5 Ways to Support Dog Kidney Health

Our dogs provide us with endless love, laughs, and loyalty. So we want to be sure to take the very best care of them. Particularly as they age. With age comes the development of chronic diseases like arthritis and kidney disease. Luckily there are things we can do to help prevent these diseases from developing or, at the very least, help reduce symptoms so our fur babies can have a good quality of life. With this in mind, keep reading to learn about dog kidney health and what you can do to support it.

Signs of Kidney Disease in Dogs

Your dog’s kidneys play just as important a role in their overall health as your kidneys do in yours. The kidneys filter out waste products and help to balance electrolytes, maintaining proper levels of salt, calcium, and phosphorus. 

As our pups age, they may begin to show signs their kidney health is failing. These may include one or more of the following:

• Urinating more often and urine will usually be very diluted
• Increased drinking to replace fluids
• Nausea and vomiting due to build-up of toxins
• Retching or going off food
• Tiredness and lethargy
• Pale gums
• Mouth ulcers
• Fragile weak bones

5 Ways to Support Your Dog’s Kidney Health

The kidneys are like a maitre d’ in a fancy restaurant: treat them right and you’ll be very well taken care of. Here are some ways you can treat your dog’s kidneys right so they will continue to work optimally, supporting his overall health. 

Focus on Dental Health

Poor dental health can negatively impact overall health. When your pup’s gums and/or teeth have a bad bacterial infection, that bacteria can get into the bloodstream and harm organs such as the heart, liver and, you guessed it, kidneys.

It’s important to take your dog in for regular dental cleanings. Not only will this keep his chompers healthy, but his kidneys will benefit as well!

Provide Plenty of Fresh Water

Hydration is important for overall health but it’s crucial for the health of your dog’s kidneys. Be sure to offer plenty of fresh, clean water each day. Sometimes older dogs need encouragement to drink more. You may want to give them ice cubes to lick and chew on, switch them to a wet food diet from kibble (talk to your vet first), or offer a water fountain along with a normal water bowl. All of these tricks can help your pup get more water in each day.

Feed a Balanced Diet

Not all commercial foods on the market provide optimal nutrition with the right amount of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. A diet with too much protein, for example, can lead to an accumulation of toxic byproducts in the blood. However, a diet with not enough protein can also cause issues. Don’t rely on slick advertising or fancy packaging to convince you one brand is worthy of your hard-earned money. Speak to your vet for guidance on the dog foods that offer the right, balanced nutrition for kidney health.

Supplement with Anti-Inflammatories

Just in in humans, diseases in our pets typically stems from chronic inflammation. A very effective way to protect dog kidney health is to reduce the amount of inflammation in their body.

A diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids from quality fish oils can help to reduce inflammation in the body. In fact, studies have shown Omega 3s help reduce the amount of oxidative stress to the tissue of the kidneys, thereby slowing the progression of CKD. 

CBD is another powerful anti-inflammatory that may be beneficial to your pup. Ask your veterinarian what methods they recommend for reducing inflammation.

Regular Vet Visits

Annual checkups are important for younger dogs. But when a dog becomes a senior, they’ll need to be monitored twice a year. Regular vet visits help your vet detect and diagnose health issues very early on, BEFORE they become serious and expensive to treat. Follow your vet’s recommendations and don’t skip checkups!

A Pet Insurance Plan Can Help You Support Your Dog’s Health

Taking care of our pups is a satisfying endeavor, albeit an expensive one! All of that vet care can come with a heft price tag. And that’s not even including the cost of emergency medical care.

Did you know one out of three pets requires a trip to the emergency clinic each year?

To take the very best care of our fur babies, many of us need some financial help. A comprehensive pet insurance plan can pay for as much as 90% of the cost of care. Talk about peace of mind!

If you’re unsure of the best pet insurance providers in the marketplace, here are the top providers with rankings based on over 150,000 reviews from pet parents just like you:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024

Rating	Provider	Total Review
4.9	Embrace	10,254
4.9	Healthy Paws	7,408
4.9	Fetch	168
4.9	Lemonade	745
4.8	Trupanion	54,987
4.8	Nationwide	21,389
4.7	ASPCA	5,676
4.7	Hartville	164
4.7	MetLife	361
4.7	PetPartners	98
4.7	Spot	159
4.5	Pet Assure	11
4.5	Pets Best	7,157
4.4	AKC	889
4.4	Figo	585
4.3	Pumpkin	54
3.3	ManyPets	7

References:

1. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/nutrition/diet-dogs-ckd-chronic-kidney-disease
2. https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/kidney-problems-in-dogs
3. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/kidney-failure-chronic-in-dogs

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.