It’s scary when you listen to the vet saying your dog has kidney disease.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Well, that means you’ll need the best dog food for kidney disease going forward.
The reason is simple: your dog needs to get rid of any food that could affect its kidneys. And that’s where kidney-friendly foods enter into play.
Sure, you could also solve your dog’s kidney disease partially with medications. But the truth is, changing the diet and making sure your dog eats right is the only way to prevent issues.
In short, if you want your dog to live twice as long (and pain-free) as non-treated dogs, then make sure to use dog food for kidney disease.
At a glance our top 7 Dog Food for Kidney Disease
- Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Dog Food
- Forza10 Wet Dog Food Kidney RENAL ACTIWET
- Royal Canin Canine Renal Support S Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Dog Food
- Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix
- The Honest Kitchen Whole-Grain Fish & Oats Recipe Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Wet Dog Food
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Dog Food
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Forza10 Wet Dog Food Kidney RENAL ACTIWET
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Royal Canin Canine Renal Support S Dry Dog Food
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Dog Food
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | The Honest Kitchen Whole-Grain Fish & Oats Recipe Dog Food
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Wet Dog Food
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
7 Best Dog Foods for Kidney Disease
#1. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Dog Food
There’s nothing better to keep your dog’s kidneys working than Hill’s Prescription Diet.
This Kidney Care mix features the ideal combination of foods to take care of your dog’s kidneys for long, including chicken and other hand-selected ingredients CHOSEN BY EXPERTS.
A healthy mix that includes omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, boosts your dog’s kidney health even further. And if that wasn’t enough, it reduces the amount of sodium and phosphorous to improve your dog’s kidney health even further.
You could pretty much say it is made to offer the BEST EXPERIENCE when it comes to dog food on animals with kidney problems. Whether it’s a starting kidney disease or already advanced – this is the perfect food to go for (THERE’S NO REAL COMPETITION).
And the food tastes so well that your ill dog won’t only eat it all but also ask for more. The food stimulates your dog’s appetite to the point you’ll think it’s magic (perfect for dogs with eating disorders).
BY THE WAY: This is a dry food with enough moisture to avoid any digestive work. That is, your dog will absorb nutrients and dissolve a lot more easily than any other dry food out there.
What We Liked
- It contains high fatty acids to improve kidney’s condition
- Balanced composition to avoid damage
- Impressive taste that keeps dogs coming back
- Moist enough to avoid digestive issues
What We Didn’t Like
- The price is steep compared to others
#2. Forza10 Wet Dog Food Kidney RENAL ACTIWET
Did you know wet food is the best food for dogs with kidney disease?
That’s why the Forza1 ActiWet made it into the list. And for much more than that too.
For one, it uses the healthiest ingredients to avoid any kidney damage. And second, it’s thoroughly flavorful for dogs that don’t want to eat a thing. That is, even the pickiest of eaters will find this food more than decent.
But how does it work without affecting the kidneys?
Here’s where the veterinary-backed composition enters into place. It combines pasture-raised lamb and salmon, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, plus a mix of fruits and vegetables. This increases the nutritional value without being a problem digesting.
And because its formula is specifically designed to avoid kidney damage, it also contains LITTLE PHOSPHOROUS AND SODIUM. There’s also no corn, soy, wheat, or any other hard-to-process ingredient for your dog.
LONG-LASTING PACKAGE: In contrast with kibble foods, this wet composition is a lot more sustainable and filling. Your dog will feel more satisfied, so you won’t have to use as much over time (32 packages may last you a month).
What We Liked
- Wet food speeds up digestion
- It fills up the dog nicely for less hunger
- It contains the perfect amount of nutrients
- Taste is more appealing to picky dogs
What We Didn’t Like
- May cause mild diarrhea
#3. Royal Canin Canine Renal Support S Dry Dog Food
Kibble your dog will love, and its kidneys won’t have any problem with – that’s what Royal Canin offers with this package.
And there are many reasons for that.
One reason to consider is the “S” rate of the food. It’s Savory, easy to consume for any dog. Those canines who struggle to consume food due to kidney disease and other eating disorders will find this dry food PERFECT. To the point, they’ll be asking you for more consistently.
