Kidney disease is a serious health problem, but there are many things you can do to support a dog or cat with kidney problems. Nutrition is especially important because what your pet eats and drinks every day can make a big difference in how much work the kidneys have to do.

I do not believe that every pet with kidney disease should be fed the same diet. I look at the stage of the kidney disease, blood work, appetite, weight, other health problems, medications, and what the pet is currently eating before deciding what changes I recommend.

Common Signs of Kidney Disease

Some pets show very few signs in the early stages, while others have noticeable changes. These can include:

• Drinking more water than usual
• Urinating more frequently
• Very pale or dilute urine
• Increased nighttime urination
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Tiredness or lack of energy

What Can Contribute to Kidney Problems?

Kidney problems do not always have one simple cause. Because the kidneys filter waste from the blood and help remove it from the body, many things can affect how hard they have to work over time. Age and genetics can play a part, but nutrition, water intake, medications, environmental chemicals, and other health problems are also important to consider. 

Poor Nutrition

A diet containing low-quality ingredients, artificial colors, preservatives, fillers, and other unnecessary ingredients does not provide the same quality of nutrition as a fresh, high-quality diet.

Once kidney problems develop, simply buying a food labeled for kidney disease may not be the best choice for your pet.

Not Drinking Enough Water

Water is extremely important for pets with kidney problems, and cats can be particularly challenging because many do not naturally drink large amounts of water. For this reason, I look closely at the amount of moisture your pet is getting through both their food and water and often recommend a diet that does not rely only on dry food.

Medications

Some medications can affect the kidneys, particularly when they are used frequently or for long periods of time. This does not mean that a needed medication should be stopped, but it is important to know the complete medication history when putting together a program.

Chemicals in the Home and Yard

Reducing exposure to household and environmental chemicals is another part of supporting kidney health. For products to avoid and safer alternatives, read How to Reduce Household Toxin Exposure in Dogs and Cats. 

Age and Other Health Problems

Kidney problems are more common as pets get older, and many older dogs and cats have more than one health problem. A pet with kidney disease may also have digestive problems, heart disease, pancreatitis, arthritis, diabetes, or other conditions that have to be considered when choosing a diet. This is one of the reasons I do not look at kidney disease by itself.

Naturally Supporting Kidney Disease

When supporting a pet with kidney disease naturally, I look at the whole pet rather than focusing only on the kidneys. Many factors need to be considered when deciding what is right for your pet. 

Choosing the Right Diet

There is no single diet I recommend for every dog or cat with kidney disease. When choosing a diet for a pet with kidney disease, I review the blood work along with the stage of the disease, appetite, weight, current and previous foods, medications, and other health problems. All of this information helps me determine what type of diet is appropriate for your pet.

Protein is one area that often causes confusion. Pet owners are frequently told that a pet with kidney disease needs a low-protein diet, but I do not believe protein should simply be reduced without considering the individual pet. The amount and quality of protein both matter, and restricting it too much can create other nutritional problems, particularly in an older pet that is already losing weight or muscle.

Phosphorus is another important part of the diet. As kidney function declines, the body can have more difficulty handling phosphorus, so I pay close attention to the amount of phosphorus in the foods I recommend.

I also look at sodium, fat, calories, moisture, and the overall quality of the ingredients. If your pet has another health problem, such as pancreatitis or heart disease, the diet has to work for those problems as well.

Choosing a kidney diet involves much more than finding a food with the words “kidney support” on the label.

Not sure what to look for in your pet’s food? Use my Pet Food Label Reading Checklist: Ingredients to Look For and Avoid.

Homemade Diets

For some pets with kidney disease, a homemade diet can be a good option because you control the diet and it can be prepared specifically for your pet's needs. However, a homemade kidney diet is more than simply combining meat, rice, and vegetables. The ingredients and amounts need to be carefully chosen based on the individual pet and the stage of the kidney disease.

If you are interested in feeding a homemade diet, I can put together recipes specifically for your pet's nutritional needs.

Supplements

Supplements can also be an important part of a kidney program, but more is not necessarily better. I do not recommend giving several supplements simply because they are marketed for kidney health.

I consider many factors before deciding which supplements are appropriate. What I recommend for one pet with kidney disease can be very different from what I recommend for another.

What to Expect From a Consultation

Kidney disease can be overwhelming because there is so much conflicting information about protein, phosphorus, prescription foods, homemade diets, and supplements. This is where I can help.

A consultation starts before we actually meet. I review your pet's health records, current and previous foods, treats, medications, supplements, weight, appetite, symptoms, and the information you provide on the evaluation form.

During the consultation, I explain what I recommend feeding, how much to feed, which foods and treats to avoid, which supplements to use, and any other changes I feel are important. I also explain the reason for each change and answer your questions.

After the consultation, I will send you a detailed written program with everything we discussed. Your program will include commercial food recommendations, homemade recipes, supplements, treats, feeding instructions, and other important information.

If your dog or cat has kidney disease and you are unsure what to feed or how to take a more natural approach, contact For Pet Health to schedule a holistic pet nutrition consultation.