake will also mean paying special attention to the treats you offer your dog. Jerky and cheese slices are typically very high in sodium and should be avoided.
Why increase omega-3 fatty acids in my dog's diet?
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease in dogs by reducing the production of inflammatory compounds that create oxidative stress in the kidneys. Foods with higher levels of omega-3 often contain salmon and other fish, which many dogs enjoy, or may be supplemented with fish oil or flaxseed oil.
How should I choose the best food for my dog with kidney failure?
Your veterinarian will recommend the best food to help your dog fight kidney failure or disease progression. While every dog is different, the food your vet recommends for your dog will depend on the severity and progression of the condition and your dog's general health and age.
Most regular dog foods will probably contain phosphorus and protein levels that are too high for dogs with chronic kidney disease. That said, your veterinarian may be able to offer prescription therapeutic foods. Specially formulated prescription diets are designed to meet all your dog's dietary requirements while offering restricted sodium, phosphorus, and protein. Consult your vet about which is best for your dog.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.