Unlock the Secrets of Natural Veterinary Kidney Diets for Dogs: Your Ultimate Guide

Kidney disease and kidney failure are becoming increasingly common in dogs. Recognizing the early signs and providing appropriate nutritional support can significantly improve your dog's quality of life and potentially extend their lifespan. One of the first signs of kidney issues is increased thirst and urination. This article explores the role of natural veterinary-prescribed kidney diets in managing canine kidney disease, offering insights into dietary considerations and alternative approaches to traditional prescription diets.

Understanding Kidney Function in Dogs

The kidneys are vital organs that act as a filtration system for water and toxins in your dog's body. Their primary function is to remove waste products from the bloodstream and regulate fluids. When the kidneys are not functioning correctly, they can no longer concentrate urine, leading to excessive fluid loss through urine, which in turn causes increased thirst and dehydration. The waste products, resulting from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue and food, accumulate in the blood and can become toxic, causing symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, and vomiting. The kidneys also play a crucial role in regulating the levels of essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Traditional Veterinary Recommendations and Their Limitations

Traditionally, veterinarians have recommended low-protein diets for dogs with kidney disease, based on the belief that protein is poorly metabolized in dogs with kidney failure. However, this approach has been challenged by recent research. Studies have shown that low-protein diets may not improve kidney function or survival times in dogs and that protein restriction for older dogs can be detrimental, potentially leading to loss of lean body mass and earlier mortality.

Dr. Grzyb notes that a low protein diet is recommended to slow the progression of renal disease in pets, as is a diet that is low in phosphorus, calcium, and sodium. Diets lower in protein and these minerals can help stabilize and even improve kidney enzymes-leading to a healthier pet with a longer life span. Most pet diets are protein-based and high in phosphorus, which worsens renal disease. Dr. Werber notes that there is typically a 20 percent reduction in the amount of protein given to a dog with chronic renal disease-but it should still fall within the minimum amount on a pet food label.

The Importance of High-Quality Protein

Dogs with kidney disease need high-quality, digestible protein to maintain muscle mass. A fresh, whole-food diet is often considered the best option.

Why Consider Alternatives to Prescription Kidney Diets?

While prescription kidney diets have been a standard recommendation, they often have several drawbacks:

Protein Restriction: These diets are typically protein-restricted, which can be detrimental to muscle mass, especially in older dogs.
Poor Quality Protein: The protein sources used in these diets may be of low quality.
Low Sodium: Unnecessary sodium reduction can lead to tissue dehydration.
High Carbohydrates: They often contain high levels of carbohydrates and poor-quality fats to increase weight, which is not ideal for overall health.
Low Moisture: Kibble-based diets are low in moisture, which can exacerbate dehydration in dogs with kidney disease.
Artificial Additives: Commercial and prescription diets often contain preservatives, artificial colors, and synthetic vitamins and minerals that can further stress the kidneys.

However, prescription kidney diets are usually low in phosphorus, which is a crucial consideration in managing kidney disease.

Phosphorus Control: A Key Factor

Phosphorus can create extra work for the kidneys. If the kidneys don’t remove phosphorus, it can lead to dangerous calcium deposits in the organs. Protein is high in phosphorus and that’s why vets recommend low protein diets. But you can still feed a fresh food diet and give your dog proteins that are low in phosphorus.

Natural Dietary Strategies for Dogs with Kidney Disease

A natural approach to managing kidney disease in dogs focuses on providing a balanced, whole-food diet that supports kidney function without the drawbacks of traditional prescription diets.

High-Quality, Digestible Protein: Opt for protein sources that are easily digestible and have a lower phosphorus content. Examples include eggs and certain types of meat.
Low Phosphorus: Choose ingredients that are naturally low in phosphorus.
Fresh, Whole Foods: A fresh, whole food diet provides essential nutrients and moisture while avoiding artificial additives. Raw diets may be more easily digestible for some dogs.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Supplement with omega-3 fatty acids from high-quality sources. Add omega-3 supplements to your dog’s fresh food diet just before feeding.
Hydration: Ensure your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Consider adding moisture to their food with bone broth or water.

