Homemade diet for kidney health?
I posted about Roxy possibly having renal issues in another topic- but now I have a new outlook on things..
I have been thinking.. there is basically nothing you can do for inevitable kidney disease process.. it’s going to come one way or another..
the only thing I can do is make sure her diet and nutrition is optimal for kidney health, and hopefully dramatically slow the process. So im starting off with a homemade diet..
I have never made my dogs food before, But I am going to do it for her, and my other bully.. they are from the same parents and share the same genetics, so im going to feed her the same in hopes of preventing ckd..
Can anybody help me with putting together a recipe for this?? I’ve been doing my research and I have an idea, but I want to check with you all to make sure I’m on the right track..
So far I have put together a grocery list..
It includes:
Chicken / turkey / lamb
(beef has an inflammatory response? not sure how true that is.)
Egg whites
Cottage cheese
Sweet potatoes
Squash
Coconut oil
Pumpkin
Green beans
And calcium tablets.. apparently the phosphorus to calcium ratio has to be appropriate so they can bind together?
Please if anybody who is a professional dog food maker could help me with this process, it was be greatly appreciated!!
I have been thinking.. there is basically nothing you can do for inevitable kidney disease process.. it’s going to come one way or another..
the only thing I can do is make sure her diet and nutrition is optimal for kidney health, and hopefully dramatically slow the process. So im starting off with a homemade diet..
I have never made my dogs food before, But I am going to do it for her, and my other bully.. they are from the same parents and share the same genetics, so im going to feed her the same in hopes of preventing ckd..
Can anybody help me with putting together a recipe for this?? I’ve been doing my research and I have an idea, but I want to check with you all to make sure I’m on the right track..
So far I have put together a grocery list..
It includes:
Chicken / turkey / lamb
(beef has an inflammatory response? not sure how true that is.)
Egg whites
Cottage cheese
Sweet potatoes
Squash
Coconut oil
Pumpkin
Green beans
And calcium tablets.. apparently the phosphorus to calcium ratio has to be appropriate so they can bind together?
Please if anybody who is a professional dog food maker could help me with this process, it was be greatly appreciated!!
Comments
Even if dogs are from the same mother and kidney issues can be hereditary it is not imperative that the sibling of a dog with dysfunctional kidneys does automatically have kidney issues as well.
The reason why I am saying this is that usually the diet for a healthy dog should be rich in animal protein, while on the opposite a diet for a dog with impaired kidney function should contain much less protein - of any kind. And, as far as I know that is ONLY the case because it saves the kidneys work and not because the dog would need less protein for growth etc. Obviously, transforming proteins is a lot of work for kidneys. So, feeding less protein is a compromise and a concession to the disease, but it is not a healthy, balanced diet in itself.
Every homemade diet should be balanced - as you mentioned phosphorus/calcium ratio is a very important thing besides others. This already is a challenge.
The composition of a special diet for a sick dog in my opinion should be determined together with a specialist, such as a nutritionist or vet.
Even dogs with kidney issues have different needs as individuals and sometimes other factors such as allergies can come in and make it even harder to find the right food. As far as I know that is the reason why there is no "standard recipe" for a kidney diet.
I have had my fair share of sad experience with the ruined health of a dog because of the wrong food.
Sorry that I can't be more helpful with this. As always, just my three cents. I hope others have some more helpful input for you.
I know what your saying- it was foolish of me to say “kidney diet”
What I’m really trying to do is make a homemade diet that’s fresh and balanced. Something that I know is quality protein and something with plenty of moister to help flush out their bodies.
We are suspecting early kidney issues in Roxy- which is why I’ve decided on a diet change. From the dry grain free Merrick to a regular fresh homemade diet which has to be healthier all together..
I don’t know how to portion everything so I’m looking for some good guidelines to follow.
They are both 45lbs.
I plan on getting the limited ingredient Merrick and adding maybe a 1/4 cup to the feedings just so they have some crunchies in the food. Think that’s a good idea?? :-/
I hope you can understand that I am always happy to give recommendations on food for a healthy dog - to keep this dog healthy. I also have a basic idea of some allergy issues (been there) and nutrition in general. But I am no expert on kidney issues, suspected kidney issues or anything in that direction. I have a basic knowledge, but I am no expert. And I don't want to give advice that could hurt a creature, just because I tried to say something and it was wrong.
