Kidneys and Food Quality: Tips to Avoid CKD
In this post we will cover:
What are the kidneys and their functions?
My dog Charlie’s kidney disease diagnosis
How cheap food affects kidney function
How dehydration affects dog’s and cat’s kidneys
How phosphorus and excess protein strain kidneys
Unbalanced homemade diets and the negative effects on kidneys
I am not a veterinarian. I am a certified animal nutritionist, and my advice is based on my training and knowledge in animal nutrition. My recommendations are intended to support and enhance your pet's health and well-being through proper nutrition. For any medical concerns or emergencies, please consult with a licensed veterinarian.
Affiliate Marketing Disclosure
This blog contains Amazon affiliate links (amongst others) to pet products as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases . This means that if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the running of this blog and allow me to continue providing valuable content to my readers.
Click here for more information on affiliate links and programs.
Thank you for your support!
So What are the Functions of the Kidneys?
The kidneys are essential organs that help your body function properly. The kidneys filter out waste products such as urea and creatinine, which result from protein metabolism (protein breakdown). They also help balance the body’s sodium, calcium, and water levels and eliminate any medications or toxins present in the bloodstream. These waste products are then excreted through urine or feces. This essential process prevents the body from becoming overwhelmed with waste, helping the body to be at its best. I often compare the kidneys to a fish tank filter, as I have my own fish tanks! Just like a filter, the kidneys catch harmful substances like nitrates (fun fact: nitrates are also present in your body just like a fish tank). Nitrates can make the water dirty and the filter helps trap them to maintain a healthy environment. However, if the filter is not properly maintained, it loses effectiveness, leading to a sick tank. Without a filter, there’s no happy life for your pets or your fish, so make sure you take care of your kidneys and your fish tank!
Charlie’s Story
My dog Charlie was recently diagnosed with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although I noticed signs that pointed to a kidney issue, it was still painful to receive confirmation of my fears. Once diagnosed, we had to transition him to renal support food for the rest of his life, as the damage to his kidneys was already done. Prescription food can be both pricey and challenging for dogs to adjust to, even though it can be beneficial, and I am grateful for it. Unfortunately, the quality of prescription food can sometimes raise concerns, but I knew I had to prioritize it for now to minimize further strain on his kidneys.
So, how can you avoid this situation for your dog? In our case, we didn't realize the importance of diet and food quality until later in Charlie's life, and I urge you not to make the same mistake with your furry friend.
Tips for Prevention
Now that we understand the importance of the kidneys and my own story, let's explore ways to prevent kidney disease, which is particularly common in older dogs and cats. Approximately 60% of cats and 10% of older dogs are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) why is that? While there is no guaranteed way to avoid CKD completely, I have some tips that may help reduce the risk and it all comes from the food bowl.
Cheap food = not so good results.
The primary concern regarding pet food quality is the protein content as well as the quality of the protein. To evaluate whether a protein is of good quality and a reliable source of nutrients, we need to assess if it is a complete protein. A complete protein contains all nine essential amino acids. Unfortunately, vegetables are not suitable protein sources on their own, as they do not provide all nine essential amino acids unless combined with other vegetables to create a complete amino acid profile. This makes them less than ideal for carnivores like dogs and cats.
In contrast, meat products naturally contain all nine essential amino acids, making them the best and most bioavailable protein source. When selecting food for your dog or cat, ensure that the first ingredient is a meat protein, such as chicken, salmon, turkey, or beef. If meat is not the first ingredient, you should reconsider the quality of the food. Ingredients like wheat and corn, if listed as the first two components, are often fillers and serve as cheaper alternatives that brands use to save money while also boosting calories. These fillers do not constitute complete proteins and offer minimal benefits to the body. The more fillers included, the more waste is produced that needs to be filtered out, which can negatively impact kidney health.
Therefore, it is advisable to choose single-protein (one meat only) dog and cat food and confirm that the first ingredient is meat. Otherwise, you may be paying in the long run for food filled with fillers and lacking real nutrients.
Two brands that I really love for both dogs and cats are Nulo and Orijen. Both are packed with meat protein and always list meat as the first ingredient! However, it's essential to monitor the protein levels and phosphorus content, ensuring it's below 1.5%, as anything higher is considered high phosphorus and may be too much for your dog. Each dog's individual needs can vary, so if your dog already has kidney disease, please consult your vet.
Your Pet is Dehydrated
Many pet owners don’t realize that their pets are dehydrated until it’s too late, leading to kidney disease and other serious health issues. A lack of water consumption is a significant concern, particularly for cats, which did not evolve to drink water in the same way that dogs do.
