Can the Right Food Help Your Dog with Chronic Kidney Disease?

When your pup is diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), you probably aren’t thinking about their diet. However, you would be shocked at how much the food they eat can affect their kidneys. The right food can make symptoms worse, the right can help lessen the effects the disease might have.

With the right type of kidney dog food, you can help manage your dog’s nutrition levels, symptoms and the progression of CKD, and the balance of minerals and fluids.

Adding Water to the Diet

When a dog has kidney problems, it is vital to keep them hydrated all of the time. The kidneys, when malfunctioning, struggle to get rid of the waste materials that build up in their bloodstream. In order to lessen the strain on the kidneys of your pup, you should provide them with more liquid to work with. To give them more water, place more bowls around the house that are in places of easier access to your pup. Also, cut out all dry kibble from your dog’s diet, it’s dehydrating, and try to feed them whole food recipes and ingredients instead.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Can Help

While there is no way to cure CKD in a pup who has it, you can slow its progression by giving your dog a higher amount of omega-3 fatty acids. CKD creates inflammation that begins to erode the kidneys. Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and slow the erosion of your pup’s kidneys. And, because inflammation is the source of many of CKD’s symptoms, it will also help your dog to feel better.

Limit Phosphorus

The kidneys usually keep the phosphorus in the body at an appropriate level. However, when they start to malfunction, that level starts to rise. With too much phosphorus, your companion can get a calcium deposit in the kidneys, as well as a vitamin D deficiency. If you can limit the amount of phosphorus in your pup’s food, with whole and organic foods, you can ease the strain on the kidneys.

Manage Your Pup’s Diet Today!

You may feel helpless when you hear that your furry best friend is diagnosed with CKD, however, you’re not. There are things you can do to help, starting with their diet. Start with these suggestions and slowly make changes to their diet to help them feel more comfortable in the time of their disease and discomfort.