Homemade Dog Food for Renal Disease – Top Dog Tips
Renal disease in dogs is a very serious condition that warrants a trip to the vet as soon as possible. If you think that you can do research and treat your pet with a commercial diet formulated for kidney disease and a few over-the-counter remedies, you are very wrong! Your vet will discuss treatments and diets with you, but this homemade dog food for renal disease may be a good place to start.
The kidneys help to filter out waste from the body by excreting it as urine. They also aid in maintaining normal concentrations of salt and water in the body. Kidneys help in controlling calcium metabolism and blood pressure, as well. They also assist the body in sustaining phosphorous levels.
Obviously, if your dog’s kidneys are failing it is a major problem!
Signs of kidney disease in dogs include, but are not limited to:
- increased water intake
- increased urine output
- decreased urine output
- secreting urine while sleeping
- blood in the urine
- decrease in appetite
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- unexplained weight loss
- hunched over posture
If your dog has been diagnosed with kidney disease, then you know that diet is a large part of the treatment regiment. Variables like your dog’s age, weight, activity level, and the stage of his kidney disease will all be factors in the type of diet that he will need.
You NEED to consult with a vet or canine nutritionist before switching your dog to a kidney-friendly diet. The professional that you work with will likely recommend either a low protein homemade dog food diet or some low protein dog food brands that have lower levels of phosphorus and are made with high quality proteins.
When a dog digests protein, there is nitrogen left behind, and kidneys work to filter out the nitrogen. This is why low protein food is best for dogs with renal disease. Just remember that the amount of protein to include in your dog’s food will vary depending on the stage of his kidney failure.
Homemade Dog Food for Renal Disease
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiled chicken (chopped)
- 1 hardboiled egg (mashed)
- 2 tbsp. plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/4 cup steamed carrots
- 1/4 cup steamed green beans
Directions
This is a very simple recipe to make. After you prepare all of the ingredients and allow them to cool, combine them in a large mixing bowl. It’s really that simple. Just be sure to chop the ingredients into pieces that are appropriately sized for your dog.
I recommend feeding about 1/2 cup of food for every 20-25 pounds of body weight. This is just a guideline. Some dogs, like working dogs and very active breeds, will need more calories than this. Lazier pets and senior dogs may not need as many.
It’s best to consult your veterinarian about the appropriate serving size for you dog. They will also help you evaluate this homemade dog food for renal disease to make sure it will meet your dog’s unique nutritional needs. If necessary, they will assist you in choosing the best supplements and/or multivitamins to add.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also prepare this food in bulk and store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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