Need help with good renal diet for my GSD - Page 1

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by yhecht on 12 January 2022 - 00:01

My 6 year old GSD Rebel has always drank a lot of water, but the last two days he peed in the house which he never does. I took him to my vet who of course suggested Hills Kidney Care or Royal Canine Renal Support. I am not particularly fond of the vets suggestions as both are high in rice, corn, and grains.
I have been feeding Blue Wilderness (Chicken, Red Meat, Salmon, & Bison).
Research that I have done recommends feeding food with way less protein,low in (phosphorous, sodium, and calcium), high fat, and omega 3 fatty acids from fish or krill oil.
I have 3 full bags of my Blue Wilderness and was thinking that I could use a smidgen of it i addition to whatever new dry dog food that I would get. I have to feed dry dog food.



by GSCat on 12 January 2022 - 10:01

ProPlan and Blue Buffalo make renal/kidney kibble for dogs.

Maybe a senior formula kibble. Usually significantly less protein than adult or puppy formulae.

Carrots are nice snacks because no protein, sodium, etc., and lots of fiber and vitamins, but limit (maybe 1 or 2 a day) because of potential diarrhea.


by Klossbruhe on 12 January 2022 - 12:01

You may not like your vet's suggestion, but I would think twice about it. I had a female who was diagnosed with a kidney problem at age 8. Symptoms a lot of water drinking and peeing. The vet who was also a very successful GSD breeder for 5 decades, suggested Hills K/D. My female was from his breeding stock. I was not thrilled with the suggestion and would never have chosen to feed a normal Hill's food. (At the time I was feeding California Natural and Merricks Limited Lamb diet) Nonetheless, I followed his advice because he had in my opinion what the Germans call Fingerspitzengefuhl when it came to the health of GSDs...

I placed my female on K/D, canned and some kibble also. The problem was quickly under total under control and she lived to be 16 and did not die of any kidney related problem. Meanwhile, the owner of two of her full litter brothers, who developed the same problem, refused to feed the Hill's K/D despite the vet's recommendation and continued to feed the premium foods, I believe it was Origen, which he always fed his dogs. Both of the brothers were dead within a year from the same kidney problem my female had.

Yes, Hill's K/D would not be a great choice to feed absent a kidney problem, but in the case of my female, it certainly worked.

by yhecht on 17 January 2022 - 13:01

After a lot of research, and arguing with my vet (who at first did not want to approve my buying of this food), I chose Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, which has low protein
high fat, omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil, and is low in phosphorous, sodium, and calcium.
The list of ingredients start with deboned chicken, potatoes, peas, dried egg product, chicken fat, flaxseed, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. I am mixing 1/4 a cup with 1.75 cup of my regular BlueBuffalo dog food and will gradually increase.

In the meantime I bought a Checkup Pet Wellness Urinalysis Testing Kit Urine Get results in just 2 minutes by comparing with the color chart—no calculations or lab instruments necessary. It has 10 parameters detection—glucose, urobilinogen, bilirubin, ketone (acetone, acetoacetic acid), specific gravity, blood, protein, pH, leukocytes and nitrite.

I am supposed to take Rebel to see the vet in 3 months so will let you know how he is doing.

P.S.  I tried carrots.  He spit them out.






 


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