After 18 years, Ben, my longtime dog, was diagnosed with chronic renal failure three months ago. Failing some other catastrophic illness, his vet of 11 years has said this will be the ‘thing’ that finally takes Ben from this world and my life. Having said that, Ben still clearly has a lot of life and love left in him and so neither of us are throwing in the towel.
When I first received the news of Ben’s condition, I was heartbroken and I grieved … hard. I couldn’t imagine losing him; I couldn’t imagine a life without him. But after a few days immersed in the sadness of the future, I turned my attention back to the present … and, like a participant in some 12-step program, I started to turn my attention to what I could control: Ben’s diet.
Context
I want to make it clear from the outset that I’m not a veterinarian, medical doctor, or anyone with a ton of biologic sciences in my background. I’m lay person with a great propensity for doing research and learning. What I’m presenting is, therefore, a layman’s understanding of things — and my approach has been devised in consultation with Ben’s amazing veterinarian and pharmacists. I’m hoping that in keeping this post simple, however, that my distilled research and understanding will be easy for those of you with similar battles in front of you, now, or in the future. Ultimately, this is a post and recipe written by a man who loves his dog above all else these past 18 years and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for him … and the least I can do is making him remaining months full of quality and love, which starts with his diet.
So, to begin with, I had to learn about renal failure and what is happening in the kidneys which are our bodies’ main filters. Often when we hear about kidney disease, or least when I’ve heard mention of it in the past, it has been related to protein levels in the diet. That’s not to say the protein is the cause, but that once renal failure sets in, protein in the diet becomes a concern. This is why people and animals with chronic kidney disease are often given a protein-restricted diet. Why? Well, what I learned is that the issue isn’t with protein specifically, but what accompanies the protein: protein isn’t the problem and Ben couldn’t live without protein either. The issue is that when the kidneys stop to work at their full function, certain things are not being filtered out and excreted and this creates an imbalance in our blood chemistry. Of particular concern in a mature dog like Ben who has no real pathology but who has simply outlived his kidneys (rare in a dog but more common in cats) is the reduced ability to excrete phosphate and, conversely, retain calcium. This is a double whammy because the body uses calcium to bind with the phosphorus as part of the excretion process. As a result, over time phosphorus levels rise and accumulate in the body’s tissue which causes multiple system issues and in particular, as kidney the disease progresses, cardiovascular complications become more and more likely. In short, there are two outcomes in Ben’s immediate future: heart attack/stroke or multi-system failure which will require the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make ….
This is why this post is about a low “phosphorus” diet, not low protein. You see, phosphorus occurs most abundantly in protein rich foods, but it occurs to some degree in almost all food and ingredients. But before I sing out my solution, there is something else to this story: it is not as simple as omitting or limiting phosphorus. Dogs still need other nutrients and in the end it is about balance — it means, to the best of our ability, equipping the dog (Ben) with what they need while omitting what is going to shorten life. And yet, even at that, there is one more thing you can’t forget — and that this isn’t simply a chemistry experiment: it’s food. That is to say, what I created had to not only be good for Ben, he had to like it enough to eat it. And remember, Ben is a dog that I’ve been feeding and largely cooking for since the beginning: he has discerning palette, to say the least.
The Research and the Goal:
One of the symptoms of renal failure is an acidic tummy and nausea. The result of this is reduced food drive and weight loss which was a telling symptom in Ben. Smaller and more frequent meals have played an important role for him. And while I have chosen to use some supplements in his diet, I’ve largely tried to rely on “functional foods” and variety in his diet to provide him his necessary nutrients. The goal, therefore was to choose:
- Good “fats” rich in calories and other necessary compounds
- Proteins rich in nutrients
- Carbs and veggies high in vitamins and with sufficient soluble fibre — this will ‘bulk up’ the diet as well
- Low phosphorus ingredients throughout (proteins, veggies, grains, fats)
- Combinations that would produce a nevertheless tasty dish
Some other important Do’s and Don’ts in the diet.
Things to monitor and try to bump up and supplement would be:
- Vitamin B (complex)
- Omega 3 fatty acid (a premium salmon oil supplement would be a good suggestion)
- Potassium levels (at least before the onset of advanced kidney disease)
- Calcium levels (over time this will need to increase as a binder to help control the phosphorus even more)
- Q10 coenzyme (helps with heart and kidney health — read more here on Wikipedia for a lay explanation)
- Antacid (e.g. Pepcid AC)
Things to avoid:
- Phosphorus obviously
- Omega 6 fats (because they’re inflammatory)
- Sodium (because with renal failure, blood pressure will increase and the sodium will become a killer)
- Vitamin D (because this is hard for the kidneys to excrete as well)
I did a LOT of reading. I read and read and read, trying to discern what to feed him, what the trade-offs were in nutrients and what ultimately he would still eat. One of the best sources I found was from a Phosphorus Food List (PDF) published by Kaiser-Permanente (a huge, integrated healthcare company in the USA) and from info on that Mayo Clinic’s website on a low-phosphorus diet. I cross referenced this information with dog food diets, labels of dog food ingredients, and numerous other sources. In the end, this is what I determined….
Research Post-Script: There are many comments throughout this blog from people who have been using this recipe for a year or two with success. Many have added their own research and information. Some have different opinions and every dog is different with unique tastes or other underlying conditions, but most people have independently supported this recipe with other research or discussions with other health professionals. One reader, Kerrie E., went to a nutritionist and posted the advice she received here as well. I’ve summarized her information as a PDF attached here.
List of Ingredients to Work With
Protein Sources: Lean Ground Beef; duck; white fish; and egg whites; ground pork (moderate, but tasty)
→ all good choices because of the ratio of fat to phosphorus
Fat: Coconut oil (high in good fat, but low in vitamin D); alternatively, avocado oil
Veggie Sources: Green beans; collards or kale (collards are lower in phosphorus than kale, but kale is richer in almost every other source of vitamin); broccoli (in limited amounts for flavour)
Carbs: Sweet potato; acorn squash; pumpkin (high in potassium); carrots and apples, skin on, in moderation
→ all (except the apples) should be boiled/steamed — water discarded because the water leaches out the phosphorus
Fibre/Carbs: White rice; pearled barley; white bread
→ contrary to what we might think, refined grains are lower in phosphorus so better in these diets than whole grains
Supplements (based on 25lb dog):
Breakfast: 10mg Pepcid AC antacid tablet- Breakfast: 25mg Q10 coenzyme
→ You’ll be challenged to find both this dosage and/or Q10 in a non-gel capsule format. However, it does exist. The brand I used is from Douglas Labs which manufactures a “Citrus Q10” tablet which I cut into quarters. - Dinner: half a B50 complex vitamin (i.e. essentially a B25 complex vitamin)
Finally, while I’m including one recipe here, I’ve included a number of options and substitutions below. Using these options, I’ve ultimately cooked Ben four different recipes so far. Each provides about 6 packages with enough food for about 10-12 days. And I vary the packages every couple of days to make sure he’s getting nutrients from a variety of sources.
My closing tip is, before you package up the dog food, taste it because, if you don’t like it, he/she probably won’t either. Don’t be squeamish — these are 100% human-food ingredients.
Total time: 90 minutes (includes cooling and packaging)
Servings: 10-12 days of food for 25lb dog
How Much to Feed Your Dog:
I’ve added this in as a further postscript because it is the single most frequent question I’ve been getting over the years. The answer is simple but, I know, unsatisfactory: “It depends.” As I say to everyone, each dog trying this diet is different and unique. There are too many variables for me to answer. It depends on size, breed, age, metabolism, stage of disease, and other factors that make each dog special. My advice is simple, however. You know your dog. You know how much he/she would normally have eaten. Trust your instinct. As well, dogs with renal failure or disease are usually in a state of “not eating” and are prone to “wasting.” That is to say, they’re slowly starving to death. As such, let your companion be your guide. They will tell you if they want more or need more. Assuming their not overweight or have other diseases, let them eat till full is my personal recommendation. That’s what I did with Ben … and to make it more successful, I tried when possible, to break his meals up into smaller amounts and feed him more regularly through the day. I hope this helps you all — but if you need more advice, speak to your vet.
Low-Phosphorus Dog Food
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs lean ground beef
- → Option 2: or substitute half ground beef with half ground pork
- → Option 3: or substitute 2 lbs baked trout
- 500 grams (1 pint) liquid egg white ( 12-15 egg whites)
- 1 lb green beens
- 2 cups uncooked rice
- → or substitute pearled barley
- 2 lbs acorn squash, peeled and cubed (♣ see note below)
- → or substitute 1 lb sweet potato and 2 cups purred pumpkin
- 2-4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Optional:
- 1 apple, grated if using the ground pork
- Garlic powder, to taste (optional) **
- Ground pepper, to taste (optional)
** Note (August 28, 2015): A number of readers have raised concern about the garlic powder in this recipe because of research that it is toxic to dogs. To be clear, the quantity I used was very small (a sprinkling = 1/4 teaspoon). Judge me or disagree with me, but Ben ate garlic in food for his whole life because he ate table food/scraps from my plate and rarely was there a meal that didn’t include it as a seasoning. As stated, I’m not vet or doctor so I can’ tell you at what levels it is safe or not safe for a dog of whatever weight. All I know and all I share here is what I did for my dog that lived 18.5 years. In the end, it is listed as optional, but I used it.
♣ Note on Winter Squash: No two veggies are the same in their nutritional profile, even from the same family. While substitutions are possible and even recommended to ‘change it up’ for your pets, always consider your menu as part of an overall “system” of ingredients. Many readers are frustrated at the effort to peel an acorn squash. That is true. But note the nutritional breakdown on the side here with respect to other winter squash and their overall nutritional ratings (beyond phosphorus):
DIRECTIONS:
- Cook the rice by following the package instructions (e.g. 2 cups rice; 4 cups water — bring to boil, simmer for 15 minutes; remove from heat, let stand covered for 5 minutes).
Prepare the parsley: wash; remove leaves from stems; and finely chop the parsley.
When the rice is finished cooking, remove lid and stir in the chopped parsley.
- While the rice is cooking, cut the squash in half and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into strips, lengthwise between the “ridges” — using a vegetable peeler, peel the skin from the squash.
Cut sqash into cubes and place it in a medium pot with enough water to fill half the pot.
Bring to boil and simmer, covered, for 20-25 minutes until squash is just barely fork tender. Remove from water and discard water.
- Steam the green beans, whole.
- Place the ground beef in a frying pan and fry for about 8-10 minutes until all the pinkness is cooked out. Season with fresh ground pepper and garlic powder. Do NOT drain off the fat, but let the meat cool.
- Once the ingredients have cooled to “warm,” place them in a food processor or powerful blender (e.g. Vitamix). Combine in 1/2 the squash, 1/3 of the ground beef, and half the beans …
… and puree until smooth.
Add the puree to the rice mixture. Repeat with the remaining squash, another 1/3 of the beef, and the remaining green beans and add them to the rice mixture as well.
Add in the remaining beef, including all the beef fat.
- Using the same pan from the beef, now, melt 1-tablespoon of coconut oil.
When hot, add in half the egg whites and scramble them until thoroughly cooked (about 4 minutes).
Repeat with more coconut oil and remaining egg whites and add them to the other ingredients and stir them in.
→ Note: You can puree all the ingredients, but Ben and I both seem to prefer that there is a bit of some “texture” to the food and having bits of rice and meat that he can spot and smell helps in the attraction. - Taste for seasoning — try to avoid adding any salt but you may need to add a bit of flavouring. This is why I use the garlic powder. Test some with your “patient” who will be standing by — and make sure he/she likes it too.
Success! - You’re now ready to bag the food in sealable sandwich bags and place four-to-a-bag inside a larger freezer bag.
Hoping your own fido patient love this as much as Ben. Serve in 1/2 cup measures 4-5 times per day. (Note: Ben’s appetite really picks up in the evening which is when he eats about two-thirds of his food).
I just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing Ben’s journey, story, and recipes with us. Just know that you and Ben are helping others all over the world and his legacy and memory will continue to help others Forever. I just got done sobbing at Ben’s memoriam… I could relate to every word ( I just lost my sweet little Pancake (cat) 3 weeks ago) and this has been one of the saddest, most difficult times in my entire life, I’ve never felt so empty. it’s nice to see that there are other people out there that love their fur baby as much as I do because I’m finding it hard to relate to any human being right now. I just don’t think some people understand the bond that you can have, she was the most important being in my life and nobody else could ever compare. I lost her to kidney disease which we fought hard for many, many years.
That being said, I have another love.. My dog Ranger who also has kidney disease. He’s a 15 year Old Brittany spaniel. He has recently become very picky and does not like the prescription kidney dog food. Your recipes will help me tremendously. I tried one last week that I found from a tiktoker and he loved it. But he got bored of the same one after 4 days so I knew I needed variety. So this is super helpful and I’m hoping I’ll be able to keep him eating. You and Ben were very lucky to have each other. I know he was just as thankful for you as you were for him.
Thank you for your recipe. I have 13 yr old beagle Iggy Pup. Past 6 weeks tough on pretty healthy pepper. Has kidney disease but disguised with IBS last year and just had terrible bout of IBD and pancreatitis. I’m introducing lamb as novel protein. But is that okay for kidneys? She’s doing so much better past 3 days on that. Did eat chicken before that. Complicated diet at this point. But lamb, sweet potato, carrots and bit of pumpkin doing better. No diarrhea now. She was pooing blood. Wondering if lamb is okay. Duck and other novel harder to get where I am. Thanks in advance.
Hi Gena — yes, lamb seems a more reasonable substitute than some. I can’t attest beyond what I read and the phosphorus numbers as I never used it myself. Someone else recently asked about lamb vs. duck as well and my gut is go with the lamb. Good luck.
Hi Dale! Can you please tell me how many acorn squash you used for the recipe?
I’m sorry, I can’t be more specific — the recipe is by weight = 2lbs. If you don’t have a scale, look for one in the produce section of your grocery store if it is available.
Do you freeze the food? Will this size batch last 10-12 days in the refrigerator?
Yes, Perri — it clearly needs to be frozen and if you tried to keep it in the fridge for more than 3-4 days, you’re going to progressively make your dog sick with food borne bacteria. This is human (grade) food. Treat it accordingly is my guidance.
I just made today and 2 large acorn squash were 2lbs
Thanks for sharing, Candy. Much appreciated.
Thanks for posting this. Pet nutritionists sure like to keep this info close to the cuff. Question though, humans with CKD are advised to avoid parsley because it can make the body hold on to salt. Is this different for dogs?
You’re welcome. It’s one of the ingredients that has received a fair amount of discussion pro and con here for similar reasons. I’m not advocating for it or defending my own choice, but in the overall balance of ingredients, it is a very small amount per serving. Your choice.
Hi Dale!
Is this the Coenzyme you used?
Many thanks!
Autumn
https://smile.amazon.com/Douglas-Laboratories-Citrus-Q10-Coenzyme-Flavored/dp/B003PR7DQY/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1G6O44AQPTCOW&keywords=douglas+labs+q10&qid=1646686347&sprefix=douglas+labs+q10%2Caps%2C705&sr=8-9
Yes, I believe it is. Good luck, Autumn.
Hello Dale,
I have seen this recipe but never attempted to make it until today. I am concerned about the squash. My beagle has elevated potassium for some reason. Can it be substituted with something else just as good? Do you know of anything? Thank you!
Judy
Hi Judy. I understand your concern and issues. I’m not an expert on them but clearly many dogs have other underlying needs that need to be taken into account. I do know that not all squash has the same potassium levels — and I believe some ingredients like pumpkin or sweet potatoes are super high. Not sure where the acorn squash fits. It’s a balance for sure as you try to avoid the phosphorus and other things come as a result. Hope this helps a bit.
Dale, my dog is 29 pounds and she eats about a cup and a half a day of this food.
Do you know about how much phosphorus is in this food per 1/2 cup or per cup?
Sorry, Judy. I do not. I can’t help you with that ….
First, I’m sorry for your loss, even though it has been a while. Thank you so much for sharing! I’ve been scouring the internet, and was getting so frustrated! Your information is easy to understand and follow. Dog food is difficult enough to navigate, and adding kidney issues with one of my dogs makes it even tougher. My soon-to-be 14 yr Aussie is eating better than he has in a long time; he’s enjoying the homemade food. We will check his kidney levels in a couple of months, but the thing is, even as he continues to fail, his quality of life has greatly increased following these guidelines. Again, we both thank you. 🙂
You’re most welcome, Kathy — and I personally appreciate your own experience as I now have a 2 year old Aussie in my own life. Many thanks for your kind words and wishing you the very best ….
Made this tonight but I didn’t have any squash or pumpkin so I subbed sweet potatoes (fresh). I”m praying this is acceptable.
My Maltese was recently diagnosed with kidney disease, and I did find a homemade recipe to use before I came across yours. The one recipe I found uses green beans and carrots; but I’d like to go with yours which has the sweet potato and green beans. My question is about the pumpkin…I know too much can have an adverse affect on dogs and result in diarrhea, so I wanted to ask your advice. My other question is when I’m cooking the hamburger meat, I’ve seen others fry theirs, and others boil theirs in a pot. From the video, I’m assuming it’s water in the pan, but am I adding everything to the mix? I want to make this by the end of the week so hoping for some clarification so I don’t make a mistake. Thanks for posting this–it’s beyond helpful.
Apologies for the delay in reply. Not sure if you’re still seeking guidance , so I’ll be brief and to the point. Pumpkin is high in potassium so a good alternative (for the squash) if potassium isn’t contraindicated for your particular pup. Alternatively, alternate using it
To be clear, in the recipe I provide, the beef is fried, not boiled or in water. Firstly, frying will “brown” it which will impart flavour and secondly the fat is important to keep.
Thanks for getting back to me Dale. I’ve made your recipe twice, (exactly as written) and it’s obviously doing something. Her numbers have come down some (not huge but at least they’re going in the right direction). The hamburger meat has been fried and the remaining fat used as the directions indicate. First time the veggies were green beans, the second were carrots. I”m prepping to make another batch this coming week, if I’ve read it correctly, collard greens can also be used. Do you have a good way to measure how much a pound of collards are? Thought it wise to ask as I haven’t been able to locate anything regarding it. I also wanted to ask if using spaghetti squash could be used instead of acorn? I saw the nutrient values, and while the spaghetti squash has less of everything (which sometimes isn’t always good), I was wondering if this would cause any issues that you could think of. ***My vet was SO impressed with what I’ve learned from you and am feeding my dog, he’s letting alot of his patients know that prescription dog food for renal disease isn’t always the best answer and has started looking into more “homemade” recipes to those who are interested. Thanks again!!!
Hi Connie — it’s great to hear that the recipe is having a positive impact already. Re: getting a weight on the collards (which, yes, I tried — but Ben did not like — they are an acquired taste for most creatures and people I would guess given their bitterness), my advice is use one of the scales in the grocery store. I know scales are not as common as they once were, but most stores still have one or two in the produce section. If there are stems attached that you’re not going to use, suggest breaking them off before you weigh them … and put them in the bag for payment, to be clear, then dispose. Spaghetti squash does sound like it may be a reasonable substitute, but have no experience with it, but the numbers would suggest a good option especially because it is also low in potassium.
Sounds like you’re doing an amazing job. Congratulations and good luck.
Of course like all above, I can not thank you enough. I spent a MONTH doing my own research but never to the extent of finding a recipe. I was about to spend the $450 to have one created, and after reading the pdf where the woman did, and pretty much got the same recipe, I was convinced this would be my solution to helping my 14 year old (love of my life) Shih tzu, Addie. Addie has only eaten fowl and fish (mainly salmon) her entire life, so introducing any other protein at this time would only be worse for her. But now I have a VERY important question that I hope you can answer. I substituted trout in your recipe because you wrote it as a substitution. I JUST read that trout is high in Vitamin D and that I should avoid Vitamin D. I can’t imagine you wrote “trout” accidentally as I see in your notes you also say to avoid Vitamin D. I’m just afraid now that I should not have used this type of fish.
Hi Laree — a fair and good question. Yes, it is trout that I wrote and with intention. As with many of the ingredients in here, most are done as “trade offs” … believing a dog that ate was better off than a dog that starved. Within that very wide gate, then, it is a matter of making choices and trade offs that offer the lowest phosphorus (that is what I was trying to control for mostly) while adding the other valuable nutrients and limiting (not removing) those others, and then looking for something that still tasted good. What you read is based on that inaccurate science made a bit more ‘whole’ by switching things up. For some, however, switching things up isn’t possible or other health limitations prevent certain ingredients, so in the end, my simple advice to you is “do the best you can.” It’s not going to perfect but there is no perfect in our life ….
Hope that helps and best of luck.
Hi Dale!
I had a quick question about the white rice in your recipe. Did you use Enriched Long Grain White Rice? Or Jasmine Rice? (You mentioned in a comment back in 2017 that you think you used Jasmine rice, but I just wanted to confirm!)
I’m trying to make the recipe as close to what you have for my senior pup. 🙂
Thank you! And happy holidays!
Hi Joann. Unfortunately my memory of what I used specifically is a bit vague, but I will stand with my guess that it was jasmine rice since that is the long grain rice I keep in my pantry and have for a long time — and I use it for most rice dishes, including the dog food I’m sure. Hope that helps and best of luck to you.
And thank you for the holiday wishes — very kind … may they be bright and wonderful for you as well.
My 70 lb dog ate this 1 day and got diarrhea! But she loved the food!
Glad she loved the food. Diarrhea comes commonly with most diet changes so hopefully it gets back to normal. If not, speak to your vet …. Good luck.
Thank you so much for sharing your hard research data. It’s a great legacy for Ben. I met with a naturopath when my 14 year old dog, Chloe, was diagnosed with CKD and pancreatitis. She recommended a diet made of almost all liver meats. Have you seen this approach before? I haven’t tried it and have instead been using the prescription Hepactic Justfood For Dogs food. Unfortunately, my dog is eating her little heart out and still losing weight. I’m going to give your recipe a go and see if help add weight back on her frail body.
Hi Valerie — thanks for stopping by with your own experience and questions. So many situations are just a little different because of the underlying health conditions like the pancreatitis you describe. I don’t have any experience with that, I’m sorry, so can really comment on the advise of your naturopath. In my experience it can be very hard when conditions contra indicate treatments. May be a choice of what disease you treat more prevalently or trying to find compromise in what you do. Good luck to you.
Thank you for taking your time out to do this. I am so grateful for it. I have been compiling so much research and dedicating a lot of time into excel sheets for divisions of fats, minerals, vitamins, proteins and I have found it incredibly difficult to find a real “low phosphorus” diet. Milo weighs 8lbs and its been so hard to find something low enough for him!
I just want to say that your work was so well put together. Thank you for being as diligent as I have been. You’re the only resource I was able to rely on once I was done with my research for comparison.
Thank you again!!!! You’re amazing!
Thank you Aleksandra. You’re more thank kind to share your words. I’m honestly delighted that they resonate with you and are providing you a resource and a way forward. I know — still know in fact — how overwhelming all the nutritional and medical information out there can be when we’re in the midst of also trying to nurse and take care of our dogs. Best of luck on the journey forward and thank you again for sharing….
Hi Aleksandra, my 3 year old Pom was just diagnosed with kidney failure and I am lost trying to find the most balanced recipe/ diet for his little 10lbs body. I am still very lost and would love to connect.
You can find me on Instagram @renatabaker.
Thank you for sharing this. I’ve struggled to find any good information and recipes. This does a lot of help for me at a difficult time!
In 2018 my 2 1/2 year old Siberian Husky Blossom was infected with Leptospirosis and was not given much time to live. The vet at the hospital basically told us to take her home and spend sometime with her before her passing and I made it very clear that that was not going to be any option. She was in the ICU for 2 weeks her creatinine reach a 10 and then slowly started to decrease. After a year her kidney levels returned to normal 1.2. Fast forward to a month ago Blossom was diagnosed with CKD, I never know what my mornings are going to look like …will she eat will she not…I have literally purchased every Low Phosphorus, Low Protein whole food diet on the market as well as prepared cooked meals for her and sometimes she will eat and sometimes she will just give me her cheek! And prefer to go outside and eat dirt, which I know there are minerals/ nutrients she is trying to compensate for by eating the dirt. I do not know what to do to get her to eat! Right now she is eating purée baby food. She was 47lbs and is now 37lbs. I guess my ultimate question is can I use the beef or substitute with the chicken. I have also used balanceit and the amount of protein in one meal e.g. chicken and rice there is more rice than anything else and I believe she does not like the texture of the rice for some reason. I need help.
Hi Rachel. I feel your struggle as you search for something, anything, that will work. It’s really a very disorienting set of feelings, I know.
In terms of your questions, I’m not sure I understand the one about the beef vs. chicken. The beef is lower in phosphorus, bottom line. Is there a reason you want to use chicken? As for the trouble with rice, my suggestions would be: puree it all in a good processor (it gets ‘gummy’ but the rice won’t be a texture any more), or use barley if she prefers that, or there are others that might suggest white (sandwich) bread. These grains/carbs are adding calories and some fibre, but they are ‘processed’ which is why there are lower in phosphorus. If you think in that way and look at some of the resources I shared, you may find a substitute that works for you and Blossom. Hope that helps a bit — but do take care (of yourself) in the process.
My pyr/aussie is in the icu right now with suspect leptospirosis, no temp, bp perfect, everything perfect EXCEPT kidneys creatinine and BUN are in the basement. They’re flushing his kidneys and giving him the treatment for lepto and treating an enlarged prostate. The original vet suggested continuing flushing his kidneys til we got the levels stable, continue the antibiotics then remove the prostate which would then relieve the pressure on his kidneys. Current doc is saying take him home and let him go or put him down. He’s 5 and otherwise the picture of health. Though he’s a one person dog and is highly stressed out at being in a crate with a bunch of other sick animals around him and a bunch of strangers poking at him) What did your vet do that might be of help to me? And believe me he’s coming home and going on a strict renal diet. He has a lot of fight and life left in him (he’s proved them wrong at every step the past few days) and that’s what we do, we give it our best shot and fight to the last breath. He’ll be kept comfy of course. But I’m just curious what your vet did, maybe we can compare notes?
Sorry you’re going through a difficult time with this as well, but sounds like you have a few good tools at your disposal. Totally agree that we should do all that we can to give our loved ones the best shot they can. Sounds like you’re doing that …. Good luck to you.
My last husband had end stage renal failure and he ate lots of dirt.so so sad.God bless you and your baby
Thank you for the recipe! My dogs hated the renal diet food from the vet. Switched to raw diet but I need to reduce the protein amount so going to add the squash and reduce the protein. My question is, would it be OK to use raw meat instead of cooking it?
Hi Emily — that’s a good question but one I can’t answer, I’m sorry. I don’t have any expertise in the way of raw food diets. I do know that in the cooking of the veggies (and draining the water), the cooking is critical to leaching out phosphorus. With the meat, I don’t think it would matter, but, again, I have no expertise to say what is happening to the ingredient by cooking it. Sorry.
Hi Dale!
Thank you so much for this blog and for continuing to answer questions about your recipe!
Is it ok to use frozen fish/meat sources for this food? I’m having difficulty finding fresh trout sources near my area. Thank you for your help!
Hi Joann — yes, by all means, use what you can find. Frozen shouldn’t be a problem at all as long as it hasn’t been treated with something else which could be a problem. I hope you find what you need and it works for your dog as well. Best of luck. 🙂
I will be making your recipe today and was wondering if boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used in the next batch I make and I would (boiled) the chicken thighs. . If not could you explain why. My Maggie loves chicken!! In the picture next to the supplements you also show a blister pack of pills and a large yellow pill what are they and should I add them to the diet.