Specific Food Recommendations

Protein Sources:
- Eggs: A complete protein source with all nine essential amino acids and low in phosphorus.
- Lean Pork: A good source of protein that is gentle on the digestive system.
- Wild Duck: Low in phosphorus, making it a suitable meat source.
- Red Meat: Generally lower in phosphorus than white meat.
Carbohydrate Sources:
- Pearled Barley: A carbohydrate source that is easy to digest.
- Rice: Adding just enough rice dampens the high phosphorus content of the high-quality meats, which is crucial for lessening the kidney’s workload and protecting kidney function.
Vegetables:
- Beets: Packed with Vitamin C, fiber, manganese, folate, and potassium, beets are packed with micronutrients that benefit the immune system and help fight inflammation.
- Leafy Greens: Blended leafy greens provide enzymes and whole food vitamins.
Organ Meats:
- Kidneys: Feeding kidneys can provide nutrients that support kidney health.
- Liver: Rich in CoQ10, which generates energy in cells and serves as an antioxidant. Liver contains 10 to 100 times the nutrients found in a serving of muscle meat.
Supplements:
- Chitosan: Derived from shellfish skeletons, it binds to phosphorus and helps eliminate it from the body.
- Calcium Carbonate: Helps manage phosphorus levels by binding to phosphorus in the gut, reducing its absorption into the bloodstream.
- Potassium Citrate: Used as an electrolyte replenisher to ensure adequate potassium levels.
- Kelp: Naturally high in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s a natural form of iodine.
- Mixed Tocopherols: Part of the vitamin E family, used as a natural preservative to maintain freshness.
- B Vitamins: Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin B12, Pyridoxine, and Folic Acid are incredibly fragile B vitamins. They help a variety of enzymes do their jobs, so food more easily turns into energy in the body.
- Marine Proteins: Brimming with nutrients including marine proteins, essential fatty acids, and a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin, the combination is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

The Nitrogen Trap

If your dog’s lab tests show a high BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) the nitrogen trap can help lower the nitrogen (contained in protein) and BUN levels. The nitrogen trap helps divert the waste products of protein metabolism from the bloodstream into the colon, which reduces the burden on the kidneys. There are many ways to do this. The easiest is to add blended leafy greens to provide enzymes and whole food vitamins. Add probiotics and the prebiotics that feed them. Raw garlic, mushrooms and dandelion greens are good sources of prebiotics.

Read also: Is Natural Skincare Effective?

Additional Support for Dogs with Kidney Disease

Hydration:
- Always provide fresh, clean, filtered, or spring water.
- Add water to your dog’s food to increase moisture intake.
- Offer hydrating treats like watermelon or blueberries.
- Consider subcutaneous fluids at home if your dog becomes severely dehydrated.
Detoxification: Support your dog’s detoxification process to ease the burden on the kidneys.
Herbs and Supplements: Consult with a holistic veterinarian about herbs and supplements that may benefit your dog.
- Western Herbs: Dandelion, parsley, and uva-ursi can support the kidneys.
- Medicinal Mushrooms: Cordyceps has properties that can support kidney health.
- Chinese Herbs: Rehmannia is a Chinese herb that nourishes the kidneys.

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) and Kidney Health

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) offers a holistic approach to managing kidney disease by balancing the body’s energy (Qi) through the Five Elements Theory (Wu Xing). In TCVM, the Water element is associated with storage, growth, and reproduction, and is crucial for the bones, joints, and reproductive health. A diet based on TCVM principles, such as the Water Diet, can be an excellent choice for dogs with kidney disease.

The Five Elements Theory or Wu Xing

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), the concepts of Water, Fire, Metal, Earth, and Wood represent the Five Elements Theory or Wu Xing, which is used to understand the relationships and interactions between different aspects of an animal’s health. In TCVM, these elements are used to diagnose and treat health conditions by balancing the energy (Qi) flowing through the body. In addition to traditional Western treatment options, TCVM practitioners may use acupuncture, herbal remedies, diet changes, and other therapies to restore harmony between the elements in an animal’s body.

