Kidney issues require proper care, and the diet plays an important role in dealing with them in dogs. Homemade Renal Diet a whole pet kitchen if your fur kid has been diagnosed with kidney disease, a homemade renal diet for Dogs could potentially save his life. Below, we will give you a brief overview of what constitutes a renal diet before moving on to the perks that come with preparing your own food, followed up by some simple recipes to help ease you into it.
What is a Homemade renal diet for dogs?
Dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can follow a specific food plan known as a renal diet. The main goal of this diet is to reduce the effort your dog’s kidneys are putting in by restricting certain nutrients, like protein, phosphorus, and sodium, while still providing a minimum amount of essential vitamins and minerals.
Essential Elements of the Home-Prepared Renal Diet
- When preparing a homemade diet for dogs with renal disease, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Low Protein: Dogs with kidney disease require a low-protein diet to minimize the amount of waste their kidneys need to process. They should also make sure that the protein they consume is of high quality. Chicken, turkey, and eggs are lean meats, which is a good choice.
- Restricted Phosphorus: Elevated levels of phosphorous are damaging to the kidneys. To limit phosphorus intake, it can help to specifically restrict foods such as dairy products, fish, and organ meats.
- Salt-Control: Limiting your sodium intake can relieve stress on the kidneys. Do not let your dog eat highly salt-content processed foods or table scraps.
- More Omega-3 Fats: Getting enough omega-3 fats from fish oil and flaxseed oil can reduce inflammation and improve kidney function.
- B-complex vitamins and antioxidants: Dogs with kidney disease may not be able to properly absorb nutrients, so it’s important that they receive all necessary vitamins and minerals.
There are benefits and drawbacks to a homemade renal diet for dogs.
You can do it yourself and make a homemade renal diet.
- You Can Control Your Dog’s Diet: Making your dog’s food ensures that you have all the best ingredients and can properly measure serving sizes.
- Personalized: Given that dog conditions vary, tasty dog meals allow you to tailor the diet to your dog’s specific health needs.
- Fewer Unwanted Additives: Many commercial dog foods contain artificial preservatives, flavors, or fillers, which can pose a significant risk to a dog suffering from kidney disease.
Food Items to Add In a Homemade Renal Diet
The following is a list of dog-friendly ingredients you can use to prepare a homemade renal diet:
- Lean Proteins: Chicken breast, turkey, egg whites, and tofu
- Carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, and cauliflower.
- Carbs: rice, pasta, and barley
- Fish oil, flaxseed oil, and olive oil are good fats.
- Fresh herbs like parsley and coriander are particularly good for digestion.
Foods to Avoid
- Consume bones, dairy, and organ meats such as liver, fish, and whole grains. [5]
- Canned meats, processed foods, and salted snacks are among the many hidden sources of high sodium consumption.
- Common foods toxic to dogs include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions (and garlic), and caffeine.
Recipes Nutrition Renal Diet Homemade?
Chicken and rice with veggies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup diced, cooked chicken breasts
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1/2 cup carrots (baked, mashed)
- 1/4 cup green beans (diced)
- 1 tablespoon of fish oil
Instructions:
- Blend all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Allow to cool before serving at room temperature or warm.
- Cover any leftovers and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Turkey & Sweet Potato Delight
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked turkey (ground)
- 1c of mashed cooked sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup cooked green peas
- 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil
Instructions:
- Mix together turkey, sweet potatoes, and peas.
- Pour in the flaxseed oil.
- At this stage, you can either serve them immediately or store them in the refrigerator for later use.
Egg & Veggie Mix
Ingredients:
- Scrambled 2 egg whites
- 1/2 C cooked cauliflower (mashed)
- 1/2 cup cooked white rice
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
Instructions:
- Whisk egg white and mix with cauliflower, followed by the rice.
- Add the olive oil and blend together.
- How to Change to a Homemade Renal Diet
Ask Your Vet Before switching to a new diet, make sure your vet approves the change in your dog’s food.
Slowly Add Changes: You can start by mixing your homemade meal with the current share of puppy food and then eventually increase to ⅓ home-cooked, 2/3rds kibble.
Look after Their Health: If you see any changes in your dog’s weight or is more tired than it should be, take it into account. If you observe any issues, please contact your vet.
FAQ
Although some dogs might be able to handle a raw renal diet?
It is not a recommended option. We generally discourage raw diets for dogs with kidney disease due to the difficulty in regulating phosphorus levels and avoiding contaminants. Nutritious meals made from scratch are both safer and more efficient.
Do I need to give my dog any extra supplements in its renal diet?
In some cases, yes. Omega-3s, B vitamins, and antioxidants might help. Just make sure to check with your vet before adding anything extra.
There are three ways a diet can cure canine kidney disease?
A renal diet is not a cure; however, it can reduce the symptoms and make your dog feel better, which is an ultimate goal for improving its quality of life. Your vet’s recommendations are crucial for your dog’s overall health.
Conclusion
One of the best things you can do to manage your pet’s kidney health is prepare a homemade renal diet for dogs. With the right choice of ingredients, you can take care that your little furry enjoys healthy, nutritious meals. Always consult your veterinarian before making any dietary changes and monitor your pet’s health closely.