17 best dog food for kidney disease [2024]

If your dog has chronic kidney disease, you will surely feel lost. Your dog can still live a happy life if he eats the specific dog food for kidney disease. So, don’t worry! To help your pet feel better, it’s important to give him the right diet.

You can look for a diet that can control his symptoms of kidney disease. It may be difficult to change the dog food for kidney failure right away but may become easier if you plan.

Essential Steps for Managing Your Dog’s Kidney Disease with Diet

Ensuring your dog with chronic kidney disease gets the right nutrition is vital. Here are seven actionable steps to help you manage your dog’s condition through diet.

1. Choose Low Phosphorus Food: Opt for dog food with low phosphorus content to reduce kidney strain and improve overall health.
2. Incorporate High Moisture Content: Feed your dog wet food or add water to dry food to ensure they stay well-hydrated.
3. Monitor Protein Levels: Select food with moderate protein levels to prevent muscle loss while supporting kidney function.
4. Reduce Sodium Intake: Ensure the food has low sodium to maintain proper kidney function and avoid complications.
5. Use High-Quality Ingredients: Look for dog food that uses high-quality, non-GMO ingredients without artificial additives.
6. Rotate Short-Term and Long-Term Foods: Use short-term therapeutic foods for immediate care and rotate with balanced long-term options for sustained health benefits.

Why Use Dog Food For Kidney Disease?

You should know when your furry fellow is at risk for chronic kidney disease. Here are a few situations when you need kidney care dog food.

1. Your dog is getting over an infection.
2. Getting older and worn down.
3. You may need to change your dog’s diet to protect kidney health.

In this article, we will help you choose the low Phosphorus dog food best for kidney care. We put together a list of the best dog food for kidney disease reviews while answering some of the most relevant questions. For kidney care dog food, the HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET k/d Kidney Care has the lowest phosphorus content while still using excellent meat ingredients and additional vitamins. Our recommended wet dog food for kidney disease is the Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen dog food is a bit on the pricey side but contains excellent ingredients.

1. HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET k/d Kidney Care
2.  Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen Grain-Free
3. Forza10 Dry Dog Food Renal Active
4. Dave’s Pet Food Dog Food Restricted Bland Diet
5. Forza10 Wet Dog Food Kidney RENAL ACTIWET
6. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney Support
7. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function
8. ROYAL CANIN Canine Renal Support D
9. Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food
10. Firstmate Pet Foods Pacific Ocean Fish
11. Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Grain-Free Turkey & Vegetable
12. Lotus Dry Dog Food Oven-Baked Kibble
13. Hill’s Diet 7+ Beef & Barley Entrée Dog Food
14. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hepatic (Best Dry Dog Food for Kidney Failure)
15. Royal Canin Health Nutrition Mature 8+ Canned Food
16. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Dog Food
17. Hill’s Prescription Diet K/D Beef & Vegetable Stew

To help you narrow your decision between various dog foods for kidney disease out there, we’ll list the best choices below. Chronic kidney disease in dogs (CKD) affects 0.5% to 1.5% of all dogs.  Keep reading to learn more…

1. HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET k/d Kidney Care

Though it may have taken some time to gain its justified notoriety, Hill’s Science has more than a century of experience and started as a renal health dog food. That said, HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET k/d Kidney Care lags some of the newer brands we encountered but is an inexpensive option.

Keep in mind, this human grade dog food for kidney disease still comes with a fairly low phosphorus content of only 0.32%, but that is more than most wet dog foods on our list. However, HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET k/d Kidney Care might not be the best dog food for weight management as it comes with a high 55 ½% carb content.

Thankfully, this is a great option for a long-term solution for a younger dog as it also boasts a 15 ⅕% protein level and 22 ½% fat content. HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET k/d Kidney Care may not report its ash content. It includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin C and E.

Pros

• Can use long term
• A lower phosphorus content
• Has extra nutrients
• Is less expensive

Cons

• Has a high carb content
• Not the best processing

2. Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen Grain-Free

Weruva is another relatively inexperienced company founded as a passion project and taking healthy food manufacturing to the next level. It sits in one of those odd positions as being more for niche situations—even with renal support.

