The 5 Best Dog Foods For Kidney Disease
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Keeping your dog healthy is your top priority but there are some things you just can’t predict. Kidney disease is a condition that many dog owners never see coming, particularly in cases of chronic kidney disease that take time to develop.
Once you’ve become aware of your dog’s kidney problems, it’s time to take action, and that means choosing a kidney-friendly dog food.
Keep reading to learn more about your dog’s basic nutritional needs and to receive some tips for picking the best dog food to meet those needs.
At A Glance: Best Dog Foods For Kidney Disease To Buy:
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below, where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Dog Foods For Kidney Disease
| OVERALL BEST  1. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Formula Dry Dog Food | BEST NATURAL  2. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Grain-Free Canned Dog Food | BEST WET DOG FOOD  3. Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food | BEST FOR SENIORS  4. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Formula Canned Dog Food | BEST FOR ALLERGIES  5. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Grain-Free Dry Dog Food |
| Protein 12.5% Min | Protein 3% Min | Protein 2.5% Min | Protein 3.8% Min | Protein 14% Min |
| Fat 13% Min | Fat 2.5% Min | Fat 3.5% Min | Fat 5.5% Min | Fat 18% Min |
| Fiber 2.5% Max | Fiber 3% Max | Fiber 2% Max | Fiber 2% Max | Fiber 7% Max |
| Calories 459 kcal/cup | Calories 336 kcal/cup | Calories 438 kcal/13 oz can | Calories 483 kcal/cup | Calories 404 kcal/cup |
Understanding Kidney Disease In Dogs
The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products out of your dog’s blood and they also play a role in maintaining fluid balance in the body.
When the kidneys become damaged or lose their ability to function properly, it can lead to some serious problems.
Kidney disease can be caused by a wide variety of things, including genetics, trauma, ingesting toxins, and infections.
Chronic kidney disease takes time to develop and doesn’t always show outward signs.
When those signs do show up, however, you need to take your dog to the vet for treatment and you may also need to change what you feed your dog to support its kidneys.
Here are some things to look for in a dog food for kidney disease:
- Quality Ingredients. Because your dog’s kidneys are damaged, their ability to filter out toxins may be impaired, which means that high-quality ingredients are even more important.
- Low Protein. A low-to-moderate protein content is recommended for dogs with kidney disease—something in the range of 13% to 18%.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. There is some evidence to suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may benefit dogs with kidney disease; they also provide support for healthy skin and coat.
- Moist Food. The kidneys need water to function properly, so choose a dog food that is high in moisture—that might be wet food, moist food, or rehydrated dry food.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best dog food for kidney disease. Here’s what you need to know:
The Top 5 Best Dog Foods For Kidney Disease
If your dog has kidney problems, the quality of its diet is very important.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Formula Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 12.5% Min
- Fat: 13% Min
- Fiber: 2.5% Max
- Calories: 459 kcal/cup
- Restricted levels of high-quality protein (12% crude protein)
- Controlled levels of phosphorus and sodium for kidney support
- Higher moisture level (12% moisture)
- Contains corn ingredients (some dogs may be sensitive or allergic)
- Protein is not the first ingredient
This recipe is designed superficially to help manage kidney problems, featuring restricted amounts of high-quality protein with low levels of phosphorus and sodium to reduce the workload for your dog’s kidneys.
It features added vitamins for nutritional value as well as a higher moisture level at 12% to keep your dog hydrated.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 3% Min
- Fat: 2.5% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Calories: 336 kcal/cup
- Made with all-natural ingredients
- Controlled levels of phosphorus, protein, and sodium
- Supplemented with nutrient-rich LifeSource Bits
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet
This recipe features low levels of high-quality protein as well as other natural ingredients to support your dog’s total health and wellness.
This recipe is naturally grain-free and loaded with natural flavor, plus it is supplemented with vital nutrients for complete and balanced nutrition. It also contains Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits which contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 2.5% Min
- Fat: 3.5% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Calories: 438 kcal/13 oz can
- Increased moisture levels for hydration and kidney support
- Controlled levels of phosphorus, sodium, and protein
- Supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids
- Contains sucrose, a type of sweetener
- Some dogs may be sensitive to chicken or pork ingredients
This Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food is a popular choice and it is also easy to find.
Designed specifically for dogs with renal problems, this food has reduced levels of phosphorus, protein, and sodium for kidney support. It also has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and supplementary B-complex vitamins.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Formula Canned Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 3.8% Min
- Fat: 5.5% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Calories: 483 kcal/cup
- Formulated specifically for kidney support
- High levels of moisture for hydration and kidney support
- Lower levels of protein, phosphorus, and sodium
- Contains some by-products and unnamed ingredients
It is specially designed for kidney support, made with limited levels of protein, phosphorus, and sodium.
Not only does it contain ideal levels of these nutrients, but it is rich in healthy fats for skin and coat support with plenty of moisture to keep your dog hydrated.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 14% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 7% Max
- Calories: 404 kcal/cup
- Made with wholesome natural ingredients
- Designed specifically for kidney support
- Controlled phosphorus and restricted protein
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
It features controlled protein levels to help with kidney problems as well as restricted levels of phosphorus and sodium for kidney support.
Plus, it is supplemented with Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits which contain a proprietary blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
How Do You Choose the Best Dog Food for Kidney Disease?
Dogs require essential nutrients such as protein and fat. Protein helps maintain lean muscle mass, while fat provides a concentrated source of energy. It is recommended that a dog’s diet consist of 18% protein. However, for dogs with kidney problems, the protein intake should be lowered to between 13% and 18%.
Depending on the dog’s activity level, the fat percentage should be around 10% to 15%. Although dogs don’t have specific carbohydrate requirements, they can benefit from digestible sources of fiber, energy, vitamins, and minerals such as whole grains, vegetables, beans, and legumes.
Adding fiber and fresh fruits and vegetables to your dog’s food aids digestion and provides essential vitamins and minerals. Chelated minerals bound to protein molecules also enhance absorption.
Prebiotic fibers and probiotics are excellent supplements for your dog’s diet as they promote healthy and regular digestion.
How Much Should You Feed A Dog With Chronic Kidney Disease?
The amount you feed your dog depends on several factors, including its age, weight, and activity level. Growing puppies, small breeds, and highly active dogs need more calories and may require three meals a day versus two meals a day for adult dogs.
To determine exactly how much to feed your dog, start with a recipe formulated for your dog’s breed size, refer to the feeding recommendations on the package, and then divide that into two or three meals.
What About Food Allergies And Sensitivities?
If your dog has food allergies as well as kidney problems, you’re going to have your work cut out for you. The best thing you can do is choose a high-quality dog food made with digestible ingredients.
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of variation out there when it comes to veterinary diets for kidney problems. If your dog’s allergies are severe enough, you may need to switch to homemade food.
Final Thoughts
If your furry friend is diagnosed with kidney disease, it’s important to give them the right kind of food that won’t make their condition worse. It’s best to go for high-quality dog food with lower protein levels and controlled amounts of phosphorus and sodium to help support their kidney health. If you’re not sure what to get, you can always check out our top 5 recommendations that we’ve already reviewed.
