Hepatic Encephalopathy
A lower-protein, fiber-rich meal for dogs with hepatic encephalopathy from advanced liver disease or non-operable shunts. Eggs, cottage cheese, and legumes provide gentle protein that's easier on the liver, while soluble fiber from grains and fruit helps the gut clear ammonia. This recipe is NOT appropriate for copper-associated liver disease — please confirm the diagnosis with your vet before starting.
Daily ingredients
Quantities scaled for 11 lb (5 kg).
- 0.85large egg(s)hard-boiled, fried, or poached
- 0.85oz2% milkfat cottage cheese
- 48gblack beans, green peas, or garbanzo beans · ~0.21 cup
- 48gchopped apple, pear, or sliced banana · ~0.21 cup
- 153gcooked pearled barley or brown rice · ~0.28 cup
- 1.7gfish oil or krill oil (or two 1000 mg capsules) · ~0.42 tsp
iViBlend supplements
Buy: iViBlend- ¼scoopiViBlend(rounded up to nearest ⅛)
- ¾tspKAL Bone Meal · OR ¾ tsp similar(rounded up to nearest ⅛)
Notes & guidance
- · Provides ~20% of energy from protein, ~25% from fat, and ~55% from carbohydrate.
- · Egg, legume, and dairy proteins lower purine load and reduce accumulation of nitrogenous wastes.
- · Soluble fiber improves colon fermentation and ammonia excretion.
- · Flaxseed oil is an alternative if fish or krill oil isn't tolerated.
- · Suitable for dogs over 16 weeks of age that are small or medium sized — large and giant breed puppies need further evaluation.
Feeding instructions
- 1Cook the egg until firm — hard-boiled, fried, or poached.
- 2Cook the barley or brown rice and the legumes until soft for easy digestion.
- 3Mix the daily portion together with the supplements in one batch, then divide across two or more meals per day depending on the severity of the encephalopathy.
- 4Add iViBlend and bone meal after cooling — do not heat the supplements.
- 5Introduce supplements gradually over 10 days if your dog is picky.
- 6Refrigerate prepared food and use within 3 days, or portion and freeze for up to 2 months.
- 7Weigh your dog regularly with your vet — adjust the portion up or down by as much as 40% based on activity and body condition.
Important — please read
This diet is NOT intended for copper-associated hepatopathy. If there is advanced biliary disease or known primary or secondary copper hepatopathy, the home-prepared diet should be reviewed by your veterinarian and ideally a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Use only under the advice of a veterinarian. Your dog's unique calorie requirements, medical history, and diet history can all affect whether this is the best option.
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