That is why I will only say the following:
If I suspected my dog to be prone to kidney issues I would definitely seek the help of a vet because I know well how serious and life threatening kidney disease can be. Sadly, damage to the kidneys often is also irreversible, which means a life long of the special diet.
There is a lot that can be done in early stages to relieve the kidneys, I know that too. But I do not feel fit to give advice on any specifics.
there are some things I know I would NOT do.
I would probably try to NOT feed kibble of any kind - unless it were the only alternative I would be able to figure out for a necessary exclusion diet - to a dog with kidney problems.
I - but that is just me - would also not feed a limited ingredient nutrition unless warranted by allergies, TESTED and validated kidney issues or for any other justifying health reasons.
The reason is that while giving too much of or the wrong fluids to an individual with kidney issues can be a problem also, by far the bigger problem is dry food. Because that, again, means a lot of work for the kidneys. This is something I have been told by a specialist when our last dog got old and kidney issues started to appear. But that was shortly before she left us. So, I had not much of a chance to really gather any more experience with this particular problem.
As for the limited ingredient diets: These often lack key nutrients in one way or the other, or at least variety (which under normal circumstances also plays an important role in a healthy nutrition) because only waiving those ingredients makes it possible to limit the ingredients. This may be beneficial for hard working and sick kidneys. But as I said before, even for the sick dog and by no means for the healthy dog, the limited ingredient diet is the best thing to eat when looking at the needs of the entire body.
This diet is a compromise to give the sick organs a break.
Maybe this example makes it more clear what I am trying to say: Medication.
Every medication comes with side effects. But the positive effects against this or that illness outweigh the risks connected with taking those pills when the person taking the pills really suffers from that particular illness.
Yet, no HEALTHY person would come to the idea to take those pills ... just in case.
Because then - if no illness is really present - only the side effects become relevant und the person would be taking an unnecessary health risk.
Feeding a healthy dog limited ingredients or in other words a one-sided diet WITHOUT any problems really confirmed is basically the same as taking medication without really knowing if you are indeed ill and need that medication.
I CAN tell you what I consider a balanced diet for a HEALTHY dog:
Very generally spoken: at least 70-80% of good quality animal protein, correct calcium-phosphorum ratio, which usually means that bone or bone meal should be added. Enough fat content in the food. Dogs need higher fat ratios than humans. No grains, this is just a precaution, because even though some people claim that the digestive system of a dog nowadays is able to process grains, I personally strongly believe that grains have inflammatory potential for the digestive system and are not that easy to digest for the dog. This way grains can contribute to many other ailments, such as weakened immune system, allergies, autoimmune reactions and can even effect the behavior.
High fiber, low starch veggies and now and then some fruit (limited because of all the sugar).
There are veggies and fruits dogs can eat without any reservations, and then there are some to avoid. But that would go too far here. The internet is full of such lists.
I personally also consider yogurt, cottage cheese and eggs (cooked, dogs can also get salmonella poisoning) in limited amounts a great source of animal protein and calcium (in the yogurt, cottage cheese and egg shells).
The meat part of the fresh food should include 10% of innards (heart, liver, gizzards etc.)
A very healthy addition as far as I know is tripe (smells like hell but most dogs love it).
Useful additions are high quality Vitamin& Mineral Supplements, Apple Cider Vinegar.
Now an then a teaspoon full of coconut oil and salmon oil are also healthy additions, herbs (again, there are some healthy for dogs, some are not, the internet has lists).
If kibble is fed, I would not recommend to substitute more than 50% of the fresh nutrition.
The kibble should also be good quality, grain free, MEAT-based with a meat content not below 70%, no animal byproducts, no corn.
I would feed kibble and fresh separate and in intervals that allow the kibble to be digested before the fresh food. Fresh food needs 3-4hrs, while kibble can take up to 12hrs. This is why I feed kibble as the last meal of the day. Also with kibble - goes without saying - always plenty of water. But a dog should always have access to water anyway.
I am sorry that I can't tell you more than this. Maybe there is anything in it useful for you. I tried my best.
I have a pretty good understanding of animal welfare.
But homemade diets are completely new to me. So some general guidance is a great start. Thank you!
As far as meats go- has anybody ever used goat meat in homemade diets? Or is there any certain types of fish to stay away from??
I haven’t yet made any type of food for them. I’m trying to get all my ducks lined up before I commit.