Then you get a crescent-shaped kibble that’s easy to digest. You can combine it with other foods to add to its flavor and effectiveness at keeping your dog healthy.
But what’s really impressive is the composition. It features fatty acids, antioxidants, and target protein. Alongside low phosphorous and low sodium, this food is ideal for any dog with KD.
On top of that, it’s backed up by professional nutritionists and veterinarians. There’s no way this food will not help your dog overcome any kidney problem.
AND DON’T FORGET: It’s so well-made that it fills your dog a lot more than the typical food. You won’t have to worry about your dog asking for food within the next few hours after a few scoops of this.
What We Liked
- Extremely safe composition for kidney disease
- Tons of nutrients and minerals for health
- Surprisingly filling and satisfying for most dogs
- The savory rating makes it one of the tastiest out there
What We Didn’t Like
- Very expensive despite the quality
#4. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Dog Food
You will find that most foods for kidney support are expensive (sometimes almost unbuyable).
That’s why Blue Buffalo shines in a rack full of overly-expensive products: it’s one of the cheapest.
In contrast with other foods, this one contains purely natural ingredients and a simple formula. It provides all the nutrients for your dog to overcome kidney disease while keeping the total body healthy and thriving.
This composition includes NOTHING that will cause damage. That means no meat, corn, wheat, soy, sodium, phosphorous, or artificial flavors. Everything is natural and healthy, free of any compound that may cause damage.
Combining the cleanest chicken and omega-3 fatty acids plus a wide array of vitamins increases the likelihood of a beneficial experience. And if that wasn’t enough, your dog still gets a tasty meal in every scoop.
SATISFYING AND FILLING: This formula is designed to keep your dog satisfied for long. Especially for large dogs that struggle to keep their stomachs filled, this one will feel like a miracle.
What We Liked
- Limits unwanted minerals to avoid damage
- It contains tons of fatty acids for kidney’s health
- The satisfying formula keeps dogs filled for loner
- Outstanding price for the quality it offers
What We Didn’t Like
- Kibbles are too large for tiny dogs
#5. Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix
This is one of the healthiest alternatives, even though it is not EXACTLY for kidney disease.
The Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix contains PURE vegetables and organic grains. There’s almost no protein to worry about, so your dog’s kidneys won’t struggle.
Alongside the vegetables and grains, this food also contains eggshells. This is a perfect addition for the calcium it offers, aiding in not only a wide array of bodily functions but also improve the kidney’s condition.
It’s known that kidney disease reduces calcium from your dog’s body. Having this calcium from eggshells becomes a crucial feature to have.
Apart from that, there are tons of other nutrients to enjoy during low salt and low protein. Your dog will enjoy an undisputable high-quality of life going forward.
By the way, the bag contains only DEHYDRATED food. That is, you can prepare each meal with other ingredients if necessary, making the food moister and much easier to digest.
ESSENTIAL FACT: It contains a broad array of vitamins and minerals, making up for almost a complete diet. Adding extra meats or fish oils to complete the nutrition base of your dog is a plush.
What We Liked
- Thoroughly safe human-grade food quality
- Dehydrated but moist when prepared
- It contains tons of minerals and vitamins to enjoy
- Improves calcium consumption for extra health
What We Didn’t Like
- Lack of meats could be hard to eat for some dogs
#6. The Honest Kitchen Whole-Grain Fish & Oats Recipe Dog Food
Red meats are not the best ingredients for dog food for kidney issues. That’s where fish and grains enter into action.
This Whole-Grain recipe comes with wild-caught fish that’s surprisingly healthy for your dog. The food contains high amounts of lean protein that reduces the damage to the kidneys while improving your dog’s health.
Plus, you get the fatty acids. With a surprising 9% fat content in the food, this dehydrated recipe makes for an almost perfect addition to your dog’s diet.
This pairs up with the array of grains and vegetables. They provide a decent amount of fiber for your dog to have little to no issue digesting the food. And sure enough, this also means more vitamins and minerals to enjoy.
The food is sold as dehydrated because you need to prepare it. While it contains only 8% moisture when unprepared, you can make it decently moist for easy digestion afterward. This adds up to its quality eventually.
TO CONSIDER: The food is so well-made that it’s considered human-grade. That is, if you decide to test it and eat it for a while – the food won’t cause any damage to your system.
