Homemade Canine Kidney Diet

As any animal grows older, health problems can occur. One of the most common health problems in older dogs is canine kidney failure (CIN). Unlike acute kidney failure, which is fairly aggressive, CIN is a slow, progressive disease. If your dog's veterinarian believes your dog may be at risk for CIN, a simple change in food may help keep your pet healthy.

Low-Protein Diets

Low-protein diets can help to treat several conditions, such as kidney disease. If your dog's veterinarian has prescribed a low-protein diet for your dog, here is a great home-cooked recipe.

Egg and Potato Diet

You will need:

1 egg, large, cooked
3 cups potato, boiled with skin
1 tablespoon chicken fat
1 calcium carbonate tablets (600 milligrams calcium)
multiple-mineral tablet

Mix the ingredients together. The number of times a day your dog eats should be discussed with the veterinarian, but a general rule is three small meals a day of about half a cup at a time.

Important Information

Reduce your dog's protein, but don't eliminate it completely. There is controversy over feeding a low-protein diet to dogs suffering from kidney disease. While it is true that diets low in protein generate less nitrogenous waste, severely restricting the protein for a dog with kidney problems may result in protein malnutrition.

You may also want to feed your dog a low-sodium diet. Typical canine diets are low in sodium to begin with, but it is always best to double-check your dog's sodium intake.

Low-phosphorus foods may also help your dog. These foods reduce the amount of minerals in the kidneys, and that alone can keep the organs from being overworked. This in turn can slow the progression of kidney disease in dogs.

If your dog has kidney disease, remember to keep them well-hydrated. Avoid feeding them dry dog food, as it can cause dehydration. This alone is a good reason to begin feeding your dog homemade foods, as it is an excellent way to really know what your dog is eating.