Filtered Or Distilled Water Only
The kidneys main function is to filter out the toxins in our bodies. Since tap water can be loaded with chemicals and contaminants it is best to only give your dog clean, filtered water to drink. If you have a dog living with kidney disease like we do, you may also want to eventually invest in a slow water feeder. Dogs with kidney disease can get quite thirsty and will actually start drinking water too fast which causes its own unique set of problems.
Wondering How Much Homemade Dog Food Your Dog Needs Each Day
This will obviously vary from dog to dog, but a general rule of thumb is for every 10 pounds your dog weighs they should be fed roughly 1 cup of prepared food. If needed you can always call and consult with you vet about transitioning your dog’s diet and the amount of food your dog should eat each day. Just remember, if your pup is living with kidney disease like ours you will want to break up the amount of food they receive into smaller meals throughout the day. Instead of one big meal each day you will need to divide meals up into 2-3 smaller feedings. This will make it much easier for your dogs’ kidneys to do their job.
Ingredients That A Dog With Kidney Disease Should Avoid
There are numerous ingredients that are not part of vet approved homemade dog food recipes for kidney disease. For example, you should avoid giving bones, bully sticks, treats, pig ears, raw hides, antlers, organ meat, and yolks to a dog with kidney disease.
You should also avoid polyunsaturated oils such as soy, corn, flaxseed, cod liver, and sunflower. Besides that, there are four main ingredients that sick kidneys cant extract.
Those are:
Phosphorus Phosphorus accumulating in blood affects other systems in the body, and causes hormonal balance and less bone density
Omega 6 fatty acids This causes inflammations
Sodium Sodium increases blood pressure, which can lead to heart arrest, and it also causes water retention, which can cause dehydration
Vitamin D The kidneys have a hard time extracting Vitamin D
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Prescription Diets For Liver Failure
Now that you understand the dietary needs of dogs with liver failure, its time to discuss the trusted options of prescription diets. Once your veterinarian determines that your dogs liver enzyme levels indicate a need for a diet switch, they will likely mention the diets below.
- Hills Prescription Liver Care
What Kind Of Food Should A Dog With Liver Issues Eat
For dogs with liver issues, a variety of commercial diets are offered. Some are intended for canines with just minor impairment, while others are created especially for severe cases where the livers capacity to digest proteins has been significantly reduced. The finest and best homemade dog foods for dogs with liver issues is listed below.
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Any general recommendations that Dr. Dobias makes are not a substitute for the appropriate veterinary care and are for informational and educational purposes only.
Tip : Decrease Copper Intake
Abnormal levels of copper in a dogs body can be a byproduct of liver disease. This can cause a condition called copper storage hepatopathy. A lot of commercial dry dog food contains copper, so vets may prescribe a special diet to reduce your dogs intake. They may also suggest avoiding foods naturally high in copper, like organ meats including lamb, pork, and duck.
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What Kind Of Snacks Can I Feed A Dog With Kidney Disease
Our dogs seriously LOVE snack time, but snack time has had to seriously change! Dogs with kidney disease should avoid meat based chews/treats that are high in phosphorus, so you may find that you need to explore new types of treats for your dog instead. My probiotic rich Pumpkin & Yogurt Bowlsare our dog’s favorite treat these days! They also really enjoy thin apple slices, blueberries, and fresh banana chunks. When it comes to crunchy chews they both are SUPER into dehydrated banana chips, pumpkin, and sweet potato. I swear, our dog’s drool for them like they are the jerky chews we used to treat them with!
How To Prepare Homemade Food For Dogs
When preparing a diet at home for your dog, it is essential that you follow a recipe that is complete and balanced. Once you and your vet have chosen an appropriate recipe, it’s time to get started.
Many owners choose to prepare food in bulk and refrigerate or freeze it in pre-portioned containers. This is a great idea to save time and money, but you might want to begin by making smaller quantities so you can see how your dog does on the diet.
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What Does A Dog Need To Eat If It Has Kidney Disease
There are certain ingredients that should be included in its diet, and also, those that should be excluded from its diet. You should take extra care if your dog has other issues. Some dogs have allergies, or other chronic diseases like pancreatitis.