In another post here, I discuss the importance of feeding cats wet food. Wet food contains more moisture than dry food, helping to keep their bodies properly hydrated. This applies to both dogs and cats. To support kidney health, it’s beneficial to feed your pets moist food at least half the time for dogs and 75% of the time for cats.
You can also enhance dry kibble by adding water or broth; I recommend using bone broth like Solidgold Turkey Bone Broth (Via Amazon) for added hydration. Additionally, using a drinking fountain can encourage cats to drink more frequently, which I elaborate on in my other post as well. If you’re thinking about getting a water fountain for your kitty to ensure they stay hydrated, I always recommend the PIXI stainless steel fountain (Via Amazon). It has many features like a low water nose indicator light and a stainless steel bowl to prevent any bacteria from forming!
During the summer, you can make fun frozen treats for your pets, like frozen bone broth cubes or banana ice cream cups with bananas and goat's milk. Check out my post below on summer treats and helping your dog beat the heat.
Watch phosphorus and excess protein
While protein is essential for both dogs and cats, it is crucial to prioritize high-quality protein and ensure that the protein percentage aligns with their activity level. If your pet is not very active, consuming too much protein can lead to weight gain, as excess protein may convert to fat or place a strain on the kidneys. This, in turn, increases their thirst and the need to flush out the surplus from their system, causing further strain to the kidneyss.
Phosphorus is another nutrient that requires attention when it comes to kidney health. Although phosphorus has several benefits in the body, excessive amounts can put pressure on the kidneys and enter the bloodstream, disrupting the calcium-phosphorus balance. High phosphorus levels can pull calcium from the bones and lead to abnormal deposits in unintended areas of the body, potentially resulting in serious health issues. Organ meats are really high in phosphorus, so I would avoid feeding those to pets with CKD.
Typically, phosphorus levels above 1.5% on a dry matter basis are considered high. Additionally, protein percentages of 30-35% are regarded as high, though these values can depend on the dog's age and activity level. Cats can break down protein more easily, even as seniors, unlike dogs, which may require lower protein levels as they age. So knowing this you can decide what your pet may need for its current stage, or ask a vet or animal nutritionist to run any tests or bloodwork if you're unsure if your pet may already have kidney issues. They can formulate a homemade diet or recommend a prescription food for you if necessary.
Is it Recommended to Lower Protein for a Pet with CKD?
This topic can be quite confusing for many pet owners for several reasons. Most veterinarians and prescription pet foods tend to recommend a lower protein diet, as excess protein can be flushed out as waste through the kidneys if the body doesn’t utilize it fully causing strain. However, it's important not to reduce your pet's protein intake below the amount they usually receive if their daily intake is still appropriate for them. Lowering protein below their recommended levels can lead to muscle wasting or loss, which can be detrimental and even deadly in senior pets that are already losing muscle naturally. This was my concern with my dog Charlie, who’s fourteen.
Also be mindful of high phosphorous proteins which includes organ meats like liver, heart, etc. you want to avoid these in pets with CKD.
Unbalanced homemade diets
When most owners think of the idea of creating a homemade diet for their dog or cat they have good intentions in mind, I mean what dog or cat wouldn't like boiled chicken and vegetables right? Sounds pretty gourmet!
Unfortunately, most owners don’t know what their pets need when it comes to a nutrient-balanced diet. Kibble brands sometimes get a bad wrap but most brands have a balance when it comes to protein, fat, carbs, and even vitamins. Be very careful about making homemade meals without consulting a nutritionist or doing the proper research and educating yourself on the needs of your dog or cat. I would even recommend taking a nutrition course online to become knowledgeable if you haven’t sought advice from a professional.
Studies show most homemade diets are not balanced, so ensure you know the needs of your pet before guessing!
Check out this course through Feedreal and learn how to make homemade diets properly! https://www.feedreal.com/courses
You can also check out the ChefPaw dog food maker if you want to make your own pet food, but don’t know where to start. ChefPaw crafts diets for your pets according to age, size, and other nutritional needs based on the information you provide. It also makes food prep and cooking sooo much easier, taking cook time from being a day-long activity to as little as an hour! Check out that post below.
Now that you have some insights into the potential causes of kidney issues in your dog or cat, I hope to raise awareness to help you avoid similar problems in the future, like those my dog is facing at his age. I trust this information will aid you in preventing kidney disease in your pets and provide you with valuable knowledge regarding both prevention and management.
