It’s very possible that a renal (kidney) diet is in your dog’s future. Kidney disease is one of the most common illnesses of aging canines, with more than one in 10 pets developing it at some point, usually when they’re older.
The good news is that while high-tech treatments like kidney transplants and dialysis are generally unavailable to dogs (cost generally precludes them), your ability to keep your pet feeling well for as long as possible is greater than for many other diseases of aging. Specifically, your role as in-house nutritionist is critical because by making the right food choices, you can extend your dog’s life, and quality of life, significantly.
The veterinarian will almost invariably prescribe a therapeutic (prescription) diet as soon as kidney disease is diagnosed. It will be relatively low in phosphorus, protein, and sodium. Such a diet can actually help slow the progression of the illness, in part by putting less stress on the kidneys to filter various byproducts of the digestion process.
We can’t stress enough how important it is for the diet to be followed to the letter. An eight-year-old beagle we treated for kidney disease at our Foster Hospital for Small Animals had been doing fine on the prescribed food we recommended, but one weekend he suddenly developed life-threatening symptoms: vomiting and dehydration. Friends of the owners’ children had been feeding him potato chips and other junk food, which served to stress his kidneys unduly. The crisis had become so bad within just two days that the owners were on the verge of putting the dog to sleep, but we were able to get him back to where he had been with the administration of IV fluids.
The thing is, even sick dogs need treats. They’re part of the quality of life, and they’re currency for the bond between the two of you. So what treats can you give a dog with chronic kidney disease?
Treat options for failing kidneys
Some companies that make therapeutic diets also manufacture treats specifically formulated for dogs with kidney disease. You can ask your vet about them, but like the prescribed diets, they will tend to be on the expensive side.
Another option is to feed people food, as long as it has fewer than 150 milligrams of phosphorus per 100 calories and fewer than 100 milligrams of sodium. You can obtain the phosphorus, sodium, and calorie content of foods by looking up the USDA Food Composition Database at https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/. (Treats should make up no more than 10 percent of a dog’s calories whether he is sick or healthy.) Treats should also be relatively low in protein. High-protein foods include beef and poultry and also dairy products (which are also sometimes high in sodium).
So what’s left? For one thing, produce. Watermelon, apples, bananas, green beans, baby carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and blueberries all make the cut. (But don’t feed grapes, raisins, or onions, which are toxic to dogs.)
You can also add sweet items like maple syrup or honey to your pet’s kibble. Many dogs lose their appetite as their kidney disease progresses, and that only worsens their condition. But these high-sugar foods (which are devoid of protein, sodium, and phosphorus) often work as appetite stimulants, allowing your dog both to get the nutrition he needs and enjoy his meals as well.
If you stick with treats of produce and sugary condiments while feeding your dog the prescribed kibble for kidney disease, you’ll keep him feeling comfortable as long as possible.
Thank you for the info on treats for dogs w/ kidney disease.. vegetables are the best, never knew maple syrup and honey would be ok. I’m about to get prescription dog food KD and trying to choose an appropriate and best KD dog food. Do you have suggestions or ratings for this specific category? I’m considering among Royal Canin, Farmina ( from Italy) , Hills and would definitely choose another upon your recommendation.
Thank you very much. Dogfood nutrition is very complex.
Sharon Callahan and Callie🐾🐾my F. Golden Ret., approx. 11y/o best gal
Hi Sharon, I’m not a vet but my elderly dog had renal disease and he liked Royal Canin’s Renal Support prescription diet, especially their “E” and “T” canned foods. It seemed to be nutrient dense and he liked the flavor better than other renal diets we tried. Wishing you both the best, Karen.
Thank you Karen. I’m about to order and believe I’ll select that unless I’m updated by Bet. Nutritionists from Cummings/Tufts which I am expecting.
No kibble! Kibble is so bad for KD and the chronic dehydration it causes s responsible for almost all dog disease (and cat). If you’re going to feed kibble, then fill the food bowl with water, let sit, add water again, let sit, repeat until you can squeeze a kibble all the way through with your fingers. I recommend Dr. Harvey’s oif you’re on a budget. If not, go with on of the many fresh/frozen options (petco sells one in store and has a kd line). Please! No dry kibble! Save your dogs and feed wet!
