What You Need to Know About Kidney Disease in Dogs

People frequently contact us about dogs with kidney disease, asking how diet can cause or help with the disease, and what foods are best for dogs with the condition. It’s a far too common occurrence.

So common that 5-star-rated dog food Raised Right has created diets to help dogs with kidney disease. You can read our review here. These recipes were formulated by esteemed veterinarians Dr. Karen Becker and Dr. Barbara Royal — and they were kind enough to answer some of the most common questions we get on the topic.

What is kidney disease in dogs?

Kidney disease, also referred to as renal disease or renal failure, can be acute or chronic. 

“With acute kidney disease, there’s a sudden decline in kidney function and this can happen over a timeframe of a few hours or a couple of days,” says Dr. Royal. “With chronic kidney disease, the decline in kidney function gradually happens over a longer timeframe and early support and appropriate diet is crucial to slow the progression of the disease.”

What are the signs of kidney disease in dogs?

Since the kidneys are responsible for a variety of functions in the body, the symptoms can vary between cases. The most common signs of kidney disease in dogs is an increase in both water consumption and urination. 

“The reason for this is because when the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, the body reacts by increasing the blood flow through the kidneys to help with filtration,” says Dr. Becker. “This process causes urine production to increase and because of this dogs need to drink more water to stay hydrated. Other signs of kidney disease include decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath, blood in the urine, and being lethargic.”

What causes kidney disease in dogs?

For acute kidney disease, it can be caused by ingesting something that’s toxic or being exposed to a hazardous material. Another cause could be a kidney stone obstructing the urinary tract so you should take your dog to see a veterinarian quickly if they start experiencing symptoms. Anything that decreases blood flow to the kidneys, including severe dehydration, can cause acute kidney failure.

“The cause of chronic kidney disease in dogs can be harder to pinpoint because it develops more slowly and is more common in older dogs who may be battling other health issues like diabetes or cancer,” says Dr. Royal. “Dental disease is also a likely contributor to chronic kidney disease as abnormal bacteria accumulate on teeth and gums. Inflamed gums from dental disease can be an access point for bacteria to enter the bloodstream and challenge kidney function over time.”

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What is the treatment for kidney disease in dogs?

The treatment can vary depending on the type and stage of kidney disease. Common treatments include appropriate diet changes, intravenous fluid therapy, dialysis, low phosphorus diets, and medication to help with the causes of nausea or diarrhea. 

“Because poor dental hygiene can contribute to kidney disease, it’s very important to maintain a healthy mouth biome and healthy teeth,” says Dr. Royal. “Dogs can typically do this naturally with raw meaty bone chewing and species-appropriate healthy balanced foods.”

Why do dogs with kidney disease need to be fed a low phosphorus dog food?

“While growing dogs benefit from a diet that has adequate phosphorus, dogs with kidney disease can’t process as much phosphorus because their kidneys aren’t functioning as efficiently as they should,” says Dr. Becker. “Since they can’t easily filter phosphorus from their blood, it can buildup and lead to nausea and further damage to the kidneys and other serious health problems. This is why dogs with kidney disease need to be fed a dog food that’s low in phosphorus.”

The quality and quantity of protein is also important. Dogs need adequate protein to help stimulate dormant kidney tubules and keep the kidney healthy. Protein should ideally come from quality meats.