Whether you end up filling your pet’s bowl several times per day from your filtered tap or acquiring a pet water fountain, explore what works for you. We're actually looking into Darwin's prescription kidney diet for our senior man too, as a preventative measure. First, due to the nature of renal disease, your dog is losing some of their vitamins through their increase in urination, which can lead to the depletion of nutrients, especially the water-soluble ones, and malnutrition. Check with your vet to adjust the quantities depending on your dog’s weight and size. Darwin’s Raw Dog Food is Perfect for Travel. For most dogs, you are looking to feed them about two to three percent of their body weight. Animals on kidney diets can be finicky, losing weight, muscle mass and clearly diminishing in many ways. You want a good variety of protein, ideally raw. Kidney Issues and Protein Quality Raw diets, that feature high-quality protein, are the gold standard. Give them their medication separately from their food. However, the onset of CKD is slow and difficult to see. Darwin's Natural Pet Products, founded in 2004 and based in Tukwila, Washington, focuses on the production and home delivery of raw foods for dogs and cats. It looks expensive at first, but 100 g of liver, kidney, etc is a super small amount so one purchase from US Wellness will probably last you for an entire year! Darwin’s raw cat food recipes are made with 100% raw meat and no veggies. There are proteins that your dog’s body can absorb easily, such as raw meats, rice, or eggs. But it does other things instead of just restrict protein. It is a meal that supports muscle development and kidney function with excellent proteins, has an appropriate moisture content to hydrate while providing nutrition, and is delicious enough to tempt even the most finicky pet. Filtered water is best because it removes all contaminants. Darwin's makes healthy pet food delivery easy. Kidney patients often lose their appetite, become dehydrated, develop chronic muscle wasting and weight loss. Soy protein has little to no biologic value for your pet, but it’s an inexpensive way for manufacturers to assure protein content on their labels. When there is low protein, these tubules will return to dormancy. Many scientists and experts also fight over whether dogs are natural omnivores, meaning they eat both meats and grains, or carnivores, meaning they only eat meat. Rating: (4.7 / 5) The digestible kibble features perfectly balanced nutrition for dogs suffering from kidney disease. If you really want to do something diet-related Darwin's Pet does have a raw kidney disease diet that they make. Liquids may also need to be limited in later stages of CKD. Additionally, the quality of the protein that you feed your dog is critical for their disease management and overall well-being. Eat oxalates wisely. What you need to remember is that all the organ systems in your dog are connected, and when one organ has problems it can often lead to issues with others. Look for ones that include vitamin E, zinc, S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM-e), milk thistle, and ursodiol. Try a different renal-support recipe or a yummy additive if they still will not eat. Issues with the kidneys can also lead to high blood pressure, low blood iron (anemia), bone weakening, nerve damage, and poor nutritional uptake. If you think you might want a trial of Darwin’s  (at an introductory price), we would love to send you our meals and hear how much your dog or cat loves them. Other possible causes of kidney disease and failure include autoimmune diseases, diabetes, amyloidosis, Lyme disease, cancer, severe dehydration, and trauma. In her last 15 years of practice, Dr. Royal has seen how easy it is to reinvigorate the health of her kidney patients simply by changing from low protein kidney diets to one with a normal amount. Darwin’s Pet Food is one of the only pre-made raw food companies on the market, but it is by far the best. The characteristics you may see listed on commercial dog food include: For a dog with kidney disease, however, quality commercial dog food should consist of the following: Your dog’s food should also meet the standards set by The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which regulates the sale and distribution of food and drugs for animals. In this manner, kidneys act as your body’s filter. Unfortunately, most foods at pet stores will be too high in phosphorus to produce the desired effect. As your dog ages, they need more protein. Overall, Darwin’s natural selection of raw chicken cat food is our fine and first choice for your pretty cat. Her gingivitis is now manageable with tooth brushing and all her GI symptoms are gone. It may even cause metabolic stress on your pet, especially if you feed him dehydrated or processed food. Providing supportive treatment can help your dog become and stay stable for a longer period of time. Processed and dehydrated protein is hard on your dog’s body. Why Special Food for Dogs with Kidney Disease Can Make a Difference. Darwin's Intelligent Design Kidney Support This is a raw food diet which contains lots of vegetables (unnecessary for CKD cats) and some questionable ingredients such as parsley and dandelion (diuretics), cranberries, and cod liver oil. level 2 This recommendation comes from studies of rats, with minimal evidence to support this theory in either people or dogs. Dogs who are not feeling well, and those with renal disease, often don’t want to eat. What Are the Signs of Kidney Disease and Failure in a Dog? Copyright © 2020. Over time, the damage accumulates and causes waste to build-up in the body, which can cause additional health problems, and eventually lead to kidney failure. Dogs do have a natural tendency towards eating meat. Vets often suggest this diet change once they find protein in a dog’s urine, which can make it harder for your dog’s kidneys to digest highest levels of protein.