What We Liked
- It contains tons of fish oil for kidney function
- Healthy amounts of fiber and vitamins
- Dehydrated but easy to prepare
- Safe to eat (even for humans)
What We Didn’t Like
- Not the best taste for dogs to enjoy
#7. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Wet Dog Food
Purina makes it possible to enjoy the PERFECT balance of nutrients and low phosphorous and sodium while improving protein content.
This is a wet food that focuses on keeping your dog’s kidneys working as new. Without causing any damage, the food acts in the right places and avoids producing unnecessary strain in the wrong ones.
But despite being protein-oriented, the amount is limited. That is, you won’t have to worry about too much protein, making it hard for your dog to process and thus causing kidney damage. The total opposite, in fact, as the protein will be enough to keep your dog’s body functioning at 100%.
Because it is wet food, it is also ideal for hydration. Your dog will have no problem processing the food to enjoy maximum benefits in the short and long term (kidney disease will fade in no time).
Oh, did we mention everything in this food production is overseen by veterinarians, researchers, and nutritionists? There’s no way this food will cause trouble with your dog.
OTHER FACTS TO CONSIDER: You can expect the prestige that precedes Purina to be translated into high-quality food in every way. The chances this food doesn’t help your dog are minimum.
What We Liked
- Superb to keep your dog hydrated
- Decently affordable for the quality
- Backed by scientists and nutritionists
- High but healthy protein content
What We Didn’t Like
- Picky dogs will struggle to eat it
What to Consider When Buying Dog Food for Kidney Disease?
Diet changes are essential once your dog is diagnosed with kidney disease. The reasoning is simple: your dog got kidney issues because it’s not eating the right food.
The specific reasons are a lot broader, though. There could be something SPECIFIC causing the issue, and not necessarily the food you’re using. BUT, fixing the diet is the best and only way to start.
How’s that? You need to make sure the food your dog is eating matches these factors:
Low Protein
Most dog food is high in protein and rich in all the compounds that come with meat. While not necessarily wrong, most meat-based compounds produce too many waste products. This waste is then processed by the kidneys.
As your dog’s kidneys aren’t healthy, you’ll want to avoid using any food based on meat. This way, the kidneys don’t have to work as hard, and your dog can have healthier kidneys over time.
By the way, this doesn’t mean you should eliminate protein from the diet. Instead, it means you should change the way your dog consumes protein. Instead of using meats like red meat, jerky, cheese, or pork – you should try cleaner meats like chicken, salmon, and lamb.
VITAL FACT: Your dog needs protein to survive. At the end of the day, dogs are carnivores, so they require enough protein. You shouldn’t try vegan or vegetarian diets with your dog.
Low Sodium
Kidneys are directly connected to the circulatory system. When the kidneys aren’t working well, the dog’s circulation is affected. It also works the other way around. When your dog’s circulation is not working well, your dog’s kidneys suffer.
Here’s where sodium comes like something to avoid. Salt is known for increasing blood pressure in mammals. You’ll want to avoid it as much as you can.
Any food that contains sodium will be a dangerous ingredient. This goes from cheese to bread and even homemade or commercial human food.
As a better alternative, you should stick to high amounts of vegetables and fruits. That is things like carrots, beets, peppers, and the like.
Strive for less than 0.3% of sodium in the food and should be well off.
BE AWARE: Raisins, onions, garlic, and grapes have low sodium but could cause digestive issues, so you better avoid them.
Low Phosphorous
While it is not known precisely how it works, there’s evidence phosphorous doesn’t help dogs with kidney disease. Reducing the amount of phosphorous in the dog’s diet is essential to keep his kidneys healthier in the long run.
In fact, low phosphorous actually helps the kidneys get better. Adding too much phosphorous to a dog’s food has the opposite effect.
Generally, you’ll want to strive for 0.5% phosphorous in the dog’s food AS A MAXIMUM. Anything higher than that will likely cause unwanted effects.
THING TO CONSIDER: Phosphorous comes mainly from protein. That’s why limiting protein consumption (and using the proper meats) is so essential.