Does in matter if the Q10 is in pill form or liquid, is there a difference? Is there a brand of Binder you recommend, the one you used is discontinued.
I give my girl steamed sliced carrots and green beans and sweet potato (small cubes) as treats to keep her happy.
I also give her Pumpkin dog cookie treats for crunch from Petco, they are made with
Pea flower, canola oil, cane molasses, pumpkin, do you think I should cut them out. She gets 3 a day. They are small about 2 inches long. Looking for guidance, I am so confused and frustrated and overwhelmed and I am sorry for all the questions but I don’t’ know where to turn. If you cant answer these question I understand but any answers will help. And thank you for all the guidance you give to everyone here. I wish I could meet you and give you a HUG but a virtual Hug is just as good. And to all the Moms and Dads going through this my heart goes out to you all and I wish you and your babies the best.
Overwhelmed Doggo Mom in RI.
Hi JoAnn. I can well relate to the feelings of being overwhelmed. It is a lot and you’re dealing with living creature and everyone is a bit different. Ultimately, all you can do is your best and hope, learn, and adapt and be kind to you and your Maggie along the way (as I’m sure you are).
Some of your questions I can’t really answer other than say to look at the resources provided where you can see the phosphorus levels of different ingredients … or trust me. The chicken thighs aren’t the worst thing in the world, but they’re not the best if you look at the numbers. The same resources will help you evaluating your dog treats or other foods. If there are any that are really bad and are substantial in your ingredient list, then, yes, cut them out.
The blister pack is the antacid (Pepcid AC). Use whatever Q10 you can source as long as you can administer the right dose. I couldn’t find the right dose in liquid capsules and they don’t really lend themselves to being split, right? I didn’t use a binder, but would recommend you speak to your vet about what is right for Maggie (lots of options, including Calcium) — a binder isn’t always indicated for every dog.
Again, I know it is a lot, but hope this helps. And, yes, I’ll gladly take a virtual hug. They’re precious and we all need lots of them, especially since all this craziness began.
Take care of yourself — Maggie needs you.
Thanks so much for the research, time, effort and love you put into this article in support of your pup and others. Mine is in stage 3 and recently stopped eating her kidney support wet food (Blue Buffalo – which she at first enjoyed). I just made your original recipe and sadly she wouldn’t eat it. She’s been eating a mix of ground beef, white rice, egg whites and white bread for a couple of days prior to me making your recipe but I thought this would add good variety. I’ve ordered some Dr Harvey’s but it has not arrived yet. She still has plenty of energy while walking or hiking so it’s not her time yet. Any suggestions? THANK YOU!
Hi Joe — apologies for the delay and I’m sure by now you’ve found other solutions and hope that your dog is doing better. My only suggestion would be to speak to your vet around a prescription that may help with appetite (e.g. Mirtazapine). It can be a very helpless feeling when the disease gets to a point where the complications from kidney failure start to hamper the appetite and as the appetite weakens, so does the dog, and cycle quickly runs downhill. A pharmaceutical might help you to get out of the cycle and get her eating again. Best of luck.
My dog Ziggy 15, has stage 4 kidney failure. He did not want to eat anything. My vet gave him Entyce (capromorelin) then in about 30 minutes you feed them and wow!!!! It really helped. He ate a really good amount and later wanted more. Crazy good stuff. We also use Aluminum Hydroxide 1.5 ml ( he’s 13 pounds) as a binder and half of a Pepcid.
Keep food low on phosphates.
We also are using kidney support supplements such as kidney support (Pet Wellness) kidney restore and Rena & Blood cleanse(Five Leaf Botanicals). Vet gave Ziggy 1 week to a month of life left. He is now going on month 3. He’s not 100%. But seems happy and a little playful.
Hope this helps.
The best to you n your pup!
I have 2 Cocker Spaniels that are 14 years old and weigh 30 lb. both had blood work showing raised kidney numbers. I want to try your recipe but do not want to puree any of it. Is there a reason you puree it and is it OK to leave it as it is, just cut it up into bite size pieces? When should I add phosphorus binder and how much. SO many questions and all my vet wants to do is put them on prescription dog food and I will not do that. Any help you can give me would be great. Thank for all you do to help everyone with Kidney issues.
Hi JoAnn — I can definitely relate to all the questions you’re facing and struggling through. Take it one day at a time and you’ll do your best in the end. The puree method is simply to blend the food and flavours and ensure the dog isn’t picking out just the meat or anything else. If your dog isn’t going to be picky, by all means, constitute the ingredients any way you want and whatever is easiest. As for the binder, I would ask your vet, straight up, “Does my dog need a binder at this stage of the disease?” If your vet won’t/can’t answer, find another vet, honestly. I can’t advise on yours or any specific case, but that is what your vet is for … so hopefully they can support you as necessary. You can’t do this alone, that’s for sure. Best of luck.
Hi Dale, first of all, thank you for this recipe. My sweet little girl just turned 15 last August and she was diagnosed with CKD in June. Her vet said it’s stage 3. She was prescribed with Royal canin Renal which she ate for 2 months. Now she wouldn’t eat it anymore.
I really want to try this recipe but my problem is we don’t have acorn and pumpkin here in Manila.
We only have kabocha squash or the local squash. Can I use the sweet potato and the kabocha squash instead?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Georgia. I answered your previous question before reading this one, but as you’ll see, the answer is yes. Go for it — and perhaps switch them up or in combination to balance each other out as they have different nutritional profiles and properties.
Hi Dale, like everyone else I can’t thank you enough fir this post… it appears to be a gift that has continued to give year after year. I’m sorry for your loss of Ben, and fear my own loss of my little Finn coming to due to his recent kidney disease diagnoses. I had a quick question if you don’t mind – what’s the Q10 coenzyme for? Thank you, and all my best wishes to you!
Hi Heather — my sincere apologies for the delay in reply. It has been a busy life with several other demands on my time since the pandemic, so I haven’t been as diligent of late in monitoring the comments here. Sorry. That said, I do appreciate yours and all comments. Thank you for your kind words and wishes.
In response to your question about the reason for the Q10, the answer is that some research would suggest it positively supports organ health, in particular, the heart and also kidneys. While not a scientific page, there is a good lay explanation of it on Wikipedia here.
Thank you for sharing your recipe and experience. My 1-yr old Corgi pup has just been diagnosed with CKD and he is still admitted in the hospital for the past 10days. Our vet recommended Royal Canin Renal formula or Science Diet K/D formula. My pup has pancreatitis too so our vet has put him on a low fat formula for the time being but it adversely affects his sodium levels. I have been looking for a homemade recipe and I came upon your webpage and I felt new confidence and an insight what lays ahead with keeping up with a well balanced and nutritional meal for my sick pup.
I am based in Thailand and acorn squash may not be readily available. May I know what other types of veggie can I substitute the squash with? Is it possible with Pumpkin or sweet potato? Are cauliflower bad for dogs with CKD? Looking forward to hear back from you soon! Thanks!
Hi Carina. The squash serves as a source of fibre to ‘bulk’ up the meal and support the gut. While other veggies would work (e.g. sweet potato as you mention), the reason for acorn squash particularly is because it is lower in phosphorus. If you can’t source it in Thailand, then, yes, look to other squash or sweet potato, but if you have different choices, do your research first to make sure you’re choosing the ‘best’ one in terms of phosphorus levels.
Thank you so much for this. My 14 year old best friend, Chloe, is suffering with both Cushing’s and CKD. May I ask if there are any other proteins, besides those listed, that you would consider? She seems to be sensitive to beef, and trout is proving difficult to find. She was eating a fresh, frozen prescription KD food, which she is now refusing, made with lamb. I fear that this may be my last chance to keep her with us a little longer. Also, while reading through comments, I see that Ben also had Cushing’s. Would you be able to share more about that? I truly appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge. Many thanks again.
Hi Traci — there are always other proteins and others that some here have suggested. It’s just a matter of comparing “like to like” to compare their phosphorus content. If there are allergies/sensitivities to any of the ingredients, go to the next one on your list and choose the “next best option.” Ultimately, you’re just doing your best and there will need to be tradeoffs along the path to get where you are able to both entice Chloe to eat and make the best nutritious choice under your circumstances.
As for the Cushings, it was diagnosed when he was around 12 or 14 as it is a more seniors related disease I think. It remained a factor but it largely retreated once I started cooking homemade food. Ultimately, I chose not to ‘treat’ the Cushings and rather ‘treated’ the symptoms including by hiring a dog walker.
Hi Dale. What can I use as a substitute for acorn and pumpkin? We don’t have them here in the Philippines..
Thank you in advance.
Hi Georgia. The squash is really a source of fibre to ‘bulk’ up the meal and support the gut. While other veggies would work (e.g. sweet potato), the reason for acorn squash particularly is because it is lower in phosphorus. If you can’t source it in the Philippines, then, yes, look to other squash or sweet potato, but if you have different choices, do your research first to make sure you’re choosing the ‘best’ one in terms of phosphorus levels.
I am so thankful for having found this! Thank you so much, Dale! Micaela was recently diagnosed with Cushing and already has kidney and liver problems, and we have fed her with Royal Canin Kidney, which she doesn’t love, and I’m sure something more natural might be healthier for her. I am definitely trying this, i have to find how to substitute acorn squash, i live in Mexico. I just wanted to show gratitude for your generosity in sharing this..
Thank you Aurea. That’s very kind and generous of you as well. I’m glad it’s provided you an option which, yes, most definitely adapt to your geography and what you can source there. Best of luck and health to you Micaela. Take care ….
What has kept my 15 year old 20 lb. terrier in stage 4 kidney failure going the past year is this diet broken into 4 daily HANDFED meals plus daily 200 ml. hydration. I stress “handfed” because he will eat nothing by himself but willingly eats if I place it in his mouth-time consuming, but he still enjoys being alive, and his kidney numbers have been stable the last 6 months…have been able to take him off all medications as well.
Wow that’s amazing. Just stumbled on to this site tonight and reading Everything! My dog is stage 4 also. According to the vet, he would have been deceased 2 months ago.
But I am doing everything possible to keep him with me. Doing pretty good considering. Going to try this recipe in hopes Ziggy likes it.
So if your pups can live in stage 4 with this recipe I’m in❤️ Thank you !
Thank you thank you thank you! You have helped so many of us! And unfortunately, there is NO recipe like this online at all. Our 13 year old corgi was thrown into renal failure BAD due to an infection. After spending 4 days in a hospital, his numbers went down and he slowly started eating again. However, he absolutely hates his kidney food and would rather starve. I was desperately mixing my other’s dog’s food into his just so he could take SOME of his medicine which is terrible I know. I was so frustrated I just wanted to cry.
Once I came across your recipe, everything changed. What used to be an hour feeding time with me begging him to eat and desperately hand feeding him has now become 15 minutes. He gets so excited for his meals now and chows down on his food and medicine immediately. His energy levels are up and he’s looking like his old self. It’s only been a week of him eating this food, but we are crossing our fingers he will stay with us for much longer and continue this streak. Regardless, he looks so happy and seems to be feeling good. You are a literal life saver. Thank you so much again!
I just wanted to pass on another huge thank you. The ER vet who saw Tess (now 16 year old Cairn Terrier) last summer mentioned your post about food. We’ve been feeding it to her now for a full year. She perked up right away after we started, and still has a bit of “puppy” in her once or twice a day. I have no doubt the food helped. Her favorite days are when I batch cook a double recipe & freeze it. She gets to lick the bowl (a giant one I got on Amazon just for making it). I’ve only had trouble finding acorn squash once, so I often make extra and freeze it. I also tend towards frozen green beans since they’re pre-blanched.
Hi Kale — thanks for your kindness in return and sharing your strategies and Tess’ own routine in it all. (Very cute). Yours is a sweet story which definitely makes me smile and I’m glad all of this has given you an opportunity to smile again a few times a day too. Take good care.
My 14 1/2 year old Chorkie Ellie was recently diagnosed with CRF, after some research I came across your post and instantly thought This Is The One! Just finished making it and my kitchen looks like a tornado came through and it took me quite awhile. Sure next time will be better. Ellie thought it was Pawsome. I used an immersion blender which worked amazing much better control over texture. I always freeze the ends of asparagus to add to her food so used half asparagus for the beans and added some frozen blueberries at the end. So glad it makes a large amount. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, wondering what the Pepcid is for (aside for upset stomach) and can I feed some commercial protein restricted dry dog food and make my own wet? Thanks, Jo
Hi Jo — the Pepcid AC is for the same thing humans use it for: “acid control” which will reduce nausea and improve food drive. Totally up to you if you want to use it combination with a prescription diet dog food.
Has anyone figured out an Instant Pot version of this recipe? 🙂
Interesting idea. I haven’t heard anyone else post about this and not sure it would work given quantities unless you changed proportions ….
Cook the meat first by setting on sauté, then put the rest of the ingredients, put rice first, then add water to the rice level, add veggies, cook for 9 minutes, and let it natural release for at least 10 minutes.
I’ve been meaning to post. I had this recipe looked over by a canine nutritionist and she said it’s an exceptionally well put together meal plan! She did have me add kelp for calcium and a probiotic but highly recommends this if you’re home cooking. Thank you for all the research you put into this recipe!
Thank you, Alicia, for sharing your research and own notes and additions. The kelp makes good sense, indeed. You’re most welcome and best of luck with it in your future.
Can i ask how long will the food stay fresh when i refrigerate it ? Thankyou so much for this. Very helpful indeed
Hi Angel. You’re very welcome. In terms of shelf life, treat it like “human” food because that is what it is — so 3-4 days.
The recipe says lbs of beef. Is that 1 pound (500gms)?
Hi Sheila — perhaps you’re reading this on a device which is changing the formatting on you, but the recipe is 2 lbs (approx 1kg) of ground beef.
Hi I have also seen this recipe calls for 1lb ground beef. Where do you say it’s 2lbs? I want to make this correctly so please let me know how much protein goes in it, ty
Hi Mel –I’m not sure of your question/confusion, to be honest. My recipe clearly says 2 lbs of lean ground beef. I’m not sure if you’re looking at another copy-cat site/recipe or if there is a mistake in my post that I can’t see.
can i use ground lean turkey?
I wouldn’t recommend it.
You are a champion.. a dedicated man and owner.. I’ll be making this for my Bichon who has been formally diagnosed last week.. he is not well tonight..
Hi Caron — you’re too kind with your compliments, but I’m glad the recipe has found you well and filled you with hope. Best of luck with your Bichon. Truly. And take care yourself as well.
Hello
Can you share how much kelp tonl add? Thanks
How much calcium does your nutritionist recommend? That’s always been a question of mine. And, thanks for the confirmation about the recipe. Makes me happy!
Hi Alicia, did the nutritionist recommend a type and dosage of kelp and probiotic? I’m making this wonderful recipe this weekend for my 13.5 yr kelpie cross that has early stage kidney disease.
Thank you Dale for posting the recipe and sharing your life and Ben’s story xx
You’re very welcome, Ariana. I’m glad and appreciate that you enjoyed the other posts shared here as well. Best of care to you.
I don’t know how to thank you enough. On December 8 2020 my vet told me that he didn’t think Baz (my 13 1/2 mini schnauzer) would make Christmas. To say I was devastated was an understatement. Then after a few prayers I found your post. Your recipe has saved my boy. On May 27 he will turn 14. He has a new lease on life and we take each day as it comes.
But I do have one strange question. We also have Betsy … she’s 2 1/2 and also a mini schnauzer. Since changing diets for Baz, Betsy cannot keep her nose away from his bottom. Obviously he is emitting an absolutely delicious smell that she simply cannot resist. Any ideas if this is normal? Has anybody else mentioned anything similar, any ideas how I might stop it. A water pistol doesn’t work. In all honesty I don’t care, The most important thing is that Baz is still with me, but if you had any ideas ..
Once again thanks for being my boy Baz’s angel,
Thank you, Maree from New Zealand
Hi Maree — thank you for sharing your good news story and the smiles. To be honest, no, I haven’t heard that one yet or before. I could guess but I’m sure I’d be wrong, so I won’t hazard here. Hopefully it is indeed a good news story for all but you might ask your vet next time you’re back what they think. I’d be curious as well.
Your words are truly touching and well received, but it brings me joy enough to imagine your smiles and happiness half a world away. Take care yourself, Maree and to both Baz and Betsy. 🙂
Hi Dale
well we are another 3 months on from my earlier post. Baz is still going strong. His vet CANNOT believe that he is still going strong. He still loves his walks, devours his food and has a spring in his step.
I still can’t thank you enough for posting your story. I don’t think you realise how many lives you have changed.
Thank you so so much and if you ever get to travel to New Zealand you will always be welcome.
Take care and very best wishes, Maree, Baz and Betsy
That definitely brings both a smile and tear to my face. Thank you for the kindness of your message. I would tremendously love to visit New Zealand some day, so perhaps our paths will get to cross in person. It does my heart well to know a single act of sharing has touched so many people — and with so much focus on the challenges of our interdependence amidst covid, it is nice to think that our connectiveness can powerfully do good too. 🙂
I hope that Baz continues well and strong for many more months and wish you well too. Thank you again.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. It’s very helpful. I came across your blog when researching home-cooked meals for my dog with acute kidney injury. Just out of curiosity – can you share the reason why you chose ground beef over chicken thigh (with lower phosphorus)?
Hi Jennifer. You’re most welcome. In answer to your question about why ground beef vs. chicken thighs, I think we may be looking a different metrics or data. Not sure. My source of measurement was the Kaiser-Permenante list I shared. On that list, ground beef of any form is lower in phosphorus than chicken in any form. Not sure if you’re looking a different nutritional breakdown or things are different a local level for you. If they are, by all means, substitute. You’re asking the right question in your research.
Hello Dale. I noticed in a few of your reply’s that Ben had Cushings Disease, my little Josie was diagnosed with Cushings over a month ago & was given medication to help her. Last week after blood tests she now has Chronic Kidney Disease & High Blood Pressure, which I’ve had medication for as well. I’ve been searching the internet frantically to find some help with food she can eat & came across yours this morning. She’s on dry renal food which was ok because the Cushings made her very hungry but recently she’s turning up her nose as well as being a little sick. I wanted to ask if you have any advice how you managed Ben with his illness’s & if he was on any medication. Josie is a small 11.5 years of age Yorkiechon, she’s always been stoic & chirpy it’s not pleasant seeing her not well.
Hi Dale,
Just wondering would it be okay to substitute ground lamb instead of beef and pork? Also is it ok to used atlantic cod instead of trout as that is more readily available in my area!
Thanks !
The lamb, possibly, but with ground meats it always depends on what parts they’re using. As for the cod, I would guess “no” — stay with fatty fish.
Dale, I’ve been reading that the highest amounts of fatty ground beef are best for kidney disease, but yours states lean. Can you tell me which is best? Thank you!
Yes. Fatty meats and cuts figure more prominently but this recipe balances that with other sources fat — not just the beef fat.
Would help me so much if you could help me scale this up to my 33kg lab?! This way i can price it and compare to ready-prepared meals from places such as nutriment
Hi B. … not sure I can fully help you because “suggested serving sizes” vary by dog/breed/age/activity. All I can reiterate for you is the weight/age of Ben at the time and how much he ate. You may need to double or triple it, I don’t know, for your own case. Sorry.
Dale, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart because I’m literally in tears. I’ve been doing research for the past couple of days since learning that my dog has kidney disease. I have found many of the same bits of information, but I wish I had found your blog first! Because all I kept finding was recipes including things like chicken and rice, which instinctively did not seem right. (Largely because my dog is sensitive to chicken of all things!) Anyway – THANK YOU for the recipe!!
Also, thank you for putting together such a comprehensive weblog of all that you’ve learned and sharing it with others. You have surely earned a special place in heaven, and there are likely many dog Souls and owners praying for you and sending thanks and love to you!!
Thank you Teresa. That is an incredibly sweet thing to say and share. I’ll wait my turn 🙂 … but, truly, I’m just very humbled that this is helping many wonderful souls through a difficult and often confusing disease. Take good care and best of luck to you as you navigate this yourself with your own dog. ~ Dale
When I read your story it could have been my own, my girl is 16 & was recently diagnosed with CKD the FIRST time she has been ill. I personally use holistic medicine as preventative option & I use the same doctor for Lily. I do cook everything for her.. not off my plate..but specifically for her. I relocated & no longer have access to that dr., although I love my vet, once he examined Lily he was very “forgiving” & flexible with Lilies previous care (we didn’t use conventional rabies ect) anyway I was distraught & frightened .. my vet prescribed Royal Cain Renal Care-D which I never thought in a million years she would eat & she does !! I do prepare food for her as well & have never given her supplements.. my vet suggested Aluminum Hydroxide Gel 16 oz $11 on Amazon. As you probably know it is a binding agent & it taste good!! I mix in her sweet potatoes ect., of course the dose depends on weight ect., which I would recommend contacting Vet or figure it out via research. Lily’s bloodwork numbers either maintain &/or improve (slightly). Thank you for sharing your story & recipes. I thought I had thoroughly researched this disease & never stumbled on your site. Everything I found was either a blatant advertisement or somewhat subtle which deterred me from any recommendations. I have learned to “edit” the information & follow my instincts. Again thank you
Sherre & Lily
You’re very welcome, Sherre. There is no question that dog/pet care is a whopping multi-billion industry and growing and growing, and you’re right to question whatever someone posts or shares to ‘edit’ for intent. Very little in life is free and that which is often comes with strings. Anyway, thanks for sharing your own story and journey and hope that you continue to navigate this difficult path. All in all, you sound like you have a good team and great head on your shoulders, so Lily is very fortunate. Take are.
Hi! Another great resource is caninekidneyhealth.com . Do you have any recommendations for treat recipes? Raw veggies are ignored, lol. I am going to bake sweet potatoe slices today.
Hi Gale — thank you for sharing the link here with others. In terms of ‘treats,’ my only advice to share is borrowed from a few other readers here who used this same recipe to create a ‘batter’ they could shape and bake into healthy treats. Hope that helps and good luck …
Started giving my Maltese this almost a year ago. All of his numbers are good except his protein levels. He eats and drinks well. No vomiting or diarrhea. However, he’s been having small tremors. Been to the neurologist. Can this be a calcium or potassium deficiency even though it didn’t show on his blood work? Anyway thank you so much for this recipe. It’s working wonders!
Hi Kelly, Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to answer your questions. Certainly, I’m not a neurologist and if they can’t help, I’m not sure what else to suggest, I’m sorry. I can empathise with what you’re certainly feeling and desperate for answers the provide a “fix” especially; hopefully, a clinician closer to you and who has the rest of your Maltese’s history can help you. Not at all helpful, I know … and I’m sorry.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for this post. My little guy was basically starving himself because he hated the prescription food so much. We tried all of the vets recommendations but just couldn’t get him to eat it. I was pretty sure we were going to lose him at the beginning of the year so we tried your recipe as a last ditch effort even though the vet emphatically recommended the prescription food.
Carter is now in better shape than he’s been in years. He’s got energy and a personality again. His weight is going up again and he’s very obviously happier than he’s been in ages. He turns 16 next month and I am so happy we’ll get to spend more time with him!
Hi Liz — thank you for sharing such a great story and of Carter’s rebound. I’m glad the diet helped and I hope, with you, that it gives you much more time together indeed. Happy Easter weekend and take care.
Wanted to know if chicken breast was also an option for the meat source instead of duck or hamburger or fish?
I would not go with chicken breast as it is higher in phosphorus than many other protein sources.
Hi, what is the purpose of the Pepcid AC? (Other than the obvious)
Thanks
… to settle the stomach which gets acidic due to the kidney disease. None of us want to eat when we feel nauseous, right?
The acorn squash i got it cut in half but microwave it to soften to get skins off
Thanks Beanie. Sounds like a great trick. Are you still boiling the squash after as well?
Can we use canned sweet potatoes if totally organic and no syrups?
I can’t answer that, sorry. This recipe is based on sourcing whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
Hello! We recently switched from vet recommended dog food for renal failure to this recipe. It’s been about 4 weeks. She was experiencing incontinence before the switch and still is. Do you know if this will help with that (and if so when), or do you have any further recommendations?
Hi Cindy — definitely hard to say whether this will help with incontinence. Likely depends on how advance the disease is and if there are any other underlying conditions. In Ben’s case, he also had incontinence issues due to the Cushings. My solution for many years was getting a dog walker to avoid the accidents. But, ultimately, if your dog’s condition can be “treated” to reduce symptoms, including thirst, then, yes, this may help you get closer to your goal.
Our 14vr old Maltese mix was recently diagnosed with stage 4 renal failure. Started with marked incontinence while sleeping or even sitting on our lap. Our vet placed on edtriol 1mg 2xday fo r 2wks then 1 aday.
Incontinence totally stopped in 2 days. Thirst improved and doing well with diet changes. Hope this helps.
Hi Cindy, A probiotic chew called “probiotic blend” “digestive support” by only natural pet has really, really benefited my Pomeranian.
Hi Dale, Is it necessary to maintain the ratio that you’ve used? I’m making a small batch today to see how my dogs take to the food. What an enormous amount of research you’ve done!
Hi Kasturi … and thank you. If I understand your question, you’re not asking about reducing the quantities all in proportion (which you can certainly do), but rather changing the proportion of different ingredients. Yes? All that is posted here is what I did … and what others have followed and/or tweaked themselves. If you change the proportion of ingredients, you have a different recipe … so I won’t be much help to you in that regard. Sorry if I’ve misunderstood.
Hi Dale, your recipe has kept my 17.5 year old dachshund alive and well for the last two years. My vet can’t believe it! I cannot express my gratitude to you enough. I do have a question about calcium supplementation. You mention it, but do not specify adding it or how much. I know you are not a vet, but I can’t take my old dog to the vet now for blood work as he is deaf and blind, and gets too upset to be left there without me, and right now my vet is only allowing drop offs due to COVID. I’ve been supplementing eggshell calcium at 1/8 teaspoon twice per day, but wondering if I need to. I would greatly appreciate your input.
All my best,
Sheryl
Hi Sheryl — It is great to hear your account of how the diet has helped your 17.5 year old dachshund. Another great success story, indeed. I’m humbled to have played any small part in that … just happy you got a great result. The question about the calcium supplement is a good one but one I can’t really answer. However, if you have a great vet celebrating with you, my recommendation is to ask them since I believe they are in the best situation to advise on treatment and dosage. My own vet had advised that I didn’t need to use one, so I didn’t … and so don’t have that personal experience to share. Hope that helps and best of luck in the next two years! 🙂
I’d like to add that you can add crushed up Tums to your pets food for added calcium.
What a beautiful dog! Thank you for posting. I have an an 11 year old maltese. He is emaciated at 5 lbs. So….
Thank you Robyn. Can only wish you the best in what I can empathise as being a hard road ahead. Best of luck you….
I found this recipe just over one year ago and should have commented sooner. In late February 2020, our 13 year old Rat Terrier suddenly stopped eating and within 24 hours she became extremely weak. Based on experiences with our prior dog, I was concerned this was a kidney issue and looked for solutions online. Me and my husband didn’t know what to expect, but figured this couldn’t hurt. The first meal took some prompting, literally letting her lick the food off my fingers. But, once she got a taste of this, she loved it. Her appetite returned, she actually gained a few pounds and her energy level is better than ever.
