As a prescription therapeutic diet, a kidney diet for dogs is designed with foods that are low in sodium, phosphorus, and protein, but rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. If your pooch has been diagnosed with kidney disease, this is the exact diet they need to improve their quality of life. 

Instead of comparing lots of commercial and homemade options and getting lost in a sea of information, we’ve prepared a detailed guide to help you decide and teach you what to expect from all the available options. 

Key Takeaways

• A kidney diet for dogs is a specialized, prescriptive diet rich in Omega-3 foods and low in sodium, phosphorus, and protein, which is needed to ensure longevity and quality of life. 
• Renal diets usually restrict phosphorus, sodium, and protein while supplementing Omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, and B vitamins.
• Several commercial diets are recommended, with Hill’s Prescription Diet K/D being the most popular, while homemade diets are discouraged due to several risks.
• It’s essential to watch for worsening symptoms, which indicate a need to change the diet.
• The Maven Pet Health Monitor can help you track several health metrics that may indicate worsening kidney issues. 

What Is a Kidney Diet for Dogs?

A kidney diet is a specialized and often prescription-based diet with therapeutic foods for dogs with failing kidneys. It is specifically designed to reduce phosphorus, protein, and sodium, while increasing Omega-3 fatty acids and fresh water. 

The diet is designed to slow disease progression, reduce inflammation, control blood pressure, maintain hydration, and support detoxification. Ultimately, it improves the dog’s quality of life and ensures longevity. 

Why Do Dogs With Kidney Disease Need Dietary Changes?

Dog kidney disease, or chronic kidney disease (CKD), is an incurable condition that causes the kidneys to function inefficiently, which leads to waste buildup. Being incurable and chronic, it requires you to significantly change your dog’s diet to ensure the disease is managed and slowed down, while also giving the pup as normal a life as possible. 

Besides a change in the diet, it also requires regular visits to the vet and possible medications.

Renal Diet for Dogs: Key Nutrient Adjustments

Here’s a detailed overview of which key nutrients need to be adjusted to make the diet work:

• Phosphorus restriction: This is the most important change because elevated blood phosphorus levels are linked to kidney disease. Optimal intake is usually 0.5 to 0.8 grams per 1,000 calories. 
• Sodium restriction: Reducing sodium intake is essential because it reduces the workload on the kidneys and helps manage blood pressure. Optimal intake is 0.4 to 1.2 grams per 1,000 calories. 
• Protein restriction: Protein intake should be moderately restricted and obtained primarily from high-quality, easily digested foods. This will lower the production of waste materials that are harder to filter. Typical intake is 31 to 41 grams per 1,000 calories. 
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation: EPA and DHA from fish oil are recommended because they help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidneys. Optimal intake is usually 0.4 to 1.2 grams per 1,000 calories. 
• Potassium supplementation: Pups with this disease can lose more potassium through increased urination, which is why these diets often introduce more potassium.
• B vitamin supplementation: With increased urination, B vitamins are lost faster, requiring supplementation. 

In addition to these, water intake must also be increased. 

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Renal Failure Diet for Dogs: Vet-Recommended Commercial Options

Vets usually recommend prescription commercial diets that are designed to manage renal failure in dogs. Veterinary professionals often make the diets, and the most commonly recommended brands include: 

• Hill’s Prescription Diet K/D is one of the most widely recommended and studied diets for kidney issues in dogs, and it’s proven to help manage and slow the disease. 
• Royal Canin renal support diet is formulated to stimulate appetite in picky eaters and is available in a broad range of dry and wet foods. 
• Purina Pro veterinary diet offers a variety of wet and dry foods, like Royal Canin, and is recommended by many vets. 

Regardless of the options available, it’s always best to consult your vet to get the best possible diet for your dog. 

Homemade Renal Diet for Dogs: Pros, Cons & Safety Risks

The main advantage of a homemade kidney diet is that you can easily customize it and make the flavors appealing to your pooch. 

However, it has some disadvantages, like higher cost, greater time and effort, and challenges with balancing nutrients, because foods rarely provide specific information on the key nutrients for the kidney diet. 

Moreover, a homemade diet comes with safety risks as well, including:

• Too low or too high amounts of key nutrients can lead to skeletal problems, muscle wasting, and vitamin deficiencies.
• Lack of proper monitoring by a vet can lead to nutrient imbalances or even worsen the disease. 
• Problems with food safety because of poor cooking and storing of fresh ingredients, which can increase the risk of infection for both your pup and you. 

Signs Your Dog’s Kidney Diet May Need Adjustment

The main sign indicating the need to adjust the diet is worsening of the disease. There are several symptoms you should watch out for: 

• Increased thirst
• Higher volume and frequency of urination
• Lowered or lost appetite 
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss and muscle wasting
• Lethargy and weakness
• Mouth ulcers
• Pale gums
• Seizures (only in advanced stages)

How Maven Pet Helps Monitor Dogs with Kidney Disease

“Dogs with kidney disease often show subtle changes before labs shift. Tracking rest, appetite, and activity helps us adjust their kidney diet sooner.” — Joana Babo, DVM, Veterinarian at Maven Pet.

Maven Pet has designed a dog health tracker in the form of a smart collar, which can track your pup’s activity level, rest, breathing, and heart rate. All these can signal energy changes and discomfort in dogs with various kidney conditions. 

Monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, activity & rest, drinking, itch behavior.

Track your dog’s health

Our pet health tracker can help you keep a close eye on your dog’s health and behavior, which is vital in long-term management of kidney issues. Plus, this will help you determine when a diet change is needed and when to consult the vet. 

Moreover, the accompanying pet health app serves as a significant repository of tracked health indicators that you can easily present to your vet. Furthermore, you can add observations of your own that you believe will be useful to the vet. 

Bottom Line

The kidney diet for dogs is a crucial ingredient in the long-term management of your pup’s kidney issues. By using a properly designed diet, you’ll be able to manage your dog’s condition as well as possible and give them a happy, long life. 

The Maven Pet tool can make this even easier, as you won’t have to constantly worry about checking your pooch. If you want to get it, order one now and subscribe to our service in just a few clicks.

Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.