Finding a commercial dog food that is suitable for dogs with liver disease can be frustrating as there isn’t much available. The majority of dog foods on the market are inappropriate for dogs with liver problems as they typically contain high levels of sodium, copper, and protein.
Dogs with liver disease need a specialized diet to make sure their condition does not get worse, so it is important to thoroughly check the ingredients of any food before givingit to your pooch.
If you’re not sure what type of diet dogs with liver disease requires, then you’ve come to the right place to learn about the nutrition for a liver disease!
Your truly has prepared everything you need to know about the best diet for a dog with liver disease. Additionally, if you’re looking for healthy treats and the best dry dog foods for liver disease, then we’ve got you covered. There’s a hepatic homemade dog food recipe too!
Dog Liver Disease Diet
There are important considerations to keep in mind to determine the best food for a dog with liver disease. The amount of protein, copper, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium in your dog’s diet all play essential roles for helping dogs with liver problems.
1. Protein
The best foods for dogs with liver disease are lower in protein than normal. Dogs with liver disease benefit from a low to moderate intake of protein, so try to avoid high-protein dog foods. Make sure the protein is from a high-quality source and contains a good amount of amino acids.
2. Copper
Certain animal proteins are higher in copper, such as duck, pork, lamb, and salmon. Dogs with liver problems should be given protein sources that are as low in copper as possible. Good examples are chicken, beef, turkey, eggs, and whitefish. It is crucial you avoid dog foods that contain liver and organ meat as they are especially high in copper.
3. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are good for your dog’s digestion, so make sure to include them in the diet of a dog with liver problems. Good examples of carbohydrates include sweet potatoes and chickpeas, as these work well for dogs who are intolerant to grain. If your pooch is able to handle grains, then foods like oatmeal and white rice are also fine.
4. Fat
Dogs with liver disease can typically tolerate higher levels of fat in their diet. Speak to your vet to decide how much fat your pooch needs in their diet.
5. Sodium
The best dog foods for pooches with liver disease are low in sodium. This is particularly important if your dog has an advanced stage of liver disease. Reducing the amount of salt your dog has when they have liver problems helps stop fluid building up in their abdomen. This condition is called ascites and is commonly seen in dogs with poor liver function.
6. Supplements
Dogs with liver problems can benefit from a variety of supplements, including vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B complex, SAMe, and zinc.
Dogs with liver disorders should have a diet low in salt (sodium). Likewise, it is important that they consume Zinc, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and vitamins B, E, C and K.
S-adenosylmethionine is a substance synthesized in the liver and it intervenes in important processes in the body. Additionally, it is known for its antioxidant functions.
In the case of a furry friendwith liver failure, the liver does not synthesize this essential substance and you must provide it in another way. Antioxidants are obtained from vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, which are of vital importance for a liver dog diet.
Other important antioxidants include silymarin (antioxidant), silybinin, and phosphatidylcholine. All of them prevent further liver damage.
7. Fibers
It is important to include fiber in your four-legged friend diet. Both soluble and insoluble fibers matter. Soluble fibers help absorb ammonia, preventing it from entering the bloodstream. In addition, it promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria that help the regeneration of liver cells.
Insoluble fibers promote a good digestion and avoid problems such as constipation. Furthermore, they speed up the elimination of various toxic substances. For this reason, any kibbles for dogs with liver disease often include sources of fiber such as beets and certain vegetables and fruits.
Vegetable or dairy proteins are a better choice
What To Feed A Dog With High Liver Enzymes
Dogs with high or elevated liver enzymes can benefit from vegetable or dairy proteins as opposed to meat-based proteins.
This is because dogs with elevated liver enzymes seem to tolerate proteins from vegetables and dairy better than meat-based ones.
Some dog owners find vegetarian diets are more beneficial for dogs with high liver enzymes for this reason. Foods like cottage cheese and eggs are good alternatives to meat and are both great sources of protein.
Some dog owners find vegetarian diets are more beneficial for dogs with liver issues.
Best Dry Dog Food For Liver Disease
What to feed a dog with liver problems can have you scratching you head in confusion, especially if you want to give your pooch a store-bought dog food. If you want some recommendations for the best commercial dog food for liver disease, then you’re in luck! Below are some of the best dry dog foods for liver disease that are healthy and nutritious.
Hill’s Prescription Diet l/d Liver Care Dry Dog Food
This dry dog food from Hill’s Pet Nutrition is targeted for dogs with liver problems and kidney issues. It is formulated to help decrease the amount of work your dog’s liver has to do, which helps it regenerate.
Hill’s dog food for liver disease also prevents nutrient deficiencies that can occur in dogs with liver problems and keeps your dog’s immune system working efficiently. High levels of L-carnitine and L-arginine are also included in the recipe to support your pooch’s metabolism.
Additionally, Hill’s dog food for liver disease is formulated with S+OXSHIELD to make sure it contains a good level of nutrients. This has shown to help reduce the risk of struvite and calcium oxalate crystals from forming in your dog’s urine.
This is a prescription dog food for liver disease, so depending on where you buy it from, you may need to receive a vet’s authorization for it before purchasing. Make sure you speak to your vet before feeding this prescription dog food for liver disease to your pooch to make sure it is a good match for their health.
- Recipe prepared for dogs with liver problems.
- Contains easily digestible proteins, carbohydrates and fats
- Its nutrients favor liver regeneration.
- Vet approved.
Wilderness Blue Buffalo Adult Dry Food
It is a highly recommended food option for dogs suffering from liver disease.
The Wilderness Blue Buffalo adult dry food is made with high quality protein and with 0% cereals.