We also had blood work done within a few days. Our vet said her kidney values were fine; he doesn’t know what happened / why she stopped eating. We have had blood work done two more times, all still fine. Teyha loves this food and now anytime I cook hamburger, green beans, rice or eggs, she thinks I’m cooking for her. Thank you so much!
Awww — such a heart-warming message, thank you. I definitely smiled hugely at your last comment about how Teyha has come to think those ingredients are always for her. Very sweet. I’m glad it has provided you a refuge and a way through her illness. I wish you and her both continued health in the years ahead. Take care.
Hi Dale!
This recipe looks amazing. I’ve just set out to research for my best friend, Jenny, who was just diagnosed with advanced kidney failure, and I am relieved to see someone who chose to go in the way my instinct is telling me- more holistic and natural. As I continue to do research and figure out the best path for her to go on, do you have any suggestions for resources that were helpful to you in taking care of Ben? With so many things out there, it’s hard to weed through everything to find the good stuff! Obviously I want to bring my vet in on everything I’m doing as well; yet, I’m trying to get a head start on research before our next appointment in a month. Your recipe will be printed out and brought along as I try to figure out the right path of Jenny!
Thank you for any help you’re able to offer!
Sincerely,
Michaela
Hi Michaela — thank you for your kind words and I think you’re taking a great approach to this and coming prepared to engage your vet as a partner in caring for Jenny. I’ll be honest that almost 7 years after I posted this, I don’t remember all the resources I consulted other than the ones I posted here. That said, there has been a LOT written on the subject since I did my research and there are many more supplements and resources available to you now than when I started this road. You get to take the baton from here and see where the road takes you next … and hopefully your vet can be a further guide with you on this journey. Best of luck.
Hi I’m really interested in trying this recipe,do I have to give all supplements listed alongside this diet?
Hi Pamela … No. I wouldn’t recommend using the supplements without consultation with your vet. What you see here isn’t a “prescription” but rather a journal of what I did for my own situation. Get advice and use this in conjunction with it ….
We have been using this recipe for the past 2-3 months and it Works WONDERS!! Our dog, 11 year old Jack Russell, had terrible appetite throughout her life and had a bad relationship with food….and now with Kidney Disease we were worried it would only get worse. With this recipe she eats EVERY meal without fail – it’s the first time in years she has been so consistent with her meals. Thank you!
You’re very welcome, Dhruv & Lulu. Thank you for sharing your success and experience. It is great to hear the difference it has made and wish you continued success with it …. 🙂
Dale, thank you for your comprehensive post in regard to this food. I have seen it linked many times in the dog kidney pages. I cooked it today for the first time and hope to use it as an alternative to commercial kidney foods. Unfortunately, here in Australia there’s not much choice. I am currently syringe feeding my girl, but she’s only 4 and full of life so it’s worth it.
Thank you again, Benjamin was a beautiful boy indeed.
Thank your Kristy, for a very kind post and words. They mean a lot, truly, even these many years removed from Ben’s loss. I continue to be amazed at how far and wide this recipe has traveled but I’m grateful to have been able to assist in any way people as yourself continents away. Thank you! I wish you all the success in the world in caring for your girl. Stay well ….
I think the hype on garlic and onions is a ploy to get you to buy the expensive dog food. I’m not saying give animals a ton of the stuff .I’m 74 and growing up, my parents would only give table scraps w/ a little dog food. I did the same. Ive had German shepherd who lived to 14,cats one was 18 one was 17. I have 2 dogs both are 14. It’s all the chemicals and preservatives that are harmful and the food full of soy. Lean organic foods are good for us and our pet’s. Eliminate the salt,watch phosphorus,.The hard part is getting pokito to eat the renal diet.he is used to sharing my plate..
Hi Diane — I don’t disagree with you and my own experience with Ben for 18 years was much the same. No, I didn’t give him garlic bulbs to eat … but, yes, he ate ‘garlic’ as a regular ingredient in much of the good he ate from my own plate. Appreciate that is not a scientific endorsement, but it is lived experience. But also appreciate others have their own opinions and lived experiences and are more than welcome to make their own conclusions and decisions. Thanks for your sharing your own ….
My 16 year old dog Quito was recently diagnosed with CKD on top of his existing CHF. His appetite has been so poor for the last 2 months…acid reflux and nausea. Everyday I stress what to feed him, he turns up his nose at everything but toast. Tonight I tried this and he ate so good. Thank you! I don’t know how much time I left with my boy but I just want him to eat and be content.
My deepest condolences for the loss of your Ben. Take solace in knowing Ben is waiting for you and you’ll be reunited again. A bond like that cannot only exist in the physical world…it’s eternal.
Thank you, Tisha. That is a very beautiful image and one I can definitely hold onto. I’m grateful to have “Leo” now in my life and a beautiful companion he has already become and so perhaps one day it will be a great introduction and homecoming for us all …. 🙂
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I was just wondering, how much serving or cups does this whole recipe make?
Hi Camille — It isn’t going to be exact depending on your own portions and ingredients, but my estimate was roughly 5 medium freezer bags which if my math is right, is about 5 litres = 20 cups.
Hi Dale,
Thank you for all your efforts in sharing this recipe with so many of us that are frustrated with the commercial renal diets and overwhelmed by the overload of information available. You made this diet easy to make and understand and my dog loves it. I’ve shared it with many others on Facebook’s Canine Kidney Disease group and hope it’s helped them as well. I am wondering though if crushed egg shells should be added for calcium? I have not seen that addressed and wonder if I missed something. Thank you again for providing relief to so many of us fur parents!
Hi Lori — You’re most welcome and thank you for sharing it with other networks via Facebook. With respect to your question, the eggshells are included and used by some as a “phosphorus binder.” There are other phosphorus binding agents like calcium supplements as well. However, they are not always indicated for depending on the condition. Others have certainly discussed this in other comments, but my general takeaway is consult with your own particular vet on your particular condition to determine what’s right for you and your dog ….
My dog, Axl loved this recipe……thank you so much. Any other recipes you can share?
Ben is a cutie
Thank you Tammy. Ben was a special boy, for sure.
As for other recipes, not sure what you’re looking for as the site is full of recipes, including another non-low-phosphorus dog food recipe that was Ben’s breakfast for many years: Ben’s breakfast
Dale, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to post such a well-written, well-explained article. I am very grateful for it AND for all the discussion that follows. I just have one question….white rice? I don’t even eat white because of the amount of bleach that may or may not be in it. Haha. Depends where and what you read. No brown, wild, basmati, or jamine rice instead? Aren’t these healthier versions? I just don’t know about how their chemical make up would be for a dog with kidney issues. Thank you in advance, Dale.
? Jeanine
Hi Jeannine — You’re most welcome. I know that the milled grains in here may seem counter intuitive to a person who is health conscious. I had the same reaction. To be clear, this isn’t about creating a typical “healthy” diet — it is a “therapeutic” diet which omits much in the aid of treating a disease. The trade offs get you to the goal … which is a ‘longer’ and better quality life for whatever time you get. Sorry — but it is a different paradigm you’re working with here.
If you are going to substitute white bread for rice is it still 2 cups?
I would recommend going by weight as the volumes are going to be significantly different ….
Thank you for your reply!
I’ve tried 3 different renal support diets, which my Topino wanted no part of. He loves this recipe!
Yay! That’s great news. I hope it has great effects on his health as well. All the best to you and Topino.
Hi Dale, my boy has early signs of kidney disease and stumbled across your recipe that I’ve been using on both my dogs for the past couple of months. My girl has IBD and it’s turned her stable which is fantastic!! My boy seems stable which is great, and the vet was impressed with his kidney output and told me to keep doing what I’m doing.
I’m struggling to find white trout, but the link you have to the Kp study says Atlantic Cod is low is phosphorus. Would that be ok?
As for the supplements, my dogs are both 8lbs and I don’t know that the B50 tablets can be split low enough. Same for the coenzyme. Anyone else have any suggestions?
Hi Amanda — thanks for stopping by to share your own experiences and with the good questions as well. First off, re: the “white” trout, did you perhaps misread the recipe and get the “egg whites” on the same line? My eyes play tricks on me sometimes too. Otherwise, I’ve never heard of white trout either. My recipe simply called for “trout” as a substitute.
Yes, as for the supplements, that’s a great question. Two pieces of advice for you. 1) ask your vet for to tell you whether and what is appropriate for your particular dogs. I won’t pretend to know whether dividing by weight will get you to the right dose, regardless of whether you can. 2) speak to your pharmacist or find a good compounding pharmacist who can assist you in getting the right dose recommended by your vet (I will assume it will be cheaper than anything that a vet would provide anyway).
Thankyou so very much for your really kind efforts to share this information. My little dog Coco is starving to death in front of me as I write. Her kidneys are also packing up and she is simply not interested in the very expensive food that the vet is offering her. I can’t wait to try her on your alternative!!
You’re very welcome, Liz. I hope you have great success with it and it brings you many more days and years of love with Coco.
We found out not too long ago one of our dogs has kidney problems and was put on the Hills Science Diet k/d food. After about one large dry food and 2 cans wet food, he decided not to eat anymore of it. My wife found your recipe and we will be trying it tonight. I do have a question though…….is it ok to use duck fat instead of coconut oil? I have never tried it but heard it tastes wonderful but if it is not good for him I will stick with the coconut oil. thanks Steve
Hi Steve — sorry this coming late in reply and you may have already made some choices, but I have no idea about the nutritional profile of the duck fat. Yes, it taste great (one of my personal favourite things in the world and I’m sure it is hardening my arteries just imagining it again) — but it may very well be high in phosphorus. I don’t know. You may need to speak to nutritional specialist to find that answer if you can’t Google it. My gut says stay with the coconut because of the omega profile it brings. Hope this helps.
I was told my 15 year chihuahua was in kidney failure. She wasn’t eating, was shaking when I took her to the vet. I knew from the look on my vet’s face he didn’t think she was long for the life. He gave a vitamin shot and some antibiotics and sent her home with me. That evening she convulsed and had body spasms where she evacuated her bowels. I was heartbroken. The next day I took her back and had him intravenously give liquids. While she was there I researched what I could do to help her. I found your recipe, I have since begun exclusively feeding her the food and she has made a miraculous recovery. I really just can’t thank you enough. I lost my other dog of 20 years in 6/2020 and the thought of losing another one of my babies would have been devastating. Thank you for all your research and for sharing it . ❤️❤️
Dear Betty — thank you for sharing such an emotional journey to get here. I can very much imagine and it still breaks my heart to think of it. I’m glad you have found a life line in this recipe and home that it has continued to provide you hope and great days. Thanks for sharing and all the best.
Hello Dale- I want to thank you for all of your research and this delicious recipe (according to my 16 year old dog). She was diagnosed within kidney failure and she ate the prescribed food for a few weeks and then decided she was done with it. At first I thought she was getting sicker and just wasn’t interested in eating anymore but she would still go crazy wanting “people” food. So I did some digging and found your page and she has been on this home made diet for 3 weeks now! She eats a cup in the morning and a cup in the evening (she is 22lbs). She has even gained a little weight!
Thank you so much again!
Awww … such a great news story, Theresa. Thank you for sharing your cup-a-meal approach and the difference it has made. I hope it has continued and continues for much longer. You’re very welcome and wishing you the best.
Any suggestions on something other than garlic to season the food. My dog does not seem to care for it although he has eaten food with garlic in the past.
Choose other herbs and spices in small doses. If you like it — suspect he will as well.
I have been putting a teaspoon of bone broth powder, a teaspoon of tumeric and some black pepper in the veggies before blending them with a tin of black cherries. I also add some pepper, tumeric and bone broth powder to the meat when I’m frying it. Our old dog Enya loves this recipe, thank you Dale
Dale – Thank you for publishing this recipe. I’ve been using a version of this for about 6 weeks. My little 15 pound terrier mix Ricky nearly crossed over the rainbow bridge back in July 2020. He was in active kidney failure and he made it through. Because of that he does now suffer from kidney disease. I’ve been on a quest to keep him healthy, happy and comfortable since then. I do have a question for you. If I am feeding this recipe above, what if any? Are the advantages of adding a little sardine oil? They supposedly are a good source of Omega 3 and B vitamins.
Thank you for your time.
Hi Cynthia — You’re very welcome and hope that Ricky has continued to do well. The question about the Sardine oil is a good one and one I can’t rightly answer as I’m not that familiar with it’s nutritional profile. But assuming it is as you describe and isn’t also high in phosphorus, it likely would be a great supplement as you say. Speak to registered nutritionist if you haven’t already and see what they have to say and drop us a note again if you have a minute ….
I would love to know what did you fed ben previously that he lived 18.5 years looking that good..
Hi Kavirajan — that’s a good question and perhaps something I should post at some point. The reality is that Ben never lived a perfect diet but he largely lived on a very human diet for a significant part of his life, including his earliest year or two when commercial pet food was unavailable to him. Over the years he ate better and better and super premium kibbles balanced by, again, increasingly more homemade food (see his breakfast here: https://eatswritesshoots.com/2013/09/15/homemade-super-dog-food-aka-bens-breakfast/)
Thank you for sharing this! My 14 year old dog, Scarlet, was obviously hungry but refused the kd food she had eaten for 6 months. I made this and she loves it. Did you add the phos binder powder to this at meal time? Thanks in advance for your reply.
You’re very welcome — sorry for the late reply, but, no, on the advice of my own vet for Ben in particular, we didn’t use a phosphorus binder. Your vet may advise you differently for your case.
My diet consist for my 12 yr old pup consist of 1cup white rice, 4 egg whites, a couple shaved carrots & 1 shaved zucchini. Separated into 1/3 cups and usually mix with dry food twice a day. Looking into adding coconut oil based on you article.
Also feed 1tbsp Pumpkin purée and 1 tbsp rolled oats with dry food once a day. Looking to add in blueberries.
I worry about getting too much protein vs not enough.. since I still give her dry food & how to tell?
Any input on this would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Britney — I think you’re doing a lot and definitely working for your pup. I can’t really answer your question because 1) not all kibble is equal and 2) I’m not a vet nor do I know your dog. In theory using both in combination can work for some dogs, I’m sure, depending on their condition. I just can’t advise you on your own.
THANK YOU! I just watched my fourteen year old lab eat with the excitement of a young pup! We just found out he has kidney disease and have been trying to feed him the prescription canned dog food from our vet but it was absolutely disgusting and he wouldn’t touch it. I don’t blame him! We found your recipe and I am thrilled with how much he loved it! I’m not sure you’ll be able to answer this question but I’d like to ask: our vet prescribed Alum Hydroxide as a phosphorus binder to be added to his food and I’m wondering how necessary that might be with this low phosphorus recipe. Three teaspoons added to each meal may affect the flavor and we sure need him to keep eating!
Hi JoDee … Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience. Sorry for the delay in reply, but you’re right, I can’t really answer your question as you would seek. If your vet is prescribing a binder, I’m assuming they think a binder is necessary. I can’t provide any second opinion on that — but I can say there are other phosphorus binders you evaluate if the taste bothers your pup. Some have used calcium supplements and others have included the eggshells from the eggs in the recipe as well. Best of luck on what you decide and on your path ahead.
I switched from ground turkey to 85 percent lean ground beef. If this isn’t correct I give up. Tu
Perfect 🙂
Can my dog with kidney problems eat chicken or beef baby food. I am feeding her prescription food. She will not eat it unless I put something in it. I give her treats that are baked I am not sure about them.
My old gal will be 14 in May
Hi Linda. I can’t answer that with any knowledge. My best advice would be to get the nutritional information from the manufacturer to determine what’s in it and the phosphorus levels.
If egg whites not available already made up, is it ok just to use organic eggs and remove the yolk myself?
Also do you know if chicken/turkey breast fillets better than thighs?
I’m able to use minced (I think that’s ground) organic 5%fat beef, my little girl who’s coming 16 had her gallbladder removed 6mths ago and had chronic pancreatitis, so she has to be on less than 10% fat.I got her through that but now her kidney markers are showing up, no protein at all in her urine, they did find she had a uti which is gone but they still think shes stage 2 pre full blown kidney failure. She also diagnosed 4 yrs ago with an enlarged heart & on medication for that also & shes had to go back on to her durietics as some fluid building up round heart. Shes been in great form bouncing about but in last few days has no appetite ? shes going to hospital in couple of days to check everything again.
Hi Sabrina — sounds like you’re having a hard time of things and I’m sorry your little girl is struggling with appetite. I can truly sympathise as you have two confounding diseases to treat which contraindicate each other. A difficult treatment to determine, I’m sure. Keep doing your best.
By all means, separate whole eggs for your purpose. I suggested packaged egg whites because it is significantly cheaper. Many bakers want the yolks. Hope you can find a use for the egg yolks you’ll be left with, but you’ll have a bounty.
As for the question about breasts vs. thighs, the phosphorus levels in thighs is lower from my research, so stay away from breast meat.
Yes, mince in the UK is what we call ground beef in North America.
Best of luck to you in the New Year ahead.
Hey there, I just began this diet tonight and my dogs love it. I noticed it said they need Potassium and calcium as they go through this. I didn’t see a vitamin for that in your daily routine. Just wondering what to do for that?
Oh I also wanted to know if I should be adding another protein because my dog is allergic to chicken so I’m too worried to put in the egg whites. It costs me a fortune at the vets when he has chicken.
I can’t comment on whether egg whites will create sensitivity for animals with allergic to chicken. You can try and see or ask your vet for guidance on that. The issue as you’ll see is how to get the protein in without the phosphorus. If you have to make compromises, you have to … just do your best.
I know this is coming a year late…but my dog is extremely sensitive to chicken but has no problem with eggs in any form.
While I am commenting I too would like to thank you so very much for sharing all of this info! Just made our third batch and my pack loves it!
Hi Tammy — I’ll answer your questions separately. Regarding potassium, if you want to introduce this into the diet, the substitution of pumpkin (for the sweet potato) will get you there vs. adding supplements. As for the calcium, it is noted as phorphorus-binder in most therapeutic diets. That is why it is listed as an optional supplement. Some other readers have made comments throughout as well about their own use of the egg shells as a natural way to get there. Ultimately, your choice based on your needs and in consultation with your vet.
Thank you so much for your help in guiding us on how to make healthy homemade food to help our babies! I am currently making this recipe, they love it and i love that it so easy to make! I have two dogs, one of them diagnosed with CKD, she has been put on royal canin renal food but i want to get her off of that and give her natural home made, so i started making this recipe and mixing it into her other food for now, until i can get her completely off of the royal canin. I am also giving to my second dog as he started to show raise in the sdma levels, he is showing 17 now so I started by changing his food to your recipe ? thank you so much for all your help!
Thank you Rosa for your very kind and positive words. I’m glad the recipe has made a difference in the lives of your babies. Best of luck and thanks again for sharing …
Hello,
My poor old Golden has just been diagnosed with kidney problems. Yesterday she didn’t want to eat Hills or Royal Canin KD, I made this food this morning and she ate it up. My question is, do you think I could give some of this to my other dogs to perk up their kibble.
Thank you so much for sharing everything that you learned.
Hi Margaret — it’s a good question that others have asked as well. My answer is that there is no harm in other dogs eating this; however, it shouldn’t be their diet in my opinion. This recipe has many dietary omissions to support a dog’s kidney functions, but there are other needs. It is a “therapeutic” diet and not an ideal one for a healthy dog. That said, a tablespoon on their kibble would be no different than letting them eat your table scraps and likely better. 🙂
I made this using ground turkey. Is turkey not recommended. My dog loves it tho
Hi Marlene — No, ground turkey is not recommended because unless you know what part of the turkey is in it, it very likely has higher phosphorus levels.
Not breast, its turkey thighs
Also why not ground chicken whyvred meat
You’ll have to speak to some higher up about why we’re made the way we are …. But given that the nutritional content of foods are different, this is a diet that works with the way food is created.
Hi Dale… I am only now doing research for a good recipe for my 19-yr old toy poodle with both liver and kidney failure and came across your recipe which people (and their pets) seem to love! I’ve fed her gr turkey for quite some time as she’s highly allergic to beef and not a fan of fish. What is your next best recommendation? Lamb? Duck? Pork? Willing to try anything for my angel.
Hi Sharon — I feel for you. Honestly, not sure off the top of my head, but my gut would be the the lamb. Good luck.
Thank you so much for this information. The only commercial dog food my 17 year old dog can consume with out having a negative reaction (vomiting and severe skin rash) is a prescription kidney dog food (KD + mobility by Hills Science Diet). Over the past 6 months it’s become increasingly scarce. It’s no longer available online anywhere. Over the past two months, I’ve driven all over the State of Arizona gathering as many cans as I can find. As of last week, there are none left. I called the company to find out if the product has been discontinued. It has not but they claim to lack man power to keep up with demand. To make matters worse, even their perfect weight entree nonprescription dog food that I give to my other two dogs has also run dry. I felt defeated until I read your post. I made the food tonight and all three dogs loved it. I ordered salmon oil, vitamin b complex for dogs and Co q 10 for dogs from Amazon which will arrive i two days to supplement their diet. I will keep you posted as to how the 17 year old with kidney disease progresses on his new diet. You’ve given me hope. Thank you so much!
You’re most welcome, Christine. I sounds like you’ve been through quite the wringer, to say the least. So many facets of life have been made so much more complicated and even impossible owing to the pandemic, but I’m glad this recipe has given you an alternative, especially now. Great job sourcing the supplements and please do let us know how your 17 year old does on the diet. Best of luck.
Thank you so much for this. About the garlic. For many years I thought garlic was actually good for them, I remember we used it with our dogs when I was a teenager mostly because it helped with flea control, but than I read in the horrible 2020 year that it was bad for them. But as you, they ate from my food forever, never had a problem.
One of my 9 year old Maltese was just diagnosed with kidney failure, so I’m researching how to feed her better. Right now I’m having the problem that she is very picky for food and not as hungry, so giving her the medicine is really hard, she was just diagnosed on 12/31, yesterday 1/1 I tried to give her the antibiotics and had to force it in her mouth and wait for her to swallow as she was not eating anything I offered. Well of course the poor baby ended up vomiting it, of course, I put my finger down her throat to place the pill!!!?…so I’m trying to make stuff for her so she will take the medication.
Sybille — My apologies for the lateness of the reply. It sounds like you and your pup have been through quite the ordeal of late. I hope you’ve found a way through it and that the recipe here has helped. Pills and meds are never easy and certainly much harder when the dog doesn’t want to eat at all. I hope you managed to find a way, even if it is hiding them in a piece of cheese or sausage. Good luck ….
Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into creating this post. I am so thankful that I stumbled across your blog. I was in search of kidney diet recommendations / home-made recipes, but I ended up reading on about Ben in your other posts. I am simply in a puddle of tears. My empathy for you is strong, and the way you have put your memories and feelings about your human-animal relationship into words is beautiful and so heart-felt. It’s crazy how hard it is to find information like you have shared here. It can be overwhelming to search the internet and ask various veterinarians… So many different opinions and recommendations that cause a lot of self-doubt and fear. You are a wonderful dog parent I appreciate you! I am about to head to the grocery store to try out this recipe for my 12-year-old best buddy with kidney disease and heart failure. I hope that she loves it, but even if she is reluctant, I do feel better about trying this than continuing to follow recommendations for the KD prescription diets that just seem…. unnatural to say the least. I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my dog-loving heart for helping all of us dog parents with similar issues.
Thank you Jackie — It your heart connection here to my story and your own is very meaningful, so thank you for sharing. I likewise can empathsise and believe there is a profound disconnect between veterinary science and veterinary nutrition and big, established companies have unnatural influence. There are indeed some vets that “get it” naturally and intuitively but for a great many other dog owners, there hill to knowledge and health is a steep one we traverse alone. I’m glad to have helped you a little and wish you well on the journey ahead.
Update: She LOVES the food! It sparked up her appetite again, and she is looking and feeling much healthier and happier. The vet checked her kidney values after about 3 weeks of your recipe, and the results were so positive. Her kidneys (and all other lab values) are looking so much better. We are both so thankful for you.
That’s truly great to hear, Jackie. Best of luck on the road ahead and hoping with you that this great improvement continues. Stay well and thank you again for your kind words.
Reaching out one last time for your guidance, which we appreciate in advance! Do you have any recommendations for treats that you were able to give to Ben that were within kidney-safe requirements? She still LOVES the food but I’m struggling to think of treat ideas that will be easy on her kidneys…
Hope you are healthy and well. Aloha!
Hi there — I’ll admit, that at Ben’s final age, treats weren’t as big part of his life, diet, or day-to-day as they would be for younger dog still motivated to work/perform for a treat. As such, I don’t have ‘experience’ to share but I can offer you what others on this blog have shared including transforming this recipe into ‘treats’ but pureeing the ingredients and then spreading/cutting them on a cookie sheet or pressing them into shapes and baking them until ‘hard’ … then freezing them to use as necessary throughout the weeks. Hope this helps. Appreciate it may be a trial and error approach, but if you do, suggest starting around 350 degrees and working in 5 minute intervals, checking for doneness until you get it right. Let me know how it goes.
Dale, thank you so much for sharing this! Our 6 yr old Golden Retriever, Jake, had a cancerous tumor in his right kidney this year and had to have it removed. He’s now on a renal failure diet to support his remaining kidney. Jake is the light of my life and has gotten me through more tough times than I can count. So anything that can help me help him is more valuable than gold to me. From one dog parent to another thank you!
You’re very very welcome, Sarah. I can well imagine your distress and it sounds like a very difficult ordeal that you and Jake have gone through, but I’m hoping with you that he does well in the (many) years ahead and that this diet helps him get there. Take care and wishing you both a very good and healthy new year.
My dog Ruprecht has very slight kidney disease and I managed to reverse it with Just Food for Dogs frozen human grade diet but it’s expensive so I’m trying my own. My Vet was shocked that his blood work showed no kidney disease! They give those awful commercial dog food diets of kibble and cans that don’t work, so I’m trying my own.
I’ve heard Green Lamb Tripe is the best source of protein.
Hi Suzanne — wishing you good luck with it as well and, yes, there is lots of writing on tripe as a great protein source which is low in phosphorus for dogs.
Suzanne, my ESS just had a high boarderline result on his UPC test likely from tick bite and has antibodies for lyme. I want to be proactive and have been doing a lot of research on nutrition. I read positive things about “Just Food For Dogs”. But I already prepare his food. Dale, I feed him defatted beef or chicken, kale or collard greens, pumpkin, hard boiled egg and shells, probiotics, calcium, virgin coconut oil. and a coat supplement. I thought he was yeasty on his hind feet about a year and half ago and cut out as many carbs as possible. Now I am worried that I need to make changes to support kidney function even thou my vet said we don’t need to address diet at this time.
Our boy was getting sick on his prescription dog food and wouldn’t eat it. Cooked him some egg whites and green beans which he devoured. Going to get us sweet potatoes and white rice as well to see how he does. Thanks for your post.
You’re very welcome, David. I hope the cooking goes well and he thrives …. All the best.
Hello,
Our 17 year old schnauzer was just diagnosed with kidney disease. We were feeding him an all human grade food diet with chicken as the protein. My question is whether it is necessary to purée the ingredients in your recipe or if this was just specific to Ben? Could they just be mixed all together if chopped into relatively same size portions?
Thank you for your help!
Brooke
Hi Brooke — No, it is not in the least bit necessary to puree all the ingredients, but for some dogs that are fussy and prone to ‘picking’ out the ingredients they like/dislike, it might help to follow some approach to blending it all together. Otherwise, there is no nutritional reason to do so ….
