Home-Prepared Renal / Kidney Diet Recipe for Dogs

This kidney diet is designed to feed an average 5 kg (11 pound) dog.  For larger dogs, just multiply portions for every 5 kg (11 pounds) of body weight.  This is designed to provide approximately 320 kcals for a dog of average activity.  Active dogs may require slightly more while inactive dogs may require less (up to 40% more or less depending on activity).  Monitor your dog and consult with your veterinarian if there is weight gain or loss – we recommend regular weigh-ins with your vet after starting a home prepared diet of this nature.  Adjustments may be necessary depending on the results of a biochemical profile.

 

Daily Diet to consist of:

2 ounces (56 grams) of cooked dark meat chicken, cooked 93% lean ground turkey, or cooked 95% lean ground beef

¾ cup (~150 grams) of cooked jasmine/basmati rice, couscous or macaroni (no whole grains)

½ cup (~90 grams) of cooked chopped broccoli, spinach, pumpkin, squash or kale

½ teaspoon (2 grams) of safflower oil

¾ teaspoon (3 grams) of fish oil

ADDED SUPPLEMENTS:

¼ scoop of iViBlend

¼ teaspoon of Calgae

 

This daily portion is usually mixed together with the supplements and fed over two meals.   The supplements can be gradually added in over a 10 day period if your dog is already eating a home prepared diet.   Healthful supplements of this nature can alter the taste and acceptability of diets for more picky eaters, and a gradual introduction often prevents food refusal.

 

The diet above is to be used per 5 kg body weight, under the direction of a veterinarian for dogs with renal disease and no other significant comorbidities.  The diet provides approximately 25% of metabolizable energy from protein, 28% from fat and 47% from carbohydrate.  The vegetables help with alkalinity in the diet and will provide some polyphenols, but more importantly provides potassium which is important to the diet.  This diet plan has approximately 60 mg of phosphorus and 100 mg of calcium per 100 kcals and Calgae is the only calcium source to use to help maintain appropriate phosphorus levels in the diet.  Do not use bone meal to avoid an elevation in serum phosphorus. 

These diets are only to be used under the advice of a veterinarian. Please consult a vet or vet nutritionist on whether this is appropriate for your dog before feeding. Even though this recipe has been designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists, your dog's unique calorie requirements, medical history, and diet history can all affect whether it is the best option for your dog.

 

Happy Feeding!