Low Phosphorus Dog Food: How It Supports Kidney Health

The kidneys play a vital role in maintaining the health of your dog, and if your dog is struggling with kidney disease or kidney issues, switching to a low phosphorous dog food can be a good option to consider. Before we dive in and talk about dog food, let’s take a quick look at the many functions of your dog’s kidneys.

 

1. Filtering & Excreting Waste Products

The kidney’s main function is to filter blood and remove waste products and toxins. These waste products are excreted from the body in urine, helping to keep your dog’s body free of harmful toxins.

 

2. Balancing Fluids & Electrolytes

Kidneys also help regulate a dog’s fluid balance, ensuring that the right amount of water, as well as electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium), are present in the bloodstream. This balance is essential for maintaining proper hydration, cellular function, and overall bodily stability, which is known medically as homeostasis.

 

3. Regulating Blood Pressure

By controlling fluid balance and electrolyte levels, the kidneys contribute to maintaining stable blood pressure. They also produce a hormone called renin, which helps regulate blood pressure in response to changes in blood volume or hydration.

 

4. Producing Hormones & Enzymes

The kidneys produce several important hormones, such as erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. They also produce calcitriol (a form of vitamin D) to help regulate calcium levels in the body, which is essential for bone health.

 

Regulating Acid-Base Balance

The kidneys help maintain the body’s pH balance by controlling the levels of acids and bases in the bloodstream. This balance is crucial for preventing acidosis or alkalosis, which can disrupt organ function and metabolic processes.

 

High-Phosphorus Foods To Avoid

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for dogs, helping keep bones strong, supporting the muscular system, supporting your dog’s metabolism and more. However, when a dog’s kidneys are compromised, they have difficulty filtering out excess phosphorus from the blood. So, while they do still need some phosphorus, it is best to avoid the following high-phosphorus foods.

 

1. Organ Meats

Many dog food brands, especially raw dog food, use organ meats as a source of protein. While quality organ meats can be beneficial for many dogs, these proteins are especially high in phosphorus and should be avoided.

 

2. Fish

Fish, especially salmon, can be very healthy for dogs, but fish also is quite high in phosphorus, so it’s not a good choice for dogs with kidney issues. Fish oil, on the other hand, which contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids can be an excellent supplement.

 

Omega-3’s are anti-inflammatory which can lower blood pressure and reduce stress on the kidneys. These acids also can help reduce the symptoms and possibly prevent glomerular disease, which affects the kidney's ability to filter out toxins.

 

3. Dairy

In general, dairy is not recommended for dogs because many dogs are lactose intolerant. Goat milk for dogs, however, can be a good option to consider. It’s much easier for dogs to digest, provides hydration and supports immune health. Goat milk is high in phosphorus, though, so it’s not a great choice for dogs with kidney issues.

 

4. Egg Yolk

Eggs can be an excellent source of protein for dogs, but egg yolks are not a great match for dogs with kidney disease. The yolk contains a high phosphorous content. If your dog loves eggs but has kidney problems, consider feeding them just the egg whites.

 

5. Legumes & Beans

Beans and legumes, including soybeans, are high in phosphorus, so we recommend avoiding these foods. Tofu, which is made from soybeans, can be healthy for some dogs, but if your dog has kidney disease, this might not be a great option.

 

6. Whole Grains

There’s quite a bit of debate regarding the propriety of including whole grains and carbs in a dog’s diet. While we agree that a high-quality low carb dog food is a good option, eliminating all carbs is a bad idea as these nutrients provide energy and many other health benefits.

 

We do include whole grains in three of our diet plans, including the diet plan we recommend for dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Small amounts of whole grains still can be beneficial, and while reducing phosphorous is crucial, it’s important to note that even dogs with kidney disease do need some level of phosphorous in their diet.

 

7. Processed Foods

While feeding processed human food to dogs is always a bad idea, feeding processed pet food, including kibble and canned food, is not a good choice for any dog, especially those with serious health issues.

 

Kibble and canned food tend to be loaded with phosphorous as well as sodium. Sodium is tough on the kidneys, in general, but especially so for dogs with kidney disease. Low sodium dog food will always be a better choice for your dog, but even processed dog food’s labeled as low-sodium likely contains chemicals and preservatives that are terrible for your dog. Opting for fresh holistic dog food with carefully chosen ingredients is the best way to support your dog’s overall health.

 

Low Phosphorous Foods For Dogs

At Chi Dog, we have five diet plans, created according to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, or TCVM. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) is a holistic approach to animal health, using techniques like acupuncture, herbal medicine and food therapy to balance the body’s energy and support natural healing processes.

 

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), Qi is the vital life energy that flows through the body, sustaining physical and mental functions and supporting overall health, while Yin represents the cool, nourishing, and calming aspects of the body, balancing Yang (the warm, active, and energizing force). Together, Qi and Yin must remain balanced for optimal health, as imbalances can lead to various illnesses or weaknesses.

 

For dogs with kidney disease or issues, we would say your dog might have kidney Yin deficiency or kidney Qi deficiency and would recommend our Water Diet. This is a low carb, low phosphorous dog food that contains lean pork, green peas, watercress, sweet potato and pearled barley.

 

Because the Water Diet is a good option for kidney support, we also recommend it for dogs suffering from urinary incontinence. The Water Diet also can be a good match for dogs with inflammatory bowel disease as well as frequent diarrhea or vomiting. This is also a good match for dogs needing a hypoallergenic diet or for picky eaters, as the flavorful pork usually entices even the most particular dogs. The Water Diet also is a low-copper dog food, which can be a good fit for dogs with liver issues.

 

While Chi Dog provides 100% of your dog’s nutritional support as well as being convenient for dog parents (we ship right to your door!), you also could create your own homemade dog food. While lean pork is a good protein to consider, chicken breast and turkey breast also can be good low phosphorous foods for dogs.

 

Additionally, we recommend adding some vegetables, such as carrots, peas, watercress, sweet potato or other low-phosphorous foods. Typically, for dogs with kidney disease, you would want to create a food balanced with about 15% protein, 30% fat and the remainder of the food should be low-phosphorous carbohydrates. Again, pearled barley can be added to provide additional carbs, while still keeping phosphorous levels as low as possible. Be sure to avoid adding any salt, as dogs don’t need the additional sodium, especially if they have kidney problems.

 

When making your own food, we recommend adding one of our home cooking supplements. For dogs with kidney issues, our Multi Home Cooking Supplement is an excellent option, as it is very low in phosphorous. Mixing in our supplement ensures that your dog has all of the vitamins and minerals they need for optimum nutritional support. It’s also wise to consult your veterinarian before making any dietary changes.

 

Chi Dog: Holistic Support For Your Dog

At Chi Dog, we are committed to providing dogs with high-quality food that meets all of their nutritional needs.  Click the Get Started tab and take our short quiz to determine which diet plan is the best fit for your sweet pooch, and, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at any time.

 

Whether you need a low phosphorus dog food or perhaps a sensitive stomach dog food, a dog food for pancreatitis or perhaps you have a healthy dog and simply want a holistic dog food that supports good health, Chi Dog has options for every dog.