Nutrition is a cornerstone in managing dogs diagnosed with kidney disease. Kidney disease can lead to various complications, including nausea and the development of painful ulcers in the mouth or stomach, making eating a challenge. Once a dog's condition stabilizes, focusing on optimized nutrition becomes crucial. Prescription kidney diets are often recommended by veterinarians to support kidney function and overall health.
Key Characteristics of Kidney Diets for Dogs
Kidney diets for dogs differ significantly from regular dog foods, with several key characteristics:
- Palatability: One of the most important, yet challenging, aspects of a kidney diet is ensuring it is delicious. To counteract the effects of kidney disease, which can reduce appetite, these diets need to be appealing in both smell and taste. A diet that isn’t eaten will not benefit the dog.
- Hydration: Kidney diets should contain a high amount of water to combat dehydration, a common issue for dogs with kidney disease. Wet foods are generally preferred over dry foods for this reason.
- Sodium Levels: Monitoring sodium levels in kidney diets is essential to manage blood pressure and fluid balance in dogs with kidney disease.
- Protein Balance: Protein intake requires careful balancing. Dogs with kidney disease still need protein for muscle maintenance, immune function, and other vital processes. However, excessive protein can worsen kidney function. The goal is to provide enough protein to meet the dog’s needs without overloading the kidneys.
- Protein Quality: The quality of protein is also important. There is a close relationship between protein intake and blood phosphorus levels. Dogs with kidney disease gradually lose the ability to excrete phosphorus in their urine, so it backs up in the bloodstream. An important way to reduce phosphorus levels in the diets of dogs with kidney disease is to not overfeed protein and to ensure that proteins relatively low in phosphorus are included in the diet.
- Phosphorus Control: Phosphorus levels are carefully controlled in kidney diets to help manage the buildup of phosphorus in the bloodstream, which can occur as kidney function declines.
The Role of Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements can play a supportive role in managing canine kidney disease. Fermentable fiber, for example, can aid in eliminating protein digestion waste products through feces, reducing the burden on the kidneys.
Prescription Kidney Diets vs. Homemade Diets
After a dog has been diagnosed with kidney disease and their condition is stabilized, veterinarians typically recommend switching over to a prescription kidney diet. Your veterinarian may have recommended a particular food based on the details of your dog’s case. While prescription kidney diets are formulated to meet specific nutritional needs, some owners consider homemade diets. A study published in 2012 showed how hard it is to find nutritionally complete and balanced kidney diet recipes in books and online. One big benefit of homemade kidney diets, however, is taste. If your dog simply won’t eat anything else, a homemade kidney diet is worth considering.
Transitioning to a Kidney Diet
Pay special attention to how you make the transition. Do not change your dog’s food while they are still nauseated or feeling bad. Once your dog has a good appetite, start making the switch very slowly. Give them lots of time to get used to the new flavors, textures, and ingredients. Don’t give up if you initially have trouble switching your dog to a kidney diet. Call your veterinarian if your dog won’t eat the recommended food. Recommending an appropriate food topper to make the food more appealing.
Read also: Canine Kidney Diet: Ingredient Breakdown
Where to Purchase and Satisfaction Guarantee
For electronic approval requests: Your request will be reviewed by your clinic and approved or denied. Your clinic may modify or cancel your approval based on your pet’s dietary needs. You will be prompted to do this before checkout. Non-therapeutic diets, supplements and treats do not require approval for purchase.
Yes, our products are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason, we’ll refund your purchase price. Please send your purchase receipt with price circled, the reason for your return and your complete name and address within 90 days of receipt. To process your product replacement or credit card refund please reach out via our Contact Us form. At Hill’s, we’re dedicated to making foods your pet will love. If you’re not satisfied for any reason with a product purchased from one of our authorized sellers, simply return the unused portion to the place of purchase for your money back or a replacement product.
Additional Considerations
- Prebiotics: Prebiotics nourish gut bacteria and may influence the overall health and wellbeing of your pet.
- Veterinarian Guidance: When it comes to your pet, your veterinarian is your best source of information and care. It’s their unbiased feedback that helps us maintain and refine our pet food formulas.
Examples of Kidney Diet Products
- Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d: Available in both wet (Chicken & Vegetable Stew) and dry (Chicken Flavor) formulas, this diet is highly digestible and clinically proven to help manage digestive upsets. Made with chicken for a delicious taste.
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