Recipe for kidney / renal diet in canine ;

Question
QUESTION: marie,

i want to make sure that we are talking about the same thing...you keep talking about kidney stones or utis. THAT IS NOT WHAT MY DOG HAS...

My baby has been diagnosed with kidney failure. the doctor says this is the beginning of the kidneys failing. the only symptom was increased water consumption, and then the vet tested her bun and creatine and said it was indicative of kidney failure.

you are talking about something totally different, are you not? and if you are, does the diet still apply? that is why i am confused as to why she can't have her beef bone or some chicken feet?

sorry for writing again, but i wanted to clarify this

also i just saw your note about increasing the meat, but currently i am not giving her cottage cheese at all. so you are saying 1 cup of meat and 1/2 cup of potato or rice and 1/2 veges and divide the 2 cups into 3 meals. then i can giver her 1/2 of activia a day. and some carrots

thank you for clarifying

ANSWER: Sure, no problem ; the Renal diet is the same as for UTIs and Stones -  When I talk about kidney stones diet I am also talking about Renal Failure dietary needs, too.  I mentioned the other words to help our readers understand your diet.
All the food options I referred to should be discussed with your Vet.  
( remember, I am not a vet).

Nothing is written in stone.  To start with **the potato and rice / veggies and 1 cup of meat sounds great for your dog if the weight is 40-50 lbs...
Some of the Activia yogurt can be given with the food or with the vitamins/ supplements.
If you choose to give cottage cheese - the low fat goat milk's brand is helpful.  ( must be careful not to use cottage cheese daily )
Dairy products ( cheese) can sure be a problem with renal failure.

Work with your dog and slowly see what his needs are.  Sure, we want to limit the meats to certain quality meats and certain other proteins....
It is better to start off with too little and add to his portions.

Chicken feet ( raw) are too fatty and the beef bones need to be very limited.
Your vet has asked you not to feed raw.  That is up to you what you decide.  I myself do not feed raw to any of my dogs.

Just keep up the good work -
YOU can ask me a question daily if needed.

Marie Peppers LPN MA

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i am a little frustrated, because in this last message, you said to check with the vet about the food, and yet, i told you very clearly that he told me to feed a canned or dry food, and you specifically told me that vets are not trained in nutrition and do not know what is best. SO PLEASE TELL ME WHO AM I SUPPOSED TO LISTEN TO!!!

ANSWER: I always have to tell people to Check with the VET or Keep your VET "up-to-date because", I am not a vet.  It is a disclaimer to remind everyone that I am not a vet.  

To keep the VET or Any VET, you may want to work with : " in the LOOP "

This protects me as I do need to make it very clear that I am a pet nutrition consultant and pet nurse.

Marie Peppers LPN MA


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: since we have had some miscommunications, i want to make sure i am following what you suggest... thank you for the opportunity to do so...

FACTS
53 lb. dog c slightly elevated bun and creatine dx kidney failure
always been fed raw meat and veges
chicken feet in the morning and 1 c. of food [chicken, beef, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes]in the evening

YOU SUGGESTION
at your suggestion, i am have made only two changes..
now cooking her food and
giving her 1/2 cup to 3/4 c. 3 times a day

QUESTION HOW DOES THIS HELP??...
AND DO THE THREE TIMES NEED TO BE EVENLY SPACED OUT AND A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HOURS [IE 4 HRS OR MORE]OR CAN THEY BE 2 HRS THEN MAYBE 3 AND THEN MAYBE 3 AGAIN, FOR EXAMPLE?

at your suggestion i am giving her 1/4 to 1/2 activia in between her mini meals. [you said for the probiotics] when she was first diagnosed the vet said give her cottage cheese and jack cheese and yogurt, but i have stopped giving her that because you said it is not good for her kidneys

i am giving her 1/4 c tofu [to make up the 1 cup of protein she is getting a day [3/4 c. dark meat chicken or beef plus the tofu] plus 1/2 potatoes or rice plus 1/2 cup veges [carrots or zucchini] this is the 2 cups i then divide into 3 portions for the day]
i am giving her an omega 3
i am giving her 1/2 a nuvet wafer

those are the two changes i have made since she was diagnosed
AM I FOLLOWING YOUR DIRECTIONS?
IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD CHANGE OR ADD?

thank you again for guiding me and my precious girl

Answer
Looks good!  YOU can feed 3 small meals with 3 hrs in between each feeding.  You can go 4 hrs in between each meal.  Do what works for you and your dog.
You may feed cottage cheese in small amounts.  ( take a look at this list again....)

All LOOKS very good!  Keep up the good work!

Marie