Dog Kidney Diets

Kidney disease is one of the major killers of dogs. If you suspect that your dog may have a kidney disorder, you must take the dog to the veterinarian for diagnosis.

Some signs of kidney disease

• Bad breath
• Inability to pass urine
• Excessive amounts of urine
• Weight loss
• Excessive thirst
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Muscle atrophy
• Vomiting

Dogs with kidney dysfunction must go through immediate dietary changes. If the problem isn't too harsh, a reduction in protein will calm the burden on the damaged kidney. For more serious problems, a high-quality protein supplement is necessary; otherwise the animal will draw upon its own muscle stores to get the nutrients it needs and will quickly become emaciated. Most dogs, as they age, will benefit from a higher proportion of carbohydrate in the diet.

It's important to supply plenty of drinking water to help flush out the kidneys. Soups and stews, with their high liquid content, are good for the dog with a damaged kidney.

Here are some basic procedures to help formulate the nutrients in a diet meant to benefit your dog's overtaxed kidneys:

• For mild disease, use one-third meat to two-thirds carbohydrates (volume measurements).
• For more severe disease, use one-quarter high-quality protein to three-quarters carbohydrates.
• There are excellent prescription diets, such as Hill’s, which are available through a veterinarian, but they are costly. Since the primary ingredients are chicken and rice, you will find that a home-cooked diet is much fresher and more inexpensive.