They include severalvitamins, minerals and antioxidants whose source is blueberries and carrots.
It also provides complex carbohydrates from peas, sweet potatoes and potatoes.
Buy on Chewy
Nature’s Variety Instinct Grain Free Dry Food
- Rich in vitamins and minerals.
- It does not contain cereals.
- Contains high quality protein
- Includes omega 3 fatty acids
- It is low in copper and sodium which makes the treats suitable for a dog with liver problems.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hepatic Dry Dog Food
Made with vegetable protein and carbohydrates, this prescription dog food for liver disease is easy to digest and works well for dogs with hepatic encephalopathy.
This dog food is low in copper and sodium, making it one of the best dog foods for liver health.
The low levels of salt in the products help stabilize your pooch’s blood pressure.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been added to the formula to help with inflammation in your dog’s system, which makes it a good dog food for liver support. Additionally, this prescription dog food for liver disease has boosted levels of zinc, fiber, and B vitamins, which are also great for liver health.
- Low copper and sodium treats to minimize the accumulation of copper.
- With Zinc and vitamin B supplement.
It’s a recommended choice for dogs with liver problems as this food contains a high percentage of fiber that will help your dog’s good digestion.
It uses proteins of plantorigin, which are better tolerated by dogs with liver problems.
Includes L-carnitine tomeet your dog’s energy needs and limit the risk of hepatic encephalopathy.
Hepatic dog food brands include Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Royal Canin. Both these companies offer products that are made to meet the dietary requirements of dogs with kidney problems.
Earthborn Holistic Adult Vantage Natural Dry Dog Food
Earthborn Holistic Adulate Vantage Dry Dog Food is one of the best foods to feed a dog with liver problems. It is made with animal proteins like chicken meal and whitefish meal, which are both healthy and good for dogs with liver disease.
A good amount of calcium and phosphorous is used in the recipe to keep your dog’s bones and teeth strong. Easily-digestible grains like brow rice, oatmeal, and barely are used to provide your dog with the fiber they need for a healthy gut.
Beta-carotene followed by fruits and vegetables like blueberries and carrots help support your dog’s immune system, whilst L-carnitine helps keep your pooch and their metabolism in good shape. This formula also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are great for your dog’s skin and liver.
This is one of the best commercial dog foods for liver disease as it contains low-protein sources like chicken meal and whitefish meal. It is also low in both copper and sodium.
Homemade Dog Food For Liver Disease ‘“ Is It Worth It?
For dogs with canine liver disease, diet is important for ensuring the condition does not get worse. Commercial dog foods can contain a lot of unhealthy ingredients or foods that are not ideal for dogs with liver issues, such as organ meats.
A low sodium and copper diet for dogs with liver issues is essential, so homemade dog food can help you make sure your furry friend is getting a healthy meal. Making dog food for liver disease is worth giving a try if you’d rather avoid commercial dog food.
Homemade dog food allows you to control what your dog consumes, which means you can pick the best ingredients to make a dog food for good liver health. The other positive of homemade dog foods is you get to use fresh and high-quality that are free from additives and chemicals.
All of these features are hugely advantageous for your dog and you can get a bit of peace of mind knowing your pooch is getting a nutritious, wholesome meal.
Always speak to your vet before switching your dog to a homemade diet to make sure it meets their dietary requirements.
Hepatic Dog Food Recipe
This hepatic dog food recipe is adapted from Top Dog Tips is good choice for dogs with liver problems.
Ingredients
‘¢ 3/4 cup of low-fat cottage cheese
‘¢ 1/2 cup of cooked chicken, diced
‘¢ 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal
‘¢ 1 boiled egg
‘¢ 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin
Method
Cook the chicken any way you like. It doesn’t matter whether you boil it, fry it, or bake it ‘“ just make sure it has been well-cooked! You will also need to cook the oatmeal and boil the egg too.
When the chicken, oatmeal, and egg have been cooked, simply combine them with the pumpkin and cottage cheese and stir them all together. Make sure both the egg and the chicken has been chopped first.
This recipe makes a delicious and copper-free dog food your pooch that is also low in sodium, so it is a good diet for dogs with liver disease. You can store this healthy liver food for dogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Alternatively, it can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Doggy Pasta Salad
This simple hepatic dog food recipe from Hachiko is made with easily-digestible ingredients that are both nutritious and delicious.
Ingredients
‘¢ 1/2 a packet of any pasta
‘¢ 2 eggs (hard boiled)
‘¢ 1 cup of brown rice
‘¢ 1/2 a packet of frozen broccoli
‘¢ Eggshells or bone meal for calcium (optional ‘“ ask your vet first!)
‘¢ 1/2 a packet of frozen carrots
Method
Boil the pasta, brown rice, broccoli, eggs, and carrots. Next, chop or mash the eggs and place them in a bowl.
Add the rest of the cooked ingredients to the bowl and mix until they are well incorporated. Wait for the mixture to cool down (to room temperature) before feeding it to your dog.
Treats For Dogs With Liver Disease
Treats for dogs with liver disease need to be low in copper and sodium, so you should make sure you avoid products that contain organ meats or animal livers. The treats here are some good options for dogs with liver problems
However, they should still only be fed in moderation as they are still treats nonetheless!
Avoid food with organ meats and animal livers!
Final Thoughts
The products listed in this article are some of the best foods to feed a dog with liver problems as they contain minimum levels of copper and sodium, whilst also being fairly low in protein.
Whether you’re looking for treats, commercial dog food, or a healthy homemade recipe that’s good for liver health, then there’s something for you and your pooch to try.
