Kidney disease is a common ailment among old dogs, but it is not life-threatening if handled with care. You need proper medication for your dog and good that support him in this disease and do not put any pressure on the kidneys.
If you own a dog with medical conditions like kidney disease, then definitely know the importance of quality food with low phosphorus.
Feeding quality food with specific nutritional contents always helps to provide comfort to the dog. Non Prescription Low Phosphorus Dog Food can slow the progress of the disease.
We recently published a very detailed resource on the best dog food for allergies to educate dog owners on how they can protect their dogs from allergies and list our top recommendations that can fight allergies and come as preventions.
Vets recommend low phosphorus dog food for dogs suffering from kidney disease. Moving on to exceptional food does not mean ignoring other quality ingredients.
This article reviews some of the best low phosphorus foods that can support a dog in recovery and keep him energetic.
Prescription kidney diets are made with the unique nutritional needs of the dogs. But in reality, not most dogs love the taste of prescription food. It causes a further problem when a dog does not finish the meal. Switching from a commercial diet to prescription food is not an easy task.
While on the other side, Non Prescription Low Phosphorus Dog Food that contains an adequate quantity of phosphorus is not high-quality food because they lack protein.
We evaluate more than forty foods to find high-quality, low phosphorus foods, and the results are listed below.
1. Dr. Harvey's Canine Health Miracle Dog Food (phosphorus content 0.35%)
- First 5 Ingredients: Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Barley, Organic Triticale, Organic Spelt, Organic Brown Rice
- Type: Non-Grain Free
- Profile: Adults
- Best For: All Breeds
This food is our first selection because it contains only 0.35% of phosphorus and is human-grade food. The other thing that you love most is, it free from chemicals and preservatives and no dyes.
So, from the dehydrated vegetable and other organic ingredients, your dog will get all the nutrients that he needs in his recovery stage.
You can serve it as it comes or adds meat and meals to make it a perfect food for your dog.
It depends on which protein source you mix with this food to brew fresh meat or canned one. Both make it more delicious for your pooch.
Pros
- Provide effective canine nutrition
- Made with 9 dehydrated vegetable
- Contain 6 organic grains
- Free from preservatives
- Produce less smelly stools
- You can add your own protein source
Cons
- It's a base mic you need to add protein source to make a complete food.
2. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Duck Meal, GARBANZO BEANS, PEAS, Pea Starch, Duck
- Type: Grain Free
- Profile: For Adult, Puppy, Seniors
- Best For: All Breeds
This recipe is crafted with premium ingredients and based on a single source of protein. It contains only 0.60% of phosphorus that is beneficial for dogs suffering from kidney problems.
Duck meat is a high protein, low phosphorus source, and it’s among the top in the list. It is a completely balanced nutritional formula for puppies, adults, and seniors.
Among Non Prescription Low Phosphorus Dog Food, this recipe is a perfect solution that can deliver the results within a limited time.
Pros
- High quality animal protein source
- limited carbohydrates
- No filler and preservatives
- All ages formula
- Tested for 9 containments
- A tasty option for dogs
Cons
- May not be suitbale for dog sensitive towards grain
3. Blue Buffalo Non Prescription Low Phosphorus Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
- Type: Non-Grain Free
- Profile: Adults only
- Best For: All Breeds
Foods from the blue buffalo are always featured with real meat, and this recipe also contains the same features. In fact, when you are selecting a feed for your dog with kidney problems, it’s not only phosphorus that you need to consider as an ingredient.
It’s also the protein. A rich protein source will provide protein that requires to maintain and get muscle mass with a low amount of phosphorus.
Blue Buffalo took care of all of these things and crafted this recipe for multiple needs.
Pros
- Real meat as a first ingredient
- Contains essential protein and carbohydrates
- Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids for shiny coat
- Finest natural ingredients
- No chicken or by-product meals
- Promotes strong immune system
Cons
- Nothing found shaky and not to love
4. Dave'S Pet Food Protein- And Phosphorus-Restricted Chicken Food
It is a specialized phosphorus-restricted formula containing all the nutrients you need to maintain muscle mass and speed up recovery.
It will reduce the food effect on the kidney with a minimum phosphorus level, and you can expect a healthy kidney function with this food.
On the other side, it supports blood pressure because of its reduced-sodium and Gluten-free features. Proudly made in the USA with natural ingredients.
It is one of the best wet dog food to mix with dry where you want more control over your dog’s diet; you can use this canned food effectively.