Wood: Associated with growth, movement, and flexibility. In animals, a balance in the Wood element ensures smooth muscle and tendon function.
Fire: Fire governs warmth, circulation, and vitality. It influences an animal’s spirit and mood. Recommendation: If you need a low fat dog food for pancreatitis or a dog food for Cushing’s disease or heart disease, this is a good choice.
Earth: Earth is linked to digestion, nourishment, and stability. Recommendation: If you want the best weight loss food for dogs, this is a light, low-fat diet that can help with obesity.
Metal: Metal governs respiration and elimination. It also regulates boundaries, such as skin and fur, which act as protective layers. Recommendation: While some dogs need to lose weight, the Metal Diet is a good option for dogs that need to gain weight.
Water: Water is associated with storage, growth, and reproduction. It is crucial for the bones, joints, and reproductive health. If you’re searching for a dog food for kidney disease, the Water Diet is an excellent match. This gentle diet includes lean pork as the main source of protein and pearled barley as the carbohydrate source. This menu is low-carb with only 9% of each portion devoted to carbs. This diet also is recommended for picky eaters as well as dogs with inflammatory bowel disease, urinary incontinence, food allergies and dogs that are prone to vomiting and diarrhea. As with all of our diet plans, the Water Diet contains only human-grade, non-GMO ingredients that are gently cooked.

Identifying Potential Kidney Issues

While every dog is unique, certain dog breeds may be prone to developing chronic kidney disease, including boxers, bull terriers, cairn terriers, West Highland white terriers, cocker spaniels, shar-pei, Bernese mountain dogs, Cavalier King Charles spaniels and others.

Two of the most common signs of kidney or renal failure, including diabetes, are increased thirst and increased urination. If your dog seems to be heading to the water dish more often than usual (and it’s not a hot day or after exercise) or needing to urinate more often than usual, this could indicate a kidney issue. Keep an eye on the color of the urine. Is it light in color? Does it contain any blood? Dogs with renal disease often lose interest in food due to nausea or the buildup of toxins in the bloodstream. Dogs with kidney disease often have a metallic or ammonia-like smell on their breath due to the accumulation of waste products.

Unfortunately, by the time a dog displays these signs, the kidneys likely have been damaged significantly. This is why it’s so important to schedule regular checkups and blood work with your veterinarian.

Practical Feeding Tips

Nugget Rehydration Directions: Rehydrate by adding +/- ¾ cup of warm water for every cup of food. Mix the water and food, and wait 3-4 minutes, then serve.
Paté Rehydration Directions: Add 1 1/2 cups of hot water (120 degrees F) for every 1 cup of Medicus pate powder. Mix and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Chicken Bone Broth: Hydrate your dog’s food with chicken bone broth (no sodium) as a nutritious and enticing way to add moisture and flavor.
Sardines: Place a sardine on top of your dog’s meal.
Kefir: Hydrate your dog’s food with kefir, which contains probiotics, beneficial enzymes, and vitamins B & K.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a prescription for therapeutic pet food? Yes. Per FDA guidelines for therapeutic pet food, you need a prescription for Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. Non therapeutic diets, supplements and treats do not require approval for purchase.
What if my dog doesn't like the food? 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.
How to store freeze-dried food? Store freeze-dried food like you would any of your dry goods. Keep them in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight for peak freshness. It is important to note that because these foods are freeze-dried, moisture can affect the shelf life. To prevent that, reseal the product properly after every use by pushing out all residual air. If you live in a hot, humid environment, the product may be exposed to more moisture and shorten shelf life, so follow the above and store it in the fridge. We recommend keeping the food in its original packaging since that bag was picked specifically to keep oxygen out. Our recipes are only packaged in individual, resealable bags to ensure the freshest food. All of our diets are freeze-dried and undergo a pasteurization process that eliminates any bacteria to be safe and shelf-stable for immunocompromised pets.
How to add moisture to pet’s meal? It is extremely recommended that you add some kind of moisture to your pet’s meal, whether that be from warm water, bone broth, or kefir. Moisture aids overall digestion and helps move any harmful substances out of the body.

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