Low Acidity
If your dog’s kidney disease is sufficiently advanced, acidifying foods will cause trouble. This is why proteins and other acidifying foods need to be out of sight for your dog. Otherwise, the condition may worsen or simply extend unnecessarily.
Foods like pineapple, red meats, avocado, coffee, excess sugar, and dairy are often acidic and may not help with your dog’s kidney disease.
Instead, you should try more alkaline foods like potatoes, alfalfa, bananas, celery, broccoli, and apples.
IN SHORT: Focus on dog foods with higher content of fruits and vegetables. AVOID those with too much meat or unnecessarily acidic ingredients.
Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are also super-helpful as nutrients for your dog with kidney disease.
The fact is, fatty acids help with blood flow which in turn keeps the kidneys working perfectly. Apart from that, they reduce compounds that cause inflammation and oxidative stress. This means your dog will be more likely to stay healthy with a diet high in fatty acids like these.
And lastly, the fatty acids prevent protein from leaking into the kidneys. This is a cause of kidney trouble, so less protein going there is vital.
WHAT ELSE TO KNOW: Fatty acids are generally helpful for dogs and humans alike, so making sure the food you’re getting offers them is thoroughly helpful. Your dog will be a lot better in many ways.
High Moisture
Kidneys process water. They can’t process solids. That’s why some dogs develop kidney stones when their food is too solid or rich in minerals that are difficult to dissolve.
To do the opposite, helping the kidneys work better, it’s essential to increase water consumption. And food can be a great way to do that.
Moist foods are not necessarily the best, but they work a lot better than dry foods when processing. This means your dog won’t have as much trouble digesting and absorbing nutrients from wet food as dry food.
You don’t have to buy canned foods only, though. Some dry foods also contain enough moisture to reduce trouble with the kidneys. In fact, kidney-disease special foods are often designed to be a lot moister and crumblier than typical dry dog food.
But it’s still worth considering the moistest food if you really want to help your dog. Higher moisture helps with hydration and keeps the kidneys working well. That does not mean you should pour a glass of water on your dog’s food, though.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION: High moisture increases the bioavailability of the food. The more water available, the faster the food is processed, and thus the less likely the kidneys will struggle.
Homemade Dog Food for Kidney Disease Instructions
With all the key factors that make dog food for kidney disease ideal, let’s show you some alternatives you can try cooking at home.
These are cheaper and provide similar results. Though, if you make a mistake in the ingredients, you could end up producing the opposite effect on your dog’s kidneys.
Luckily, we reduce the likelihood of that happening with the following recipes:
Chopped Eggs and Meat with Rice
This is as easy as preparing a quarter of a pound of meat and a boiled egg. I chopped them together after cooked. Then mix about 300g of brown rice and healthy vegetables to your liking (broccoli, parsley, etc.).
Finish by adding water and a scoop of calcium. Mix until the food is decently moist for your dog to eat without having to chew too much. That should give your dog the perfect nutrition without causing kidney damage.
Salmon Mix with Supplement
Is your dog eating a supplement? You can add it to this recipe.
It’s as easy as cooking about 100g of salmon and chopping it up, and adding raw carrots, flax seeds, and a quarter cup of tomato sauce. Mix everything and add fish oil and renal supplement.
You’ll have sufficiently moist and nutritious food your dog won’t ignore. The salmon will keep your dog coming back, and the rest of the foods will add the nutrition necessary to overcome any kidney issues.
Fruits and Veggies with Pork Mix
Slice a cup each of banana, add a cup of cauliflower and flax seeds. Mix together while you add salmon oil, cod liver oil, and a few chopped brussel sprouts.
While the mix is almost ready, go and cook a cup of pork. Preferably ground for easy absorption. Make sure it’s lean pork to avoid issues later on.
Your dog won’t only love the mix but will also receive surprising benefits, as the minerals and vitamin content will be high. Plus, you don’t forget about protein.
Conclusion
Your dog’s kidney disease doesn’t have to be permanent. In fact, it’s totally curable as long as you keep his kidneys working nicely.
You can make that possible with the best dog food for kidney disease. It’s not a miracle food that will fix all your dog’s issues but will probably make everything a lot easier to solve by not causing any further damage.
So, are you ready to give your dog the best food possible? Remember to choose according to your dog’s desires – you should already know what he prefers.
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.