By DogLovely Team
Last updated: May 3rd, 2020
A good diet is an important aspect for dogs with kidney disease. Treatment for kidney disease can be managed with medication, but the type of foods you feed your furry friend is also essential for good health. Which are the best ingredients in kidney dog treats? Let’s figure it out!
Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to eliminate toxins and waste products from the body. This disease is common in more senior dogs and may be associated with other diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
If your dog suffers from kidney failure, it is important that he follows a proper diet. Even if your dog has kidney issues, it can have a natural diet as long as you select foods well and cover the nutritional needs.
Dogs with kidney disease benefit greatly from a diet that is low in phosphorus, low in protein, and low in sodium. This extends to dog treats too. A lot of commercial dog foods and dog treats are not kidney-friendly, so it is crucial you check the ingredients before feeding any store-bought product to your dog.
Treats for dogs with kidney disease should contain less protein, sodium, and phosphorus than normal. You should also try to aim for renal diet treats which ingredients are natural and use omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fish oil can help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve kidney function.
How can I know if my dog has kidney failure?
One of the most frequent symptoms in a dog with kidney failure is that he urinates frequently. Also, probably your dog suffers from dehydration, it’s always very thirsty since the kidneys are unable to concentrate the urine.
As the kidney function gets worse, the dog accumulates waste products in the blood such as ammonia and nitrogen. Some of the symptoms in dogs with kidney failure are tiredness, depression, loss of appetite and weight, dry coat. It can also have diarrhea, vomits and gastrointestinal bleeding. Your four-legged buddy may seem disoriented and has a lack of coordination in its movements.
It is important that you talk to the vet since serious kidney failure requires a treatment.
What guidelines should I follow to feed my dog if it has kidney failure?
If your dog has kidney failure and you want to provide a natural and homemade diet, you must take into account a series of guidelines to follow when developing a diet plan for him.
Do not forget that your dog must always have fresh and clean water at his disposal since it is necessary to hydrate frequently.
You should always feed your dog with quality ingredients. In the event that your canine has kidney failure, this recommendation is even more important since your kidneys cannot adequately filter out toxins they receive with food.
What treats can I give my dog with kidney disease?
If your dog has kidney failure, you should look for foods that meet the following criteria:
Low sodium and phosphorus content
Phosphorus is an essential mineral for your dog’s health. Along with calcium, it contributes to the development of strong bones. But if the kidneys have a malfunction, the extra phosphorus will not be removed and it will be accumulated in the blood. This poses a cardiovascular risk. Therefore, in case of a kidney failure, the consumption of phosphorus should be reduced and controlled. Low phosphorus dog diets have proven to reduce the progression of kidney diseases in dogs.
Sodium is also a big ‘˜No’. It is recommended to reduce your dog’s salt intake.
Calcium and potassium
You should be careful with calcium and potassium, since they can accumulate and cause problems. Lack of calcium can lead to excess phosphorus in the body. Be careful with bones as they are a source of calcium, but they are also high in phosphorus.
Protein in treats for dogs with a kidney disease
The protein must be of animal origin and high quality. However, please make sure that it is in moderate amounts. Protein is vital for your dog’s nutrition as it helps maintain the tissues and cells of the body, but its decomposition produces toxic waste products such as ammonia that require its elimination through the kidneys. If your dog suffers from a kidney failure, you should opt for treats which have a moderate amount of protein as an ingredient.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Your canine needs to consume omega 3 fatty acids as they are beneficial for dogs with kidney disease. Omega-3 has been shown to slow the progression of kidney disease in dogs, because it promotes blood filtering and improves the kidney function. Therefore, you should look for foods rich in omega 3 or supplements that contain it.
Ingredients to avoid in kidney disease dog treats
Salt
Salt is not suitable for your canine in general (hey, it’s not healthy for humans either!. It’s even more harmful if your buddy suffers from kidney failure. The body cannot eliminate it and its accumulation causes the retention of fluids. This leads to heart problems. In addition, salt increases the amount of protein in the urine and this deteriorates the kidney function.
Vegetable or fish liver oils
These oils are rich in omega 6 and can be inflammatory.
Bones
Check with your vet if you want to give bones to your dog. If the kidney failure progresses (hope it won’t, you reverse it!), you may need to eliminate bones entirely from the diet, as they are rich in phosphorus and other minerals.
Products with high phosphorus content. Again, any treats or foods with a high phosphorus content are a big ‘˜No’, because the high phosphorus content is harmful to a dog with kidney failure.
Best Natural Kidney Diet Dog Treats – Reviews
The treats listed below are suitable for dogs with kidney disease. In addition to being low in protein, low in sodium, and low in phosphorous, the ingredients used in these dog treats are completely natural.
?Top Pick
1.Mattie’s Treats Kidney Disease Dog Treats
These kidney-friendly dog treats by Mattie Treats are formulated specifically for dogs with kidney disease. They are made with cinnamon, pumpkin, and omega-3 fish oil. Delicious and nutritious
These renal diet treats are low in protein and phosphorus, and they don’t contain wheat, soy, or corn. When you purchase these treats, a percentage of the sale is donated to fund canine kidney disease research, which is a bonus. Definitely highly recommended.