Pros
- Healthy Nutrition for dogs
- formulated to minimize kidney load
- Grain and gluten-free recipe
- It normalize blood pressure
- Low phosphorus
Cons
- Taste is not so good
5. Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Grain Free Duck
- First 5 Ingredients: Duck Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat
- Type: Grain Free
- Profile: For Adults
- Best For: All breeds
It is a new formula from holistic that contains less phosphorus and crafted for unique digestive health support. Omega 3 fatty acids from salmon oil and flaxseed are among the main ingredient to support digestion of skin and coat — no by-product and artifact used in this recipe.
Your dog loves to eat this recipe, as due to its natural ingredients, it smells and tastes great.
The optimal level of protein, probiotics, yogurt cultures, digestive enzymes, and natural fiber is the ingredient that helps to speed up the recovery of kidney disease.
We also give it a spot on our list of Best Foods for Bernese Mountain Dog because of its nutritional values and premium ingredients.
Pros
- Provide optimal level of protein
- It contains natural fiber
- Digestive enzymes to keep the dog healthy
- 3 fatty acids from salmon oil and flaxseed
- Delicious natural recipe
Cons
- Priced little bit higher
What are the Main Functions of Kidneys?
The kidney is two bean-shaped organs in the renal system of a dog. Mainly they help the body to pass the waster in the shape of urine and many other functions like:
- Kidneys maintain overall fluid balance.
- Filter and regulate minerals from the blood.
- Kidneys manage moisture to avoid secondary constipation.
- Filtering waste material from toxic substances, food, and medication.
- Create hormones; these hormones produce red blood cells, regulate blood pressure, and support bone health.
For dos its toxin filtration system in the body that removes waste and harmful particulars from the
What are Early Signs of Kidney Disease in Dogs?
As an owner, if you keep an eye on the overall look of your dog. Then it’s quite possible to detect any abnormality at the very start.
It will enable you to look for a possible solution and dig into the roots of the problem. Here we list some of the most common signs of kidney disease.
If you notice these signs, then immediately consult with your vet and move on to the special diet as we list above. Let’s have a look at the early signs of kidney disease:
- He is thirstier than usual.
- More often, ask to go outside.
- Cannot hold urine overnight.
- Have accidents in the house.
- Significant decrease in apatite.
- Vomiting and Diarrhea.
- Sore Mouth.
- Bad Breath.
- Become weak in a matter of days.
- The coat becomes poor.
- Sleep more.
- Lack of energy and depression.
Early diagnosis of kidney disease can provide you a better chance to save your dog’s kidney function, and it extends the life span of your four-legged friend.
If your dog is suffering from any of these signs, contact your vet. Your vet can detect it with a simple blood test, and if caught in the early stage, you can manage it with the diet.
Low-quality diets can increase the chance of kidney disease. Foods play a vital role in illness management and the prevention of disease. You need to consider it seriously and move on to a quality diet.
What is Phosphorus?
It is an essential ingredient for bone development. It plays a critical role in bone development as well as the growth of bones. Much need in the growing years of the dog.
But in old age, it is not considered to be as important as nutrients and minerals.
Dogs mustn’t be built to process a high dosage of phosphorus. When they get older, their capability decreases significantly, and they need less phosphorus to stay healthy.
Higher Concentrations of Phosphorus
The kidneys of dogs are not made to handle a higher volume of phosphorus. In the case of renal failure, phosphorus accumulates in the organ and causes stones and other problems. It is an ingredient that can make kidney disease worse.
Non Prescription Low Phosphorus Dog Food is the best solution to stay away and handle kidney disease. It will also lower your medical bill.
Proteins and grains are the two most essential ingredients that contain most of the phosphorus in the food; food like commercial kibble includes both of these ingredients.
The easy solution is to look for a quality protein source and grain-free good; yes, it can solve it.
How Do Low-Phosphorus foods help?
The benchmark for commercial food like kibble is 2% of phosphorus. For a dog suffering from kidney disease, such food is not suitable for him, worsening the conditions.
Low phosphorus dog foods are new in the market, and manufacturers start producing them recently. We believe that manufacturers need to become more creative to bring better products with low phosphorus and quality protein.
The cure is available, and with time, new methods of controlling kidney disease are being developed. Low phosphorus dog food won’t put any pressure on the kidney and save them from further deterioration.
