Every dog parent dreads the idea of their dog getting sick, and kidney disease is no joke for dogs. As in the case of humans, this disease is not curable, but manageable. All we can do is make lifestyle changes that slow the progression of the damage and allow the dog to live their best life for as long as possible! And this means providing them with food specially formulated for dogs with kidney problems.
It can be a bit overwhelming to find the best foods for your dog with this health condition. However, we have done some of the research for you! Here are our top 6 favorite kidney-supporting dog foods.
Once you read our product reviews, consult with your veterinarian for recommendations appropriate for the specifics of your dog’s case. Your dog’s dietary needs will largely depend on the state and progression of his condition. Because the diet is a very important part of the management of this condition, regular sampling and diet and treatment adjustments will need to be done. As a general rule, your dog needs to keep adequate hydration levels, so fresh or wet food is preferred over kibble. Protein amounts in the diet are limited, therefore, a good quality protein source is very important in kidney cases to avoid muscle wasting and to give the best of this important nutrient.
The percentage of protein to reduce depends on the stage of progression of your dog’s kidney disease, so no one solution fits all. Because diet is so important in the management of this disease, it’s on a case-by-case basis.
Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.
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A Quick Glance at Our Favorite Choices in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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JustFoodForDogs Renal Support Fresh Frozen |
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Best Value
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Forza10 Nutraceutic Renal Support |
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Premium Choice
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JustFoodForDogs Renal Support Shelf-Stable Fresh |
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CHECK PRICE |
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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult |
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Hill's Prescription Kidney Care |
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The 6 Best Dog Foods for Kidney Disease
1. JustFoodForDogs Renal Support Fresh Frozen Dog Food – Best Overall
| Container Weight: | 18 oz pouch, 72 oz pouch |
| Flavor: | Lamb |
| Type: | Fresh frozen food |
| Other Special Diet Types: | Sensitive Digestion, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy |
If you’re looking for the best overall dog food for kidney disease, look no further than JustFoodForDogs Veterinary Diet Renal Support frozen fresh dog food. This amazing recipe features a low-protein meal formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. This recipe provides the best quality nutrition while keeping controlled levels of phosphorus, potassium, and sodium as indicated for dogs suffering from kidney disease. The low levels of high-quality lamb-based proteins are perfect for preserving your dog’s muscle mass while protecting their kidney function for as long as possible. The other fresh ingredients include vegetables such as cauliflower, spinach, and blueberries that provide fiber, micronutrients, and antioxidants for round-up nutrition. This food is excellent for dogs with sensitive stomachs since it is a limited and natural ingredient recipe.
There are two pouch sizes to choose from. We recommend the small size if you only have one dog. This food is all-natural and free from preservatives, it can be stored frozen for up to a year and lasts 4 days in the refrigerator. There are twice-a-week deliveries so you do not have to take up a huge part of your freezer and fridge space.
- Fresh food, moisture-rich
- Low levels of high-quality lamb-based proteins
- Controlled levels of phosphorus, potassium, and sodium
- Real fresh food
- No preservatives
- Needs to be stored in freezer or fridge
- Expensive
2. Forza10 Nutraceutic Renal Support Wet Dog Food – Best Value
| Container Weight: | 3.5 oz |
| Flavor: | Lamb lung and chicken |
| Type: | Pate |
| Other Special Diet Types: | Pea-free, no GMOs, corn, wheat or soy |
The best dog food for kidney disease for the money is Forza10 Nutraceutic Actiwet Renal Support Wet Dog Food. This pate food is reasonably priced, meaning your dog gets the benefits of a renal-specific wet food for less money, and you get the peace of mind of knowing that your dog will be fed what they need to thrive despite their kidney disease. Based on lamb lung and chicken as a source of good quality protein, this unique renal-specific formulation includes dandelion root that has a purifying and diuretic effect. There are added cranberries as a source of natural antioxidants, and this food is free of wheat, soy, corn, by-product meals, GMO ingredients, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Dogs that are allergic to poultry will have to pass on it since it doesn’t come in any other flavors than lamb lung and chicken. There were small bone fragments reported in a batch so we recommend double-checking the food before feeding your dog as an added safety measure.
