If your dog has kidney disease, choosing the right diet is essential for its treatment. Our veterinarians in North Providence may recommend a therapeutic diet with higher levels of fatty acids like omega-3 and lower phosphorus, sodium, and protein levels.
Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs
Chronic kidney disease, CKD, chronic kidney failure, and chronic renal disease are all names for a condition commonly characterized by kidney function in dogs failing.
When kidneys are healthy, they perform a wide range of tasks, including filtering toxins from your pup's blood. Chronic kidney disease is the gradual decline in the kidneys' ability to work properly. When kidneys fail fully, they can no longer remove toxins from their blood, which leads to a buildup of said toxins.
Symptoms of kidney failure in dogs may include increased thirst and urination, decreased appetite, weight loss, and vomiting. Other signs can include lethargy, bad breath, and changes in behavior.
While there is no cure for chronic kidney disease in dogs, this condition can often be managed with a therapeutic diet. Feeding your dog a therapeutic diet, which your vet will prescribe, can allow your pup to enjoy a good quality even after after diagnosis.
Treatment of Kidney Disease in Dogs
Treatments for your dog's kidney disease will depend on the severity of the condition, their age, and your dog's overall health. In most instances, treatment for kidney disease includes a combination of medications and dietary restrictions. Therapeutic diets are designed to help slow the condition's progression and reduce the kidney's workload.
Therapeutic Diet for Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease
Dogs with chronic kidney disease usually require therapeutic diets containing less protein, sodium, and phosphorus and more omega-3 fatty acids.
Reduced Protein
Reducing the amount of protein in your dog's diet remains controversial. There are two goals behind this choice. The first goal of reducing protein is to help lower the amount of waste your dog's body produces, and the second is to reduce the amount of protein that is entering the kidneys' filtration systems.
This means that feeding your dog a diet with reduced protein levels may help reduce the workload placed on its kidneys, preserving kidney function.
Reduced Phosphorus
As your pup's kidneys begin to fail, the concentration of phosphorus in their blood becomes elevated. Elevated phosphorus concentrations have been linked to several negative side effects, such as vitamin D deficiency and a reduced ability of your dog's body to metabolize calcium. Normalizing blood phosphorus concentrations through the diet may help slow the disease's progression.
One very important thing to remember is that the phosphorus levels in your dog's food are directly related to the amount of protein in the food. Restricting phosphorus levels in your dog's diet requires also restricting their protein intake. It is also very important to know that normalizing your dog's phosphorus levels in their blood only through a diet is usually only successful if their kidney disease is diagnosed and treated early. Medications will be required to treat more progressed stages of kidney failure.
Reduced Sodium
Reducing your dog's sodium intake can also benefit its health. Reducing sodium can lower the workload on your pet's kidneys and help to maintain healthier blood pressure. If your dog is on a diet with reduced sodium, make sure you don't forget to check the contents of their treats. Most treats that dogs love, including cheese or jerky, have high sodium content.
Increased Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are shown to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease by reducing inflammatory compounds that place stress on your dog's kidneys to process. Many foods with increased levels of omega-3 contain fish, such as salmon, which dogs enjoy. Your pup's diet may also be supplemented with fish oil or flaxseed oil.
What should I feed my dog with kidney disease?
Each dog is unique, and the food recommended for your beloved pet will depend on the progression of the disease, its severity, and your canine companion's age and overall health.
Standard dog foods often contain levels of protein and phosphorus that are too high for dogs with chronic kidney disease. However, there are several prescription therapeutic foods available from your vet. Prescription diets have been specially formulated to meet your dog's dietary requirements while offering restricted protein, phosphorus, and sodium. Speak to your veterinarian about which food is best for your dog's kidney disease.
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.