When you own a senior dog at that time, a Best Canned Dog Food for Senior Dogs, which is formulated as limited phosphorus food, can help your dog greatly.
How much phosphorus a dog with kidney disease can consume?
When you buy food, you need to look for the overall phosphorus content in the food. It will help you to decide either it remains beneficial for the dog or not. We recommend a diet with a total phosphorus content of up to 0.60%.
This the maximum figure. A dog suffering from kidney disease can process the phosphorus to this extent, but it is the last limit.
When searching for a good quality low phosphorus food, you must focus on finding a diet with more economical than this percentage.
What to look for in Non Prescription Low Phosphorus Dog Food?
The very first option is buying a product that is specially made for kidney disease but alongside also looks for under-listed features.
- Phosphorus Content, not more than 0.60%.
- High-Quality Protein Source with low phosphorus (shrimp and Duck).
- Potassium, Adequate level of potassium will support kidney functions.
- Calcium is recommended 500mg calcium in one pound of food.
- Nitrogen traps, useful for the kidney, reduces the workload.
What ingredients are Safe for Dogs with Kidney Disease?
There are a lot of ingredients that are safe like:
- Protein: lean ground beef, wild duck, quinoa, chicken, turkey, bison, lamb, cod
- Fruits/Vegetables: peas, chickpeas, apples, spinach, carrots, squash, blueberries, kale, green beans
- Herbs: parsley, dandelion
- Fats: flaxseed, fish oil, canola oil, poultry fat
- Carbs: whole grains, corn, rice, oats
DON’T work with the following ingredients:
- Phosphorus: See above for explanation. A general rule of thumb is below 0.6% phosphorus in a dog diet; moreover, your vet can advise better while keeping in view your dog’s current health.
- Vitamin D: It produces toxicity which produces pressure on the kidneys. Not to buy food that is high in Vitamin D.
- Omega 6 fatty acids can be inflammatory and cause problems, so they should be used in moderation or avoided.
- Sodium: Should not be eliminated completely but need to reduce the level of sodium as it’s an important ingredient of dog’s diet.
How to Decide Between Prescription and No Prescription?
At the time of medical examination, if your vet diagnoses kidney disease or related ailments to your four four-legged friends. There he will suggest foods, depending upon the severity of the matter. He might prescribe some medicated foods which are not available without a prescription.
But there is no need to worry about most prescription diets available in food stores and online.
In case the vet prescribes a food, then be sure prescription foods have their benefits. They are formulated in a sense to provide relief to dogs; limited ingredients, low sodium levels, restricted phosphorus, and protein are fields of consideration.
Prescription foods are usually costly; they cost four times more than ordinary kibble. So, the significantly higher price tag compels the dog owner to look for non-prescription low phosphorus dog food.
I am sure that you can get many of the same benefits with non-prescription food.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no cure for chronic kidney failure, but yes, your dog definitely can live with this disease. Healthy diest that support renal health ease the conditions and support to extend the life of a dog.
It is irreversible unfortunately, however your efforts can slow down the progression of this disease. Like you can change the diet at first and can arrange frequent visits to vet.
When you find multiple kidney disease symptoms in your dog at that time, you need to visit your vet so he can do a complete blood profile and urinalysis. This is the only way to find abnormal electrolyte levels that develop in dogs suffering from kidney disease. At the same time, urinalysis helps to get information about creatinine and blood ureas, and nitrogen. It may proceed with an X-ray and ultrasound.
In the start, you may fear losing your dog but a change in diet and regular vet visits will ease the pain of your dog and also enhance his life. You need to offer him plenty of water as well as move him to vet dog food. Dogs suffering from kidney disease often have poor and appetite and they always feel tired and lethargic that usually results in mood shifts. Maintaining a healthy weight is also helpful to keep your dog active and playful during kidney disease.
Start mixing a small portion of renal support food on the dry kibble and slowly increase the quantity of renal support food while decreasing the quantity of dry kibble. Move ahead little by little, and always keep a close eye on your dog's overall condition; give enough time so that his digestive system become familiar with the new type of diet. It is also a good idea to add some delicious topping that makes food easy to digest and delicious.
Final Thoughts
Non Prescription Low Phosphorus Dog Food can dramatically improve the dog’s kidney health. We recommend the best low phosphorus dog food for your dog that you can feed without any worry as these foods provide all the nutrients with the lowest possible phosphorus.
It might be difficult at the start of feeding these foods, but once you entirely switched, you can enjoy peace of mind.