My 11 year old Australian shepherd mix was born with only one kidney and has chronic kidney disease in the one he has. I found out 2 years ago in March. He has been on the Doctor Harvy’s canine health diet for the past 2 years. His labs are elevated but he has been stable and to look at him you would never know. Thank you Dr. Harvey!
Hi Sharon & anyone else that may read this. I have a beautiful 10 yr old Long-Haired Chihuahua, she has KD & my Vet. has recommended (Hill’s Prescription diet Kidney Care) it comes in a Beef & Vegetable as well as Chicken & Vegetable Stew. Miasha – loves this brand, however it’s only available through Vet’s prescription, it’s also rather expensive, let me tell you it’s certainly worth it & Miasha always eats it. Hill’s Prescription diet also offer’s treat’s for KD Dogs as well as Cats. This food looks delicious it has soft chunk’s of Beef or Chicken w/ carrots & peas, rice & so many other key ingredients Such as WATER!! & Because they add water along with all the other amazing ingredients, your pet gets the additional much needed moisture everytime they eat. Miasha’s so much Healthier, her coat is so soft & beautiful, she’s so much Happier & so am I. Miasha’s a rescue dog, sometimes I think she rescued ME! ( GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR PET 🙏 ) Hope this is helpful, Good Luck
Hello All. My 10 month old Havanese, Kevin, has been diagnosed with renal dysplasia. Our primary vet recommended we change his diet from NomNom to Hill’s KD Diet. Surprisingly, Kevin loves the new diet but he is used to having a long-lasting chew to gnaw on a couple times a week. I do give him carrots buts he finishes them too quickly. Is it safe to give him non-rawhide bones (SmartBones)? I am desperate to find something. He doesn’t like Sweet Potato chews. Help!!!!
My great dane has kidney disease , we give her whimzees chews as they are made from vegetables and contain no meat so low protein . She loves them .
Bananas? Apples? Carrots? Maybe even Watermelon? All these so-called “treats” are HIGH in POTASSIUM! Read up! My dog has kidney disease/renal failure and I’ll I’ve been doing is reading up. Apparently even zucchini can also be questionable. Seems you have to cook it to lower other dangerous nutrients (like potassium/phosphorus, etc).
If you do give your dogs any of these treats, please do so in small amounts.
So then, what are you feeding your dog for treats? As with human diets, there seems to be something WRONG with everything! Ether too high in phosphorus or potassium. I have a young dog, almost 3 that got into my dark chocolate 2 months ago. I flushed hydrogen peroxide down her but nothing happened, no vomit, no foaming, nothing. She went on as usual self showing no signs of the effect.. Now she’s loosing weight and thinning hair and drinking and peeing more. Granted it is hot here and i want to believe that’s the cause.. Vets are scarce here. I have adjusted her diet “just in case” but there seem to be some discrepancies on what to feed. Help please!
Love the comments from dog owners and my chihuahua has kidney failure. She wasn’t treated or tested by this vet..Il told the techs who answered the phone..her symptoms and didn’t test her for what I explained her symptoms..only a bill so high. What can I feed my baby and what treats can she have. I’m sick from seeing her beg to eat…she is picky..please help
Your post is over a month old– so you may have already found food you dog will eat. My little dog lost quite a bit of weight until I discovered she really likes oatmeal. Plain oatmeal made with water, lean cooked hamburger, a puree made with peas and green all mixed together. Or tuna (not albacore) mixed with rice, and the veg puree. Hope your dog is doing okay at this point. It is so stressful when they are not interested in food. My vet also gave me an appetite stimulant. But if you do not have funds for the vet, simple meals like above will work. Also, if you can, give your dog filtered or distilled water.
Sorry, green peas and green beans. 🙂
My girl was just diagnosed with kidney disease and we have always given her whimzees. They don’t list the phosphorus or sodium contents, so I just messaged the company. I would bet they are safe, but I have to know for sure.
My dog is almost 14 and was diagnosed with kidney disease 1 1/2 yrs ago. She would not eat the Hills KD food. I’m on a fixed income so I don’t feel that I can keep trying different expensive prescription food. I have tried different people foods but I’m not sure how much protein I should give her I.e. chopped beef, eggs. She is allergic to chicken so I can’t give her that. Another issue is if she doesn’t eat for a day she vomits the next morning so she needs to have food daily.
