Is rice ok for dogs with kidney disease

Kidney Disease in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Your dogs kidneys are essential organs that filter waste products from the bloodstream. When the kidneys are weakened, either by acute or chronic kidney disease, your dogs health could suffer. Because kidney disease progresses over time, its important to learn the common symptoms so tha you can recognize them. If you catch kidney disease in dogs early on, treatment can slow down the progression and allow your dog to live longer.

What Is Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Kidney disease in dogs is sometimes called renal or kidney insufficiency because it occurs when a dogs kidneys stop doing their job as efficiently as they should. The main job of the kidneys is to help clear and excrete waste products from the blood and convert them to urine, says Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC. If the kidneys are not working properly, these waste products can build up in the blood, causing detrimental effects.

Dogs can get either acute kidney disease, which develops suddenly, or chronic kidney disease (CKD), which develops slowly and worsens over an extended period. Both involve loss of kidney function, but they result from different circumstances. Acute kidney disease is a sudden attack or injury to the kidney, whereas chronic kidney disease is a slow, degenerative loss of kidney function, Dr. Klein explains.

What Causes Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Dr. Klein warns that kidney disease could be caused by a lot of things, including infection (such as with the bacteria that causes leptospirosis), trauma, genetics, drugs, toxins, cancer, mechanical obstructions (like kidney stones), and degenerative diseases (where the job and form of the affected body part get worse over time). Anything that decreases blood flow to the kidneys, such as dehydration or heatstroke, can cause the kidneys to fail.

Acute kidney disease in dogs can be caused by exposure to hazardous materials, including toxic plants such as lilies, certain drugs, harmful foods such as grapes or raisins, or antifreeze. Puppy-proofing your home and yard can keep your dog away from potentially harmful items or foods that could be toxic.

Chronic kidney disease in dogs is also associated with growing older. Because kidney tissue cant regenerate once its damaged, the kidneys can wear out over time. As small-breed dogs often live longer than large-breed dogs, they tend to show early signs of kidney disease at an older age10 years old or more, compared to as young as 7 for the large breeds.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs?

The earliest signs of kidney disease in dogs are increased urination and therefore increased thirst. Other symptoms dont usually become apparent until about two-thirds of the kidney tissue is destroyed. So, in the case of CKD, the damage may have begun months or even years before the owner notices. Because of this, its common for the signs of kidney disease in dogs to seem like they came out of the blue when in fact, the kidneys have been struggling for a long time.

Other signs of chronic kidney disease in dogs to watch for include:

Dr. Klein says there are some rarer symptoms of kidney disease in dogs to be aware of, as well. On occasion, there can be abdominal painurinary obstructions or stonesand in certain instances, one can see ulcers in the oral or gastric cavity. In extreme cases, little or no urine is produced at all.

What Are the Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Kidney disease in dogs is measured in stages. Many veterinarians use the IRIS scale, which has four stages. Blood work measurements like creatinine and SDMA (biomarkers for kidney function) allow your vet to assign your dog to a particular stage which will determine the exact treatment.

Dr. Klein explains, The stages determine how well the kidneys can filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. As the stages go up, the kidney function worsens. In the early stages of CKD, the kidneys are still able to filter out waste from the blood. In the latter stages, the kidneys must work harder to filter the blood and in late stages may stop working altogether.

How Is Kidney Disease in Dogs Treated?

Dialysis (a medical procedure that removes waste products and extra fluid from the blood) is far more common in humans than in dogs, although peritoneal (kidney) dialysis can be performed in some cases. On rare occasions, surgical kidney transplant is possible in dogs.

But Dr. Klein specifies that depending on the type and stage of kidney disease, the main treatments for CKD are diet changes and administration of fluids, either directly into the veins (intravenous) or under the skin (subcutaneous). The balancing and correction of electrolytes are extremely important in the management of kidney patients, he explains.

Proper nutrition is needed, and there are many available diets formulated for cats and dogs with kidney issues, some by prescription only. Your veterinarian can help guide you to the most appropriate diet for your pet.

Because kidney disease, particularly in the late stages, can cause a dog to lose their appetite, it can be difficult to encourage your dog to eat enough. Dr. Klein advises, There are medications used as appetite stimulators available, such as the prescription drug mirtazapine. Capromorelin has recently been FDA-approved for dogs to address appetite in chronic kidney disease.

When Do You Need to Call Your Vet?

The prognosis and expected life span for a dog with kidney disease depend on the type of disease, the speed of progression, and underlying conditions present in the dog. However, the more serious the disease, the poorer the outcome. Thats why its so crucial to catch the illness early on.