Hi! Thank you for sharing your story. My dog has been diagnosed with kidney issues and your recipes are extremely helpful. I also just spent the last hour and a half reading Ben’s story, again thanks for sharing. I feel it helped with appreciating the time I currently have with my pup. I have to admit I’m not much of a crying, but your story really got to my heart. All I can say is I’m full on ugly crying — noises and all. 🙂
My vet gave us Hill’s Prescription wet food for kidney/mobility. I have a little 10 year old yorkie who is now under 8lbs since losing weight from being sick and not eating. We just found out about her renal failure a couple days ago.
She won’t touch the dog food. Turns her head away and continues to just lay there. I tried to call the vet and see what I can do, but haven’t heard back yet.
I went to the store to get stuff to try for her. I mixed 96/4 lean ground beef with white rice, egg whites, peas, carrots and a little unsalted beef broth for flavor. She ate some of it, which makes me feel better, but I just want to make sure I don’t give her anything that will make her worse. I didn’t purée anything. Like I said, no word from the vet yet and I wanted to at least try to get her to eat something since she hasn’t eaten since we brought her home yesterday.
Hello, in my desperation to find something he would eat, I bought bison to try. However, in coming home and doing some research, I don’t see anywhere where bison is listed as a good thing to try. I’m guessing it’s too high in phosphorus?
Thank you so much for sharing your information. Our boy has lasted longer than the vet expected but, I’ve been giving him dry food. I am afraid I’ve done him additional harm. I’m trying to do better by him and see how long we can sustain him, happily. I appreciate your assistance in that!
Best wishes,
Heidi
Hi Heidi — firstly, don’t beat yourself up for trying and doing your best. He’s the best friend you have and he doesn’t need your judgment of yourself. Secondly, yes, you’re right, the bison, while a great food for healthy people and dogs, does seem to be the wrong protein choice for a kidney disease suffer. My quick google research here resulted in this: http://www.dietandfitnesstoday.com/phosphorus-in-bison.php. Go back to the beef would be my recommendation, but certainly speak to your vet if you’re looking for other proteins for another reason. Stay well and best of luck.
My dog is currently having his kidney flushed overnight. I think he has more going and should know when i pick him up tomorrow. But what about raw rib bone. Just like the beef ribs you buy at the grocery store.
Hi there Pilan — My instinct is to say no to bones given that “Of all the phosphorus in the body, 80% of it is found in the teeth and bones in the form of crystalline bone, hydroxyapatite.” It is one of the reasons that “bone meal” is a great addition to any garden. I have no idea how it works when ingested, but, again, my instincts would be to stay away from this ….
dale do you have a macro breakdown for your meal?
or do you know the break down for kcals. protein fat. carbs. percentages?
Sorry — I do not. Happy for a reader here to pitch in and run the calculations and would be happy to post/share ….
Hi Dale, I did a nutrient breakdown. Where can I send it to you to share with everyone?
Hi Dhruv,
Thank you both for doing this and for your offer to share it with everyone. I’m sure it will be greatly appreciated by many and has long been requested.
I’ll reply to you separately and offline with my email so that you can send it along by PDF or JPG or whatever works best.
Thanks again. ~ Dale
Where/when will you post the info on nutrient percentages offered by Dhruv a few days ago. I would especially like to know the protein level. Thank you and thank you for the research you have done. I have an 11 month old who is already in failure. We need to cut back her protein and phosphorus quickly and your published diet is a big head start!
Hi Beckie — We’re still waiting for an updated breakdown that includes all the ingredients. Preliminary calculations, however, suggest it is 9% or quite likely even lower.
what could you use instead of rice – my dog is totally grain intolerant and cant do potatoes or sweet potato either or oats
Hi Laura — I can’t advise, I’m sorry. Others suggest white bread but that doesn’t sound like it will work for you either. All I can suggest is you research other fibre sources that are phosphorous low … perhaps another ‘grain’ like spelt or millet but I can’t say. Sorry. You’ll have to make some tradeoffs and settle for “best you can do,” I’m sure.
Hi Dale,
Thanks for your research and your recipe. My pup hasn’t been diagnosed with kidney disease yet but he has proteinuria 2+ and high blood pressure. I’ve been writing with my vet to try to lower his protein levels in his urine. We put him on a blood pressure medication and that didn’t help the proteinuria but at least helped the high blood pressure. The next step my vet recommended a kd friendly food. My pup will just not eat it. So I want to give this a try and after a few weeks see if his results are better. Thanks so much for the information. Ben sure is helping many.
Thank you, Heather. Ben, the miracle dog, has indeed helped many. It is hard to believe and yet I’m reminded almost daily. It is a tremendous gift and a gift of you all that you keep him and his memory very much alive. So thank you. Perhaps one day, Ben will get his sainthood as he deserves. But for now, thanks is all the reward. Thank you! Best of luck to you and your pup and hope this has indeed helped him as well.
Dale, Thank you so much for posting this recipe and all those resources! My 13 year old hairless dog just came from the vet with the prognosis of level 2 kidney disease. About a year ago I noticed he was losing weight and was not eating much so I started cooking for him and his 2.5 year old sister. I noticed this year he gained some weight and was more energetic and his hips dysplasia was not as bad. But after today I will definitely modify the recipe for him. His diet already included rice, and sweet potatoes but I tomorrow I will gather the ingredients you have and and try them. He weights about 26 lb. Thanks to you and Your angel Ben. I hope this helps my furless baby. I will keep you posted on him
Heather,
My 5-year-old dog has had the same issues–high blood pressure and proteinuria. Vet thinks my dog is developing Cushings’ disease. His recent test came back negative, but the vet feels if we retest in 3-4 months, he will be positive. The blood pressure meds have controlled the blood pressure, but now he wants our dog put on a low-protein diet. He recommended a brand, but I’ve heard most dogs don’t like the flavor so I am going to try Dale & Ben’s recipe too.
Thanks Dale for helping us pet owners!
You’re very welcome, Michelle, a given Ben travelled the same Cushings’ road, I’m exceptionally empathetic and hopeful this will help you as well. Best of luck. ~ Dale
My vet just recommended log and and melatonin for cushings
Thank you for sharing and contributing, Madeline.
This may have been asked already but why can you not/do not use chicken as this is used in the hills kidney care food?
Because when you run down the list of ‘pure’ proteins (not by-products as you find in most commercial pet foods), and you look at their phosphorus content, the choice is pretty simple. Chicken was higher than beef so I went with beef.
Can you be more specific in the b vitamin supplements, there are so many different strengths on the market.
Hi Andre. My reference is actually specific: B-50. I’m not a pharmacist, but my understanding is that this actually a formulary reference is means it is has 50mcg of B vitamins in it. That is what distinguishes the strength from a B-100 (which is twice the “strength” … not different B vitamins).
Hi Dale
Just a quickie to say thank you so much for the recipe. As a chef I find it more frustrating than most when my cooking isn’t appreciated! But today my Lurcher Callie fiinished her food for the first time in weeks after a serious bout of enteritis and underlying kidney problems. The only changes I made were to the cooking method – i fried the meat quite fiercely in the coconut oil to add crunch and caramelisation and then added the egg white and stir fried. What can I say? Old habits die hard! It went down a storm so thank you again, here’s to putting some weight on! Sorry if I’ve duplicated another post, I couldn’t read them all!
Thank you Debra. No worries about any fear of duplication. The comments are a very very long human chain of people facing the same problem. It’s a humbling thing to have been part of fashioning that first link and seeing where it has stretched. It’s always nice to hear other people’s experiences through this and a great pleasure to meet a chef who has taken the recipe and run with it. I totally agree. In the end, chief among my guiding rules is that if I found it disgusting, so would my canine love. It seems a horrible myth that dogs don’t have a sense of taste and “will eat anything.” Far from it. There is a great untapped market for chefs cooking for dogs I think ….
Thank you so much! Ben was a cutie for sure! How long was he able to live after diagnosis and your special diet?
Thank you Rosie. Ben lived to 18.5 yrs … another 6 months after his diagnosis of kidney failure.
So thankful for Ben. His journey has lead you to help save many more lives, improving the quality of their lives with your love for him and ability to research what many of us aren’t able to. Thank you
Thank you Cyndy — and thank you for being so generous in words. My research is far from perfect nor does it end when I did, but I’m truly humbled that it has provided so many others a foundation upon which to build health and hope for their loved ones.
If sodium is an issue, I am wondering why using all the egg whites? They are so high in sodium.
… because they are loaded with protein and low in phosphorus and this whole approach is a balance to get to an end that is palatable. Moreover, it would be wrong to suggest that an egg white has so much natural sodium in it as to be the same as a tablespoon of table salt.
Thank you so much for all of the information. My 1 1/2 year pup Theodore was diagnosed with stage 3 Kidney failure last year and we been adding chicken and rice to his KD kibble to make it more interesting, which isn’t great, so I’m very thankful for the recipe/information you’ve posted.
I also wonder if you have any suggestions for a bone or bone alternatives and if you have any recipes for dog training treats I could make?
I don’t have a lot of suggestions on bone alternatives that kidney friendly. Sorry — I was just a very different stage. That said, other readers have very wisely described how they have used to this very same recipe to make dog treats by either using this to bake ‘cookies’ or using a dehydrator for bites. Hope that helps. Best of luck on the road ahead for you and Theodore.
I fixed this tonight for my 15 yr old Serena. She’s an 80ish lb lab/pitbull mix that was diagnosed around March. She had extremely high blood pressure and was spilling protein in her urine. Her brother (same litter) had CKD and pancreatitis so feeding was difficult. He just passed about a month ago. She has more energy but VERY picky with food. Refuses the RX diets. I recently have been giving her Forza10 Renal but it’s SO expensive. I also tried Dr Harvey’s and she likes it but it’s also a little pricey. I fixed your recipe tonight and she loved it. It seems like alot of protein because she had previously been on so little when I cooked before (BalanceIT.com). I’ll see how she does with this batch – she ate like a horse tonight because she has not been eating well. I need to get more epakitin as a phosphorus binder. Wish I knew of natural ones. I decided to try this because there are many success stories and referrals from holistic vets. I hope I can keep her on this and it does well for her. God bless you and your furbaby who helped spread this so others could stay with us longer.
You’re very welcome Lara. Hope your news remains good. Stay well and Serena both.
Found your post about 6 weeks ago and it sounded like it was worth a shot. Had read mixed to poor reviews of the bland, expensive, prescription food from vets and wasn’t looking forward to that. Just wanted you to know that our vet was skeptical, but labs came back Thur and she was impressed…said not to come in for another 3 months!
Thank you Cory. I have to say, every vet we make a “believer” out of we can do in our own kitchens is a huge leap forward for us all. Thank you for sharing your story and the support of your vet to the list. Best of luck to you over the next 3 months. Let us know how it goes.
How long does the food last before going bad?
It’s human-grade food without preservatives. Same rules apply for any meat in your fridge. I wouldn’t recommend more than 3 days, so freeze it in smaller batches as necessary.
Hi, would i be able to use rabbit instead of the beef. Some reason my guy has tummy upset with beef. Thx
Hi Debbe — I posted this reply to another reader last year who had the same question: “The best I can find is from the following site: “There is 263 mg amount of Phosphorus in 100 gram portion amount of Game meat, rabbit, domesticated, composite of cuts, cooked, roasted.”
In sum, not the worst, but far from the best. Try the fish instead.
Thank you for your recipe our Cookie 11 yr old Schneagle is in stage 3 of CKD she was diagnosed in May 2020 we struggled with the prescribed Royal Canin Kidney diet she will not eat it . It’s frustrating that the Vet doesn’t offer guidance on dietary management and we are left on our own. Her philosophy has been quality over quantity I have made some mistakes and I hope I can rectify to some degree out of desperation to get Cookie to eat boiled chicken breast and brown rice vs white. We are giving sq fluids and using entyce to help her appetite when needed
It is obvious she has wasted I plan on getting the ingredients and will try them with our Baby .Thank you again for your research it has been very helpful . So sorry for the loss of your Ben ..puppy hugs may you still feel them .
Thank you. It’s very kind. Yesterday was the 6th anniversary of Ben’s passing and this recipe just keeps chugging along and adding to his memory and legacy. 🙂
I respect that not all vets are nutritionists or experts in nutrition any more than all healthcare professionals are for humans. There is a whole other science there and we can’t expect our vets to know everything — that is probably ours (and some of them) biggest mistake. Most vets are generalists, just like family medicine and GPs. It’s a courageous vet to put aside their egos and say “I don’t know … speak to a nutritionist instead.”
Dear Cookie Mom.
My beagle/lab has stage 3 kidney disease. Google Hilary’s diet. She is an animal nutritionist and has a recipe book and supplements. She has an e mail address and i am sure that she will guide you on which recipes fit your dog. I gave her my dog’s results and she guided me as to which two recipes would benefit my dog. They are highly nutritional. I am suggesting as my dog would only eat one of the recipes because he is finicky. He won’t eat the canned, and I have heard it is not really that good for them. Home made is more work but if the dog will eat it…. definitely better. Many beagles are-most will eat anything.. but not mine!. I think Dale’s recipe is great and everything he says regarding Phosphorus is so true. I also researched a great deal as I am not ready to lose my dog to anything. He is my best friend So to switch it up a little to keep up our dogs taste buds….hahaha. you may find a few good recipes in Hilary’s as well.
Dale… so sorry for your loss. You and Ben have opened eyes for many pet owners. Ben has left a wonderful legacy. Blessings.
Thank you for your heart-warming and comforting words. Much appreciated and I’m sure many others here will also appreciate your guidance and experience. Take care and thanks again.
http://tastynibbles.in/product-category/tuna/
Can I use this instead of lean beef?
Do u give your dog subcutaneous fluids?
Yes, it seems a good option. Just search for canned tuna on phosphorus lists and compare …. And better, phone the manufacturer of the product you plan to use and ask them to tell you the nutritional breakdown of their product. Then you know for sure.
How much for a 90lb low active dog?
Hi Alicia –Thank you for the comment and sharing your experiences. It is comforting to know the spirits of these amazing creatures stay close. I don’t personally feel a need for photos — I feel Ben close all the time. His memory and spirit is intertwined with mine and will always be with me, I know. While I carry him, speak to his name, and visit his tree, I nonetheless have found it in me to open my heart to “Leo” who now needs me. I am grateful our hearts can absorb others and expand in this universe. Thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and reaching out. ~ Dale
I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell you. I’d recommend speaking to a nutritionist and/or your vet for guidance on quantity for your particular friend.
How much does Ben weigh? I am trying to figure out how much to give my 35 lb dog a day.
Ben weighed a similar amount before his disease progressed.
Hello, I just came across your page and thankful for it.. I am going to try your recipe; however, can I use ground turkey meat? My dog’s vet suggested ground turkey, because she also has the early stages of heart disease.
Hi Michele. You’re very welcome. With respect to ground turkey, I caution you on the basis that if you buy a package that says “ground turkey” and nothing else, you don’t know what parts of the turkey are on it. The phosphourus levels of different parts of a fowl are different so recommend that you source your ingredients specifically and singularly, look up the phosphorus levels if you’re going to make a substitution and exchange like for like. Sorry if that isn’t a ringing endorsement, but hope it helps a bit. Good luck.
Hi there, my local grocery store sells 99% lean ground turkey breast. I saw you mentioned that it could be worrisome if it doesn’t mention what PART of the turkey used so I’m hoping maybe the breast is low in phosphorus. Would this be ok for substitution? I’m also a bit confused on the type of ground beef preferred. Our local “extra lean” (96% lean) just states “ground beef” where as less lean cuts are more particular, ex: ground chuck (80%) and ground beef sirloin (90%).
Thanks for your guidance! I worry it’s too late for my little one — her BUN was recently 103 (she’s only 6 years old!) after an issue of acute pancreatitis and her kidneys refused to recover even after 3 days of IV fluids — but I want her time left to be as healthy as can be with enjoyable food!
Hi Alexandria — good questions and I’ll do my layman’s best to guide and answer. I’m not sure whether phosphorus changes much throughout the cut of a cow, but putting on my culinary hat, some of those other cuts you describe being ground are prized for specific uses (chuck = hamburger patties) because of the fat content and the “beefy” flavour that comes more from different muscles. No idea if the phosphorus level changes, but “lean ground beef” is generally and fairly consistently made from the same less expensive cuts of beef so I’m going to guess the phosphorus levels are fairly consistent in that. As for the turkey question, that’s a bit easier to answer — the “dark meat” (not the breast) of poultry is lower in phosphorus. It may seem counter intuititive, I know, because nutritionists have been telling us humans to stay away from high saturated protein sources like beef and dark meat on a bird, but when it comes to lowering phosphorus, there seems to be a pattern that runs against this. In short, don’t go for the breast, go for the thighs.
Good luck and enjoy those days and hope she enjoys them and her food along with you. Take care.
My lovely 10 year old Lab x was diagnosed kidney disease last week following lump removal surgery (still awaiting results ?). He has not eaten anything willingly for 5 days. He had an overnight stay at the vets the day before yesterday where they hydrated him intravenously but he refused to eat. We are currently syringe feeding him chicken and potato purée 5ml – 10mls every 30 mins or so. So far he’s managing to keep it down but drools a lot so I know he feels very sick. I’ve just been out and bought the items for your recipe. I’m hoping with everything I have that this helps him. It’s so scary having a dog that is quite literally starving himself to death.?. Please send Chio all the positive thoughts you have ?
Hi Cordelia — Here’s hoping with you for Chio and a speedy recovery. It is a devastating thing to watch, I know and I hope with you that a few days of rest and the diet have helped him with his food drive and he turns the corner. Be well, Chio — Your ‘mom’ needs you. ~ Dale
Hope Chico feels better soon
Hi, could I substitute and use ground turkey instead? It I do use beef can I boil versus cooking it in a frying pan?
Hi Lauratotti. Michele just asked the same question so I’m copying/pasting the same reply: With respect to ground turkey, I caution you on the basis that if you buy a package that says “ground turkey” and nothing else, you don’t know what parts of the turkey are on it. The phosphourus levels of different parts of a fowl are different so recommend that you source your ingredients specifically and singularly, look up the phosphorus levels if you’re going to make a substitution and exchange like for like. Sorry if that isn’t a ringing endorsement, but hope it helps a bit.
With respect to boiling vs. frying, that’s your choice, for sure and if your dog likes it, that’s fine. It may reduce the phosphorus, I don’t know, especially if you throw out the water. However, it may leach out other nutrients as well. I’d recommend speaking to a nutritionist for more answers on this one.
Good luck.
Thank you so much I will try this recipe. My vet diagnose with kidney failure , I cried a lot but I want to do everything I can for my baby
Would Alkaline water instead of tap water from a well or municipal system help with acidity? Also, since I read calcium binds with phosphorus, and not all calcium supplements types are equally absorbed by a human body, would baked ground up egg shells work?
My 6yr old 15 pd Chiweenie is on day 45 of recovery from a couple of tick borne diseases and sudden onset regenerative IMHA that destroyed her red cells and now has dilute but acidic urine with protein in it but no blood or infection in it. Vet told me to feed her a 12% low protein large commercial company dry food.
But FDA here in the USA has a list of them that have been recalled so I’m doing 30% canned low protein, 30% home-made and 30% kibble for now because I live in a small Northwoods WI town with limited resources, including my wallet.
I make one tablespoon balls out of it to ease small meal feeding 5x per day
My bulldog is 50 lbs. Would i give him the whole B50 vitamin, and only once a day or twice? And why at night? Can i give it to my boy in the morning? Thank you for your help.
Hi Roma — Sorry for the late reply. Please don’t take my answer as a prescription because not all supplements etc are given on basis of weight. I’d ultimately recommend if you haven’t already to validate this with a vet/pharmacist. But in theory, yes, a whole pill would be the answer. In answer to when, I don’t recall any reason to give it at a time of day. I simply balanced pills between morning and night. B50 is water soluble and will be bound with excess water in the urine … so with more peeing, as a result of kidney disease, the dog is losing more of these. Therefore, supplementing them is balancing the loss.
I am so happy to find this link. Thanks to your article, especially for those useful links like phos list.
My dog Lily was recently diagnosed with stage 3 CKD. She had ultrasound last Monday. Besides her kidney’s chronic/aging changes, she also has some mineral in her bladder and mucocele is forming in her Gall Bladder. She is taking two antibiotics to help her Gall bladder and C/D diet for her kidney. One month later she will do ultrasound again. Her Phos binder will be delivered on Tuesday. So it should help her on phosphorus level. Meanwhile, I am trying to find the best diet for her. Any suggestion to boost her appetite and good for her current situation will be much appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.
Hi Charlene — a very late reply but for what it’s worth, if your vet hasn’t already prescribed an appetite stimulant, Ben was taking Mirtazapine as well near the end to help.
Hi,
I wasn’t sure if my comment I just posted actually went through, so here I go again. I have an almost 16 year old dog with both Kidney disease and liver disease. Both diseases are quite advanced. My question for you is, do you feel that your recipe would be OK for a dog with liver disease as well as kidney disease. I feel, from most of my reading online, that a lot of the same considerations are taken when it comes to food that is good for the liver and the kidneys. I just wanted to ask your opinion on that matter. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Your work is really great. You have helped lots and lots of animals, and owners! Take care,
Hi Weston — yes, both your comments were submitted. I appreciate the challenges of getting current medical advice overseas. Unfortunately, I’m not in a very good position to advise as I’m not a medical expert either. That said, drawing from my memory (appreciating it is more than 6 years ago since I was handed my own diagnosis), Ben did have underlying liver problems as well; he had Cushings too. In short, he had lots going on and the diet unquestionably helped him, but I approached the diet as one of palliation, not cure. I wish I could help more, but thank you for your kind, kind words. Good luck and take good care yourselves. ~ Dale
Hi Dale,
Thank you so much for your response. Your dedication to helping other pets and pets owners is truly inspiring. I have been making your meal for two weeks now and it has really been quite successful. I have not done another blood test since her alarming blood test two weeks ago when we started your diet but her weight is looking good and she is more active as of late. I have a feeling your meal has helped tremendously. Thank you again and I wish you well. Take care,
Thank you Weston. Continue to take good care yourself and all the best.
Dear Dale,
Thank you for sharing this deeply researched recipe.
My dog was diagnosed with stage 2 ckd 2 months ago. My vet recommended a book of recipes and a special renal. I bought both. But I decided to follow your recipe. His recent test shows a regression to stage 1, I have no doubt your recipe was the reason.
I would like to know whether I can continue using it as is or whether I need to tweak it for stage 1.
Thanks in advance,
Maïssa
Hi Maïssa — Thank you for your great question and good news story. If your vet recommended a book, they might also be willing to guide you in an answer to this question. I suspect some of it depends on what has caused the CKD (age or something else) and whether this has helped him over a hump or whether this in fact a “chronic” disease. If it is chronic, then my intuition (appreciating I’m not a doctor) is that you should maintain the therapy that is helping — just like you wouldn’t stop providing insulin to a diabetic patient just because the lab results have improved. But, again, depending on the rest of your story and your dog’s age, if you’re feeling confident that the worst is past, you might consider trying altnerating this with a regular diet (e,g, morning/afternoon) and see if the labs change. If they do/don’t, you have your answer as well. Good luck.
Maissa could you tell me what recipe book your vet recommend you buy?
Hi Misty, sorry for not answering sooner. I didn’t know you had written me until now. The book :
Home-made rénal recipes by Hilary Watson Bsc.
Note that the recipes include her supplement: Hilary’s renal blend, as an ingredient.
Hi, I want to thank you for all of your research and help. So sorry to hear about your baby.
My boy is 15 and 9 months, Minnie Aussie. He was diagnosed a year ago with congestive heart failure. This week he was just diagnosed with kidney problem (probably because of meds for heart), but he also has developed terrible arthritis. Because of heart and kidney issue, meds are hard to find that won’t make kidneys worse. – I have always fed him a partial raw food diet; raw ground beef (grass fed); raw squash; and cooked sweet potatoes. Along with apple, and other fruit (no grapes or raisins); and really almost anything I ate. His sdma is 27, creatinine is 3.3; bun 132; BUN Creatinine Ratio 40; phosphorus 6.4 but calcium is also high at 11.6. Other high things too like chloride, anlon alp, amylase, and lipase. But I don’t know if they have anything to do with kidneys. I was focusing on the creatinine bun etc. He had 2 days of not eating as good as he usually does, but now I think it was the pain from arthritis. (I know you’re not a vet, but just thought I’d give you the full picture). The cardiologist reduced his meds/lasiks, so hopefully that will help reduce kidney values too, but I want to change to the best diet for him.
I’m curious if you found that everyone suggested cooking the meat and veggies. I was wondering if I need to change to cooking it. Also, putting it in a blender? Does pureeing it help with digesting? Does cooking it, cook out the phosphorous?
Thanks so much,
Karen
Hi Karen — apologies for the very late reply, but in answer to your questions, the cooking, in particular of the veggies using the methods described, is intended and described to leach out more of the phosphorus. The cooking in general adds to longevity of the food in the fridge and reduces other potential risk factors for sick dogs with immuno-compromised health. The blender is for texture and mixing things together for fussy dogs that might otherwise pick through their food. Not necessary for some, for sure.
Question about the fish, can albacore tuna packed in water be a substitution?
Read the label or go the manufacturer and ask how much phosphorus is in the product and weigh the comparison with what you’re substituting. Note, according to the PDF I provided from Kaiser, “light tuna in water” is in the medium phosphorus column.
I really appreciated your article. From the content to format….great work. My Daisy has just been diagnosed with kidney disease. I’ve adopted her last year….she’s in bad shape….but I’m just doing my best to make her comfortable and maybe share our first Christmas together. She has had a bad life but maybe I can help her just remember me n here. She’s only ten but acts so much older. She’s very ill. Do your article hits close to home because I am researching too, learn and care for her…like you did. I had seen parsley wasn’t the best….I can’t find why…(a lot of info at once) do you know why I’m thinking its not popular….I see hawthorn, ginko and echinaecea are good though.
I’ve read to get Daisy checked for high calcium levels too…you’ll need to substitute aluminum based calcium binder instead…..but if ok….simply ground 1/2 teasp / # of meat is better than bone.
I’m looking into ‘green tripe ‘ What the heck is this?
Did you get labs on your pup’s potassium? I guess there’s something to check if they are high….it’s called Addison’s Disease. Just a little fyi….
Even reading about the water….I’m going to check to see if its got higher metals in it.
I’m sorry you are going through this too. I lost my gsd, Ty a few years ago to DM….he was 12. And, now I have Daisy. They truly are our life support and structure, aren’t they. Prayers and best wishes to you and your family.
Debra, Daisy and Charlie
Dear Debra, Daisy and Charlie — Apologies for the very long overdue reply.
You may have found answers to some of your questions. Regarding parsley, it is often suggested to avoid especially during canine pregnancy as it impacts the uterus. Others have debated whether it helps with boosting kidney health and the merits of different kinds (curly vs. flat-leaf). Generally, my approach was always a “little bit” and used in moderation, it has important net benefits. The quantity as an overall ratio is very small as well. That said, my advice to all is that if not comfortable with any of the ingredients or if cautioned by a health practitioner, then certainly avoid them.
“Green tripe” — tripe is the lining of the ruminating stomach of a cow — “green tripe” is simply tripe with the grass/hay still in the stomach mixed in with it (‘white’ trip would be cleaned, steamed/boiled to leave it the colour humans would expect). The extra vitamins from the grass is what you’re after.
Thanks again for stopping by and all the best to you in your continued research and care for Daisy.
I simply want to say thank you for posting your low-phosphorus dog food recipe. Like others, I’ve been doing a lot of research on how to change my dog’s diet due to renal failure. Your simple recipe, and the related posts from your many followers, have been very helpful to relieve the uneasiness I had about going in this direction. Thank you. And, I hope you’re enjoying Leo.
Thank you, Susan. I’m glad the resources here have been helpful and have you on a new course. Thank you also for your kind wishes and thoughts with respect to Leo. He’s a a delight but also keeping us very very busy. Life is good. 🙂
Our 8yr old cavalier, a rescue, was diagnosis 2 yrs ago with GME (meningitis) now recently diagnosed with CRF. Experiencing the typical nausea, vomiting & diarrhea. Like so many, Atti was started on K/D prescription food & did well for a while, now totally refusing to eat for the last 5 days until I prepared your delicious recipe. Hallelujah!!! I do have 1 question…her internal medicine vet states she should have 320 kcalories to maintain her weight. Do you have any idea how many kcalories are in a 1 cup serving?
Thank you for sparking my Atti’s appetite & lowering my stress.
Sheila S
Hi Sheila — You’re most welcome and I hope that Atti continues to do well on the diet and her numbers are improving. I’m sorry I can’t provide you with any numbers on the kcalories in the diet. My best recommendation is to plug the ingredients into an online calorie calculator which I’m sure you’re already on. I simply eyeballed my servings as similar to previous servings … and, as I often say to others, the issue usually is wasting, not over-eating, so let her go and let her be your guide along with input from your vet.
Dear Dale,
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe after all the research you have done.
Two months ago, my 12 year old Max was diagnosed with stage 2 CKD. I found your recipe right away and started using it. Last week’s blood work indicate a regression to stage 1. I cannot thank you enough…
I would like to know if this recipe is also also adequate for stage 1, and whether I should continue using it.
Thank you so much,
Maissa
Hi Maissa — I know my reply is very late, but I’ll provide an answer nonetheless as is my goal here (keeps me busy). In terms of how long to continue with the diet, I can point you to the stories and comments from hundreds of others here who have talked about feeding the diet for multiple years and ‘claiming’ it increased longevity and quality of life. I put that in quotes because these are their stories, which while I wholeheartedly believe, I can substantiate or verify. Still, on a sheer volume basis, it would seem to be a good indicator that continuing isn’t a bad thing but, as always, seek the advice of your vet and, if nothing else, the therapeutic diet and good numbers should give you more wiggle room for other treats or variety here or there.
Hi Dale,
I have read your recipe and subsequent information and am very impressed with the amount of research you completed. I try and do the same myself, which led me to your website. I do have a question about my situation. My dog has both pretty severe kidney issues, as well as very high ALP liver enzymes. Would your recipe also fit the needs of a dog that has kidney AND liver issues? I unfortunately am living in Istanbul, Turkey and non of the veterinarians that I go to recommend a home cooked diet so I can’t really get a good a answer from them. I am not surprised with their responses as they are about 20 years behind over here. I thought I would ask you your opinion on the effects on the liver as well. Thank you for your time and consideration. Take care,
So glad I found your website. My 13 1/2 year old coton de tulear Mia (12 lbs) was just diagnosed with early kidney disease. Vet put her on Royal Canin KD diet but it caused her to have bloody stools. At this moment she is on boiled chicken and white rice. My question is at her weight do I reduce the amount of supplements by half of what you posted? 5 mg pepcid, half of a 25 mg Q10 tablet etc? Are these necessary in addition to the recipe? Also, two cups of white bread if not using rice?
Hi Lisa — my advice would be to speak your vet and/or a pharmacist to make sure about any use of supplements and amounts. Not all prescriptions or meds are administered by weight or are simply doubled or halved, so if you want to make sure, speak to a professional. Good luck.
My dog Phoenix is nearly 16 year old Labrador cross. Vet said she has stage 2 chronic kidney disease and to put her on K/d food. It is so expensive and I’m sure not entirely balanced. I tried your recipe and she gained 100g. Then just the k/d food and she stayed the same so I am back making your food and gonna mix it with the k/d food.
The vet explained she should be on K/d food but that she is basically “palative”
So if she is going to die she might as well die happy.
She loves your food. I give her 2 fish oil capsules in the morning and 2 cups of your food in the afternoon with 2 cups of k/d food. (Yes quite a bit more than she is supposed to have) but she has always been between 25 and 30kg and she is now down to 23.6kg so can afford to eat extra.
I started puncturing the fish oil capsules as she likes Tuna oil and she would lick them but now I just put them in her bowl and she pops them in her mouth and loves chewing them.
I will talk to my vet about egg shell next time as that is the only ingredient I didn’t run past them for her. My dog loves carrots so I add a kg of cooked carrots in and may add more in once I research them a bit more as they are so cheap and add bulk. She also loves apples so I add Apple in. My dog has always loved fruits and I am going to google a bit about which fruits I can still give but your food is such a great base.
Thank you so much
i just came across your article after researching when i got the bad news about my baby of 15 years. she is in advanced kidney failure and uremic, so she isn’t supposed to have a lot of protein. but she doesn’t eat anything. i’ve been trying for weeks. you write that you are focusing on low phosphorus, not low protein. was your Ben in the early stages of the disease? i am so confused with all the material out there. the vet says low protein and low phosphorus. i bought all the supplements and vitamins and and and. but, she is not eating anyting, sometimes a few bites and she is now on Entyce which isn’t helping much either. so, after too many weeks, she is slowly starving to death. so i think it doesn’t matter if i keep the protein low, as long as i can get her to eat anything? i’m about to buy steak and pork and stuff. she doesn’t even eat chicken ( i know it’s higher in phosphorus) but again, she eats nothing so do i really need to worry about the protein. i am going to make your recipe later, but i don’t have much hopes. she didn’t eat just ground beef, why would she eat it with all the good stuff added in your recipe? but thank you for sharing, i found it so hearwarming that you care about your Ben like i do about my babies and i know in the meantime you have lost him, i just still can’t even imagine. and don’t know how to or when to make the decision. i hope it went peaceful for you, and maybe he died with you in his sleep? that would be wonderful.
warm Regards,
Doris with Princess Hope
I should have written a year ago. Our now 16 year old Peek-a-poo was starving she hated the Renal food from a prescription. She’d lost 20% of her weight and April 2019 the vet said she had 3-6 months. A chance conversation with my mother in law and she wondered if a homemade version was possible and that’s where I found this recipe. I pretty much make it with the exact same ingredients every time and Jazmin is still here thrilled to get this meal three times a day. Her weight has improved. This has been a true lifesaver. We did not even think here June 2020 she’d be here. We do also give her a half a pill of fatomide and a scoop of Epakitin that the vet recommended to ease the nausea. She is an elderly dog that is living out her life enjoying her homemade (dare I say gourmet) food and long daily naps. Thank you for your research as it is a proven winner in our house!
Thank you Kaje — it really means a lot to hear of your success with Jazmin. It is a true miracle that she is with us all after more than a year. Thank you for sharing. Ben also was taking a small pill of fatomide to improve his food drive, so keep it up! And, yes, if a human can eat their dog’s food, I guess it probably is pretty gourmet. Best of luck to you both in the days and months ahead. ~ Dale
I noticed on the phosphorus chart that different cuts of beef have different amounts of phosphorus. How does one know what the ground beef is made of? Also, is grass fed beef going to have more phosphorus?
I am so grateful for your website! Thank you!
Hi Marcia — good questions, but not sure I can answer them all. Yes, different cuts of meat, in general, have different phosphorus levels. This is the reason I strongly caution against other ground meats (e.g. ground turkey) because you don’t know what has been mixed). In beef, it is likely less of an issue and assuming you get a good quality lean gr. beef, it will likely be ground “chuck.” That will be your guide. If you want to be more specific and knowing what you’re giving, you can buy your beef from a butcher and then ask them to grind it for you. As for the nutritional differences of grass fed, I have no idea and can’t answer that. Sorry. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Thanks, Dale!
I did find out that grass fed has more phosphorus, but I am thinking that no hormones, antibiotics and inflammation the grain fed cows suffer should still be better. I made your recipe yesterday, and Remy, who has refused to eat the kidney diet kibble, from 2 different manufacturers, gobbled it up last night and this a.m. This might also mean we can stop giving the med for appetite stimulation.
Thanks for posting the follow up, Marcia. Good to know. I agree, in many cases, it is hard choice but agree with you that erring on the side of a healthier source of meat will have other positive impacts. Wishing you continued good luck and a strong appetite in Remy.
Thanks, Dale!
I did find out that organic, grass fed beef has a bit more phosphorus, but I think the lack of antibiotics, hormones and inflammation that grain fed cows suffer makes up for it.
I made your recipe last night, all organic that we are lucky to eat, and Remy gobbled it up yesterday and this a.m. He has been refusing to eat the kidney diet kibble from 2 different manufacturers.
I am sorry for the loss of your dear Ben.
What are you feeding your new companion?
Thanks again!
Thanks for posting the follow up, Marcia. Good to know. I agree, in many cases, it is hard choice but agree with you that erring on the side of a healthier source of meat will have other positive impacts. Wishing you continued good luck and a strong appetite in Remy.
Thank you also for your kind wishes in regards to Ben. It means a lot.
As for Leo, it’s been a hard thing to figure out. I don’t have any research or good sense of what a puppy needs, so he’s eating a kibble by Orijen for large breed puppies. Once he’s ready to be weaned of it, my plan is to move to balance of kibble one meal and homemade meal #2. That is what I ultimately did with Ben, so we’ll see. Thanks for asking.
Hi, this has helped massively thank you!!! I just have a question regarding ground beef, here in the UK I can buy shop bought mince beef. Is this the same? Or do I need butcher qualify been and ask to grind as your said?
Thanks in advance !
Samantha
Hi Samantha — Sincere apologies for the delay in reply. There is a lot going on right now as I know you’re likely battling through as well. That said, an answer which may serve other UK readers which is that, yes, you’re absolutely right. Mince = Ground beef (or close enough). I know there will be some foodie that will argue the finer points, but from a nutritional perspective, I think you’re safe to treat them the same.
Hi,First of all thank you so much for this recipe. My 17 year old silky terrier mix was recently diagnosed with kidney disease and she didn’t eat the Hills kidney diet neither Royal Canine diet but she just loves your recipe!She just started eating some soil outside for the past week so I think I will have to add some supplements too. Stupid question but with option 2 in your recipe do you mean half a pound of ground beef substitute with ground pork or half of it (meaning 1 pound) ?Honestly, my dog hasn’t eaten that much in her whole life ?
Hi Betty — sorry for the delay in reply. A good and fair question re: the substitution. Given that the original recipe uses 2lbs of ground beef, what is intended by the substitution is to substitute half the beef for gr. pork. I.e. Use 1lb beef and 1lb ground pork. Hope that makes more sense. Good luck.
Do you or can you freeze the baggies and thaw as needed? Did you just refrigeratorate the 10-12 days worth of food?
Hi Brittany — yes, the recipe shows the food portioned in baggies which are frozen and thawed as needed. Really depends on your particular dog and your serving needs. All said: it freezes and thaws well and you can microwave it for serving just to make it more interesting.
Dale,
I wanted to reach out and thank you for the amount of research you put in this and the fact that you shared it with the world. I had seen your post and had also seen a youtube video of a woman demonstrating how to make this same recipe. I was curious but too afraid to make the leap to making homemade dog food without consulting a vet. My corgi mix, who I’ve had since he was about a year old, was diagnosed with renal failure and my vet turned out to be of no help with nutritional counseling. I found a wholistic animal clinic that has a nutritionist and she gave me a number of options, one of which included your recipe and advice to read your entire blog. So I am commenting here primarily to say THANK YOU. I started this around January of 2020. Dexter is 17 and has been doing well. We’ve had a few scares, but his disease seems to have slowed, at least with some of his kidney values and symptoms (his BUN actually went from 40 to 33, accidents in the house have diminished). A big issue is that he gets bored with food so I’m back here looking for any substitutes. The other reason I’m commenting is because I wanted to get it out there that a veterinarian trained in nutrition recommended your site and your advice. I haven’t read all of the comments so I don’t know if other professionals have endorsed you, but this is a big deal to me. So thank you for sharing this information with everyone and continuing to respond to other peoples comments after all these years. You have given me so much hope as I’m sure you have many many others.
Ginny & Dexter
Hi Ginny. It has taken me some time to muster a second reply … unfortunately, I was 99% finished a reply a few days ago and as I was ready to submit, it crashed and was lost. Sadly, this reply won’t be quite as effusive as the first.
I have to say, though, that messages like yours have an incredible impact on me and have a great capacity to uplift even in the face of a hard day … which there have been many in recent weeks. It is the time we live in, unfortunately. Still, I count myself very fortunate to be able to read such messages which put wind in my sails when it is needed most. So thank you. Few will realize how much it means.
And it does mean a lot to have this blog recommended by health professionals. Indeed, last week during our new dog’s vaccination, I was speaking with the vet that took care of so much of Ben’s life, including the last 10 years of it. We were in fact speaking of my blog, this recipe, and she herself says that she is directing people to it as well. Honestly, I think I got more lucky than anything, but I’m grateful as you all are that I found a path that helped Ben and is helping others.
To you question about substitutes: there are several in here, for sure, but if you’re looking for more, my best advice is to mix them up — mix up the recipes or even mix up the proteins or other ingredients in the context of the recipe itself (if you’re so comfortable). Otherwise, you can introduce other proteins, like turkey, but my advice then would be using it sparingly, between other servings of the other the recipes, just to create diversity and keep up the food drive. I hope all this helps … and thank you again, from the depth of my heart, for the lift when I needed it most. ~ Dale
Thank you so much and really appreciate your efforts on Ben. I was so sad and confused since I know about my dog’ disease. I was lost by reading topic all over the internet and couldn’t properly what to treat her well. But I found this and I really love it. My dog is in stage III of chronic kidney disease. Currently I’m treating her with chicken, carrot, sweet potato and broccoli every dinner. The breakfast is with Fish instead of chicken. All are without rice since her vet told me to treat KD food. Unfortunately in my country I couldn’t find any KD food. So I decided to make her homemade. I just have one question: should I still treat with her homemade food or canned food which are for Kidney disease (eg, Royal canine or Hill)?
Again, thank you so much Dale
Hi there and thanks for stopping by. The dog food here that I made here was used a total meal replacement. No additional foods or other prescription diets. This was Ben’s food, 2-3 meals a day. Hope that helps and good luck.
Thank you so much and really appreciate your efforts on Ben. I was so sad and confused since I know about my dog’ disease. I was lost by reading topic all over the internet and couldn’t properly what to treat her well. But I found this and I really love it. My dog is in stage III of chronic kidney disease. Currently I’m treating her with chicken, carrot, sweet potato and broccoli every dinner. The breakfast is with Fish instead of chicken. All are without rice since her vet told me to treat KD food. Unfortunately in my country I couldn’t find any KD food. So I decided to make her homemade. I just have one question: should I still treat with her homemade food or canned food which are for Kidney disease (eg, Royal canine or Hill)?
Again, thank you so much Dale
Hi there and thanks for stopping by. The dog food here that I made here was used a total meal replacement. No additional foods or other prescription diets. This was Ben’s food, 2-3 meals a day. Hope that helps and good luck.
I am very greatful having this recipe as a guide. Buster was labeled stage 3 renal failure over 2 years ago. I started giving him a prescription kibble. I didn’t like how corn was listed as the first ingredient. I found this recipe then started making it. Buster has been eating it for almost 2 years now. He is about 12 now and his numbers aren’t much worse. The only real thing I do different is grind up the egg shells and put them on his food as a binder. I also make tons of pasta and cakes with all the yolks….
Hi Jon — thanks for sharing your success and news on Buster’s progress on the diet. Another impressive story, truly. I also love the tip regarding the pasta with the egg yolks. For those who love cooking and calorie, shy, those yolks have a lot of uses and pasta is a great one. I was thinking ice cream and crème brûlée. Wishing you and Buster much more time and a very happy father’s day.
I wish we could add up the days dogs are still alive now. Buster has 800+ from you and Ben. Stage 3 is supposed to be 110-200 days and we are on 2+years. So I thank ben. He has kept my buster around, buster started vomiting the prescription stuff 6 months in. Not like crazy, just here and there. But this has been the best thing ever for him and he doesn’t ever throw up
Hi Jon — You really bring tears to my eyes with such a comment. When you put it in such terms, it is an overwhelmingly emotional proposition. I’ve only thought in terms of the number of dogs this post has reached … when you add the days and years, as you say, it does create quite the perspective.
I honestly am just grateful to have been able to help in any way I can.
Thank you for such a humbling post and give Ben his due. I hope that with every dog that this helps, Ben gets a stronger set of wings to continue his influence and help.
Take good care, you and buster, ~ Dale
JUST FINISHED READING YOUR DIET. I HAVE BEEN TOTALLY CONFUSED FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. YOUR DIET MAKES MORE SENSE AND SEEMS SO SIMPLE. I AM GOING TO BUY THE INGREDIANTS THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
You’re VERY welcome. I can totally relate to the feeling of being overwhelmed but am glad this has helped and given you some direction. Best of luck to you and thanks for sharing.
My dog is 10 lbs. how do you calculate the amount of protein?
Hi Melanie — I’m not able to offer any calculations, but if you input all the ingredients and quantities you’re using in particular into a nutritional calculator, I’m sure you’ll find results that will guide you. Sorry I can’t offer more myself.
As has pointed out so many times, Ben’s legacy continues to live on. His love and companionship that inspired your care and research is helping hundreds of dogs, including my 15 y.o. Beagle. My thanks to both you and the memory of Ben.
After a few years of chronic heart failure meds, my “Gumball” started experiencing elevated kidney levels, as we anticipated, and pretty much refused the prescription dog food. After just a couple months of Ben’s diets, his levels came back down! My vet was shocked – we were testing to monitor how quickly his levels were elevating and instead found they went down. My vet was thrilled to call me with the results- he never gets to make that call. I am so thankful for both you and Ben
MY QUESTION: how did you administer Ben’s supplements? Gumball has several pills to take daily in addition to the supplements and I am struggling to find an appealing cover that is kidney friendly.
Thank you Cyn. It moves my heart deeply every time I read of another miracle. If the diet played any role at all, I am humbled but grateful to be able to have helped a little. Hoping Gumball’s recovery and health continue for some time.
As to your question, I played around with a few ways to ‘hide’ the pills but at the beginning, I used a lean, high-quality turkey sausage which I’d cook and then thinly slice and use to wrap the pills. Other times, I similarly used a small, thin slice of cheddar which I’d wrap around the pill, using the heat from my fingers to melt and encase the pills with the cheese. It was a struggle and battle some days, I won’t kid you, but all you can do is your best. Accept that some days, you won’t get the pills down.
Hope this helps and wishing you, again, good luck and days ahead.
Hi Dale, one more question on calcium levels. Some other homemade diets seem to be adding calcium carbonate into the food. How much of it should be added – I keep reading conflicting views as to how much to add. Some add 1 tsp per meal batch ( per your recipe) but then reading others may suggest I should be adding up1 tsp per day? The calcium I have is 600mg pure calcium (as calcium carbonate powder). Do you know what the right amount should be? It’s quite a large difference and don’t want to give too much. Many thanks. Mia.
Sorry… thinking about your doggy. I meant Hi Dale…
Hi Mia — the question about using a phosphate binder (e.g. calcium carbonate) is probably something you should work through with a vet and/or nutritionist. You’re right, it is complicated and a binder isn’t prescribed across the board. As I’m not an expert nor do I really know your dog and their health profile. I’m sorry I can’t help much on this one.
Hi Mia, I have the same „problem“ and I read that per pound you should use 1/2-3/4 tsp eggshell powder
Hi Dale,
I am so sorry to read of the loss of your fur baby. My deepest condolences. I am glad you got to spend 18.5 years with your companion. I hope you can have peace knowing he lived so long with all that love.
I came across your post as my 16 year old Shiba Inu, Pixie, Was recently diagnosed with stage 4 CKD. Along with this, she had a UTI. She was hospitalized for 5 days on IV fluids, anti nausea and antibiotic. Along with this, she was also on a phosphate binder and another medication to help reduce protein loss from the kidneys and reduce high blood pressure.
After just a few days of hospitalization, we retested her renal function, and her numbers came down, most importantly, her creatinine from 800+ to 400 and her BUN from over 50 to 44. The discharge plan was to continue with subcutaneous fluids daily, finish the antibiotics for the full two weeks and continue with the other medications long term. She will be going back in one week time to retest the renal panel and urine to ensure the infection is gone. I am hopeful with the home treatment and infection gone, her numbers continue to drop. Since her first visit at the vet a few weeks ago, she hasn’t thrown up since, so I hopeful she is feeling better with the help of medication.
Pixie was placed on KD wet food/dry kibble; however, not very interested in it. To ensure she eats, I force feed her by syringe and try to get at least one tall can of wet food in her a day. Besides this diet, I have tried the royal canine renal food as well, which she is not interested in.
I have tried spicing things up for her to see if she will be interested in any form of food, ie: hamburger, rice, egg with a tiny bit of melted cheese, for which she will eat – woohoo!
I am wondering if you know how much meat a dog with renal failure can consume in a day? Are you aware of any type of safe gravy type sauces? I was advised to pretty much make her whatever she wants to encourage her to eat, but I don’t want to over due it on the protein, phosphorus or sodium. I do want her to be able to enjoy what she eats and to not have every meal force fed, but I want to be cautious as well, so I don’t have her take steps backwards. The most important thing to me is that she is comfortable and that she can enjoy her golden years.
Thanks for your time.
Xxoo
Hi, not sure if this is the way to contact you. My dog Red 10 y.o. was vomiting and had bloody diarrhea. Real sick. Took him to an Emergency Vet yesterday 575$ later the vet comes out and says he has CRF and needs to be “put down”. Now although Red was very sick he still had that spark in him. I wanted another option. So she gave him a cerenia injection, gave 200 cc SQ fluid (Red is 15#). Sent me home with carafate and zofran. Now $680.00. On a side note during the 2 1/2 hours we were there 4 dog owners left alone crying their eyes out. SO beware of those clinics. They e/md the labs and x ray to my reg vet. I called saw him this morning and although Red isn’t great. There is hope. So now Red is resting comfortably at home with me and receiving IV fluid. My vet also added an antibiotic. Just venting. I certainly wanted to give him a chance. So can you use boneless skinless chicken or ground Turkey in the recipe?
Hi Susan — I can hear the emotion in your words and I’m very sorry for the roller coaster you’re now on and sense of fear I’m sure that is creeping into your present day. Ultimately, all you can do is your best … that’s my best advice. With respect the substitutions you’re contemplating, I would caution that if you’re contemplating a long-term therapeutic diet, then, no, the substitutions are higher in phosphorus than the ingredients provided. Stay away from “ground” poultry as you don’t know what is in it (i.e. whether it is thigh or breast or whatever). I’m sure it is all very overwhelming so again, just do your best and stay close to Red right now. Big hug.
Hi Kayla — thank you for your kind, compassionate words. I’m infinitely grateful for the life I had with Ben and now, after 5½ years of mourning his loss, I’m also grateful that I have a new puppy in my life as well. I hope to do as well by Leo as I did with Ben. Fingers crossed.
I’m sorry for your health challenges with Pixie, but sounds like she’s equally lucky to have you taking care of her. In terms of your questions, it is difficult for me to answer as I’m not a nutritionist or scientist and all I have to share is what I did for Ben. I would say that meat (protein) on it’s own is not likely a good choice as it is the largest source of phosphorus. The recipe I prepared balanced that with other ingredients, but the meat on it’s own would likely have been a problem. Sorry I can’t be of more help but wish you and Pixie the very best of luck.
Thank you so much for this post. It has helped guide me through what has been a shocking and heartbreaking 4 days. Baxter was diagnosed with CRF (BUN 90/ Cr 4). It came out of nowhere and I think we missed the signs until it was too late. Now we are doing subQ fluids and changing his diet with the hopes of improving the quality of his life for as long as we can.
My question for those that have made the diet change: how long did it take to see some improvement? Was their ever a return to some degree of normal (not vomiting daily or requiring nausea meds?).
Thank you so much for all of your guidance…you and Ben are truly angels who have touched many many lives.
Hi Lindsay — thank you for your kindness. I am sorry that you find yourself on this journey now as well, however. It is shockingly difficult. With respect to your question, there are many here who have come back to provide comments and feedback on how it changed the lives of their dogs …. This isn’t a peer reviewed clinical trial, but there seems a great many who believe this made an impact in a short period of time (a month or two) when new bloodwork was ordered. Others claim that it added years to their dog’s life. I can’t verify any of these claims, but you’ll see them throughout the many many comments left here. Reasonably, the diet is not going to have the same impact on all dogs — there are too many other factors — but it does seem to help many.
Hi Lindsay,
I would say a couple of days after switching to this diet my dog was drinking less and had less accidents. Now, about 2 months later she gained about two pounds almost!!!! We haven’t done any new blood work yet because she is so scared of the bed
Thanks for sharing your experience, Betty.
Hi Dale, is it better to feed the meat with slightly higher fat content? Meaning should I choose 5% fat or 10% fat beef? Thanks for your help!
Hi Mia — I can only answer your question with my own experience which was using “lean” ground beef (17% fat). So if your intention is to stay close to the recipe, then, yes, choose 10% fat beef. I say this cautiously because your dog may have a different health profile than Ben did, so that may impact what is best in your case.
Hi Dale.
I adopted a 5 yo dog in Feb, not even a week we rushed her to the vet and got the bad news she had chronic renal disease. We went back to the rescue, it was still our choice to return her but it was one lab we know of. We were hopeful and she gained fr 50 to 58lbs in a month. Since 2nd visit in March, labs confirmed the renal disease. What’s worse is vet says she might be younger than 5. Now she lost even more weight and not eating. My order for a diff brand of RD diet still hasn’t gone through. I’m glad to have most of the ingredients in your recipe. I had to bake salmon with carrots and rice for her last night. I will try your recipe tonight.
Hi Chris — that must certainly be hard to adopt an adult with all the hope of giving her a new start on a better life only to find out that she’s very very sick. I hope, with you, that this recipe provides some miracle at that new life together. Best of luck to you. Take good are.
I am happy to report our dog ate her food. At first she didn’t and I threw in the towel out of exhaustion from begging her to eat. Later that night she found it up. It didn’t even last 2 days. Now she’s still picky but eating. Her RD diet is arriving today. Took forever to be delivered due to Rx. But hopefully she eats it too since bot dry and wet foods were so expensive. It’s good to know we have alternative that can stock ingredients in the fridge. For her, the white eggs she usually eats with rice and chicken. But when really nauseous, she doesn’t like the smell. I noted she gets very gassy too.
My sweet pups are 13 and have been diagnosed with Stage 2 and early kidney disease. They still have good appetites, and I was directed by my vet to a site called Balance It where you can plug in ingredients and get recipes after your dog’s profile is cleared by a vet to make sure what you cook fits individual needs. They sell supplements to add to your homemade diet that contain more vitamins and binders- the one they said was right for my dogs is called Canine K. I’m supposed to add a sizable scoop to their food, but the problem is one of my dogs really doesn’t like it and has little interest in eating anything that has it in there. I’m wondering with the binders if it matters if I sneak it to her before her meals or if for some reason it would have to be mixed into her food to work right and if you are familiar with the Csnine K powder?
