This article was originally published in AKC Family Dog magazine. In more extreme cases where an animal either refuses or cannot eat via traditional means, vets can use feeding tubes, which allows for liquid food and medication to be directly passed into the stomach through a syringe. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. But can dogs really eat applesauce? Warm food is usually better than cold, but every animal has different tastes. Nutrition plays an important role in managing CKD in dogs. Enroll in canine kidney-related Internet discussion groups for information and support. Nutritionists have developed commercial therapeutic diets that are designed for treating various stages of chronic kidney disease. Ask your vet for a syringe with the largest tip, and mix crushed medications into something such as honey, softened cheese, or vanilla pudding, and squirt the mixture into the dogs mouth. Organic applesauce is packed with loads of health benefits for the overall well-being of your dog. Effective, balanced renal diets differ from regular diets in several ways: reduced protein, phosphorus, and sodium; increased B-vitamins and soluble fiber; increased caloric density; a neutral effect on acid-base balance; supplemented omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; and other antioxidants. Unfortunately for some dogs, the drug cannot be used long term because the immune system recognizes the drug as foreign and will make antibodies against it. Do research and ask your vet for any advice on what not to feed your dog with kidney disease. Never force your dog to eat, as this can stress them out, but through enticement and praise they can be persuaded and helped to regain their appetite. Omega-3 fatty acids. This is essential to protect the fruit from the environment and possible microbes such as bacteria or fungi. In advanced kidney disease, a decreased protein diet will also decrease the workload on the kidneys. Organic carbs contain a significant amount of carbohydrates to supply energy for physical activity. A dog with kidney disease could be suffering in the final (irreversible) stage before a host of symptoms alert an owner that a life-threatening problem exists. Although yogurt is nutritious, you should serve it in moderation since strawberries have natural sugars. Remember to remain upbeat no matter how frustrated or frightened you become as you coax and use your imagination to find ways to get your dog to eat. Renal Diet Dog Treats - Ingredients Safe for Dogs with Kidney Disease Consuming strawberry applesauce ensures regular bowel movements and lower rates of constipation and diarrhea. If you want to know what makes a good dog kidney diet, visit this page. Nutmeg and cinnamon are frequently used together, but nutmeg is highly toxic. Below are the best applesauce dog food recipes that you should try at home: Commercial dog food manufacturers add applesauce to their recipes for more flavor and nutritional benefits. However, for dogs with kidney disease, this protein can have a negative effect on their system; as well as the yolk, which contains high amounts of phosphorus. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who can help you create the most appropriate dietary plan for your pet. Yes, dogs can eat organic applesauce. However, large dogs have a shorter life span . Can dogs Eat Applesauce - Petibble Acting anxious or concerned about the food may give your dog reason to worry about the contents of the food. Can Dogs Eat Applesauce? How to Prepare Applesauce for Dogs Diagnosis: How long the chronic form has been going on can be estimated through the medical history, the physical examination, blood chemistries, renal-imaging studies, and renal pathology. Those are signs that you have either fed them too much too fast or that they simply cannot digest it properly. Is unsweetened applesauce unhealthy for dogs? Kidney Disease in Dogs - The Spruce Pets A positive attitude can also do wonders, with positive encouragement telling your dog that the food is good and nice to eat. This is because a high-protein diet is associated with uric . Organic and sugar-free applesauce is the best option. Unexplained weight loss. Go for organic brands with no fillers or other artificial flavorings, or make applesauce at home. into softened, pungent cheeses; peanut butter; cream cheese; butter; honey; or a tiny piece of meat. Ingredients that are fine to use in renal dog treats include: Flours that are relatively low in phosphorus include barley flour and buckwheat flour. More bad news for dogs with renal disease many seeds and nuts that we like to use in dog treats are unfortunately also high in phosphorus (e.g. That makes it safe and even potentially nutritious for dogs. Because of this, animals with kidney disease need food that does not contain large amounts of phosphorus, protein or sodium, so that stress can be taken off of the kidneys and allow them to perform their functions without any risk of further damage. HFCS has also been linked to increased inflammation that could lead to health issues like cancer and heart disease. Excluding the skin lowers the nutritional benefits of applesauce, as fiber and antioxidants are essential for digestive wellness and protection against infections and inflammation. Drugs commonly used include benazepril and enalapril. In a detailed chapter on the diagnosis and management of kidney disease, author and canine digestion specialist Lew Olsen, Ph.D., suggests close scrutiny of BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatinine, phosphorus, protein, red blood count, enzyme counts (especially amylase and lipase), sodium, and HCO3. But most strawberries flavored applesauces are sweetened, thats why we recommend making your own version using the recipe below. They regulate phosphorus and calcium levels. Safe Foods for Dogs With Chronic Kidney Failure | Cuteness Therapeutic diets that are designed for kidney disease have lower amounts of certain nutrients than over-the-counter diets. You can also feed your dog fresh apples cut into slices without the core and seeds which can be a choking hazard as well as poisonous due to the containing amygdalin which is a sugar- andcyanide-based compound. Fortunately, with a bit of imagination, we can still give a variety of healthy and safe dog treats to these fur kids. Can my Maltese dog puppy eat strawberry applesauce? By