According to Dr. Klein, In chronic kidney disease, there are methods, such as diets and medications, that can be used to lessen the burden of work the kidneys need to do and may help slow down the progression from one stage to the next. In acute kidney disease, there is less time and fewer choices available to prevent further damage to the kidneys and to try to jump-start the kidneys to get them to function normally.

Regular veterinary exams, including bloodwork, are an excellent way to spot kidney problems before the outward symptoms become apparent. And if you notice any of the above signs, dont hesitate to get your dog to the vet for further testing. It can make a huge difference in preserving kidney function and your dogs well-being for as long as possible.

How to Cook Chicken for Dogs With Kidney Disease (Easy Steps & Complete Guide)

Cooking for dogs with kidney disease can be a delicate process, as they often need very lean proteins and have trouble processing protein in general. To cook chicken for dogs with kidney disease, youll want to serve boiled, skinless chicken in low quantities.

But how should you cook chicken for dogs with kidney disease? What does kidney disease mean for your pup? Read on to find out everything you need to know about how to cook chicken for dogs with kidney disease.

The cooking process

Cooking chicken for dogs with kidney disease is all about reducing the fat content of the chicken and taking advantage of how lean of a protein it is. In order to do this, youll want to follow these simple instructions.

First, take the skin and bones out of your chicken. These not only increase the nutrition content (especially of nutrients that dogs with kidney disease cant properly process), but the skin makes the food excessively fatty and the bones pose a choking hazard.

Boil the chicken until its cooked thoroughly. Afterward, drain the water out of the pot and put it on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken until its easily edible for your dog.

After this, you can serve it in your dogs bowl with whatever sides you decide are best for your dog. Make sure youre serving smaller portion sizes than you did when your dog was healthy, as proteins are difficult for your dog to process when its struggling with kidney disease.

Chicken Recipe

When preparing a meal for a dog with kidney disease that is chicken-based, its important to choose ingredients that are low in phosphorus and high in quality protein. Heres a recipe that you can consider:

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh (cooked and chopped)
• 1/4 cup cooked white rice or quinoa
• 1/4 cup steamed or boiled carrots (mashed or finely chopped)
• 1/4 cup steamed or boiled green beans (mashed or finely chopped)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for added flavor)
• 1 teaspoon fish oil or flaxseed oil (optional, for essential fatty acids)
• 1/4 teaspoon calcium carbonate (consult your veterinarian for the appropriate amount)
• Water for cooking and consistency as needed

Instructions:

1. Cook the chicken breast or thigh thoroughly by boiling or baking it. Make sure its fully cooked without any seasonings, additives, or bones. Remove any skin and excess fat before chopping it into small, manageable pieces.

2. Cook the white rice or quinoa according to the package instructions. Ensure its fully cooked and cooled before using it in the recipe.

3. Steam or boil the carrots and green beans until they are soft. Mash or finely chop them to make them easier for your dog to digest.

4. In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped chicken, cooked rice or quinoa, mashed carrots, mashed green beans, and chopped parsley (if using). Mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients.

5. If desired, add fish oil or flaxseed oil to provide essential fatty acids. These oils can help promote healthy skin and coat.

6. Add the appropriate amount of calcium carbonate to the mixture. The exact amount will depend on the size of your dog and should be determined with guidance from your veterinarian.

7. Gradually add water to the mixture to achieve the desired consistency. Some dogs prefer a more moist meal, while others prefer it to be drier. Ensure its easy for your dog to eat and digest.

8. Serve the meal immediately, or portion it into individual servings and refrigerate or freeze for later use. Remember to thaw frozen portions before feeding them to your dog.

Note: Its crucial to consult with your veterinarian before making any dietary changes, especially for dogs with kidney disease. They can provide specific guidance based on your dogs condition and individual needs.

How much chicken to serve dogs with kidney disease

As mentioned above, its quite difficult for dogs with kidney disease to process proteins, even ones as lean and healthy as boiled, skinless chicken. That being said, youll want to cut back on how much chicken youre giving a dog with kidney disease as compared to their healthy counterparts.

1/2 a cup of food for every 25 pounds of body weight is a decent rule of thumb. Of course, dogs that are more active or exercise daily may need more, while older dogs, younger dogs, smaller dogs, or lazier dogs may require less.

How often to serve chicken to dogs with kidney disease

Chicken is a fine meal to serve to dogs daily, even those with kidney disease. Even though they have trouble digesting and processing it, protein is still a core part of their diet. It helps dogs grow muscle that not only helps them with daily activities such as walks, play, and exercise, but is also crucial for basic functions like standing up, walking, sitting down, and other movements.

Health benefits of chicken for dogs with kidney disease

The main health benefit present in chicken for dogs with kidney disease is protein. Since dogs with kidney disease have a hard time digesting and processing protein correctly, its extra important that youre picky with how your dog is getting this essential nutrient.

It is also very low fat and high in vitamins and minerals that help the overall physical health of your dog.

Things to watch out for when serving chicken to dogs with kidney disease

Of course, youll still need to watch out for how the protein is affecting your dog. Kidney failure is very complicated, so some dogs can handle more protein than others while theyre experiencing kidney disease.

To know for sure if chicken, or any diet change, is the right change for your dog, its important to consult your vet. Your vets guidance should be a crucial step in the decision-making process when it comes to what youre looking out for and what youre feeding to your dog.

What is kidney disease?

Kidney disease, renal disease, kidney failure, or renal failure are all terms for when your dogs kidneys arent working properly. Kidneys filter out waste and excrete it as urine, control levels of calcium, control blood pressure, control levels of salt and water in the body, and more! If any of these functions is failing, thats very bad news for your dog.

Kidney disease should be taken extremely seriously and warrants an immediate visit to the vet.

Signs of kidney disease in dogs

If you see any of the following symptoms on a regular basis, your dogs kidneys might be failing. Seek veterinary help as soon as possible.

The signs to look out for are: more frequent urination, more frequent drinking, less frequent urination, urinating during sleep, blood in urine, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomit, sudden weight loss, and hunched posture.

If you see any one of these signs with frequency or multiple signs, you should call up your vet and ask what the next steps should be!

Alternative proteins for dogs with kidney disease

Chicken isnt the only protein that is fine for dogs with kidney disease.

Other lean proteins are good as well. Eggs (in moderation), as well as dog-friendly fish (such as salmon), are good replacements if chicken wont work for your dog.

Water for dogs with kidney disease

If youre suspecting your dog has kidney disease (or its been confirmed by a veterinarian) you want to have it drinking only distilled or filtered water. This will be easier for the kidneys to process and will help with the treatment and recovery.

Sides to serve with chicken for dogs with kidney disease

Brown rice is the best side to serve with the chicken for dogs with kidney disease. This is because it is very easy for dogs to digest.

Vegetables are also crucial to any dogs diet. Kale, carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, asparagus, and other dog-safe vegetables provide the vitamins and minerals needed to make sure your dog stays as healthy as possible.

Just avoid any vegetables or sides that are high in phosphorus, as these are not easily processed by dogs with failing kidneys.

Feeding schedule of dogs with kidney disease

Dogs with kidney disease seem to do better with more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day. Try four or so smaller meals in a day rather than two large ones and see if your dogs symptoms improve!

Special Note from Sabrina Kong, DVM, on Kidney Disease Diets

The diet for a dog with kidney disease often varies from dog to dog mainly depending on the stage of the disease.

Preparing and cooking your dogs diet when they suffer from kidney disease is the option that offers you more control and guarantees they are receiving the right nutrients they need for their health.

Now, there are some debates in terms of how you should be cooking it, as the word cooking is one of the debates points. During the last few years, the BARF diet has been one of the most accepted ones for feeding dogs in general but also for dogs with kidney disease.

The BARF diet covers the nutrients dogs with kidney disease need:

• high-quality proteins
• omega-3 fatty acids
• fish
• veggies
• low levels of phosphorus and sodium

This diet consists of feeding dogs raw high-quality meats, bones, fruits, veggies, and supplements that include omega-3.

The most important thing to consider when switching your dog to a diet designed for kidney disease is that they still need high-quality proteins that are easy to absorb by the body, thats why I recommend homemade diets instead of storebought foods as those rarely cover the special needs for this kind of condition.

(Source Sabrina Kong, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, from WeLoveDoodles.com)

What Not To Feed Your Dog With Kidney Disease

Registered veterinarian Dr. Corinne Wigfall, of SpiritDogTraining.com, noted you should avoid raw feeding and feeding treats high in salt such as cheese and meats from the deli such as salami. Be careful feeding commercial dog treats- many are high in sodium and protein which is not ideal for kidney disease.

Do not feed your dog a home cooked diet that is purely meat, or a home cooked diet that you have not run past a veterinarian as you may not have reached the minimum requirements for good health.

My name is Danny Jackson and Im the CEO and Chief Editor behind Petloverguy.com. After spending a decade working with vets and private clients as an animal behavioral and nutritional specialist I co-founded Pet Lover Guy to help other pet parents learn how to interact with, and make the most of the time that they spend with their adopted and rescued best pet friends.Working with Ella, our chihuahua rescue, we seek to help all dog and cat lovers have the happiest life possible.