Some dogs are already on a raw diet regiment. In that case, it is an even bigger challenge to balance protein intake. This all means that there are more ingredients you should exclude from the diet. It is best to consult with your vet about this.
Some foods contain significant amounts of possibly harmful matter. Vet approved homemade dog food recipes for kidney disease will balance these ingredients in the right amounts.
Common Symptoms That You Shouldnt Ignore
In some cases, there are no visible symptoms in the initial stages of liver disease. Despite being a major organ, the liver can stay functional even at a diminished capacity. However, if the disease remains undiagnosed and untreated, the progression may show the following symptoms:
- Jaundice check for the yellowness in eyes and tongue
- Loss of appetite
- Exposure to toxins
- Immune disorders
The symptoms stated above can be linked to other health problems in dogs. So before you change your poochs diet or start any treatment, it is best to get your dog diagnosed by a vet and take preventative measures under expert guidance.
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Tip : Feed Small Frequent Meals
The liver helps the body convert glycogen to glucose to use as energy. A diseased liver can lead to too much glycogen. Outlook in these cases is unfortunately often poor. But, feeding small, frequent meals with high carbohydrates may help ease symptoms.
With liver supplements, a liver biopsy is often needed to monitor nutrient levels in the long term. If you decide to supplement your dogs diet, its essential to be aware of any accumulations or deficiencies, as they can complicate problems.
Creating A Diet For A Puppy
When you’re trying to create a diet for a puppy with liver disease, there are a few things you want to focus on, including:
- high quality, easily digestible protein sources
- low in copper and sodium
- high in antioxidants
Carbohydrates are another nutrient that will need to be provided in your dog’s diet. They aid in digestion and add fiber to his diet.
Carbohydrates also help to remove ammonia from the system, which the liver may not be able to do on its own anymore.
Your veterinarian may also recommend certain supplements to add to your homemade dog food. Popular accessories for pets with a failing liver include Vitamin E, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Zinc.
The necessity of these supplements will depend on your dog’s unique condition, so don’t add them unless directed to by your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist.
This recipe will make about 3 cups of dog food. You can serve it to your pet as soon as it is thoroughly mixed.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also make a larger batch and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
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What Are The Benefits Of Tender & True Organic Chicken & Liver Recipe Dog Food
The main benefits of Tender & true organic chicken & liver recipe dog food are given below:
1. Tender & true is a complete, high-quality, grain-free recipe for dogs that is ideal for pets with food sensitivities or poor digestion.
2. Tender & True is a healthy, variety-packed grain-free recipe that all dogs love to eat, and provides necessary vitamins and minerals as well as an abundance of B vitamins.
3. Tender & True contains organically grown ingredients to promote overall health and well-being.
4. Tender & True does not contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
5. Tender & True contains no by-products, fillers, or soy and is gluten-free.
6. The recipe is easily digestible for dogs with allergies or other digestive problems
7. The recipe contains no dairy products due to the organic ingredients in the recipe
8. The recipe contains organic chia seeds which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber
9. Tender & True has no added sugars, no GMOs, and is non-irradiated
10. The recipe contains organic peas and tapioca starch to promote healthy digestion
11. USDA Certified Organic Chicken & Liver ensures that the ingredients used in this dog food are of the highest quality easily digested, and do not contain any hormones or antibiotics.
Supplements: The Liver Needs Protection And Support For Regeneration
A good liver supplement should do the following:
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What You Need To Know About Your Dogs Liver Health
The word hepatomegaly is used to describe an enlargement of the liver in dogs. Usually if your dog has been diagnosed with an enlarged liver its due to a condition or disease that interferes with how his liver is functioning.
If your dog has been diagnosed with a condition or disease that is enlarging his or her liver you may need to start giving her a special diet for dogs with enlarged liver so he or she has the best chance at a healthy and happy life.
What Causes Enlarged Liver in Dogs?