Yes, Balance It (https://secure.balanceit.com/recipegenerator_ver4/index.php?rotator=EZ) seems increasingly popular with progressive vets who are trying to working with changing customer demands. Hilary’s Blend is another — both of which support homemade recipes with additional supplements. Ultimately, it’s up to you if you think it is necessary as part of your canine diet just like not every human takes a multi-vitamin who eats a balanced or therapeutic diet.
Dear Dale (and Ben),
Our sweet pup Tebow (Bobo for short) has had a chronic kidney diagnosis for a couple of years. He will be 10 years old on May 14. Things went sideways last February when Bobo was diagnosed with “hot spots.” Our family vet, who we adore, had been misdiagnosing him with “hot spots.” Bobo actually had some thyroid issues. After suffering for a little over 8 months with no cure in sight, we took him to the U of I Vet Clinic in Champaign, IL. Even though Bobo tested negative for hyperthyroidism, he is in the group of the 30% who test negative but actually have the condition. We promptly started him on meds and the hot spots resolved immediately. Unfortunately, while we were there, we had internal medicine check his blood to see how his kidneys were functioning. This was in December of 2019. They recommended to discontinue our primary vet’s recommended enalapril for the kidneys and start him on Telmisartan. Telmisartran almost killed our sweet Bobo. In any event, while he was taking Telmisartran, he would not eat, had trouble going to the bathroom and was panting nonstop. This occurred over a three week period. We thought we were going to lose him. We took him to our primary vet who gave him IVs, fed him Hills K/D and tried to flush out the waste that his body had collected over the three weeks that we were giving him Telmisartran. Bobo was released after three weeks of outpatient and inpatient treatment. Upon his release, he was still not eating well and wasn’t quite himself. During the next two weeks, Bobo would not eat the prescription KD dog food at home. He would eat it for the vet but not for me. While researching on the internet, I discovered your recipe and decided to give it a try. We would try anything to save our sweet dog (as most owners would)!!!! He loved it and gobbled it up! I was so inspired by Ben and your research of the subject that I feel this saved his life. To make a long story short, you did what all the veterinarians and clinicians could not do for our Bobo. Thank you to you and Ben for giving us some much needed extra time with our Bobo. While we will never be able to say goodbye, we feel blessed to have more time with him. We are thankful every single day. Thank you again and God bless. Here’s to Ben!
Dear Tracey — You have indeed had quite the odyssey with Bobo the past year. I definitely both hurts the heart to read it and warms it to know that you’ve found some precious extra time with him as well. You’re very very welcome and I’m glad that it has provided you something you both needed. From my heart to yours, you’re very welcome. Thank you as well.
Thanks again Dale. Bobo is doing well and still loves the dish you cooked up for Ben. He is 10 1/2 now and while he has definitely slowed down, he still loves his food. Thank you again and hope all is well!
Thanks for all your work and putting it out there to help others. Our little 12 year old recently took a huge downturn from Kidney disease. We have known for some time that she had it but it was always moderate and manageable with vet recommended KD foods. Now she has no appetite and won’t eat them or most anything I offer her so I have been preparing a recipe very similar to yours and giving it to her via syringe 3x/day in addition to almost daily fluid infusions, ondansetron for nausea, an appetite stimulant pill, and Azodyl to help remove toxins and Epakitin as a posphate binder. As needed she also gets metronidazole for diarrhea. She is also on heart medications for heart disease.
I have 2 questions I wanted to ask you.
I have read that parsley is very bad for dogs with Kidney disease because it is also a diuretic. Yet your diet and others I have seen and used, include it. Can you tell me why?
I wondered about the various supplements you used for your Ben. How did you conclude he needed them if you were already feeding him a balanced homemade diet. I’m really puzzled over whether to add them to our Angel Face’s regimen.
Hi Diane. You’re very welcome. I’m sorry that you’re sharing this journey with many others now, as well, but hopefully you can take some of the comfort that you’re not alone and also benefit from the wisdom and experiences of others too. Regarding your question about parsley, yes, in large amounts is deemed unsafe and to be avoided. However, many sites, consistent with my own experience, is that it is fine in small amounts. In my mind, that is akin to what we as humans would normally find palatable. We as humans will add a tablespoon or two or three to batches of food … so the amount we’re eating in any serving is pretty small, negligible, really. The quantity in this recipe, when divided across the all the servings isn’t a lot. But if you don’t buy into that, omit it. As for the supplements, it was a decision based on my research on things to boost to aid in what is fundamentally not a “normal” condition — so normal/balanced food isn’t a solution, otherwise you wouldn’t be cooking a low phosphorus diet, which excludes many ingredients which would have other benefits were it not for their phosphorus levels. That’s the challenge and why, in consultation with professionals these were the ones I chose for Ben. I would STRONGLY encourage you to do the same as you in choosing the meds/supplements you’re already using. Hope that helps and best of luck to you.
Hi Dale – I started making your recipe a few weeks ago for Zia and it just seems like it’s miraculous. Vet said if she was a person, she’d be on dialysis. We did Sub Cu fluids a couple times and got her the Royal Canin renal food but couldn’t really get her to eat. She loves your recipe. I also give her a Pepcid every day and she has enzymes from the vet. We went on two long walks this weekend! She’s like her old self. She still has good and bad days but your recipe seems to have really helped! I also started giving her this. https://www.vetriscience.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=900508060
Megan
Hi Megan. Thank you for sharing your very uplifting news and very glad the recipe has helped Zia and provided you some more joyful days. Thank you also for sharing the link to the supplements you’re using. There are so many more options out there today that are more accessible than I could find 6 years ago. Wishing you continued good news.
I syringe feed my dog. So, since taste isn’t so important would it be better to substitute some of the hamburger with egg white? I’m thinking reducing hamburger by 1/2 pound and increasing the egg white by one cup. Your thoughts?
Hi Frank. You can definitely try it. If your dog loves egg white, go for.
Thanks !
I came across your post. Made a small batch this morning and my little 5 year old rat terrier did eat. I know it’s not gonna save his life but it did make me feel better like you stated, having control of his diet. Sheldon was diagnosed one week ago with chronic kidney failure. No real stand out symptoms til he got sick. But they are still leaning with chronic versus acute since his labs showed no improvement. No exposure to anything that I’m aware of…. Spent 4 days on IV fluids at the vet. His labs are horrible. We were told to take him to Iowa State for further evaluation. Iowa State Animal hospital would have to considered him a critical patient. I called them Monday when he was discharged from our little vet to see if he could spend a couple days home just to get a break. They said yes. I’ve done his fluids as directed and meds. Bought the royal canine renal food he will only eat if given the entice. So this morning I found your recipes crushed his little Pepcid up in it and he ate. Made me feel better. I know he is on borrowed time but I’m gonna enjoy him while I have him. I know Iowa State can’t fix him but maybe could tell me what and why this had to happen. But then again do I want to have them do a renal biopsy and all these test and stress him out more only for the outcome to be the same? I was gonna take him this morning like what was discussed on the phone Monday but now they say our vet has to call and make the referral take to the critical care doctor on call before they will see him. I haven’t heard back just called and left message but they have not responded so idk. Covid has stopped everything so I prayed, and decided god will have to choose what happens next and I’m just gonna have to enjoy my time with my little baby. I do blame the food I had him on. I don’t think much as changed since 2007 as far as dog nutrition. Food is still being contaminated and made overseas. I’ve had Sheldon on blue buffalo small crunchies for three years. Thinking I was doing him justice and not realizing that they have had recalls recently. Ran something down the line that has been extremely hazardous to animals. So from now on any pet I have will be given fresh food grown out of my own garden. I have a 6 month old yellow lab I’m gonna research fresh made puppy food. I’m so over the industries killing our pets. Nothing good has come out of China for years and we still have our companies using there products and making our foods and it seems they are all tainted. Not sure where in the blue buffalo line they had the tainted food but apparently full of lead and something else.
Sheldon has not been exposed to any toxins. He has been given table food, little bites but no large amounts. I don’t cook with salt, I have hypertension so I don’t cook with. You have to add your own at my house.
I just can’t wrap my head around why this is happening. My heart is just broken.
Thank you again for your recipe. If you have any homemade puppy food recipes for a healthy yellow lab pup Please share. I definitely do not want to ever go through this again with a young dog. (Or old)
Thank you
And many prayers to all going through this terrible diagnosis
Sincerely
Stephanie N.
Oh another question
Has anyone tried nutria thrive supplements
Hi Stephanie — Your pain and frustration with commercial dogs foods is palpable. I understand and can definitely empathize with “how did this happen” to your young dog. It would be gut check to any of us with young dogs or puppies, especially having done all the “right” things. I can’t answer your question about a recipe “yet” … but as I will have a new puppy joining my home in a week, I’m already starting to research what/next in terms of recipes. So once I have one, I’ll be more than happy to share. Best of luck in the meantime and all my best to you and Sheldon.
I wonder, when you first learned that your dog was suffering kidney failure, did you ever go the commercial dog food route?
Hi Frank — Ben was diagnosed with kidney failure roughly 6 months before he passed, though, in retrospect, it clearly was there before. Ben had no interest in the kd I came home with and so I quickly developed the recipe you’re reading in response.
Hi. I first came across your recipe a year and a half ago when my dog Luca was first diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of 13. She had about 25% of kidney function left at that point. She was very sick and the vet started mentioning euthanasia. I couldn’t give up on her just yet and was desperate to try to find something that she would eat and would be safe for her kidneys. Although I had to make some tweaks to suit her dietary needs, she absolutely loved your recipe and thrived on it and it gave her an extra year and a half of life. She was more energetic than ever before. Inevitably her little kidneys gave up last month and she sadly passed away. I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your research and for making this recipe public because it kept Luca alive much longer than vets have anticipated. Thank you!
Jude
Ahhh … Thank you, Jude. I’m very sorry for your loss of Luca. It’s a tender and yet bittersweet reflection — and much appreciated. I’m glad that you didn’t give up on her and that the recipe gave you something to work with. It is a great treasure to know it has helped others. Thank you again and a very happy Easter to you.
I am using your recipe now and my dog loves it. Thank you. With out your recipe my dog would have starved by now. I want to do more. What is the purpose of the CoQ10? I suspect it’s for lowering blood pressure.
Hi Frank — You’re very welcome. I’m glad it is providing you hope through all of this. In quick answer to your question, yes, the Q10 is for heart health as any kidney disease is hard on the cardiovascular system. Best of care to you in these days ahead …
I found your website after my dog responded very little to eating k/d or any other renal Rx diets for dogs in kidney failure. 15 year old pitbull mix we adopted when she was 10. The sweetest and most gentle dog I’ve ever known. I want you to know this blog and recipes are still helping people, years after you wrote it. We did not learn of our dog’s kidney deterioration until it was advanced. So while these recipes won’t give her months or years, they have given her weeks of comfortable digestion, real excitement about meal time again, and walks in the sun.
Thank you Genna. It is indeed amazing to see the imprint of this recipe so many years later and powerfully uplifting to read words such as yours. Your comments here and in your second reflection are incredibly on-point. It is difficult to look at a half-empty glass and see that which it still contains, but it is, as you say, about being present and in the moment. I’m glad this recipe has given you some time to not only reflect, but cherish and embrace that fullness. Peace and comfort to you both on the walks in the sun ahead.
I made your recipe a couple of days ago for my 12 year old cavalier who was just diagnosed with kidney disease. In the midst of all the uncertainty and angst around Covid19, it feels almost too much to take in. I’m so happy I came across your site and found a simple recipe that feels manageable and doable while we navigate the next while. So far Dickens still eats and drinks happily and seems otherwise not bothered. I’m just praying that he has some time yet before this disease causes him real problems.
Hi Debbie — these are indeed strange times and what easily gets lost in these moments is that “life” and other health challenges goes on at the same time. Everything is “covid” … but other people and dogs are already sick and getting sick with other illnesses that also need treatment and attention. So I’m very sorry that you’re starting this new battle in our current context. I’m sure it seems more than a little overwhelming. I’m glad you’ve found something sturdy to hold onto here as you start down this road. Wishing you and Dickens (great name!) health and healing. ~ Dale
I had a tough time finding forums with a lot of information about canine renal failure. So, Debbie, some things I learned.
I wish I’d known from my vet is that an eventual part of the disease progressing is anemia – which isn’t reversible. If I could do it again, I’d have given my dog a supplement for blood support/B vitamins to slow the development of anemia.
If your dog won’t eat kidney Rx diets, don’t be scared because you can figure out how to cook for them – looks like you found that info thankfully! My dog lost some weight because the k/d and other Rx foods just had no appeal to her.
Potatoes, most beans, most nuts and chickpeas are high in phosphorus – avoid.
When you give subcutaneous fluids (if you choose to do this, for advanced kidney disease), the 20 gauge needle is smaller than the 18 and I think it’s worth it. It takes longer to give the fluids w/ a smaller needle but it’s less stressful for you.
Give a bit of salmon oil (for omega 3) at a time, because giving a 1/2 or whole daily serving at once seems to cause gas. This is probably true of any oil supplement.
The canine anti-nausea med “Cerenia” is a wonderful prescription medication. SO helpful to my pup in her last wks. You can get it at Costco for less than your vet. So you don’t have to wait for the long chewy.com shipping time because of COVID-19.
In the last months, you don’t know how many good days or weeks remain. Enjoy then – you truly don’t need to worry about when/if you send your pup to its final home. I spent so much time fretting about that, when is “the right time,” and it’s truly not necessary. Make a couple calls and pick a vet to help you with that – then put it out of your thoughts until it’s time to make the appt. Dwell in your dog’s life and presence while it is with you.
Any comments about a product called glow groom for tear stains? 16 yr old with some eyesight problems. Used this for a few weeks. Dog now blind, deaf and has kidney disease. My vet said most of the ingredients are innocuous but wasn’t sure of some. Must also say I have been feeding your diet to Buff for 4weeks. Bloods now normal.
Thank you
Hi Elizabeth. That’s great to hear about the diet and blood work results. As for the tear stains and the other product, I can’t offer any advice, I’m sorry. All I can say is that I had used steeped camomile tea and cotton pads to clean Ben’s eyes and ears for many years as I was “told” it was neutral and naturally anti-inflammatory for cleaning. That’s about all I can offer but hope it helps.
Dale, my little 12 year old beagle baby loves your kidney diet, and her attitude and activity level has improved tremendously since we started feeding her this recipe. She has been fed your diet exclusively for about a month. Her ammonia breath has disappeared. She is rejuvenated.
I am also supplementing with famotidine, B vitamins, vitamin C and omega-3s. For treats I am giving her canned green beans, generic Cheerios and white sourdough bread that I air dry till it’s a bit crispy, because she seems to enjoy the chew.
My question is this: do you have any figures on the dry matter protein percentage so that I could compare your diet with a commercial diet like Hill’s KD?
The reason I ask this is so that, if it is feasible, I could do a little less cooking and combine KD in some ratio with your much-loved glorious green glop.
Larry B
Hi Larry — I’m glad the diet is giving you some hope and runway with your girl. Glad you’re also having success with the supplements and have found safe alternatives for treats. Well-done.
As for your question regarding the nutritional breakdown, I wish I did and I could answer, but I can’t. It’s on the list of things needing a volunteer here to research and share back. 🙂 My advice, with respecting mixing and blending, treat them as “equivalents.” That is my best and non-scientific advice. Hope that helps and best of luck.
Hi Dale- So we are facing the reality of our beloved Sassy (13 yr old Aussie) having the same diagnosis as your Ben. She’s been lethargic, drinking lots of water and just generally seems depressed. She’s eating her usual diet, but really not with much enthusiasm, so that is hard to see. She’s not even interested in treats these days. I’m more than happy to make her food following your recipe. I prepared a similar diet for our other dog, Millie, when she was having a bout with suspected pancreatitis. I already have most everything on hand (except the parsley).
I’m sorry to bring up the sad details of Ben’s passing, but it appears he lived about 6 months after his diagnosis. Did you feel that feeding him this diet added those months to his life and were they happy and active ones? Sassy has always been a very happy, active girl and we don’t want to prolong her life if the quality is not there for her. I was also wondering about the supplements. How did you give those to Ben? Mixed in his food? Or did you use a pill pocket? In the past we’ve wrapped pills in cheese, but that’s no longer an option given the high fat and protein consideration. Thank you for posting this recipe and look forward to your response.
I’m very sorry for the road you’re now standing on. It is not easy in the least, I know. Happy to answer your questions as best as I can. Yes, Ben’s life and quality of it was most certainly extended. The prognosis was only a couple of months and so every extra day we got together knowing they were going to be very limited was a gift that I won’t ever forget. As for the pills, yes, they were buried and wrapped in other food. I still continued to use cheese and/or good quality sausage which I would slice thin and wrap pills in for him to gobble. With the cheddar cheese, I also sliced very thin, and wrapped and ‘melted’ it around the pill with the warmth of my fingers. It doesn’t take a lot to hide and in my view, it wasn’t going to significantly impact anything. It was a measured trade off to get the pills into him. Hope that helps and best of luck with your girls.
~ Dale
Hi, Thanks for the great info! I don’t know if this was mentioned by the American Kennel Club specifically precludes the use of garlic powder due to its toxicity to dogs. I’m wondering you know something that I don’t. Thank you again for all of your hard work and diligence!
Thank you so much. You litterally saved my dog’s life. After starving himself for days he’s happilly eating again. I can’t thank you enough. Love, Or Rapaport.
Dear Or — You’re very welcome. I’m glad I was able to contribute something to your success. Only too happy to have shared and glad it made a different. Wishing you continued great success and health to your dog ….
Thanks, this is so helpful! As other people said though, I would definitely recommend taking out the garlic part! Plenty of dogs don’t show negative signs right away from eating something toxic, but that doesn’t mean they should keep eating it. Thanks again, good luck.
I tried your recipe today. Found out my yorkie was in the beginning stages of kidney disease. He liked the food. I did too just was not sure if the supplements. Thank you.
You’re welcome. Good luck to you.
Hi Dale
My rescue staffy has kidney failure from non steroidal medication for hip dysphasia. The vet has suggested chicken but in all reports it says beef is better. I was going to commence your recipe but am concerned re parsley as a few websites when I google parsley and dogs with kidney disease they say no.
Hi Anna — no worries at all. Ultimately, the parsley by volume is a small amount, but it is your choice. Parsley has many positive things in it as well and so it was my feeling to use it for Ben, notwithstanding what other research would suggest. Ben had eaten human food, including parsley as a seasoning (vs. parsley as a food as in tabbouleh) so I felt comfortable. If you don’t and don’t want to, omit it. All good and good luck to you.
I forgot to add, do you think caffein free green tea is ok? however it does have some Vitamin D in its make up?
and also eggshell as a calcium for phosphorus binding(one crushed shell per meal? Thanks.
Can you tell me how much of all this lovely food should be fed per day to an 11 lb fairly active 15.5 year old Papillon?
Hi Judy — The single most common question I get is how much to feed a dog and I simply can’t answer that. Just like we’re all different — dogs have even more variability. It’s very hard thing for me to answer as it is really dog-specific and you need to factor in age, breed, metabolism, weight and many other factors. And I’m not an expert in dog nutrition either and I would hate to provide you wrong advice over the internet. My best advice is to use your past experience with your dog as a your guide and keep weighing him. If he’s gaining too much weight, cut it back, but in most cases, that won’t be a problem because the issue is weight loss you’re combating, not weight gain. Ultimately, you know you dog and you will likely have a pretty good ‘gut’ feel for whether s/he is eating enough. Good luck.
Judy, I also have a papillon (14 years old) who is 10 pounds. I just started this diet and was curious what you ended up doing. He LOVES this food. Just not sure how much I should be giving him.
Hi Dale, thanks for sharing your research, My dog ‘Mo’ is a 6yr 11 month old male alaskan malamute who weighs in at 115lbs, on Monday 3rd Feb 20, we took him to the vets for a scan as he had a little blood dripping from his winky, they took bloods and then later that day the vets said he had high readings creatinine 600, he had been on antibiotics for a week before the reading, they suggested Mo has 4th stage kidney disease, also his prostate is slightly enlarged, he is well in himself although a little lethargic, but has an appetite, we cooked a sample of your recipe with a few carrots added? he loved it, what I would like to know is the ratio of vegetables/herbs? for instance I wouldnt want to add too much sweet potato or butternut as they have potassium in which is not good, although my dog loved the spare cooked pieces I had leftover as a treat?
What is your view on adding a little chicken and pasta?
My dogs diet all his life has been two chicken breasts, a little pasta with a sprinkle of cheese and about a 500ml glass of high quality kibble per day.
Many thanks, Chris.
Hi Chris — and first off, my regrets that you’re in this situation yourself. It’s a real kick to the stomach, I know. Your questions are good and appropriate but I’m not sure I can confidently answer most of them. I can try a hand at the ratio question, but am wondering if I perhaps haven’t understood what you’re asking … because the recipe is, inherently, a set of ratios (weights and volumes) in combination together. Certainly, as you are, be mindful that substitutes are not equivalents as they bring other vitamins and minerals which may not be ideal in all situations, yours included. I think refined pasta would be a fair substitute for the rice (though the rice is lower) … or alternate them. Other “bread” (grain) substitutes are also possible. With respect to the chicken, it really will depend on what part of the chicken as they have different phosphorus levels, but all higher than extra lean ground beef — if you haven’t looked at it, do study the PDF from Kaiser I linked to. I has comparisons on most of these which you can weigh depending on how much/often you’re using them and will answer many of your questions. The eggshell question you asked secondly is really something to ask your vet as to whether s/he recommends a binder, but, if so, yes, many others have used the eggshells in the cooking. I also have no wisdom when it comes to green tea. Sorry. Perhaps another reader here might have something to add there. Truly, best of luck to you, Chris. ~ Dale
Hi Dale – thank you so much for this recipe. Can I use brown rice or should it be specifically white rice? Is the rice used as a filler or for nutritional purposes, in which case could I replace it with something else, like sweet potatoes?
Hi there — In answer white rice specifically is better than brown as part of this diet. Sweet potato is listed a substitute here for the squash (not the rice). Other substitutes for the rice that are often cited on sites for kidney diseases would be white bread. I know it sounds “unhealthy” based on what a healthy diet would include … kidney disease changes things. Hope that helps. Good luck.
Amelie’s Mom–White Rice is lower in Phosphorus than brown rice. In my research, wild rice is also better than brown rice and may be a good substitute for the white rice. Egg noodles are also a lower phosphorous substitute.
Thanks Dale, Gonna try this recipe for my 13 year old, very picky Yorkie who has early kidney disease.
You’re very welcome and thanks for adding to the conversation. Best of luck to you.
How lean should the ground beef be for this food
Hi Dena — It should be clearly indicated in the ingredients there: (in Canada ≤ 17% fat)
My pup benjamin buttoned years after eating this for a couple days. It was unbelievable. She was even keeping up at the park with my other two year old pup and she is 12! It was incredible. She seemed to have really deteriorated in the last six months and I was incredibly worried. This food has been a game changer! Thank you for posting this! I have made it the way you describe but have move temporarily for work into a situation with a bit less of a kitchen setup. I know that the boiling and steaming of the different vegetables and cooking methods may play a part in how the nutrients inside and dissolved and then subsequently will get absorbed by the body etc- but just wondering if you or anyone you know has done this in a slow cooker? Do you feel that this would be ok? Please let me know!!! Thank you! <3
Hi Tali — over the years, I have heard others who were going to try and use their slow cookers. Ultimately, it is a weighing of the pros/cons and of doing “as much as you can.” Discarding the vegetable water is the biggest reason for the method I describe. You could still do that separately and combine the veggies into the ingredients after — that would be an option. But, as I say, simply do your best as that is better than doing nothing. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of action …. 🙂 Good luck.
What are the benefits of the parsley? I forgot to add it in. Thanks.
Hi Todd — there are many benefits of parsley, but it is an “optional” ingredient and should be used in moderation anyway. It is a good anti-infammatory which is helpful; as well, my readings also suggest it will positively impact hypertension. In addition, the chlorophyll will be good for your dog’s breath.
My Bella is 11 yrs 75 lbs She has had a kidney problem ever since 5 yrs ago. I cook her food and try to make it low protein. However she’s losing .muscle mass in her hind quarters. Vet says no arthritis present. Is there anything else i can feed her?
Hello Dale,
We just learned the devastating news that our “baby” boy, ZuZu, has kidney disease. No idea the stage. Our other dog needs to lose weight so I am going to use this for both of them since my vet urged me to use more veggies for her. I feel like it’s my fault that ZuZu has this disease. To explain….They both have allergies to chicken & “possibly ground beef” so their treats have been 100% salmon jerky. Plus I have been cooking their food for over a year & from all the research I’ve done I think I have been putting way too much bison in it. So, now I am going to use your recipe. My question is do you think bison is an okay substitute for the ground beef and/or pork? (I don’t see that you recommend using only pork.) I could possibly do trout but sort of want to stick with bison.
Thank you,
Linda
Dear Linda — It’s a tough road we’re on and caring for our canine family isn’t always easy, even at the best of times. It’s easy to judge and blame ourselves even when we’re doing our best with the best knowledge we have. So my primary advice is to be kind to yourself — and this will allow you to be the best companion in turn to your dogs. 🙂 As for the bison, I’m not an expert but my own quick bit of research reveals that “bison is an excellent source of phosphorus” and that a serving provides “20% of the recommended daily intake.” What that means to me is that if you’re looking for phosphorus, bison is awesome — if you’re looking to avoid phosphorus, though, it may very well not be an ideal protein substitute. If you have a nutritionist in your life who has more facts/figures at their disposal, you may want to validate this. Best of luck.
Hi,
How many cups a day for a German Shepard that is 30kg with chronic kidney disease?
Just roughly
Thank you
Hi Gemma. The single most common question I get is how much to feed a dog and I simply can’t answer that. As I answered Debra recently, “We’re all different and dogs have even more variability. It’s very hard thing for me to answer as it is really dog specific factoring in age, breed, metabolism, weight and many other factors. My best advice is to use your past experience with your dog as a your guide and keep weighing him. If he’s gaining too much weight, cut it back, but in most cases, that won’t be a problem because the issue is weight loss you’re combating, not weight gain.” Good luck to you.
Hello Dale. Thank you so much for sharing this. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. My little boy Chance is a 5 years old Chihuahua who was just diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney disease. I felt like I got punched in the gut when I was told this. I have been reading and researching and trying some foods, but it has not gone well. I will be trying your recipe right away. This sounds like something he will actually eat. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Hi Christine … I can definitely relate to the feeling of being punched in the gut but I’m glad that research has brought you to a safe place, here. Good luck with the recipe and I hope it gives Chance everything he deserves and needs.
My dog is not in renal failure but his levels could use improvement. I am happy to report I made this and he loved it. I used pumpkin but next time will use acorn squash. When I eat acorn squash, I usually cut it in half, bake it, and scoop out the flesh. I think I will do it that way and just add the cooked squash at the end to save the peeling. Thank you for sharing. You gave Ben a great life and you’re helping other dog parents do the same for their beloved canine family members!
Thank you for your very kind and generous words. I’m glad your boy loved the recipe as well — and, agreed, if you’re not having to be overly focused on the phosphorus, baking and scooping the squash is definitely the way to go. Wishing you continued good luck and good health to your own ….