This wet dog food is not marketed for renal support specifically, but with a phosphorus content that ranges between 0.11% to 0.31%, depending on the flavor, it is still a great option. However, the sodium content that ranges between 0.36% to 0.6% depending on the flavor is a bit more worrisome.

It also does not hurt that this wet food provides more calories than most other wet options and has a protein content between 8 ⅕% to 9.9%. When you combine that with the extremely high BRC manufacturing standard and the highest moisture content on our list at 85.1%, it is easy to appreciate this dog food for kidney disease as part of a rotation.

Pros

• High moisture content
• Lower phosphorus content
• It has excellent processing
• Uses excellent ingredients

Cons

• Is more expensive
• Not for long-term use

3. Forza10 Dry Dog Food Renal Active

Forza10 may not be the most experienced or prestigious company on our list, but they focus on high-quality ingredients that work for most digestive systems, which give them a leg up. As a dog food for kidney disease, the Forza10 Dry Dog Food Renal Active entry provides far more calories than some options on our list.

Not only that, but this dog food for kidney failure also provides a good mix of proteins and fats at 18% and 16 ½% respectively. However, the inclusion of dried clover, dried dandelion root, and cranberry makes Forza10 Dry Dog Food Renal Active stand out as these specific ingredients help support good renal health.

It is also worth noting that this dog food for kidney disease has a higher ash content than most at 6%, which provides more nutrients, including 1.6% of omega-3 and 2% of omega-6 fatty acids. That said, Forza10 Dry Dog Food Renal Active does not have the lowest phosphorus content on our list at 0.6% but is still pretty low for dry dog food for kidney disease.

Pros

• No GMO ingredients
• Can use long term
• Extra nutrients
• Uses renal ingredients

Cons

• Is more expensive
• Not the lowest phosphorus

4. Dave’s Pet Food Dog Food Restricted Bland Diet

Dave’s Pet Food is another fairly recent company that focuses more on the formula than anything else. You can clearly see this in the relatively high cost. However. Dogs with renal issues benefit more from Dave’s Pet Food Dog Food Restricted Bland Diet than most, thanks to a phosphorus content of only 0.06%.

Even better, this wet kidney care dog food also contains a moisture content of 80%, which helps kidneys by increasing the amount of water consumed. That said, Dave’s Pet Food Dog Food Restricted Bland Diet is not meant for long-term exclusive use as it only provides 1165 kcal/kg and has an average protein level for wet dog food.

Thankfully, this dog food for kidney disease’s restricted bland diet formula makes it a great option for dogs with several digestive issues to help soothe inflammation. Even better, Dave’s Pet Food Dog Food Restricted Bland Diet is grain and carrageenan-free for weight management and reduced toxicity.

Pros

• High moisture content
• A lower phosphorus content
• Suitable for many issues
• Are grain and carrageenan-free

Cons

• Is more expensive
• Not for long-term use

5. Forza10 Wet Dog Food Kidney RENAL ACTIWET

Forza10 makes another appearance on our list of best dog food for kidney disease. Bringing with it the same significant benefits of the dry dog food entry, though it cannot avoid some of the wet dog food issues. Still, if you are looking for true kidney care dog food, Forza10 Wet Dog Food Kidney RENAL ACTIWET’s 0.16% percent content is a brilliant choice.

While this wet dog food may not provide the same caloric content as dry dog food, it provides more protein than most other wet options at 6% with a 4 ½% fat content. Even better, the Forza10 Kidney RENAL ACTIWET helps keep your dog hydrated with an 82% moisture content. It is an excellent choice because not everyone can make homemade dog food for kidney disease.

You need to be careful about the time you leave your pooch on this fairly expensive option, though. Thankfully, the Forza10 Wet Dog Food Kidney RENAL ACTIWET also includes renal-boosting ingredients. It has a dry option with dried clover, dandelion root, and cranberries, making it an excellent dog food for kidney failure.

Pros

• It has a high moisture content
• Uses good nutrients
• Uses renal ingredients

Cons

• Is more expensive
• Not for long-term use

6. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney Support

Out of all the high-end dog brands on the market, few are as respected or affordable as Blue Buffalo, with almost 2 decades of experience. That said, the Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney Support sits in a bit of an odd position on our list with some excellent qualities for highly active dogs.

