Kidney disease can be a scary thing to deal with, but the good news is that dogs can live for years if treated correctly.
The kidneys help maintain the balance of certain substances within the blood, including salt, calcium, phosphorus, a number of other vitamins and minerals, and water. The kidney begins the urinary system’s process of filtering out waste products by producing urine. If the kidney loses capacity, toxins can accumulate and make pets sick. The kidneys can fail acutely in response to injury, lack of blood supply, or toxins. They can also degenerate more gradually in chronic renal failure.
Signs of kidney disease in dogs include: an increase in water consumption and urine production, depression and listlessness, loss of or decreased appetite, chemical odor of breath, vomiting, weight loss, blood in urine, ulcers in the mouth, and pale gums from anemia.
Depending on the veterinarian’s assessment of disease stage, and whether or not the condition is acute or chronic, treatment for kidney disease may include: fluid therapy, managing electrolyte imbalances, encouraging water intake by increasing moisture in the food, antiemetics (anti-vomiting medication), symptomatic treatment of GI upset, dialysis (acute cases), treatment of anemia, blood pressure management, and dietary management.
What foods should a dog with kidney disease eat? It depends what state of kidney disease a dog is in. If your dog is in the early stages of kidney disease, a fresh diet like Nom Nom may still be an option, which provides the benefits of whole food ingredients, high digestibility, and increased moisture. For dogs with advanced kidney disease, it is likely not an option; instead a home-prepared fresh diet intentionally made to be very low in phosphorus is desired. Phosphorus has been shown to have a negative effect on kidney function once it is compromised. High protein foods often contain more phosphorus. No matter what, you’ll want to speak with your vet and make sure your pet is eating a high-quality food with the appropriate nutrient levels for your dog.
So, what is fresh pet food all about, and is it a good option for your dog’s food? When you choose a food that’s prepared in small batches, with fresh, high quality ingredients and no artificial fillers, you can see exactly what your pup is getting. Consider a made-from-scratch, small-batch dog food delivery service that emphasizes quality and purity.
At Nom Nom, our recipes are all cooked fresh and made with high-quality ingredients and no artificial ingredients or fillers. They are portion-controlled and carefully balanced with the right amount of protein to help maintain muscle mass, strength, and support all the essential functions of the body. They are portion-controlled and carefully balanced with the right amount of protein to help maintain muscle mass, strength, and support all the essential functions of the body.
If you have a dog with kidney problems and are interested in trying fresh food as a
kidney care dog food, again, please make sure to discuss it with your vet first. Our team will also ask to learn more about your pet’s health history when determining if Nom Nom is right for you.
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_If your pet is experiencing symptoms of kidney disease, please make sure to speak with your vet.