Hi I made this tonight for my 14 year old shih tzu recently diagnosed with kidney disease and told she probably has a few months left. I have tried 5 prescription kd dog food all she hated. I knew she was hungry but refused to eat. Tonight I gave her this homemade meal and she loved it. I am hoping this helps. At least I know she ate a meal she loved and will not just slowly starve. Thank you so much.
You’re most welcome, Nancy. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you and your girl the very best and hope that she bounces back.
Hello Dale. Thank you so very much for writing about Ben and yourself. I have a 10 year old American Pit Bull Terrier . She is a picture of health. Recently, we decided to help another dog in need. We adopted Bowser, an American Staffordshire. He had been left to die in a crate when he was discovered. After seeing him we just had to help him. He has many problems including 3rd stage kidney failure, Lyme, BUN 130 , creatine….etc. I am overjoyed to have found you . I have been reading and learning and when I stumbled upon your site it was the first time I read something that agreed with what i had learned.
I will be making Bowser’s food from now on. How long would your recipe last for a 48 lb dog would you think? Bowser was 20 lbs. when they found him. He does still need to put on weight and muscle as it has atrophied. We were advised by the vet to feed him prescription food. Nope.
He is still very fond of eating and at times ravenous. It may be the prednisone he is on. I will be much happier feeding him real food.
I am very fortunate to have found your writings. Thank you so very much for sharing Ben with us.
I wish you all the peace one can have.
Hi Debra — thank you for reaching back out after finding my site here as part of your research. I’m glad you have found it helpful and hope that your companions enjoy it as well. How long it will last is a very hard thing for me to answer as it is really dog specific factoring in age, breed, metabolism, weight and many other factors. That said, my best guess would be a couple of weeks, but you’ll have to evaluate and monitor as you go. By all means, come back and let me know what the right answer is for your situation. Wishing you the very best and thank you for keeping Ben’s legacy alive. It’s my pleasure to share.
Hi Dale. Thanks so very much for responding. How many oz , grams of food did you feed Ben per day? Do you know the amount of calories per oz, lb.? I am trying to calculate how much per day to feed my 50 lb. boy Bowser? He is 8-9 years old ( a rescue so not really sure).. He is still somewhat underweight even after gaining 23 lbs. Bowser is an American Staffordshire Terrier. I do know that his caloric recommendation is 850 per day.
Thanks in advance,
Debra
Hi Debra — you’re most welcome. I try and keep up with the many comments and questions I get, but sometimes life gets in the way and I can be delayed. The single most common question I get is how much to feed a dog and I simply can’t answer that. We’re all different and dogs have even more variability. It’s very hard thing for me to answer as it is really dog specific factoring in age, breed, metabolism, weight and many other factors. My best advice is to use your past experience with your dog as a your guide and keep weighing him. If he’s gaining too much weight, cut it back, but in most cases, that won’t be a problem because the issue is weight loss you’re combating, not weight gain. Good luck to you and to Bowser.
Thank you for sharing Ben’s story and your experience. Our 14 year old miniature schnauzer Kelvin has level 2 Kidney disease. You can imagine how devastating this news was to me and my husband since our boy is like a child to us. In all his life he was pretty healthy, active and our travel buddy where ever we go. Beginning of last year he was bit by another dog and needed emergency surgery from there we found out that he had high level of liver enzymes normal 169 he had 1870 that was already a shock. His wounds healed well and I started him on Denamarin for a while I had his urin tested for protein level and it was OK. His level went down a little bit. On his last yearly checkup I had another blood test done were he was diagnosed with level 2 kidney disease, liver enzymes went up again. He did not really show any symptoms to this day, sometimes he is confused or sleepy but that changes day by day. The Vet recommended prescription diet which we first bought but Kelvin did not like it he lost a few pounds and I got worried that’s when I came across your post I started preparing the meals accordingly switching it up with your suggestions of substitutions and he loves it. I definitely can see the change in him and he gained some pounds back. I still work on the supplements I did buy calcium 600mg and crush it into the prepared dog food patch 1000mg per half a pound of food. I use a steamer to prepare the pearled barley or sushi rice and also for the vegetables do you think this is ok to take the phosphorus out? The meat I either boil or fry in a pan. I normally freeze packages but since we are going on our next road trip I will try to pressure can this receipe. Thank you again I thank God that I came across your post.
Hi Jutta — thanks for the kind message and your question. Steaming won’t likely leech the phosphorus quite the same as boiling, but I can’t tell you the difference. If it works you and works for Kelvin, go for it. I think the idea of pressure canning is clever — no idea how that might work, but if it works, it sounds genius for your road trips. Let me know how it works and best of luck to you and wishing continued improvement and a long life to Kelvin. ~ Dale
wondering if you gave any mineral or vitiam supplement with this diet
thanks
Hi Dean — please scroll to the part of the post that lists all of the supplements, including vitamins. I’m not sure if you have a different question, but they’re clearly listed there.
HI Dale, thanks for sharing the recipe. How long can you keep in the freezer? (In terms of “expiry date”). My parents are vegetarian and very reluctant to prepare dog food food that contains meat, hence I thought to prepare and bring it over to freeze them for our family dog who recently was diagnosed with kidney failure.
Hi Jeannette — You’re very welcome. You can keep it in the freezer following ‘normal’ storage guidelines. Likely 6 months, I would say, but it depends on the storage container. In my experience with Ben, our dog food never lasted that long, so it shouldn’t be an issue of keeping too long. Wishing you the best. ~ Dale
Hi Dale. And thanks. I just got my little girl’s diagnosis yesterday. Also the same low protein, no hope diet. Unfortunately this is my second go around having lost another one to renal failure ten years ago.
Dale–I thought I read you have four recipes on your site: I only see the first one. Am I missing something or just misreading?
You were so fortunate to have Ben–and I feel fortunate to have found you. Thanks, again. ellen
Hi Ellen — You’re most welcome and thank you for your very kind words. I believe we’re all part of a fortunate community to have each other. With respect to the “four recipes” — I can clarify that it is four “versions” of the same fundamental recipe changed up by changing proteins (e.g. trout vs beef) and different veggies to keep it interesting. The principals are nonetheless the same. Hope that helps. Good luck and truly the best of luck to your little girl. ~ Dale
Do you recommend any other type of fish than trout?
Salmon has many positive features, but depending on species and whether Altantic vs. Pacific, it may be a very high source of phosphorus. Other farmed fish can also be problematic depending on what they are being fed. Ultimately, be careful, do your research and I would suggest it only be used for diversity and promote interest vs relying on any of them as a true substitute. Hope that helps, Kathy. Best of luck.
Dear Dale,
my precious companion named Ketchup, a 13 and a half mixed breed “puppy” was diagnosed two years ago with degenerative mitral valve disease and since then he is on medication and low fat/low protein kibble.
Recently on December 20th 1919, on our scheduled yearly check up he was diagnosed with kidney disease (he had all the symptoms since last summer and the check up only gave me proof of what I already suspected).
His vet urged me to change entirely his nutrition plan and to go on “homemade food”. He particularly insisted on home made food and not k/d kibble and it didn’t take me long to understand why… I bought 3 diferrent kinds of k/d dry food – outrageously overpriced if you ask me – but Ketchup did not even got any near them…
Unfortunately at that time and since it was only a day or two after his diagnosis, I did not have much choice and went on with feeding him canned k/d which he ate for a while but got bored after 3 -4 days.
I wanted to be 100 % sure of I was going to feed him before undertaking the task of cooking for him a nutritionally rich, balanced but at the same time healthy for his kidneys (and heart) food and even though I had gone through extensive research on the internet (reading like crazy day and night) and having been faced with huge dilemmas and contradictions on the “do’s” and “don’ts” of a kidney friendly food plan on Christmas Day I came up with your recipe..
…and I do not have enough words to thank you…
Since day one that I cooked for him your recipe, Ketchup (and my three other dogs that are in perfect shape and health) cannot wait for their feeding time and when they see me open up the fridge to take out and prepare the food they are all shaking from joy and anticipation!!! (I am also providing him with the supplements you suggested as well as some tumeric, vitamin E and vitamin C).
In two weeks time his appetite has perked up, his general condition has improved, he gained 2 pounds and I can see again the sparkle in his eyes…I am just waiting until the end of the month to have a new blood and urine test to check on his kidneys values…but I am sure that they will show an improvement…
You know your dog and you can tell just from the wiggling of the tail if he is feeling good or bad…and I can see that Ketchup is feeling much better.
I would like to ask though a short question. What about olive oil? Would you recommend using it instead of coconut oil? (here in Greece we have loads of olive oil which I read that is great source of fat and it is phosphorus-free).
Once more, thank you and little angel Ben for sharing this wonder recipe with us!
🙂
Ioanna.
Dear Ioanna — What a moving story you have shared of your recent journey with Ketchup (a very cute name as well). Each and every story of another dog who has found his tail wag again after eating some version of this recipe just makes me so happy and my heart re-melts a little each time. Thank you for sharing a beautiful Christmas tale. I hope you continue to find great success with it and Ketchup’s health does, indeed, improve.
With respect to your question about using Greek olive oil, I can only guess — but think it would be fair substitute give it’s own Omega and heart health properties. As I say, I have no research or experience to support it has better/worse/same, but my instincts would suggest it is a good choice … and as a Hellenophile, myself, I would be thrilled to know if it works. Best of luck to you, Ioanna.
Dear Dale… your recipe is indeed a huge success!
We did a blood test last week and Ketchup “scored” a 1.76 creatinine level (along with his other values which dropped as well). I have substituted entirely coconut oil with olive oil and in a month’s time that we will do the blood test again I will know if olive oil had a positive effect. This time I will add some dried nettle and some dried thyme (for the taste) and I will also start providing him with milk thistle supplements which I have read in many citations that works miracles for kidneys and liver.
Until then…Ketchup and I send you our warmest greetings!
God bless you Dale.
Awww — thank you Ioanna. That’s great to hear and hope with you that the results keep improving. Do let us know how the olive oil impacts along with the other supplements. Great learnings shared, thank you. All the best to you and to Ketchup. 🙂
Thank you for this. My 16 yr old Jack Russell mix was diagnosed with renal disease 3 months ago. Vet put him on a perscription diet. Was spending about $80 a month on food. A few weeks ago my dog decided he no longer wanted to eat it. I couldn’t get him to eat anything. It was breaking my heart watching him starve himself. Made this minus a few ingredients and he ate it up. Finally eating again! Thank you again for sharing this.
Yeah, Daphne! I’m glad your boy is eating again. Good luck and in the days and weeks ahead and thank you for your generous thanks. 🙂
Dale,
I felt compelled to write for a multitude of reasons. First, I want to thank you for all of your diligence and research. Thanks to you I have some hope for more time. I am still in the intense grieving stage as my 11 year old lab, Donner, was diagnosed yesterday with renal failure. When my vet called me with the news and the 2-3 month prognosis (I had to wait an agonizing 2 days, even though my heart already knew the answer), I couldn’t breathe. I haven’t been able to stop crying as I grieve for all that will be lost, this sweet and selfless soul. I am still in a state of disbelief but working to shift my focus on extending his time as long as possible and improving his quality of life. I am trying to educate myself and your blog gave me more information and hope than my vet and 10 other websites combined. As I write this, my sweet pup is trying to comfort me as he always has. I thought I would have a few more years with him. Now, I’m feeling paralyzed with fear and dread. You have given me a goal, the tools I need to reach it, and the most precious gift of hope. Thank you!
Aww, Wendy, thank you for sharing your very touching comment here. I can relate to so much of what you are experiencing and know well that feeling of fear and dread of what feels like someone has already died … and the refocus, as you put it, to do your best to prolong the time regardless. You certainly bring tears to my eyes for that and for your kind words that this simple post has given you tools and hope to navigate the immediacy of the news. I wish you more than the best. Take care of you and Donner. ~ Dale
Hi, Dale, do you have any experience or thoughts on with dogs diagnosed with Proteinuria and how that might change your recipe? Was only thinking that maybe the ground beef combined with the egg whites may be too much protein but who knows. I have worked my way through all the Hills and Royal Canine Renal for my 12 yr old Toby and He has decided a full on 2020 revolt of this food is in order so I would like to try to make some of my own food and your recipe seems like a great base case, not sure If I need to consider any other supplements for his diagnosed condition. Let me know if you have any other thoughts related specifically to Proteinuria. Thanks!
Natalie
Hi Natalie — I don’t have any experience with Proteinuria, I’m sorry. I know it is a sign of kidney disease, but don’t, as I say, have much knowledge of it. If you’re concerned with the amount of protein, well, you might drop it down, for sure, if that is what is prescribed. The rest of the diet likely has much that would otheriwse align, but tweak and adjust as necessary. Good luck.
Hi Dale,
Would like to thank you for this post. I came across it in complete desperation after admitting my little 9 lb Maltese into the ER/Critical care hospital to find out she has acute kidney injury. We have been home feeding her over the past 5 years (She’s 6) and that’s the only food she’s taken to. Her diet included a lot of what you listed but we used chicken breast and now I’m seeing that may have been a contributing factor to her kidney issues ;( She is currently on IV fluids and they’re working on bringing down her kidney enzymes (which were off the charts!) and she is doing ok in there but she is still refusing to eat anything and she really hasn’t touched any food since about Dec 27,2019. I was wondering about the dosage of the B complex vitamin and the Coenymes which we never added to her diet before (we use a vitamin/mineral powder called Hilary’s blend to supplement her diet). You mentioned you break the coenzymes into 4 but for a 9lb Maltese what would you recommend in terms of dosage of those two things and the omega 3s? Thank you in advance and thank you for the wealth of info and the recipes!!
Hello Joanna. You’re most welcome. It isn’t an easy predicament, to say the least, and it does leave us often second guessing ourselves which is really fair — all we can do it our best and keep learning along the way. Be kind to yourself. As for the supplements, they’re tough one and really a nice-to-have if you can and if your healthcare provider agree. They are, otherwise a pain in the butt to procure and administer unless your vet thinks they are a good idea. They could likely advise the on the dosing for your girl as well … and perhaps there are different forms of supplements available to you today than I could get. Otherwise, getting them into the right size and hiding them in the foods to get her to take them will continue to be a challenge.
Stay well and good luck.
I currently feed a raw diet but need to tweak it to be appropriate for my dog with kidney disease. Is there a reason why you cook the meat and eggs instead of feeding them raw?
Hi Emily — the only reason is that I myself am not a believer in the raw food diet/movement. By all means, prepare the ingredients and diet any way that works for you and your canine companion. No judgement. We all need to follow our hearts and do what we believe is best for those in our lives. Take care.
How many ziplock bags are you getting out of each batch? We got about 5 1/2 sandwich size ziplocks per batch (I made 2 recipes at once, one with sweet potato/pumpkin and one with squash). Does this sound about right to you?
Our pup is stage 4 kidney failure but her lab values got better after switching to a prescription. We had her on a combination of dry and wet, in brands that put better ingredients in their foods than Science Diet and the like, but she is starting to get to the “wasting” phase where she will only seem to want to eat every other day. This is obviously alarming to us so I went in search of solutions and came across your blog.
She is a 10lb jack russell so I’m not really sure how much I should be feeding her. Did you find your pup needed more of the homemade diet vs store bought food, or did you feed about the same amount? I’m just wondering how long 11 bags of food will last her. Also, did you find your pup’s lab values improved after being on the homemade food for a while?
Sorry for all the questions!
Hi Riley — yes, it sounds like your yield is 100% consistent with what I produced. In terms of how much to feed your girl, it’s one of the most common questions I get and one I consistently am unable to be accurate about because “it depends.” Just like two people of the same age and weight who don’t eat the same amount, the same is true of our canine companions. There are too many variables at play, not the least of which is her personality. As such, as you have guessed, use what she “normally” would have eaten as a guide and see how it goes. There is more water in homemade dog food but I suspect also more calories, so it likely balances out (give or take). Or you can look at it another way: she’s not eating enough, she’s wasting away, so let her eat as much as she wants and can. She needs the calories at this time and she will be your best guide about “how much.” How long will 11 bags last? See how long she takes to eat through one and you’ll get a good sense, but my guess would be a couple of months. And, finally, yes, Ben’s values changed significantly … and this has been replicated here by hundreds of others since. That doesn’t mean it works for all, by no means, but many have had a meaningful change through the diet. I hope it works for you as well. All the best.
Hey Dale-
My girl was diagnosed with the beginning of kidney disease last year. The last couple weeks she hasn’t been wanting her dry food again. I tried another brand but as you did the more I research the more I see that the commercial diets are no good. Last night I did a mixture of steamfresh vegs (green beans, pea, carrot, corn) not using the water, with one hardboiled egg over white rice… i blended the veggies and mixed with the rice at the end. It was last minute just to get her to eat. I intend to get to a nutritionist after the first of the year and see if they can help me with a recipe for her. But its almost $400 and I’ve had bills after bills with all my pets this year so it has to wait a bit. I have read some say turkey can be used and some say no. Why? What about baked chicken breast? I’m nervous about the beef as she had a bout of pancreatitis early in the year so I’m worried about the grease… what are your thoughts? Did you buy all fresh veggies or do u think frozen is ok? Im concerned about finding and keeping the fresh veggies fresh long enough to use them all… Also I may have missed it but did you aay how long the food stays in the frig?? My girl is 56 pounds so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Laurie
Hi Laurie — There are certainly a number of competing challenges different people are facing. Unfortunately, I had different challenges than your particular mix with the pancreatitis. I can’t really help much there and it wouldn’t be responsible for me to guess. The point about the turkey is because breast meat has a different (and higher) phosphorus level than the darker meat. If you read through the lists I provided, you’ll also see that chicken breast is much higher again. Your challenge will be that low fat often is high phosphorus in protein forms. I can’t tell you how to navigate that contradiction, I’m sorry. As for the fresh veggies — yes, that’s what I used, but it’s your choice. Go with what works best for your budget and your location. Your best will simply be the best you can do and you can be proud that you did your best. Wishing you a very happy holiday season and good luck in the future.
Hi Dale,
Last week we said good-bye to our sweet 13 1/2 year old black lab, Katie, who eventually succumbed to kidney disease. When she was first diagnosed this summer, I immediately went to the internet to find out all I could about this dreaded disease. I was amazed at just how little vets know when it comes to a dog’s vital nutrition, once this diagnosis has been determined. The commercial foods out there made me very leery about feeding them to Katie. Needless to say, I was so grateful to come across your blog site. Your recipes allowed Katie to remain with us for another 6 months. I faithfully stocked the freezer each weekend with the different varieties that you offered. What makes this disease so frustrating is the lack of appetite that dogs exhibit, so the alterations in flavor were very helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to dog lovers all over the world, who are dealing with similar situations. I truly appreciate it. ~Jennifer
Dear Jennifer — I’m very sorry for your loss but I’m very glad that you got to spend another good quality 6 months with her. Your experience resonates a lot with my own memory of how hard it was to cope when you know the thing she needs the most is the thing she doesn’t want to eat. A vicious cycle which feels paralytic. Thank you for taking the time to return and share your experience and thanks … it does mean a lot, so thank you as well. Wishing you the best over the holidays, especially, no doubt a little hard at least for experiencing them without Katie for the first time.
Hi,
Can ground turkey be used in place of beef?
Thanks,
Terry Willis
Hi Terry — Simple answer: No. Please read the whole blog and discussion around proteins and phosphorus levels of different foods.
Hi dale , I went through the low phosphorus list but it does not list rabbit. My dog has allergies to certain protien
The best I can find is from the following site: “There is 263 mg amount of Phosphorus, P in 100 g, grams portion amount of Game meat, rabbit, domesticated, composite of cuts, cooked, roasted.”
Hi Dale
My 14 year old fur baby has just been diagnosed with CKD stage 2/3 and I like you have been researching constantly for the last 7 days to find out all I can concerning his diet and I came across your research which has been extremely helpful.
My plans are to run this by the vet before introducing it.
Could I ask you what stage Ben was at when you introduced your researched diet? Also how long did he have the diet for?
Nikki from the UK
Hi Nikki — I can certainly empathize and definitely support you using this research and diet in consultation with a vet who knows your own situation better than anyone. There are a great many readers and contributors here who have done the same which continues to add to our ‘organic’ data.
As for how this relates to Ben — he was very advanced in his renal disease but a specific ‘lable’ wasn’t placed on it. He was said to have a couple months remaining but lived another 6. Hope this helps and good luck to you.
Hi. My 15 year old was diagnosed a little over a year ago. He was hospitalized and received IV fluids which helped and we attempted to give him camel backs for a while but it seemed we were just torturing him. We switched to the rx diet prescribed by the vet and he hated it. Then I was cooking white rice and chicken for him. He was not improving. The vet emphasized the low fat and low salt but said nothing about low phosphorus.
We researched homemade diet for him after we fed him some bone broth out of desperation and he suddenly perked up.
For the last year I have been cooking beef heart beef liver beef kidney chicken liver and chicken breast along with green beans yams apple banana egg parsley brown rice cranberries spinach garbanzo beans tomatoes basil rosemary ground flax ginger turmeric no salt chicken broth.
After 6 months his blood tests came back completely normal. His coat is the best I’ve ever seen it and suddenly he had more energy than he’d had in years.
Recently he has begun drinking way more than usual and I’m concerned that he is having issues again.
I’m nervous to make too many changes since he’s done so well on this diet and yet I have no idea about the phosphorous levels or calcium or omegas or D etc etc. I love our vet of 20 years and yet I don’t believe vets are sufficiently educated in nutrition. He was curious about the food I was making and amazed at the results.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for all the info
Colleen
Hi Colleen — I can definitely relate and know from the many comments here over the years that you’re not alone. Most Vets are really no more trained in all the specialties of pet care than the average family doctor — so it sort of behooves us as caregivers to be well informed so that we can be partners in our pets’ care and advocates for them as well. It doesn’t take anything away from your vet or their commitment or that they’re doing their best … but no one in this day and age can be expert in all things. As for your boy, it’s really hard to say … it could be many things, but drinking (and peeing) can be signs of several things from kidney disease, diabetes, to even Cushings. The high protein diet from the organ meat wouldn’t be a typical remedy, but I’m not an expert either, that’s for sure, as if you looked up the phosphorus levels of all those ingredients, you may be surprised what you find. That said, try and have a conversation with your vet and/or even a human nutritionist if that is available, and see if you can piece together a therapeutic diet that meets the needs of your boy’s condition. Sorry I can’t be more help, but wishing you the best.
Hello Dale I have a 9 yr. old Yorkie her name is Meli. She developed 3 yrs ago Proteinouria which is a kidney malfunction. She s been on renal diet but she’s starting to hate it! I’m considering your recipe. Can I use chicken and organic olive oil?
Hi Christina — very sorry for where you and Meli find yourselves. It really is a tough disease in so many ways. With respect to the substitutions you ask about, I would say “no,” but it is ultimately your choice. Fundamentally, all “protein” is not “low phosphorus.” That’s the point. Moreover, if you scan the phosphorus levels of different ingredients, you’ll find that it changes significantly from different parts of a chicken … so “chicken” is not safe bet on it’s own … and compared to other protein alternatives, there are better choices which have lower phosphorus. Sorry I can’t be more specific, but my advice is to do your research by simply Googling phosphorus levels of any ingredients you seek to use and weight the pros/cons from there.
Hello Dale, I bursted into tears several times during reading your article, especially when you said your loving Ben more than anything else in the world. My DH is a 14 yr old lab mix I rescued from south carolina when I was on an assignment there. I moved around in the States and she’s always with me during my most difficult years of life when I lost my beloved grandma who raised me up. I came to China five years ago for another assignment and DH flew together with me. I decided to stay here cause she’s too old to fly with me anymore. Three years ago she was diagnosed with liver tumor and after careful research I put her on a home diet since then. She was fine until rescenntly stage III arenal failure was added to the list of diseases she has. I grieved and was very confused at the same time. She lost appetite and hated the commercial food prescribed by her vet. Then I came across your article. I descided to put my grief aside and do the things I can control. Thank you Dale.– Wei from China
Hi Wei — thank you for sharing your story from all the way from China. I’m always amazed to find how far words can travel to connect us with others around the world. I’m very sorry for your dog’s health but think your attitude is the right one to have — doing what you can to control the things you can and enjoying the love and time you have. I can feel your pain and sadness but do stay strong and find hope as you are where you can. All the best to you in China… take good care. ~ Dale
First, I would like to thank you for all of your help! This means the world to me. My Rhyder loves this recipe. I do have a quick question. I have found that this recipe makes 7 days worth of food; Rhyder gets 2 cups per day of food. I’m following the recipe. My dog is 27 pounds so I didn’t change the recipe that you posted. I just want to make sure that Rhyder is getting the appropriate amount of protein/carbs/veggies. I wonder if I am doing something incorrect because your post said the recipe made 12-13 days worth of food. Thanks!
Hi Lauren — thanks for the kind words. I’m glad it’s helpful. However, I can’t honestly say if you’re doing something differently. … or if your Ryder just is more hungry. My best advice is to keep weighing him and if his weight needs to increase then feed him appropriately to get the weight on … and then stabilize. Hope that makes sense — just ultimately feed him to keep/get him to a healthy weight. Best of luck.
Thank you so much for sharing this, my lovely lurcher Rosie has grade 3-4 renal failure and has gone off her food, at the vets on and off, the commercial renal food is not appetising enough for Rosie, I have cooked various meals for her, some of which she will not eat. I too have spent hours reading and researching. Wow, Bens age is amazing, 18.5, that is a very good age. So, many thanks again for spending the time to share your research and recipe. Best wishes, Emma. X
Thank you Emma and best of luck and a return to health for Rosie. Take care.
Hi Dale! I have a 3 pound Maltese with kidney disease. I started her on your recipe but have not included the supplements you recommend yet.
Are the supplements human supplements that I would buy at a drug store or are they pet formulated supplements that I need to get at a pet supply?
I worked with a local pharmacy to source over the counter human supplements … yes.
I am going to try this for my chihuahua Taco. He is a diabetic and just got diagnosed with renal failure stage 1 or 2. Hoping this helps him live longer.
Instead of pureeing the veggies can you dice them, cook them and add them into the rice mixture along with all of the protein. This would create a dryer mix. Recommendations? I have a 10 lbs 14 year old Silky Terrier.
You can certainly do whatever is easier for you and still palatable for your Silky. Definitely follow your gut and your own comfort levels — it has to work for you and your dog both. Best of luck.
Hi Dale,
Thank you so much for your research and all of your help. I have been a concerned mom since my guy of 10 years got diagnosed with elevated Kidney function as well as Pancreatitis. I have been cooking his meals but it has been a work in progress and I am not sure if I am helping or hurting. I plan on trying your preparations but will probably need to drain the meat fat with his condition. I wanted to ask what kind of calcium supplement that you had used or possibly recommend and the dosage as well. I have been to 5 different veterinarians so far and none have been able to help with supplements other than give pepcid ac and keep his fat below 7% and protein under 3%. It has been quite frustrating for sure.
Thank you so much for your help in advance.
Holly
Hi Holly — I honestly can fully empathize with where you’re at and the frustration and confusion of it all. However, I am honestly not in any position to advise in dosages or treatments for any other’s companions: I’m not a vet and I certainly don’t know your dog and I wouldn’t want to do harm of any kind. Your vet would be the best person to advise whether you need a phosphorus binder (the calcium in this case) or not … and if so, how much of what compound. I know that this is likely of little help but I am certainly limited in my knowledge. Sorry about that but I do wish you the very best.