If your dog is keen on eating dry dog foods most, you can feed him this food. This kibble is actually low in sodium, protein, and phosphorus but rich in other micronutrients. It’s easy to digest.

This is really a good option for pet parents looking for safe and tasty dog foods for their pets.

Like being said that, this food is low in protein. This content only makes up 14%. It comes with high-quality animal protein sources.

They include deboned chicken, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pea protein, and other veggies. Besides, it contains flaxseed for omega-3 & 6 fatty acids.

The main issue with this dry dog food and Blue Buffalo dog foods is they include a high carbohydrate content which is not ideal for weight management. Thankfully, the Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney Support is at least grain-free and does not use by-products to avoid certain allergies and “bad carb” issues.

It is also worth noting that this best dog food for kidney disease has a fairly low phosphorus content, even for dry options, at 0.55%. Even better, the Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney Support employs excellent manufacturing processes to ensure that their food does not contain artificial flavors or preservatives– outside of a few high-profile contaminations.

Pros

• Can use long term
• Comes with a lower phosphorus content
• Has excellent processing
• Is less expensive
• They packed it with vitamins and minerals
• Perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs

Cons

• Is high in carbs
• Has had recent contaminations
• Not suitable for dogs needing Protein intake

7. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function

Out of all the brands on our list, few are as experienced or well-known as Purina, though that can be a bit of a double-edged sword too. Specifically, the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function is more for the public at large with an extremely low price tag to show that but not the most advanced.

Thankfully, this wet dog food achieves its stated goal by having one of the lower phosphorus contents on our list ranging between 0.5% to 0.15%. Unfortunately, this is counteracted by the protein content of 2.5% and fat content of 5.5%, which is even low for even wet food, though the caloric content is average.

Still, the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function should not be used for exclusive long-term feeding and does not even boast some of the good manufacturing processes commonly seen. It does still help keep your dog hydrated with a 74% moisture content and has a higher ash content of 2 ¼ than most other wet dog foods.

Pros

• Advanced nutrients
• Is less expensive

Cons

• Not for long-term use
• Not the best processing

8. ROYAL CANIN Canine Renal Support D

Royal Canin is another brand with a high profile that has snuck under the public’s notice despite having over half a century of experience. That said, the ROYAL CANIN Canine Renal Support D wet dog food is a no-nonsense option that offers plenty of additional benefits rarely seen with wet foods.

However, there is no getting around the fact that this dog food for kidney disease suffers from the short-term effect more than most as it only provides 913 kcal/kg—one of the lowest we encountered. It also does not help that the ROYAL CANIN Canine Renal Support D is expensive, especially since its protein and fat contents are also low.

This wet food is as advertised and comes with a phosphorus content of only 0.13%. ROYAL CANIN Canine Renal Support D also includes the highest moisture content on our list at 82 ½%, comes with appetite enhancers, as well as antioxidants.

Pros

• High moisture content
• Lower phosphorus content
• Appetite enhancers
• Additional antioxidants

Cons

• Is more expensive
• Not for long-term use

9. Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food

With over 3 decades of experience and a founder specialized in nutrition, it should come as little surprise that Dr. Harvey’s offers a healthier option than some. That said, Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food is not ideal for dogs with extreme renal issues as it has a (relatively) high phosphorus content of 0.9%.

This is one of the few dry dog foods we found that does not put as much strain on weight management with a carbohydrate content of only 8%. Even better, you can still feed your dog Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food every day as it provides enough calories and protein for regular feeding.

Letting the good times roll, this best dog food for kidney disease ensures that its ingredients are non-GMO and do not include fillers, additives, preservatives, dyes, or by-products. However, Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food knows its worth and prices itself accordingly, which is, unfortunately, high.

Pros

• Can use long term
• No GMO ingredients
• Has excellent processing
• Includes fewer carbs

Cons

• Is more expensive
• Not the lowest phosphorus

10. Firstmate Pet Foods Pacific Ocean Fish

Firstmate Pet Foods has about 3 decades of experience. It is most well-known for focusing primarily on high-quality seafood for its protein. One of the more interesting qualities is how well it works as an everyday food.

