The Best Dog Treats for Kidney Disease (Low Protein Dog Treats)

If your dog received the diagnosis of kidney disease, their diet will change. Your vet is likely to prescribe a low protein diet to relieve the strain on kidneys. Occasional snacks are still acceptable on this meal plan, as long as you only use low protein dog treats.

Acceptable Foods and Ingredients

A dog with kidney disease will have specific dietary adjustments. The three most common ingredients that need to be monitored are:

• Phosphorus
• Protein
• Sodium

This applies to regular meals and treats. All kidney disease dog foods are formulated to be low in these three ingredients, and same should apply to whatever treats you choose. Note that it’s recommended that you do not give your pet any treats until until the transition to your dog’s new therapeutic diet for kidney disease is complete.

Once your pet has successfully adjusted to their new meal plan, you can add in low protein dog treats that represent no more than 10% of a dog’s recommended daily caloric intake. A canine nutritionist or vet can provide you with that calorie guideline.

For dogs with kidney disease on a low protein meal plan, popular edible chews like rawhide and pig’s ears are not recommended.

What’s in the Refrigerator?

You don’t have to buy commercial dog treats for kidney disease. There are some things in your refrigerator that many dogs love, and they will go well with your pet’s new low protein diet. Some of those foods include:

Similarly, you can choose to feed your dog a homemade diet that’s specifically made for kidney disease. However, going this route means more work for you during the initial stages. It’s essential to consult with a vet or canine nutritionist, and make sure you know how much to feed a dog and what supplements to include so the diet is well-balanced.

Best Dog Treats for Kidney Disease (Low Protein)

While most dog treats are actually high in protein (since that what healthy dogs need), there are several options of kidney disease dog treats that will be lower in protein. The below list of best dog treats for kidney disease does not constitute recommendations, but rather a starting place for your shopping; consult with your vet before buying them.

Mattie’s Healthy Treats for Dogs with Kidney Disease
Crude Protein: 6.8%

Find it on Amazon ($12.99, 16 oz bag)
Unavailable on Chewy

Prescription-based treats aside, these are the only commercial dog treats that are specifically made to be low protein and designed for dogs with kidney problems. Mattie’s Healthy Treats company is a small family-run business, and they are focused on helping dogs with kidney disease. The company even donates a portion of sales to the Morris Animal Foundation for canine kidney disease research.

These treats are low in protein, and contain no gluten, soy, corn or wheat. They’re flavored with pumpkin and cinnamon. Remaining ingredients include light rye flour, tapioca flour, omega-3 fish oil, and canola oil. They are about 1 3/4” long and 1” wide perfect for nearly any sized dogs. They can be broken into smaller pieces easily. There’s a great success rate in terms of palatability of these treats, and most dogs will enjoy the taste.

Zesty Paws Cranberry for Dogs Treats
Crude Protein: 0%

Find it on Amazon ($25.97, 12.7 oz container)
Find it on Chewy ($25.97, 12.7 oz container)

Zesty Paws Cranberry for dogs is more of a chew supplement than a treat, but unlike many other supplements, most dogs will find them delicious. These kidney-friendly dog chews are focused on UT support, kidney function and a dog’s overall immune system. They’re designed with ingredients that won’t strain the kidneys or bladder, and in fact support their health. There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, corn, grain, or soy.

Cranberries were shown in studies to promote urinary and kidney health in both humans and animals. So each Zesty Paws cranberry dog chew contains 200mg of cranberry concentrate. Other ingredients that promote comfortable urination and detoxification in dogs include marshmallow root, licorice root, nettle seed and astragalus. This combination also offers inflammation relief. The product is FDA registered and GMP certified in the U.S. Zesty Paws have long been one of our favorite brands of dog treats and supplements, and many other pet owners share the same view.

Hill’s Nutrition Dog Treats for Kidney Disease
Crude Protein: 9.0%

Find it on Amazon ($7.26, 12 oz bag)
Find it on Chewy ($7.26, 12 oz bag)

When it comes to veterinarian recommended dog treats for kidney disease, Hill’s Science Diet is often at the top of the list, because the company invests a lot into scientific research and designing their foods and treats following an evidence-based approach. These low protein dog treats are a good example of that, where they allow pets with kidney problems still enjoy an occasional snack while also providing support for their kidneys, heart and joints. They might go best with a prescription dog food brand from Hill’s, but it’s not essential.

Developed by veterinarians and measuring at 35 calories per treat, they’re healthy but fairly calorie-dense, so be careful not to overfeed your pet. This makes them delicious (along with the chewy texture), but also means you can’t give too many. At 9% crude protein, the main ingredients are chicken and potatoes. There’s added omega-3 fatty acids coming from fish oil, which is another benefit for senior or arthritic pets.

Raw Paws Natural Sweet Potato Low Protein Dog Treats
Crude Protein: 4.2%

Find it on Amazon ($12.99, 6 oz bag)
Unavailable on Chewy

If prescription dog treats (which require veterinary approval) are not an option, the Raw Paws treats are a great alternative. Vegetarian, grain free, low in calories, low in phosphorus and low in protein (only 4.2%), these are perfect for dogs with kidney problems. They have only one ingredient – dehydrated sweet potato, which is a complex carbohydrate that’s highly digestible for dogs. Most pups enjoy the flavor, and it’s a great source of beta-carotene (Vitamin A).

You may think a dog will not enjoy something without any protein in it at all, but it’s unlikely to be the case with these. Their smell, sweet taste and crunchy texture actually makes them very appealing. They’re also very small in size, which means you can give more of these throughout the day, or use them for training. Our dogs loved these treats made in the USA, by a company with a good reputation.

Pet Wellbeing Dogs Kidney Support Gold
Crude Protein: 0%

Find it on Amazon ($37.95, 2 fl oz)
Find it on Chewy ($37.95, 2 fl oz)

If low protein dog treats isn’t an option, or you’re looking for something in addition to that, you can always try a natural supplement like this one. Kidney Support Gold is a natural product for your dog’s kidney health. The ingredient formula helps to promote improved energy levels, normal urination and increased thirst in dogs as well as appetite regulation. All ingredients are organically grown herbs.

The two ounce bottle is enough for a small or medium dog as a one month supply. And since it’s a liquid, it’s easily administered through your pet’s meal. One interesting thing about The Pet Wellbeing company is that their website could be an additional selling points. They have online assistance, a vet that you can consult with or ask questions, whether about these supplements or a specific kidney issue in your dog.

Lexelium Kidney and Liver Support Supplement for Dogs
Crude Protein: 0%

Find it on Amazon ($22.99, 7.5 oz bag)
Unavailable on Chewy

Finally, another kidney health supplement option for dogs is this powder, which you can add to meals as a topping, or use to make your own low protein dog treats for kidney disease. Lexelium liver support is a little different in that you can use it for both your dog and cat’s kidney and liver health. This powder is vet formulated, and is sugar, soy, and dairy free.

Ingredients include milk thistle, calendula extract, sprouted wheat and wheat germ. All of these have been scientifically proven to promote either kidney or liver health, and references to studies can be found of Lexelium website.

READ NEXT: How to Feed Dogs With Kidney Disease

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