An exceptional renal diet can assist dogs in managing their kidney disease, slowing its progression and increasing quality of life. Such diets feature reduced protein and phosphorus intake to ease strain on their kidneys.
These diets are specifically formulated to be highly palatable in order to attract picky eaters while providing essential nutrients. This is particularly relevant when treating older pets with kidney disease.
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What is Kidney Disease?
Dogs develop kidney disease when their number of functional kidney cells decrease, often due to age or health issues. Acute kidney failure can also occur from ingestion of certain toxic substances like antifreeze or ibuprofen.
Kidney disease can produce many symptoms in dogs, such as increased thirst and needing to go outside more frequently to pee. As advanced kidney disease progresses, many dogs begin losing appetite or refuse to eat their regular food, leading to further complications.
At the first sign of kidney disease, veterinarians typically recommend fluid therapy to flush away toxic metabolites from both your dog’s kidneys and bloodstream. They’ll give subcutaneous fluids for you to administer at home similar to an IV drip; additionally they may treat nausea or stomach ulcers to increase appetite and improve quality of life. Dogs living with chronic kidney disease can live for years; even thrive with proper diet and treatment plan in place.
What to Look for in a Kidney-Friendly Diet
Hill’s Prescription Diet K/D provides a specialized kidney diet designed to manage the phosphorus and sodium levels to prevent kidney stones formation while providing essential omega-3 fatty acids and L-Carnitine to support muscle function.
Moderate to low protein consumption helps relieve kidneys of their workload while providing essential amino acids. Good sources of proteins include lean meats, fish and some low-phosphorus vegetables.
As excessive fat can contribute to weight gain and urinary issues, diets with higher moisture content such as wet food or pre-soaking dry kibble in warm water are recommended in order to keep your dog hydrated.
Before making changes to your dog’s diet, always consult with a veterinarian first. They can offer personalized recommendations based on his/her individual needs and stage of CKD they may be in. When introducing new foods gradually to prevent any digestive upset.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF
If your dog has been diagnosed with kidney disease, one of the best things you can do to support them is feed them a therapeutic diet. Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians collaborated to create Prescription Diet k/d which has been proven clinically to increase quality of life while prolonging life for animals with kidney function issues.
This prescription diet reduces nitrogenous waste to ease kidney strain, and regulate sodium to compensate for their inability to do so themselves. It contains moderate quantities of meats and animal by-product meals as protein sources.
This formula is specifically formulated to support a healthy urinary tract and provide key nutrients to preserve lean muscle mass, feeding should be tailored based on body weight with discretionary clinical adjustments as necessary for weight maintenance. Provide plenty of fresh, clean water daily and see your veterinarian regularly.
Hill’s Prescription Diet K/D
The kidneys play a critical role in filtering waste from your pet’s blood and maintaining balance among fluid and minerals in his or her body, including fluid balance. When they fail, their loss of function could lead to reduced food intake or an inability to gain any. For optimal kidney health, veterinarians suggest a diet which reduces workload on kidneys while supporting muscle mass maintenance.
Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d clinical nutrition has been designed specifically to assist early-stage chronic renal insufficiency dogs. Containing high levels of essential amino acids and enhanced with L-carnitine and omega-3 fats to support protein production within their bodies.
To ensure that your pet receives sufficient nourishment, this food should only be given on an exclusive diet basis. Always ensure fresh water is readily available, and work closely with your veterinarian in monitoring his/her condition.