Specifically, this dry dog food offers a high protein content of 23%. It does not offer too many calories at only 3125 kcal/kg– though that protein content is too high for some cases. Firstmate Pet Foods Pacific Ocean Fish sits in the middle of dry dog dogs with a phosphorus content of 0.75%.

On the plus side, this dog food for kidney disease does a good job of avoiding further weight management issues. This outcome is because of making their food grain and gluten-free. It also does not hurt that the Firstmate Pet Foods Pacific Ocean Fish includes plenty of additional nutrients. These nutrients include omega acids and glucosamine for joint health.

Pros

• Can use long term
• Excessive nutrients
• Grain and gluten-free
• Is less expensive

Cons

• Not the lowest phosphorus
• Might be too much protein

11. Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Grain-Free Turkey & Vegetable

Castor & Pollux might be the least experienced company on our list, but their dedication to high-end ingredients positions them well for dogs with kidney disease or multiple issues. That said, Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Grain-Free Turkey & Vegetable is a bit of a mixed bag as it has the highest phosphorus content for a wet food at .61%.

Compounding these issues is the fact that this wet dog food is also not for exclusive long-term use at only 1236 kcal/kg. Thankfully, the Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Grain-Free Turkey & Vegetable still offers more macronutrients than most of the wet competition with a protein content of 7 ½% and fat content of 6%.

You also do not have to worry about moisture with a 78% content, and this dog food for kidney disease also includes flaxseed, blueberries, and coconut flour. In fact, the Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Grain-Free Turkey & Vegetable is one of the “cleanest” options on our list, with no pesticides, fertilizers, artificial preservatives, growth hormones, or antibiotics found.

Pros

• Moisture content is high
• Uses organic, grain-free ingredients
• Excellent processing
• Is less expensive

Cons

• Not the lowest phosphorus
• Not for long-term use

12. Lotus Dry Dog Food Oven-Baked Kibble

Given how recently Lotus Pet Foods was founded, it should come as a little surprise this brand also follows the “healthy diet” trend. However, the Lotus Dry Dog Food Oven-Baked Kibble is only okay for renal support as it has a higher phosphorus content of 0.88% and a calcium content of 1.08%– though that can be good sometimes.

It is also worth noting that this dog food for kidney disease has a high protein content of 24% but can still be used for weight management with a caloric count of 3456 kcal/kg. Lotus Dry Dog Food Oven-Baked Kibble does not use GMO ingredients for the manufacturing process, nor does it add artificial flavors.

Even better, this dog food for kidney disease is great for senior dogs thanks to including glucosamine and chondroitin. In fact, the Lotus Dry Dog Food Oven-Baked Kibble has an ash content of 6%, which accounts for many additional nutrients like omega fatty acids and vitamins — all for a cheap price.

Pros

• Can use long term
• Good for joints
• No GMO or artificial flavors
• Is less expensive

Cons

• Might be too much protein
• Not the lowest phosphorus

13. Hill’s Diet 7+ Beef & Barley Entrée Dog Food

Besides, the food also contains real beef, some whole grain corn, and cracked pearled barley.

In fact, the food only offers 4% protein. This is a good quality animal protein sourced from beef, fish meal, pork liver, corn, and dried whey. The formula features all the essential vitamins and minerals.

Pros

• L-carnitine helps maintain weight
• A lower amount of copper

Cons

• Not best for dogs having no-meat-diet-reactions

Dog Food for Kidney Disease FAQ

Should You Choose Wet or Dry?

There are many things to consider when choosing wet or dry food, but the most important comes down to moisture content. Wet food contains more moisture content than dry food and is a great way to supplement the amount of water your dog gets if they do not drink enough water otherwise. Talk to your veterinarian to find the best kidney diet in case your dog has chronic renal failure.

However, you need to be careful about high-moisture dog food, which leaves far less content for basic and additional nutrients. That said, wet dog food also often has the advantage of both smelling and tasting better than dry dog food, which can help stimulate a dog’s appetite who does not eat much, to begin with.

How to Use Short-Term Options – Dog Food for Kidney Disease?

Many of the options on this list are short-term use only as their restricted ingredient list does not meet the daily nutritional standards for most dogs. Keep in mind, this does not mean that it is a bad idea to use short-term options. You just have to switch it out with other options that provide more nutrients.

Specifically, most short-term options come as wet food and enhance the moisture at the expense of protein and fats. While dogs with kidney issues often need to control the amount of protein they eat, you can often accomplish this task by making sure that the protein itself comes from a superb source — although extreme renal issues often require more severe restrictions.

You should not mix different brands as most manufacturers make short-term dog food to be mixed with their other brands. While it is possible to use different brands, you must do a lot more research to make sure you get the nutrient balance right.

What makes up “Good” Processing?

Good processing often comes down to how the manufacturer achieves quality food with good processing resulting from the food and avoiding unnecessary additives. It is also worth noting that many additives may negatively affect your dogs with kidney disease, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.

Some of the more obvious additives to avoid are artificial flavors and artificial preservatives, as these not only upset sensitive stomachs but may also contain carcinogens. The same applies to fertilizers, pesticides, and dyes, except even more so as these substances provide no benefit to your dog while the others may at least enhance their appetite.

What makes up “Good” Ingredients in dog food for kidney disease?

Several qualities add up to define “good” ingredients, but the most obvious is that the ingredients do not come from cheaper byproduct sources. This includes both the meats and the carbs, though the meat ingredients matter more as the carbs have their own special designation.

About the carbs, you want to avoid most grains and starches if you can. Carbs can make weight management more difficult — especially in older dogs with kidney disease. After that, looking for things like “organic” or non-GMO can be nice and might make you feel better, but there is little scientific evidence supporting its superiority.

Characteristics of Great Dog Food For Kidney Disease

Depending on your pet’s diseases, you can determine the ideal diet for him. In the beginning, you needn’t give your dog low-protein diets because they can lead to muscle loss. You can neither start a homemade dog food for kidney disease without knowledge. It’s best to think about prescription diets. Here are some of the best kidney diets:

Lower in protein:

During the early stages of the disease, we recommend you give your pet slightly higher protein. It’s essential to give him lower protein if he has advanced kidney failure.

High in water, and why it makes the best dog food for kidney disease

It’s really important to give your dog enough water once he has any kidney problem. That’s also why we recommend you choose canned dog foods in place of dry dog foods for dogs with kidney disease.

Of course, canned dog foods contain more water. You can also mix your dog’s food with water or different wet foods to help him get enough water in his diet.

Reduced sodium and phosphorus levels:

This is necessary for the right kidney function. In fact, a higher amount can cause hyperphosphatemia.

Increased omega-3 fatty acids:

This factor plays an important role in your dog’s diet. Indeed, it can reduce inflammation in dogs with kidney disease. Also, it’s great for your dog’s overall health. So, when choosing the best dog foods for kidney problems, consider ones made with fish oil.

Now, you have an overview of the best dog foods for kidney diseases. They include both dry and wet dog foods. Some pet owners choose to mix kidney disease dog foods with regular kibbles to reduce their cost.

Now you are ready to find the Best Dog Food For Kidney Disease

As you can see, there are several options for the best dog food for kidney disease, depending on the age, size, and particular needs of your dog. If your dog is younger and just needs modest control over its phosphorus content while recovering, avoid the trap of getting short-term dog food.

A better option would be to get a reduced phosphorus long-term option as it will include enough macronutrients like fat and protein for an easier transition. If your dog has one or more food allergies, grain-free dog foods offer the best option to reduce inflammation, though antioxidants can help as well.

An older dog with several physical ailments will probably benefit from the appetite-stimulating and weight management qualities of most short-term dog foods. If you have an older dog, look for dog food for kidney disease that includes chondroitin or glucosamine for improved joint health.

For kidney care dog food, the HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET k/d Kidney Care has the lowest phosphorus content while still using excellent meat ingredients and additional vitamins. Our recommended wet dog food for kidney disease is the Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen dog food is a bit on the pricey side but contains excellent ingredients.

Dog foods specially made for kidney diseases are actually more suitable for kidney problems when compared to regular dog foods. When feeding your dog, you can mix your dog’s food with different ones.

However, don’t forget to let your pet get enough water. All the products mentioned above are great for kidney problems. They promise to make your dog live longer and healthier.