Dog Food for Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney disease, often referred to as chronic renal failure, is a common problem for older pets. While CRF is a terminal condition, modern veterinary medicine and a specially formulated diet can help to comfortably extend the lives of dogs with CRF. Diets for dogs with kidney disease address the core of the problem---the kidney's inability to filter out toxins from the body properly.

Definition

Kidney disease occurs when a dog's kidneys can no longer function properly. This condition is sometimes the result of ingested toxins that damage the kidneys. However, more often it's a result of old age. As dogs age, their kidneys don't work as well as they used to. As a result, they have a harder time filtering out toxins from the body.

Management

Managing CRF in pets is partly a matter of ensuring that their bodies don't have to process more toxins than their kidneys can handle. Additionally, kidney disease often results in excess urination, because damaged kidneys can't concentrate toxins into smaller amounts of urine, so more fluid is flushed out. For this reason, dogs can easily become dehydrated. Dog foods for CRF patients should address both of these problems.

Elements

The elements of a good dog food for CRF include lower-than-normal levels of protein, phosphorus and sodium. Excess salt is filtered out of the body through the kidneys. Ensuring that a pet's body doesn't have to process excess salt takes a load off failing kidneys. Low-phosphorus foods help eliminate mineral deposits in the body, so that the kidneys don't have to work as hard to remove these deposits. Lower-protein foods are thought to generate fewer nitrogenous wastes, again reducing the amount of work the kidneys must perform. Additionally, wet foods are a better choice than dry for dogs with CRF, because they help ensure that pets are properly hydrated.

Examples

Many commercially available foods for dogs with kidney disease are sold. Among dog food makers who sell special foods for dogs with kidney problems are Science Diet, Iams, Purina, and Waltham Royal Canin. However, because dogs with CRF have such delicate dietary needs, some pet owners choose to cook for their pets. Consult your veterinarian to ensure that any specialized diet meets your dog's needs.

Supplementation

The body of a dog with CRF needs all the help it can get. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can help slow the progression of kidney disease in dogs, according to the Healthy Happy Dogs website. Additionally, vitamin E is often recommended. Supplementing a diet with these nutrients may help further extend the life of a dog with CRF.