- Wet food, moisture-rich
- Low levels of good quality protein
- Low sodium and phosphorus
- Dandelion root as a diuretic
- Cranberries as a natural antioxidant
- Not suitable for dogs with chicken allergy
- A batch reported containing small bone fragments
3. JustFoodForDogs Renal Support Shelf-Stable Fresh Dog Food – Premium Choice
| Container Weight: | 12.5 oz tetra pak |
| Flavor: | Lamb |
| Type: | Fresh |
| Other Special Diet Types: | Human-Grade |
Our premium choice goes to JustFoodForDogs Veterinary Diet PantryFresh Renal Support featuring natural, top-quality ingredients packed with nutrients and bolstered with vitamins and minerals your dog needs to succeed! Since JustFoodforDogs are fresh products, they have a higher moisture content than kibble, which is excellent for dogs with kidney issues! This amazing fresh food is specifically formulated to provide a low quantity of good quality protein, exactly what a dog with kidney disease needs to maintain their muscles while preventing kidney deterioration. This amazing product features a low protein, low phosphorus formulation based on natural, human-grade ingredients such as lamb, sushi rice, and cauliflower. Including carrots, spinach, and blueberries, this diet is packed with nutrients and bolstered with the vitamins and minerals your dog needs to succeed!
This shelf-stable product packs all the nutritional benefits of fresh dog food so it is great for dog parents who want to feed fresh but do not have huge fridge storage space. Delivered in a convenient tetra pak, this food does not need refrigeration before opening. Although this amazing product has a 2-year shelf life, it is free from artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Once opened, the food lasts for 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Shelf-stable fresh food
- High moisture content supports kidney health
- Low quantity of high-quality lamb protein
- Low phosphorus
- Free from artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
- Expensive
4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Renal Support E Loaf Canned Dog Food
| Container Weight: | 13.5 oz |
| Flavor: | Chicken |
| Type: | Wet |
| Other Special Diet Types: | Low Protein, with Grain, Veterinary Diet |
Veterinary Diet Adult Renal Support from Royal Canin is specially made to support kidney health in dogs. The soft loaf texture and highly palatable energy-dense formula entice dogs to eat, even when they have decreased appetite. The food helps promote kidney function in dogs with a precise antioxidant complex, omega fatty acids from fish oil, and low phosphorus.
It’s important to keep in mind that this needs veterinary authorization for purchase. Also, the loaf texture might not be super palatable for some pooches.
- Soft texture
- Energy-dense formula
- Promotes kidney function
- Unique texture might not appeal to all dogs
5. Hill’s Prescription Kidney Care Wet Dog Food
| Container Weight: | 12.5 oz can |
| Flavor: | Beef and vegetables |
| Type: | Wet |
| Other Special Diet Types: | No soy, wheat or corn |
Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Beef & Vegetable Stew Wet Dog Food is another specially formulated dog food for dogs who need a renal-friendly low-protein and low phosphorus diet. This prescription diet is formulated for dogs with specific needs without the use of rendered meat meals. Hill’s has a complete kidney line of products to suit your dog’s specific needs depending on their dietary preference. This product contains essential amino acids, with vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to thrive despite their kidney conditions.
Caramel color is listed in the ingredients, and we would prefer avoidance of coloring ingredients that offer no nutritional value. While not in the product name, there is also chicken and pork in this formula, so it is not suitable for dogs with chicken allergies.
- Low protein
- No meat meals
- Low phosphorus
- Different flavors available
- Contains essential amino acids
- Contains colorant
- Not single source of protein
6. SquarePet VFS Low Phosphorus
| Container Weight: | 4, 22 lbs |
| Flavor: | Turkey |
| What Kind of Food?: | Kibble |
| Other Special Diet Types: | No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy |
SquarePet VFS Low Phosphorus Formula is a dry food option for dogs with kidney disease. This food features not only a low protein content but also a low phosphorus content that’s perfect for taking some of the stress off your pup’s kidneys. This formula also contains boosted omega-3 to help protect what’s left of your dog’s kidney function!