There are a few reasons your dog can develop an enlarged liver. Chronic diseases like diabetes can cause an enlarged liver. Acute liver failure can come on sudden and quick and is usually caused by poisoning.
In the case of poisoning your dog needs immediate veterinary care. For chronic issues like diabetes or other K-9 diseases you may be able to control the symptoms and help heal the liver with a special diet and supplements.
Some diseases or conditions that can lead to an enlarged liver in your best friend are:
There are other health issues that can contribute to your dog having an enlarged liver. To keep your dog in the best health means paying close attention to his overall health and getting him to the vet when you notice anything out of the ordinary.
How Do I Know My Dog Has Liver Disease
Even though liver disease in dogs can be contracted for a variety of different reasons, you will see the same symptoms in every dog. CLD can lead to liver failure quickly so if you notice these symptoms, its important to get them under control quickly. Your pups liver is vital to its ability to live a long and healthy life and CLD prevents it from working properly. If you see any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian right away. Your veterinarian should always be the one to diagnose your pup dont decide they have canine liver disease on your own and try to change their diet and handle it yourself. Some of the most blatant symptoms of liver disease in dogs are:
- Jaundice Youve likely heard of jaundice as it relates to often newborn babies. This is a yellowish tinge to the skin, which you will normally notice around the eyes, gums, and ears on your dog.
- Hepatic encephalopathy This can include a wide variety of neurological symptoms that include seizures, confusion, disorientation, blindness, anxiety, and personality changes among others.
- Gastrointestinal issues These can also present in a wide variety of ways, such as diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, visibly increased thirst, excessive urination, weight loss, and changes in stool color.
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Most Common Signs Or Symptoms Of Canine Liver Disease:
- lack of interest in food
- yellowing of the skin, eyes, or mucus, all signs of jaundice
- higher than normal amounts of urine.
It is important to catch canine liver disease early on, before the liver has failed, so keeping a close eye on your dog for these symptoms is never a bad idea.
Once your pet has been diagnosed with Canine Liver disease, you and your veterinarian will work closely to come up with a plan of attack. For some dogs, the disease will be able to be treated by diet alone for others, additional medications and medical care may be required. Either way, your dog will benefit from a specific diet to address their liver problems.
How Liver Disease Affects Dogs
Liver disease is a common condition in dogs that can affect canines of any age or breed. Like in humans, dogs livers play many important roles within their bodies. A dogs liver cleanses the body of toxins, digests nutrients, and clots blood.
Unfortunately, the liver can be vulnerable to many issues. In dogs, acute liver disease can occur suddenly and may be life-threatening. Chronic liver disease develops more gradually but is often easier to manage with long-term treatment.
Naturally, a visit to the vet should be a pet parents first step if they notice liver symptoms of liver disease in their dog. But, pet owners may be surprised to learn how much diet and nutrition matter to healthy liver function. In combination with medication, special diets and nutrition-centered approaches can be an effective way to treat liver disease in dogs.
Always consult your veterinarian about proper nutrition. Liver disease has a variety of causes and treatment options may differ.
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Understanding Hepatic Diets And The Benefits For Dogs With Liver Disease
The liver is the largest internal organ in dogs body and has a critical role in the metabolism. Dietary therapy is important in the treatment of a dog with liver disease to aid in re generation. High quality and highly digestible carbohydrates are recommended to supply energy for the dog. Inferior types of carbohydrates that are undigested are fermented by intestinal bacteria which increase the bacteria in the colon these bacteria then break down dietary proteins and produce extra ammonia, which is absorbed into the body and contributes to toxicity in dogs with liver disease.
Frequent feedings of high quality simple carbohydrates are recommended. Fibre also helps bind intestinal toxins and promotes bowel movements to remove these toxins from the body.
Proteins provided by the diet must be of high biological value to reduce the production of ammonia . Most commercial foods contain proteins that are not of high biological value. Normal amounts of protein should be fed as protein is needed by the liver during repair.
Hepatic diets will include the following:
There are many prescription diets available that take these nutritional requirements into account and formulate diets that provide the correct nutrition required by your dog: