Renal Dog Food.
Discussion
Our thirteen year old Saluki Collie cross has recently been diagnosed with a terminal kidney problem. For such a poorly dog, she's still remarkably fit and active but her condition is starting to catch up with her as she tires quickly and loves her daytime sleeps!
However, the vet has put her on a course of drugs to make her more comfortable and keeps in touch to regularly monitor her condition via bloodtests etc.
Obviously her diet has had to change drastically and any fresh meat has been banished from her bowl along with the introduction of low protein dry food and Waltham Royal Canin Renal tinned food instead of her regular food.
I can only assume these taste of cardboard as she's not really interested in it and reluctantly munches away only if the cats show an interest in her bowl. She does still have an appetite as the cat food is still under threat, but really isn't keen on her new menu. Consequently we are starting to be concerned about her weight. She's normally around 22kgs but has dropped down to 19kgs recently.
So, got any ideas for a tasty diet for a dog with kidney problems, whether it's off the shelf or from the butchers?
Don't panic, we are very aware of her poor long-term diagnosis. We just want to make her final few months as happy as possible. With that in mind, a gratuitous photo of the woofy in question:
However, the vet has put her on a course of drugs to make her more comfortable and keeps in touch to regularly monitor her condition via bloodtests etc.
Obviously her diet has had to change drastically and any fresh meat has been banished from her bowl along with the introduction of low protein dry food and Waltham Royal Canin Renal tinned food instead of her regular food.
I can only assume these taste of cardboard as she's not really interested in it and reluctantly munches away only if the cats show an interest in her bowl. She does still have an appetite as the cat food is still under threat, but really isn't keen on her new menu. Consequently we are starting to be concerned about her weight. She's normally around 22kgs but has dropped down to 19kgs recently.
So, got any ideas for a tasty diet for a dog with kidney problems, whether it's off the shelf or from the butchers?
Don't panic, we are very aware of her poor long-term diagnosis. We just want to make her final few months as happy as possible. With that in mind, a gratuitous photo of the woofy in question:
Did you just change her diet or did you introduce it over a few days? We had trouble with our old Lab a few years back and went through loads of brands/types until we found one she was happy on. Most brands do samples for you to try but make sure you get a few of each as sometimes they will eat it one day as they are hungry and not the next! Good luck.
On instructions from the vet she had a change of diet immediately as the vet was very concerned about the level of toxins in her blood. She had to spend a day at the surgery connected to a drip to bring her levels back down.
Thankfully things seem to have stabilised and she's got a goodly amount of her 'sparkle' back and continues to have a good appetite, but just doesn't seem to like the Royal Canin renal stuff anymore despite being enthusiastic on her first few encounters. I must stress, she's still keen on eating, just not what we're serving!
We are realistic about how long we've got left with her and would be surprised if she were still able to maintain a good quality of life by the end of the year. This is why we want to make things in her her everyday life as pleasant as possible, but without introducing stuff that will kill her prematurely.
Thankfully things seem to have stabilised and she's got a goodly amount of her 'sparkle' back and continues to have a good appetite, but just doesn't seem to like the Royal Canin renal stuff anymore despite being enthusiastic on her first few encounters. I must stress, she's still keen on eating, just not what we're serving!
We are realistic about how long we've got left with her and would be surprised if she were still able to maintain a good quality of life by the end of the year. This is why we want to make things in her her everyday life as pleasant as possible, but without introducing stuff that will kill her prematurely.
Just done a little bit of research in kidney failure in dogs. It seems that you need to feed:
I feed Natural Instinct, but there is also Nature's Menu and Darlings if you want to go the ready prepared/balanced route.
NB - I've really not got any experience of this, so don't want to give you duff advice.
- Low protein (around 14%)
- Higher vitamins
- Higher calcium
- Must be kept hydrated
- Low in phosphorus
I feed Natural Instinct, but there is also Nature's Menu and Darlings if you want to go the ready prepared/balanced route.
NB - I've really not got any experience of this, so don't want to give you duff advice.
Hi. Beautiful dog I'm sorry tom hear she is not well.
I'm writing from my mobile so can't in into as much detail right now (believe me this is a big subject)
Firstly there are other makes of renal diets
PVD NF
Hills K/D.
I would try pvd first over hills as seems a bit more tasty.
What are her phosphorous levels. It has been realised that controlling phosphorous is more important that protein if it is raised. You can use a phosphate binder on normal food which is useful if you can't get them to eat px diets.
They still need protein but of high biological value (ie not nails/ hair etc) There is a big debate about this, personally if an animal won't eat then mixing a bit of good quality meat such as breast of chicken to the px diet has to be better than watching a pet not eat.
Rice is a good food source to include. I think white rice is ok but I'd have to double check.
Is she drinking well. Often they do with renal issues and you still want to see then drink even when doing better. If the drinking stops this is a major concern.
I will try and give more info tom. I hope this is of some help.
What drugs is she on?
I'm writing from my mobile so can't in into as much detail right now (believe me this is a big subject)
Firstly there are other makes of renal diets
PVD NF
Hills K/D.
I would try pvd first over hills as seems a bit more tasty.
What are her phosphorous levels. It has been realised that controlling phosphorous is more important that protein if it is raised. You can use a phosphate binder on normal food which is useful if you can't get them to eat px diets.
They still need protein but of high biological value (ie not nails/ hair etc) There is a big debate about this, personally if an animal won't eat then mixing a bit of good quality meat such as breast of chicken to the px diet has to be better than watching a pet not eat.
Rice is a good food source to include. I think white rice is ok but I'd have to double check.
Is she drinking well. Often they do with renal issues and you still want to see then drink even when doing better. If the drinking stops this is a major concern.
I will try and give more info tom. I hope this is of some help.
What drugs is she on?
Edited by bexVN on Monday 15th November 22:16
Thanks for the input Becky. She takes 10mg of Fortekor daily. As for phosforus levels, I'm afraid in the recent blur of action surrounding her I've completely forgotten the details of the numbers. Her enzymes were high enough on inital testing to warrant getting her on a drip the next day, though.
She's drinking as normal and does have an appetite, it's just she turns her (rather long) nose up at what we're currently serving! Outward symptoms so far seem to be just the lack of stamina and the extra sleeping.
We'll try the PVD supplemented with a small amount of chicken and hopefully put some meat back on her bones.
She's drinking as normal and does have an appetite, it's just she turns her (rather long) nose up at what we're currently serving! Outward symptoms so far seem to be just the lack of stamina and the extra sleeping.
We'll try the PVD supplemented with a small amount of chicken and hopefully put some meat back on her bones.
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