Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common problem in older dogs. You can manage it with diet and medication, but it cannot be cured. If your dog has CKD, you will need to adjust its diet to meet its special needs. Most people feed their dogs the same bland food day after day. If your dog has kidney failure, they may not tolerate this. So, pet owners need to understand What to feed a dog with kidney failure who will not eat. It is also very important to get your dog started on a diet that will help him manage his kidney disease.
What to Feed a Dog with Kidney Failure Who Will Not Eat?
A typical kidney care dog food with low amounts of sodium, phosphorus, and protein and an increased amount of omega-3 fatty acids. As protein and phosphorus are responsible for increasing waste matter build-up in the dog’s body, a diet low in protein and phosphorus is usually recommended. Here is the complete guide on what to feed a dog with kidney failure who will not eat,
Foods Low in Protein and phosphorus
Nutrition plays a vital role in sustaining good health amongst dogs having chronic kidney diseases. Thus it is important to manage their diet along with medication. The goal is to provide them with high quality low phosphorus foods for dogs. Low protein and phosphorus levels can be easily broken down and digested without having any excess of these nutrients in the canine’s body. In this way, the kidneys will need to put less effort to remove toxins from the body.
Fatty Acids Rich Foods
Including sources of omega-3 fatty acids in your dog’s diet can prove to be beneficial. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce oxidation stress on tissues providing relief from inflammation. These fish oil for dogs are also known to reduce the pace of chronic canine kidney disease. You can add foods such as salmon, bluefish and other fish varieties and supplements with fish oil or flaxseed oil to your pet’s diet.
Moist Foods
The moist foods or canned foods have good water content, which is required for dogs with kidney failure. Moist food provides the required amount of hydration to dogs and feeding them. Make sure to choose treats for dogs with kidney disease and keep them hydrated.
Dog Treats
Since all dogs love treats, it is important to give something healthy to treat dogs suffering kidney failure. Carrots, occasionally, can be good as a treat for dogs. Carrots are low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals. Another healthy option for a dog treat can be green beans. Greens beans, a rich source of fiber, iron, and vitamins, are among few healthy treats for dogs.
Renal Support Dog Food Requirements
Limited High-Quality Protein
Compared to an ordinary diet, the best dog food for kidney disease has fewer protein proportions but is sufficient to meet the pet’s protein requirements. High quality protein is used to prepare this type of diet. The benefit of using higher quality protein is that it is easily digested. Also, once consumed and digested, higher quality proteins result in less waste production, resulting in kidneys working more efficiently and removing the waste easily.
Moreover, protein-rich sources have high levels of phosphorus. This can cause heavy waste build-ups since the kidneys won’t work much efficiently in diseased dogs. Reducing the amount of protein in a dog’s diet also reduces phosphorus content in their body. Thus, resulting in better functioning of kidneys.
Reduced Amount of Phosphorus
Phosphorus is responsible for forming healthy bones and teeth in dogs. It is also required for the proper functioning of the body, metabolism and conversion of energy from nutrients. Kidneys remove the extra phosphorus which remains in the body. However, in the case of a dog’s kidney failure, the kidneys cannot work efficiently to remove phosphorus. This leads to an increased phosphorus concentration in blood as it starts to accumulate, which causes further damage to the kidneys. Therefore, reducing the amount of phosphorus in a dog’s diet becomes important. A lesser amount of phosphorus means lesser work done by kidneys.
Limited Amount of Sodium
It has been observed that out of the dogs suffering from kidney failure or chronic kidney disease, 60% to 90% also suffer blood pressure issues. Kidney failure leads to high blood pressure or hypertension amongst dogs. Since blood pressure is directly related to sodium concentration in blood, feeding dogs a low-sodium diet is recommended. Reducing the dog’s sodium intake can be beneficial.
Increased Amount of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids derived from marine fish oil are said to be beneficial for dogs having kidney failure. Omega-3 fatty acids are responsible for retarded growth rate of chronic kidney disease in dogs as it reduces inflammation. These fatty acids also improve kidney-related protein waste’s waste removal ability and promote low pressure on kidneys initiating proper functioning.
Water
Water intake is very important for dogs suffering from kidney failure. An adequate amount of freshwater is needed to keep them hydrated and prevent dehydration. Dogs with kidney failure tend to excrete most of their body toxins through urine. Thus, resulting in greater thirst and increased water requirements. It becomes crucial to provide the dog with adequate freshwater to keep them hydrated.
Conclusion
It is important to learn about the nutritional needs of a dog suffering from chronic kidney failure before deciding upon their food. A renal diet for dogs with low in protein and phosphorus with good omega-3 fatty acids is always a good option. However, one must consult a vet regarding the dog’s dietary supplements. With the perfect combination of medication and a therapeutic diet, the symptoms of the disease can be reduced and can extend a dog’s lifespan.