Caring for a dog with kidney disease presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to diet. Ensuring they receive proper nutrition while managing their condition often means carefully selecting or preparing their food and treats. It’s crucial to offer snacks that are not only palatable but also low in protein and phosphorus to support their renal health. This article provides two veterinarian-approved recipes for homemade treats specifically designed for dogs with kidney disease, aiming to make treat time both safe and enjoyable. These recipes are packed with beneficial nutrients, including antioxidants, essential vitamins, minerals, and prebiotic fiber, all while adhering to the dietary needs of dogs with compromised kidney function. To ensure your dog’s overall health, it’s always wise to understand what foods can dogs eat and cannot eat beyond just treats.
Important Considerations for Renal Diet Treats
Before diving into the recipes, it’s essential to understand that these homemade treats are not complete and balanced meals. They are intended as supplemental snacks. We recommend that treats make up a maximum of 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake to prevent nutritional imbalances. Always consult with your veterinarian before introducing new treats, especially if your dog has other health conditions. These specific recipes are generally suitable for dogs with IRIS (International Renal Interest Society) stages 1-4 chronic kidney disease.
While generally safe for many dogs with kidney issues, there are specific considerations:
- Fat content: Both recipes are moderate to low in fat, potentially suitable for dogs with a history of pancreatitis. However, veterinary consultation is crucial.
- Carbohydrate content: Both are high in carbohydrates, making them unsuitable for dogs with diabetes mellitus.
- Potassium levels: These treats are moderate in potassium. If your dog is hyperkalaemic (has high serum potassium), these treats may not be suitable.
Recipe 1: Strawberry, Kiwifruit, and Banana Oat Slice
This delightful oat slice offers a blend of fruits and oats, providing vital nutrients in a kidney-friendly format. Always remember the distinction between safe and unsafe ingredients for your canine companion, so you know what are foods that dogs can t eat.
Ingredients:
- 2 large ripe bananas
- ¾ cup finely diced kiwifruit and strawberries
- 120 grams rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons almond butter (ensure no added salt or sugar)
Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Lightly grease your baking dish with some unsalted butter.
- Using a fork, mash the bananas and the diced strawberries and kiwifruit together in a bowl.
- Add the rolled oats and almond butter, mixing thoroughly until well combined. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake the slice for 35-40 minutes, or until it’s slightly soft and golden brown on top.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into small, manageable squares.
Variations:
You can easily customize this recipe by swapping the kiwifruit and strawberries for other kidney-friendly fruits like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, diced mango, or papaya. Peanut butter (without additives) can be substituted for almond butter if preferred.
A delicious looking baked oat slice with visible fruit pieces, cut into squares on a cooling rack
Nutritional Information (per batch):
- Total Calories: 1060 kcal
- Phosphorus: 0.82 g per MCal (0.35% dry matter basis)
- Protein: 9.9% ME basis (12.2% dry matter basis)
- Fat: 22.8% ME basis (11.6% dry matter basis)
- Carbohydrate: 67.2% ME basis (73.3% dry matter basis)
These treats are a rich source of thiamine, niacin, magnesium, manganese, vitamin B6, and vitamin B5. Oats contain beta-glucans, a type of fermentable (prebiotic) fiber shown to reduce uremic toxin formation in patients with kidney disease. Strawberries are rich in fisetin, which has been shown to reduce kidney fibrosis and inflammation. Kiwifruit is an excellent source of vitamin C and prebiotic fiber, and almonds provide vitamin E, which may also help to reduce fibrosis.
Recipe 2: Chicken, Cheese, and Broccoli Tots
These savory tots combine lean protein, cheese, and beneficial vegetables for a flavorful, kidney-friendly snack. When managing a dog’s diet with kidney disease, understanding ingredient limitations is key. For dogs with specific dietary needs, homemade options can be a great way to ensure they get the right nutrients while also having a delicious experience, even for picky eaters with specific dietary needs.
Ingredients:
- 20 g plain roasted chicken breast (skinless and boneless)
- 30 g full-fat cheddar cheese (or tasty cheese/Colby cheese)
- 280 g sweet potato (washed, not peeled)
- 130 g broccoli
Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Boil the chopped sweet potatoes and broccoli until they are soft. Drain them thoroughly and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Mash the cooked vegetables, then add the grated cheese and shredded roast chicken breast. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Scoop up tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture and shape them into small tots. Place them onto the prepared baking tray.
- Bake the tots for 25-30 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
- Allow them to cool completely before serving to your dog.
Variations:
Feel free to use orange, red, or purple sweet potatoes based on availability and preference. Broccoli can be substituted with cauliflower, green beans, zucchini, or capsicum. If your dog has a poultry intolerance, lean cooked pork (tenderloin or loin with trimmed fat) can replace the roast chicken breast.
Nutritional Information (per batch):
- Total Calories: 406 kcal
- Phosphorus: 0.86 g per MCal (3.7% dry matter basis)
- Protein: 17.3% ME basis (20.7% dry matter basis)
- Fat: 24.3% ME basis (11.7% dry matter basis)
- Carbohydrate: 58.2% ME basis (63.4% dry matter basis)
These tots are rich in essential nutrients such as magnesium, folate, manganese, vitamin B6, and niacin. Supplementing with extra B vitamins is beneficial for dogs with kidney disease, as these vitamins can be lost as the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine diminishes. Sweet potato is a good source of the antioxidant beta-carotene and also provides prebiotic fiber. Broccoli contains sulforaphane, which has been shown to slow disease progression. Finally, the addition of cheese and roast chicken makes these treats irresistibly delicious, offering a comforting reward for dogs, especially those managing health challenges. Understanding what foods dogs can and cannot eat is crucial when creating these special treats.
Conclusion
Providing Homemade Treats For Dogs With Kidney Disease can significantly enhance their quality of life, offering safe and delicious options that support their dietary needs. These recipes for Strawberry, Kiwifruit, and Banana Oat Slice and Chicken, Cheese, and Broccoli Tots are carefully formulated to be low in protein and phosphorus, while also delivering valuable vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Always remember to consider these treats as supplementary and consult with your veterinarian to ensure they align with your dog’s specific health requirements. By choosing kidney-friendly ingredients and preparing treats with care, you can continue to show your furry friend love through tasty, wholesome snacks. Explore more articles on Dog Care Story for comprehensive advice on canine nutrition and health!