4. This makes it critical for you to provide your dog with an unlimited supply of fresh water. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common kidney-based disease in dogs. Fatty acid supplementation may be helpful for dogs with chronic renal disease, says Dr. Werber. Phosphorus. Is Kidney Disease Curable in Dogs? - ASPCA Pet Insurance Antioxidants also slow down cognitive aging, support brain function, and improve focus. At least 2/3 of the kidneys must be dysfunctional before any clinical signs are seen. Waste products are normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, but dogs with CKD will end up with an accumulation of these waste products in the bloodstream as the filtering process breaks down. Pasta, noodles, rice. Simply slice up the apples, core them carefully (make sure that there are 0 seeds left) and put them together with the rest of the ingredients in a large pot. All Rights Reserved. When all fails, use a pill crusher to crush pills. Most dogs with chronic kidney failure will lose weight as the disease progresses and their appetites decrease. Occasionally, ulcers will be found in the mouth. Apricots: In later stages of kidney disease, it's best to avoid apricots because of their potassium content. If you want a healthy pet treat to give to your dog with kidney disease, an occasional carrot can be good for them, Dr. Bailey says. Dairy Dairy products are rich in various vitamins and nutrients. Never feed your dog flavored oatmeal, as it often contains more sugar and may even have artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. A blood biochemistry analysis assesses the function of various internal organs. Adding strawberries to your dogs applesauce is an awesome way to incorporate even more fresh and healthy fruits to his diet. Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? Is Oatmeal Good for Dogs? - American Kennel Club If your vet permits it, perhaps mix together their old food into the new prescription food for a few days, before fully transitioning to the new prescription food entirely. Dopamine lowers the feelings of stress and depression to keep your dog happy. Strawberry applesauce should be given sparingly, as too many causes gastrointestinal issues. The increase in blood phosphorus level secondary to kidney failure stimulates the parathyroid gland to increase the blood calcium level by removing it from bones. The kidneys have many functions. Consuming Motts applesauce leads to diabetes, pancreatitis, and obesity. However, you should serve unsweetened applesauce, as sugar is harmful to dogs. The amount depends on your stage of kidney disease. 21. The staging system is based on renal function, the amount of protein in the urine, blood pressure, and renal pathology based on biopsy and imaging. This comes into play if you prefer to give one very high calorie treat versus several lower calorie treats a day. Commercial diets for dogs with CKD are developed to prioritize these key goals. The acute form is caused by some toxin, injury, or insult to the kidney, such as antifreeze, grapes, or raisins; rodenticides; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories; or leptospirosis. You may need to break the tip off the syringe, leaving a bigger hole for the crushed medications to exit. Applesauce is crafted from fibrous fruits, hence should not constitute more than 5% of your dogs diet. A sudden change of food can be a shock to a dog, especially if they have been eating the same thing every day for a long time now. A dog diagnosed with low urine specific gravity as well as elevated BUN and CREA is said to be azotemic. Applesauce has lots of antioxidants that support the immune system and protect dogs from oxidative damage. Organic applesauce has phytochemicals that help reduce the risks of cancer, heart problems, and diabetes. K9KIDNEYS, K9KidneyDiet, and K9Nutrition are excellent Yahoo groups on this topic. For most small dogs, the early signs of kidney disease occur at about ten to fourteen years of age. Sharing a passion for dogs and helping owners to solve problems through understanding canine behavior and modification is my number one goal. Decreased dietary protein appears to slow the progression of CKD by decreasing the workload on the kidneys to excrete protein waste products. Waste products are normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, but dogs with CKD will end up with an accumulation of these waste products in the bloodstream as the filtering process breaks down. PDF Pancreatitis and Canine Kidney Disease - Tony Booth (Oh, no! Yes, they can. Nutrition for Children with Chronic Kidney Disease - NIDDK 4. Dietary Guidelines for Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) In the first phase, high doses of intravenous fluids are given to 'flush out' the kidneys and bloodstream. Well, this tasty food doesnt only look like a treat to us and many dogs have begged to try it. Strawberries support digestive health, aid in removing toxins, and boost immunity with high-quality fiber, a high water content, and vitamin C. Strawberries have an enzyme that naturally whitens your dogs teeth. The website dogaware.com is a great place to visit for dog health information. Thanks for the kind words, Ruby! This works by reducing protein 'leaking' through the kidneys.