My 15 year old hated the Hills K/D diet too. Breaks my heart . I feel like I’m starving her. Started the Royal Canin D wet food. It’s Ike chicken , and gravy. I pray she sticks with it, and her kidney levels improve.
My dog didn’t like k/d either I mix it with a little honey or syrup which they can have with kidney issues.
I give my dog who’s in renal failure blue buffalo prescription for kidney failure. I also give him colostrum 1 tsp twice daily and lixotinic 1 time daily. His last Ck up was 100 percent normal on his blood work. I did discontinue boiled chicken breast . It helped with his colostrum , but with the help of no sodium canned string beans I discontinued the chicken. It took almost a year and his numbers are what a dog should be on everything. He will eat this the rest of his life. Absolutely no dog treats with wheat or meat of any kind. Makes it difficult, sweet potato and there is a kidney treat I give him once a day. He almost died so I feel so blessed . That’s what has worked for us. My Tyson just turned 2 on Thanksgiving.
My sweet baby Sammy 15 yr old cockapoo got kidney disease.. He wouldn’t eat or drink anything.. it was looking very grim .. after praying- The Lord instructed me to give cream of what … I made it ., let it cool .. cut it into squares and he started to eat again.. praise the Lord.. I still give this and I also found a this recipe. Cook 4lbs 93% lean organic beef in water .., drain it -because Sammy has some slight high liver values too so I’m keeping fat to a minimum .. I do keep a little bit of the liquid and mix with 6 cups white rice 2 cans pumpkin. 3 packages organic green beans.. steamed then blended in mixer ( blender/ food processor).. he loves it.. praise Jesus!!
I do the somewhat of same recipe for my 10 lb. Mutt Rusty, cooked lean ground beef, pumpkin(can no additives) white rice, green beans, liquid egg whites, parsley, put in blender and he’s good for week worth of meals. He refused any commercial KD food.
Hubby says he’s eating better than he is. O well! Love them both but……..❤️🐕
This is great to know is his liver better or at least stable?
Awesome God is good!
Cream of wheat
My dog is 15 and a half years old. He has IBSC/D. Newly diagnosed renal failure. I don’t know how long I have left with him but I would like him to be happy at peace and not starving. Do anyone know what to feed a renal dog with IBS and renal failure who was a very picky eater and had a very very sensitive stomach. I am looking for food and treats. Thank you
My dog is going to be 15 in a couple months. We just found out he has kidney disease. I just started him on Royal Canin Renal diet kibble. Although I’m wondering if I should switch to the wet food. But he’s eating the kibble and seems to enjoy it. I had been giving him petite carrots for treats. But he recently stopped eating them.
Our lab was 15 beginning of March. After being diagnosed with poor kidney function last month, we started him on Royal Canin renal food. He prefers the wet food in the pouches mixed with the dry. His bloods were back to normal last week.
My dog was diagnosed with CRF in May. He will be 16 this coming April. Upon switching his foods to prescription, he hated all of the renal foods. He was always nauseous and throwing up. He enjoyed hills vegetable and beef stew for a short spell but bored with that quickly. Now he eats canned Purina NF and Hills chicken renal kibbles. Depending on what day it is, he’ll eat more of one or the other. He also eat hills soft baked prescription treats. And I also give him small daily amount of fruit for treats. He also takes daily probiotics and pepcid. I tried to get his lab work done every 3 months.
I see a lot of comments but no replies
Me too!!
My 15 yr old Dalmation/Blue Healer has just been diagnosed with kidney and liver disease.
I bought Hills K/D dry food and sometimes she will eat it with salt free chicken broth. I’m not supposed to give her anything else but she always got a treat. I bought treats low in phosphorus and salt, but with real meat/chicken. I give her rice and chopped turkey, and sometimes rinsed tuna. Some days she will eat it, some days she won’t.
I have so much dog food she can’t eat, treats too.. ONE THING SHE WILL EAT IS TREATS! I’m confused and worried. She’s all I have left…her name is Alice.