This food is also great for dog parents who prefer that their dog’s food be made in the USA, and it is processed with ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients that your dog will love! It’s also bolstered with antioxidants and vitamins that help your dog age gracefully.
- Low phosphorus and protein content
- Made in the USA with sustainably sourced ingredients
- Bag weight might be low for dog parents who like to buy in bulk
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Foods for Kidney Disease
What Do Dogs with Kidney Disease Need Nutritionally?
Dogs who experience some level of kidney failure have different nutritional needs than healthy dogs. Because the kidneys are responsible for extracting and passing waste from digestion, particular food and nutrient profiles put more stress on the kidneys, which can be harmful when the kidneys are already struggling to function correctly. Changing the concentrations of the macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals your dog consumes can help preserve their kidney function for as long as possible.
Here are the nutritional keys to feeding a dog with kidney failure:
Low Protein
While lowering the protein content of a dog’s diet is a highly controversial subject, there’s no doubt that a high protein diet puts an undue amount of stress on the kidneys. Some vets may suggest a low-protein content diet to preserve your dog’s kidney function for as long as possible to remove some of the pressure on the kidneys.
The protein content of dog food has long been a source of contention amongst dog owners and veterinarians alike. However, when left to their own devices in observation, dogs gravitate to an omnivorous diet rather than a strictly carnivorous diet. So, with proper care, transitioning a dog to a lower-protein diet should not be harmful to them.
Low Sodium
Sodium is another mineral that puts extreme stress on the kidneys when being processed. Sodium is not only bad for the kidneys; it’s bad for dogs in general. High sodium levels in the bloodstream can make dogs ill and even be fatal.
While it’s unlikely that your dog will be able to kill themselves simply by eating salty foods, doing so puts a lot of pressure on the kidneys, and if your dog’s kidneys are already struggling, this could be the end of their kidney function.
Low Phosphorus
Extremely high phosphorus concentrations in food can be dangerous already since phosphorus can lower bone density. However, phosphorus is also highly stressful for the kidneys to process. So, reducing the phosphorus content of your dog’s food will help preserve their kidney function for as long as possible.
Boosted Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 Fatty Acids have been shown to bolster kidney function and offer improved kidney support whether your dog has trouble with their kidneys or not. They’re a great addition to any diet, but dogs with kidney troubles need even more omega-3 fatty acids than the average dog to help slow the progression of their kidney disease.
Moisture
Moisture is another critical part of treating kidney disease. Acute kidney failure is usually treated with intravenous fluids to help dilute the toxins in the kidneys and take the stress off them to prevent their kidneys from further damage.
Increasing the amount of moisture in your dog’s diet will help keep their kidneys functioning for longer. It’s crucial to always keep fresh water available for your dog since they will likely have an increased thirst due to the disease. You can also help increase the moisture in their diet by feeding them canned food and adding water to their kibble.
Dehydrated foods are an excellent option for dogs who need more moisture in their diets since you can control the humidity added to them, and you can add more water when rehydrating the food if your dog will tolerate it!
How We Selected These Dog Foods for Kidney Disease
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog foods reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog foods available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog foods. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.
Conclusion
Nutrition is essential for dogs with kidney disease. If you need to make sure your dog is getting all its nutritional needs met, try our choice for the best overall dog food for kidney disease, JustFoodForDogs Renal Support Fresh Frozen. Pet parents on a budget can look at our best dog food for kidney disease for the money, Forza10 Nutraceutic Renal Support Wet Dog Food. But remember, it is always essential to discuss your dog’s diet with your vet before making any changes.
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Featured Image Credit: Tereshchenko Dmitry, Shutterstock
