Cooking up healthy homemade dog food recipes for our furbabies always has its perks. You know exactly what and how much the food will contain, therefore if your dog suffers from any condition that demands a strict diet, you’ll be able to balance out the ingredients depending on what they can and cannot eat as much.
Kidney diseases of any kind are a good example and if you ask people who have had to deal with it before, most of them will suggest you make kidney-friendly meals for your dog at home.
It’s important to note, that every dog is different and kidney issues may also side with food allergies or sensitivities, which might limit dietary options furthermore. Always consult your vet before trying something new – just to make sure you’re on the right path. It’s always recommended to feed your ill dog small amounts several times a day to make the filtering process easier for their kidneys.
Basic rules of kidney-friendly homemade dog food
Through very detailed research we collected some of the best, easiest and tastiest dog food recipes for your dog with kidney disease. These recipes are guaranteed to be lower in protein, phosphorus and sodium, while rich in fibers and juices, just as well as flavours. Generally all types of meat are rich in phosphorus, therefore it’s best to use them either very finely chopped or minced, and thoroughly cooked. Veggies, on the other hand, are better lightly cooked or steamed to preserve some vitamin content.
Make sure to add oil, humic acid and supplements, such as amino acids and vitamins after everything else has been mixed and cooked together. These additions are highly thermosensitive and can very easily lose their valuable effect.
If you wish to save time, you can make bigger batches both cooked or raw, by mixing up meat, wheat and veggies, and cooking them before feeding.
1. Beef and rice
Calories | 542 kcal |
Fat | 18 g |
Carbohydrates | 59 g |
Protein | 33 g |
Sodium | 94 mg |
Ingredients (Daily amount for a 22 lbs/10kg dog)
- 3.5 oz or 100g ground beef – well cooked
- 7 oz or 200g cooked white rice (without salt)
- 1.8 oz or 50g pumpkin or grated carrot – lightly steamed
- 1 tsp humic acid
What is humic acid?
To simplify it, humic acid is practically the organic essence of soil and also the base of plant growth, therefore fruits and veggies we consume. If you ever see your dog eating soil, there’s a great chance they do it for humic or fulvic acids.
We first discovered humic acid when Pockety was still a puppy, and ever since I managed to prove to myself several times that his healthy digestion and shiny coat are all thanks to that. We use a liquid formula that I add to his homemade dinner. All in all, humic acid is responsible for an improved digestion, metabolism and most importantly detoxification of our pup’s system – which is a godsend when kidney disease is also in the picture.
They can naturally be found in most root vegetables, but I like to use a little extra. What’s good news is that no matter what brand you procure it from, it’s bound to be of natural sources as humic acid cannot be artificially recreated.
2. Eggs and potatoes
Calories | 531 kcal |
Fat | 14 g |
Carbohydrates | 81 g |
Protein | 20 g |
Sodium | 158 mg |
Ingredients (Daily amount for a 22 lbs/10kg dog)
- 2 cooked eggs
- 14 oz or 400g potatoes boiled in skin
- 1 tsp unrefined coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil or salmon oil
- 1 tsp cooked, ground egg shell
- humic acid
What do oils do? Among many benefits, healthy oils like coconut or olive aid healthy digestion but also contribute to proper cognitive functionalities. Make sure to not add too much as they can also cause diarrhea if overdosed.
What are egg shells good for? They are a good source of calcium, which means they supply your dog what generally animal bones would, but safely. Make sure to clean and cook the shells before grinding and adding them to your dog’s food.
3. Turkey and oats
Calories | 506 kcal |
Fat | 22 g |
Carbohydrates | 43 g |
Protein | 35 g |
Sodium | 138 mg |
Ingredients (Daily amount for a 22 lbs/10kg dog)
- 3.5 oz or 100g ground turkey meat – breast of thighs
- 10.6 oz or 300g cooked oats
- 3.5 oz or 100g broccoli or spinach
- humic acid
- 1 tsp ground egg shells
Other ingredients you can use to cook homemade dog food for kidney disease
Protein – all properly cooked to lower phosphorus content:
- chicken
- lamb
- veal
- fish, e.g. salmon, clams, shrimp
- organ muscles (e.g. chicken and turkey gizzard, lamb, chicken and pork heart etc.) – make sure to only include up to 5% of the total meal
- organs (e.g. turkey, lamb, beef, pork liver and kidney) – make sure to cook thoroughly and only include around 1% of the total meal
Carbs – properly cooked:
- grits
- spelt
- amaranth
- whole wheat pasta
- brown rice
- sweet potatoes
- tapioca
- bulgur
- couscous
- cornmeal
Vegetables:
- green beans
- cauliflower
- zucchini
- cucumbers
- peas
For the recommended daily nutrition you can use the recipes above for reference. Besides a balanced and carefully selected list of ingredients, also make sure to keep supplements and additional vitamins in check, as many store-bought dog food contain a wide variety of added vitamins and minerals. Besides getting the necessities from natural ingredients, your dog may need an extra boost from other sources, too.
It’s also highly recommended to give your pup filtered water just to support their kidneys’ functionalities furthermore.
xoxo Team Pockets