Mattie’s healthy treats are specifically formulated for dogs with kidney disease and no wonder that they have over 400+ Amazon ratings and 4.4 positive rating!
- Targeted specifically for dogs with kidney disease
- Low in phosphorus and protein
- Contains omega-3
- Possible lack of flavor
Rating: 4.4 out of 5, 493 reviews
2. Hill’s Prescription Diet Treats Dog Treats
Being low in protein and phosphorus, these dog treats from Hill’s Prescription Diet are good for dogs with kidney disease. The treats are also low in calories and sodium, which makes them a healthy snack for dogs on the heavier side. I’m a big fan of Hill’s Prescription Diet in general since Kimcho loves it so much, so I’m a bit biased, but it’s a brand which is vet-approved, so it’s always top of mind for me.
Hill’s Prescription Diet – Vet-approved, low in protein and phosphorus.
A lot of dogs seem to love the taste of these treats, which is a plus! However, it is important to note that the dog treats from Hill’s Prescription Diet are not grain-free. If your dog is sensitive to grain or has allergies, then these renal diet treats may not be suitable.
- Low in protein, phosphorous, and sodium
- Low in calories
- Tasty flavor
- Not grain-free
- A bit pricey
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (45 ratings)
3. Only Natural Pet Green Beef Tripe RawNibs
Only Natural Pet’s Green Beef Tripe RawNibs are made with raw beef tripe that is freeze-dried to lock in nutrients. It contains amino acids, fatty acids, healthy protein, and digestive enzymes to make them healthy and nutritious.
Only beef tripe is used in the ingredients, which makes it ideal for dogs with allergies. Zero grains, fillers, or preservatives are used too.
Although these green tripe treats are low in phosphorus and sodium, they are quite high in protein, which doesn’t make them the best choice for dogs with kidney disease.
- Made with just one ingredient (raw beef tripe)
- Freeze-dried to lock in nutrients
- Ideal for dogs with allergies
- A bit high in protein, not ideal for dogs with serious kidney problems.
Buy on Chewy
Homemade Treats for Dogs with Kidney Disease
Is making renal diet dog treats worth it? Homemade kidney-friendly dog treats are a good idea for dogs with kidney problems as you can guarantee their safety for your dog. The majority of commercial dog treats are high in protein, sodium, and phosphorus, which makes them unsuitable for dogs with kidney disease.
By making your own renal diet dog treats you can make sure they are healthy and kidney-friendly.
This recipe for renal diet dog treats from Paw some Oldies is low in protein, sodium, and phosphorous, making them ideal treats for dogs with kidney disease.
Veggie Renal Diet Dog Treats
Ingredients
‘¢ 1 ¼ cup of organic buckwheat flour (or barley flour)
‘¢ 1/4 cup of low sodium chicken broth (or homemade chicken broth)
‘¢ 1/4 cup of filtered water
‘¢ 1/2 cup of pureed vegetables (like zucchini, green beans, carrots, etc)
Method
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix all the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Flour aboard or counter with flour and knead the dough a few times. Put the dough onthe baking sheet and roll it out the corners of the sheet and score it lightly with a knife. These kidney-friendly dog treats are now ready to be baked.
Put the low protein dog treats in the oven and bake them for around 25 to 30 minutes. After the treats are cooked, turn the oven off and allow the treats to cool down before you remove them.
These kidney-friendly dog treats are now ready to be served. You can store them in an airtight container to keep them fresher for longer.
Low Fat & Protein/Low Phosphorous Dog Cookies
Dog Aware has a variety of dog treat recipes, but their recipe for dog cookies is targeted for pooches with kidney problems. The ingredients for these no protein dog treats are healthy, natural, and low in both phosphorous and sodium.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups of rice flour or white all-purpose bleached flour (both are low in phosphorous ‘“ good for kidney disease)
- 6 tablespoons of low sodium low fat chicken broth
- 1/2 cup of cold water
- 1 cup of cooked vegetables, ground up (like zucchini, sweet potatoes, and winter squashes ‘“ all are low in phosphorous)
Method
- Pre-heat your oven to 350°F. Mix the flour, chicken broth, and vegetables with enough cold water to form a ball of dough. Roll the dough to a 1/2-inchthickness and cut it into shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat and place the no protein treats on it. Bake the treats for around 25 minutes and then allow them to cool down completely.
- These protein-free treats should last for up to a week and need to be stored in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Make sure you freeze any treats you won’t use within a week.
Final Thoughts
Feeding your dog natural treats that are low in sodium, phosphorous, and protein is vital when they have kidney disease or kidney problems.
I’ve found that there isn’t a huge range of kidney-friendly dog treats on the market, but the products in this article are a good example of what to look for when choosing the right snack for a dog with kidney disease.
Homemade renal diet dog treats like the recipes above work especially well for dogs with kidney problems as they allow you to control exactly what your dog consumes. You also don’t have to worry about the treats being too high in protein or phosphorus as you will be able to monitor the ingredients that go into them.
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