Thank you Dale and everybody for sharing. The recipe sounds great! I’ve home prepared meals since our now 9 yr olds came to us and they are used to raw meat, steamed veggies etc. I also have to learn about kidney disease now that your girl (who never drank enough over all those years – which now rings alarm bells) has kidney issues. Your blog post helps so much, thank you! It gives good advice, encouragement, and hope!
I use Calcium Carbonate from Now Foods (a powder I bough years ago).
I also learned about a ‘phosphate binder’ which I actually am eager to receive; it’s called AZODYL 90CT RENAL FUNCTION SUPPORT (bought it from 1 800 pet meds). It’s a probiotic mix that apparently helps with renal function and holistic vets seem to like to use it as phosphate binder. https://www.vetoquinolusa.com/content/azodyl#tab_section_1 The only ingredient I really wish wasn’t in there is titanium dioxide; the magnesium stearate isn’t great either but for now, I want to use it to help reduce phos levels.
The conventional vet talked about possibly giving phosphate binders and she might have used the aluminum hydroxide, which I think is abhorrent due to aluminum being a neurotoxin.
When our girl’s levels have normalized, I will omit the Azodyl again and up the natural probiotics I have always given her (home made soy kefir and raw sauerkraut). I also will keep the CaCO3 until the phos levels stabilize and probably keep it in the mix.
Since our dogs always (daily) ate raw bones (chicken necks/drum sticks, and turkey necks) the calcium in the bones should also help. Bones also contain phosphorus but the calcium and other minerals in bone should be balancing each other out if not leave excess calcium to sweep up any other nutrient based phosphorus. I also add home made bone broth which they are used to. I’ve seen a study that (even organic) bones accumulate heavy metals so I cut back for a while but temporarily I am using it again in small quantities.
Aside from lacto-fermented veggies (I add some of the home made kefir and sauerkraut) to the veggie/leafy greens blend (some raw, some steamed) I am also adding a little turmeric, chlorella, spirulina, astragalus, aschwaganda, kelp and beet powder (all organic) and give her whole food vitamins (I use amla powder and caps from Garden of Life which we use), a little apple cider vinegar, and some iodine. I even add, for now, a tea spoon of mild mallow tea to the food and drinking water (it’s an old Austrian remedy for renal support). Aschwaganda and astragalus seem to be very beneficial for the kidneys. I also use Rhodiola and mushroom mix as adaptogens. I missed many of these after I fell ill after the installation of 5G towers around here, and that’s when our girl’s health deteriorated as well. But now I am back on track and keep learning.
I add algal DHA/EPA and or Thorne’s omega 3 fish oil in addition to the fat in the meat I give.
Aside from some muscle meat, I also give them organ meats (all organic; liver, kidneys and heart). I add a pinch of taurine powder esp when I don’t add any of the heart (I dehydrate heart and keep it frozen until I add it to the food mix).
Our pups fortunately love steamed beans and sweet potatoes, squash, raw bell pepper, and she’s back loving it. Which is a big plus after how she was during and after seeing/being at the vets last week. They always got garlic (and our former now retired vet as so many others I read from has never seen problems with normal/moderate intake). I’d love to give MSM as I have previously, but will ask a vet about sulphur and kidneys.
The white rice is something I already learned about as being preferable and I am happy to see it work in action on Ben, Dale! Thank you!!
I’ve never given CoQ10 to our pups, I will look into it.
And, I will see a holistic vet on Friday to get her input. So far we were sort of stuck at a Western vet’s clinic who I wasn’t very happy with. But at least we got the lab data.
All the best to all of you out there and your loved ones. Be strong, follow your hearts. Never give up; each of us is doing our best. Pups know you love them, whatever happens. While we’re always insecure, they always know.
Wow thanks so much for sharing. You seemed to have captured all I have researched thus far. Do you happen to know if turmeric or ginger could be used with dogs? I know they help with inflammation in humans but didn’t know if they were safe for dogs. My dog is 12 years old and vet said her liver and kidney numbers were extremely elevated. Said her time is very limited. She moves slow and seems to have all the old dog problems like arthritis as well. Just trying to make her feel better for the limited time we have left with her.
Hi Kathy — you’re most welcome and thanks for the kind feedback. I can’t advise about the turmeric or ginger or what quantities would therapeutically be safe. Sorry. I know Ben ate them both but – as I say – not therapeutically. Otherwise I think you’re likely taking the right philosophical route. Best of luck.
Hi Dale..
Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Just made them for my 9 years old Bear as she has chronic renal failures. She just ate today and loved it . Hope that she will continue to eat.
I have stored them in storage plastic bags. Will put some in freezer but need to know how many days are good to store in refrigerator? Thanks
Tamera
You’re most welcome. I am hoping with you. With respect to storage treat as you would “human” food (which it is) and if you were eating it. 3-4 days in the fridge would be my limit.
Dear Dale – I came across your post while searching online on diets for dogs with kidney failure. My 13 year old Cavalier King Charles was diagnosed with acute kidney failure last week and had been hospitalised for 5 days. Vet sent him home 3 days ago with KD diet which he refused to eat. He lost all his teeth so he is on a soft diet for many years. I like to ask if I could purée the pumpkin and green beans first and steam them together? Then mix with the protein. Can I also skip the rice? Just protein and vege and egg white?
God must have heard my prayers and let me come across your blog and I am eager to try cooking this recipe tomorrow for my sweet dog. I have been so sad and you have just given me hope. May God bless you!
Angeline from Singapore
Hi Angeline. I’m deeply sorry for your own situation but do hope the recipe provides you a roadmap to hope. With respect to your questions I’m not sure about changing the order — I always purée things after they’re cooked as it is easier to get them smooth. I’m not sure what would happen in the reverse— but also not sure you would get the same benefits of steaming them afterward as it may not leech out the phosphorus the same. However I’ve never tried it so can’t say for certain. I personally wouldn’t skip the rice as it is important Soluble fibre which will provide calories and also help bind the food together. Hope as I say this helps and your prayers are answered.
Thank you so much! I inherited a dog who has kidney disease. The packaged food from the vet made her vomit and hack, even with Pepcid. Her coat was dry and falling out. She was listless. It was pitiful and I was very close to putting her out of her misery. I’ve been cooking for her using your recipe for two months now. She stopped vomiting after the first week. Her coat is soft and glossy, she is playful again. Thank you!!!
Awww … truly, a big “awww” — thank you Anna. It is all any of us can really hope for and I thank you for sharing your own testament of the past few months. I hope it continues, but a precious change nevertheless. Enjoy and thank you again for the smile and positive reflection. You made my day — thank you.
Thank you very much for sharing your ideas. My Brittany spaniel, Jasper has just been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at the desperately early age of 4. Early results look scary and he is undergoing more tests and treatment. Your site has given me hope.
Dear Maria — you’re very welcome. Hope is an elusive and difficult thing to generate so wherever we find it, it is a gift beyond dreams … I know. I really do. I hope, with you, that your hopes translate into health and happiness … 🙂
Maria, we are dealing with it at barely 3 years old. She contracted leptospirosis & now has renal failure. It can definitely be managed. We can’t give up hope!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Leslie, as well. You’re very right — we can’t give up hope. Our loved ones need our strength…
Dale – just want to send some heartfelt gratitude from me and my boy here in Philadelphia. After his renal failure diagnosis and switch to prescription canned food, he was barely eating even with help. I whipped up a big batch of this last week, and now he’s gobbling down two huge bowls a day and gaining back some of the weight he lost.
Amazing how the internet manages to connect us all. Looks like you and Ben have helped out countless people and pups over the years. What an amazing legacy for him to have left.
Only problem is my boy’s got some smelly green bean farts now – oh well! As long as he’s happy 🙂
Hi Evan — and thanks for giggle. I was tearing up but am very grateful for the smile you left as well. Trust me, I’m more amazed — and grateful — than anyone at the connections this ‘internet’ thing has done to connect me to you and countless others. Really, it staggers me and really, all I hope is that there are thousands and thousands of wagging tails emitting bean farts the world over. 🙂 A great legacy indeed.
Thank you, from my heart, for sharing ….
Dear Ben,
When my 6 year old black labradoodle rescue who looks exactly like a baby black bear started acting weird a week ago, I had no idea what we were in for. Nearly $1000 of tests later, 24 hours of IV fluids, a couple hundred bucks spent on commercial dog food, and a diagnoses of acute renal failure, I am so glad to have found this recipe! While my dog is close to my heart, I am out of money to spend on dog food and am looking forward to trying out this low protein, low phosphorus food, which I can also give my other dog, who has been feeling left out over the canned food.
My vet approves this recipe, and I look forward to letting you know how it comes out.
Dear Veronica — I hope, truly hope, it has worked for you as well. I can truly appreciate the challenges and the challenge of balancing veterinary costs with what we can afford. It’s sad, truly, that it sometimes comes down to money. It’s why our countries have adopted medicare for most our our society … but, sadly, our pets don’t get that support and it does mean for difficult decisions. I do hope, as you say, that this provides a remedy.
Hi Dale,
Thank you so much for your research and recipe! We have an almost 13 year old Shih Tzu that has kidney disease and we’ve been struggling to find something she will eat. We’ve tried several prescription kidney diet foods and our little kid just isn’t having it. The first one she was ok with but that only last about 2 months and she became uninterested in eating but only uninterested in eating that food. If you put chicken or cheese in front of her, she’d inhale it. The next food we tried she seemed to like but has created potty issues (to put it nicely) which has meant my husband or I getting up several times a night for her to go out as well as accidents in the house. We are starting to feel helpless and unsure what to do. I found this post today and thought maybe this is it. She LOVES green beans and has eaten them for snack for years. She also love egg whites and ground beef so I’m thinking this might just be the answer. I do have a couple questions for you. First, do you have to purée the beef, beans and squash or could you simply cut everything up into small pieces? Second, did you notice any changes with Ben’s potty time? We never had this issue with the first KD food our Remi was eating by the most recent KD food has caused the issues. I was just wondering if Ben experienced any problems.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Ben. Animals truly are part of our family and like all pet owners, I would do anything for Remi to make her happy and healthy.
Thank you so much for all the information you have provided, I can only imagine how many pets your recipe has helped!
Thanks!!!!
Hi Meri — First off, you’re most welcome. I can most certainly relate to much of what you share. It will soon be the 5th anniversary of my losing Ben and yet so much of this remains very vivid and close in my memory. To your questions, though: 1) no, you don’t need to puree any of this. I did this with Ben for a combination of reasons, including a strategy to ensure he wasn’t picking through his food and leaving things out. If you’re not worried about that, no need to puree. As for the potty issues. It could be a variety of things. Keep in mind that transitioning any dog to any diet is often suggested to be a gradual thing because it requires their gut to get used to the diet change. It could also be age or other complications; in Ben, he had Cushings as well which played into symptoms. It could also be food sensitivities especially if she isn’t used to eating some of these ‘human’ ingredients (like the egg white).
I do hope this helps and more than anything, I do hope she adapted to the diet change and you have seen improvements.
Best of luck and care.
Dale
Hello Dale, First I just want to thank you profusely, I’m do grateful for your post and I’m sorry it is up because of Ben’s illness. It is so detailed yet so easy to understand! With so much love for him and just pure heart. It’s now August 2019, so I’m not sure if you’re still monitoring the comments here. I’m sorry this may be a difficult question for you so feel free to ignore me, I understand. First, my reason for asking of course is that my 8 year old German Shepherd Kimi, has just been diagnosed with kidney disease, it devestates me to no end, even though it’s not kidney failure yet which is what I had thought I heard the first time the vet talked to me about it, my comprehension went down to zero with his initial words. So, we’ve been cooking for her already and I was at a loss with the less protein issue till today, so againmany thanks. I do really hope Ben is happily enjoying your food today as his picture with your post showed, now my question is how’s his progress been since 2015? I would really like to know what’s ahead for Kimi and us and how to deal with it if needed, supposedly she was caught at an early stage, but it doesn’t reduce the frantic activity of my brain. Our vet is a lovely doctor and human., and he’s already been there for us with our youngest cat Gibbs sudden passing and McDuff our oldest dog painful journey to passing barely 2 years apart. However I’d like to know from a dog buddy who had this sad news dumped in their lap. Either way I wish you and Ben all the best.
Hi Alia — Thank you for stopping by and your kind comment and questions. You can certainly read more about the journey Ben continued which sadly ended with this post 5 years ago: . Please don’t read it as a personal depiction of where your journey with Kimi will end. Each journey is different and there are many variables. But kidney disease is an insidious one with much heart break for many … but there is hope and beauty in the time you do get, whether it be years or something less. You’re fortunate to have a great vet there with you help you along this difficult journey. I hope with you that you have caught it early, that things turn out well, and you come back here in several years to say how well it has gone indeed. All the best and good luck.
Hey Dale, How does one safely bump up their calcium and potassium? I have crushed egg shells, but I’m not sure how much to mix into the recipe. Do you give a human potassium supplement? Both of my furkids only weigh 10 pounds. They’ve done really well and were improving since I started your recipes, but they’re both not eating well as of the past few days. I feel like maybe their low in potassium. I’d appreciate any suggestions..
Blessings to you,
Becky, Alfalfa, and Willow
Hi Becky — Simple answer to your question would be have a blood test done and speak to your vet to determine if, in fact, your babies are deficient, I think. In terms of potassium, some veggies are higher in this regard (like pumpkin if memory serves); as for calcium, it’s commonly used as a phosphate “binder” and as I was told, only needs be used if you can’t otherwise control for the phosphate. If your vet recommends a binder, the egg shells or supplements may be of help. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Dear Dale, thank you so much for your research and your beautiful words about Ben. I too am here because of a diagnosis that has broken my heart. I hope you are comforted by the fact that your devotion to Ben continues to help many other dogs and people. Imagine my surprise reading your blog to find out I live in the same city as you! I’m going to make your recipe for our little guy, but will be swapping the beef for fish, as he’s also had pancreatitis a number of times and we have to be careful about fat. I’m wondering, though, your recipe says to use 2 lbs of baked trout, but is that 2lbs of trout raw/before cooking or should it weigh 2 lbs after cooking and then I mix it in with the other ingredients? Thanks for your help!
Dear Mandy — and, wow, I must say, I have ‘met’ through my blog many people from around the world and much further than I ever though my words would reach, so it is a miracle in and of itself to meet another person from here. As for your question about the trout, all ingredients and cooked amounts are “raw” (not cooked). I truly hope you success and please do let me know how it goes and if I can help in any other way. 🙂
My dog Taco was just diagnosed wit kidney failure. He also is a diabetic and had pancreatitis, what is the recipe you are using for your fur baby that had pancreatitis?
Best of luck Danielle. I hope you get great results — I can’t however comment on the pancreatitis. I had no personal experience with that at all. Perhaps you’ll find answers from some of the others here who have had similar situations. Take care and wishing you success.
My 16yr old beagle, in both heart and renal failure, is eating and energized again thanks to you. I am eternally grateful for your kindness and sharing
I’ve been cooking for my Shih Tzu for arthritis and now find she has kd. I used similar recipe but with brown rice. And add turmeric and pepper for the arthritis. She improved immensely although now after about 2 years she is going off it. Any ideas would be appreciated. I’ve tried different meats, veggies, consistency, adding gravy.
Hi Dale,
Thank you so much for sharing the research and conclusions with other dog owners who find themselves in the same situation. My dog, Bella, is a 12 yr old Schnauzer mix and really active. Last Friday was the first time she has EVER not been interested in eating and, when her appetite didn’t improve, we went to the vet on Monday. Prognosis was that she is in final stages of kidney failure and gave me end of life choices which I’m not ready to make yet. I asked if there were holistic things we could incorporate as part of her “hospice care” (they work with a holistic center). From the center we were prescribed Okra Pepcid to sprinkle on her food twice each day and they suggested that I order two products from Amazon – Azodyl and Epakitin – which I did plus another product called Renal K Powder. The reviews seemed almost miraculous especially for the Azodyl.
Have you heard of these products?
Thank you,
Theresa
Dear Dale –
I started writing this response to you on July 16th but didn’t finish it as I was preparing a small video for you to see how your food gave my Little Jolie back her appetite. My sweet girl has a small seizure/stroke this morning. I’ve never been so scared in my adult life. He was a little disoriented in the 15 seconds after the episode and walked into two walls. I was beside myself. She than went to pee on her wee wee pad and walked around a lot. Terrified that she would die today, I brought her into work. She barked at me, she hasn’t barked in over a month, and was really playful and alert. I am so confused. The vet told me to contact her if there was another episode. I feel like now is as good a time as any to properly thank you. So here goes:
Dale, you are a god send and an earth angel. I have two sweet senior girls named Bebe and Jolie. I run a dog blog called PriskyPaws.com for about a decade. There’s nothing I love more than my two fur kiddos. They are very senior. My Bebe is 16 1/2 and my Jolie is just shy of turning 13 on August 2 of this year. Last month after a routine dental cleaning for both I discovered horrible news for my sweet girls. Both had elevated BUN levels but one of them, the smaller younger one had off the chart levels. 186! She was on a quick decline and originally weighing 5lbs went all the way down to 3lbs in just two weeks. I was sure she was going to die, I had even made the call to a euthanasia vet. It was truly awful. After a few vet visits, I learned she was uremic and than there was protein in her urine. Her mouth smelled of ammonia because of the condition and that paired with kidney disease resulted in her having no appetite. I tried everything the vet recommended, all the special foods, and finally, my own research and concoction of herbs and vitamins to nurse her back to health. This included bone broths, chitosan, apple cider vinegar, eggshell powder, fish oils, spirulina, chlorella, probiotic, and milk thistle. She would not eat. I had to pry her mouth open with a syringe and force feed her. Each time crying so violently that her tiny body was covered with my own tears. The vet suggested we keep her hydrated since she wasn’t eating my administering 50ml 2x a day of sub q lactaided ringers with electrolytes. It’s a saline solution of sorts. The first day she screamed and cried with the needle, and I just bit my lip and cried with her. I had to be strong but was slowly coming to terms that this was no life for her. In the course of 5 days I slept maybe 20 hours. I was researching the internet like crazy, alongside a notebook and a calculator. I would write down the herbs and calculate the dosage, research the breed, the amount of food via body weight, everything I could get my hands on. I was restless, I had to do everything for her, after all, a dogs love is something we are forever in debt to them for. I’m sitting at my desk at work holding back tears because of what happened last night. I had found your post two nights ago and I said, wow, the post is over 5 years old and he’s had over 1100 comments? So guess what I did, I read all of your comments. It took over three hours but it gave me hope.
This post made me believe that my little Jolie had a chance. I thought to myself, tomorrow I will go and buy this food and I will try to mix it with her herbs and hope she will eat it. I even thought, heck, if she won’t eat it I will, it sounds delicious. I’ve been forgetting to eat myself just because I have been fully consumed with her road to recovery.
And then, it happened…I took the groceries home and starting cooking, preparing, grating, boiling, chopping, measuring everything. The island in my kitchen looked as if I had prepared a Thanksgiving meal for 6 in stead of a 3lb little dog. During the process of me cooking the meat, my little Jolie got up off her bed and barked at me! SHE BARKED. I had not heard her bark in over a month, and there she was looking at me saying, hey give me some of that. The aromas like you mentioned in your post is true and caused a moth to a flame reaction. My other dog joined in on the fun and was glued to my feet as I made this food. I even tripped over the dishwasher trying to not step on her!
Here is a little video of her road to hopefully successful recovery, today’s seizure/stroke has heightened my fears and all I can do is wait for her to tell me she’s ready.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tK36Vt77Pp3xCWDz8
I commend you for doing what you’re doing, Ben’s legacy lives on, and don’t you worry, you will be reunited again one day, this I believe with all my heart. A dogs only fault, is they are gone much too soon.
All our love,
Priscilla, Bebe and little Jolie
Thank u for sharing this recipe!!! I have a 6yo shar pei diagnosed with kd last week i can’t wait to try this ,my silly question is she is 40lb how much should i feed daily,also supplements i see your post said for 25lb dogs ,should I increase the dosage, do u open the gel caps ? Or just hide them in the food ? Lol another question is i also have a healthy bichon frise and she might want to eat this food is that ok ? Or not a good idea ? Thanks so much in advance
You’re very welcome. Your questions aren’t silly at all and have all been asked by others, so you’re in good company. 1) Volume is dog specific. It be like saying how much you should eat vs. your husband because he weighs more or is older. You know your dog and how much she ate when ‘healthy’ — use that as your guide. She’s unlikely to overeat with CKD since the nausea is the problem. 2) Supplements: speak to your vet or some other health professional. Again, it may very well vary or depend on what else is going on with your dog and her treatment, so I wouldn’t want to be irresponsible in my advice here. 3) Strongly recommend NOT opening up caplets etc or hiding in food as you are more likely to create negative responses to the food if she eats one in a bite and then thinks every bite will taste bad and then you also have problems if she doesn’t eat all her food and you’re not sure how much of the supplement has been eaten. Sneak the supplements in separately is my advice. 4) Don’t believe the food is ‘unhealthy’ for a healthy dog, but wouldn’t recommend it as part of a longer term maintenance diet. Best of luck.
Just curious as to why chicken wasn’t one of the proteins listed. I’ve been cooking for my dog and switching proteins every week between ground beef, white fish, chicken and hard boiled eggs 2x per week as recommended by my vet. Is there a reason I should not use chicken?
Hi Theresa — the simple answer to your question is that chicken was listed on the food lists as having higher phosphorus levels than ground beef. I know it seems odd because we’re taught to believe that leaner and ‘white’ proteins are better for us, but the science of phosphorus defies this. As in another recent reply I made, “When making any substitutions — entirely your choice — my only recommendation and advise is to Google the phosphorus levels of the ingredient and compare it to the levels (by volume/weight) of the same ingredient you’re replacing and make your own determination. In the end, this recipe is a starting point based on one man’s lived experience.” Also note that not all parts of an ingredient are made equal, either. Egg whites are a great source of protein — the yolks, however, did not rate well.
My 13 yr old yorkie was diagnosed in December 2018 with kidney disease. I started her on the k/d canned food, which she hated. She lost weight and kept trying to steal her brother’s food. I was getting desperate to find one she would like, but was not successful. Searching the web I found your recipe which sounded doable. I have so far made 2 batches and she LOVES it! She gained the weight back and is much happier. I sincerely thank you for sharing it.
You’re very welcome, Nelda. Wishing you continued success and hope her next tests show improvement as well. Stay well.
Hi Dale. Thankyou for the recipe. I would like to know can minced chicken be used instead. If yes what would the quantity be for the other ingredients.
The phosphorus levels of chicken were higher, so it wasn’t my go-to protein source. When making any substitutions — entirely your choice — my only recommendation and advise is to Google the phosphorus levels of the ingredient and compare it to the levels (by volume/weight) of the same ingredient you’re replacing and make your own determination. In the end, this recipe is a starting point based on one man’s lived experience.
I very much appreciate all the research you’ve done on this subject. I am going to use your recipe but I am wondering why the meat needs to be cooked. Our almost13 year old Karelian x husky at 70 lbs has been on a raw food diet all her life. We took her to the vet for an unrelated case of diarrhea ( we thought she ate something bad on a walk-sneaky girl) and she came away with a kidney disease (early, mild) diagnosis. Scared us all and we went with the vet’s advice to feed her Hill’s kidney formula. She refused to eat it so we’re back to making good whole food. Does the lean beef need to be cooked? I understand why the veggies should be cooked to remove some phos. Please clarify because some other sites say cooked is not good. Thanks very much. Keep up the good work for the pups.
I honestly don’t have much knowledge to share re: a raw food diet for dogs. I certainly have read the various opinions over the years, but none of that makes me an expert. Fundamentally, I’m a cooked-food kind of guy, and Ben was a cooked-food kind of boy, so our approach was based on our knowledge and lifestyle. The only thing I could further add for consideration is that cooking the meat too doneness will obviously kill most bacteria etc which has the added benefit of allowing the food to store longer in your fridge/freezer and minimize any potential harm to a weakened immune system as likely in a dog with chronic/end-stage kidneys disease. The rest is really up to you. Hope that helps a bit.
Thank you for sharing your story and your research! My 14 year old Pom/Bichon was diagnosed with very early stage renal failure 2 days ago and I have been searching for a homemade diet for him since then. Like your Ben, my Mac has eaten human food all of his life. Finding your recipe is a Godsend! Mac has been on a mostly turkey/veggie based diet, so I will switch him to lean beef. His appetite is still good, but he has lost close to 25% of his normal 20 pound body weight in the past year. I’m hoping this diet will reverse the issue.
You’re very welcome, Lori. Like you, I hope this diet provides you a solution and hope and provides Mac with a new lease on life. Thank you for stopping by, sharing your comments, and sharing other thoughts with other readers as well. Best of luck to you.
Hi Dale the rice you used was it long grain or minute rice just asking because 2 cups uncooked minute makes 4 cups cook and long grain 6 cups cooked don’t want wrong amount
Hi Laura — apologies for the delay in reply. I used “Jasmine” rice I believe, which is fundamentally a long grain rice. I would NEVER use Minute Rice. Sorry, but I do not personally believe highly-processed foods. I would assume that whatever you gain in some ways, you will lose in overall nutritional benefits.
Hi Dale, firstly what an angel you are. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Secondly, do you know if this meal is ‘balanced’ per say?
My cub is at the early onset stages and have been feeding your recipe for the last 2 weeks but just want to make sure it covers all his essentials nutrients etc.
I also include a small amount of air dried lamb + tripe to add a little crunch.
Love to hear your thoughts 🙂
Many thanks from Australia!
Jamie-lee
Hi Jamie-Lee — I’m always blown away when comments come in from around the world, so thank you for visiting and sharing here.
I honestly can’t claim that this is or isn’t “balanced.” My goal was to create something that was “as balanced as possible” but undoubtedly, I made trade-offs in my quest to get to low-phosphorus. I believe the other dog-food recipe I provided (aka Ben’s Breakfast) is likely more balanced and it is what Ben ate for many many years. The truth is that this low-phosphorus diet is a “palliative” diet — I wouldn’t intrinsically believe you should use this as a maintenance or growth diet, but I could be wrong. A nutritionist could answer that better and/or suggest how to tweak to for your particular cub.
Best of luck and hope this helps answer a bit.
Love has no borders so never underestimate what you’ve done for people through the love for your Ben ❤️
OK thank you for the reply. I’ll go check out Ben’s breakfast and add this too. I have to say that my little Chuck has been bounding with energy since starting your food along with some Chinese medicine so what I know for sure is that it works!
Thanks again ?
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. Vet said my little girl Laika (weimaraner – 7yo) would not live longer unless I fed her with prescription canned food wich is very expensive because of her great size. Since January I have been following all of your recommendations and prepared your recipe in varying ways and not only Laika gained weight, she is more energetic, happy and healthier than ever in a year.
Thank you very much for helping us.
Hi Paulina — thank you for sharing such a positive story of hope. Wishing Laika and you continued success and, again, you’re most welcome indeed. 🙂
Thank you so much for doing this. My grand dog has just been diagnosed with early stages of kidney disease. So I’m trying to get up and running as quickly as possible. Can I use minute rice and canned green beans (no salt added)?
Hi Pat — appreciate your position and rush to find solutions, but I would NOT recommend canned beans or minute rice. With respect to the beans, the point of my method is to leech out the phosphorus and discard the cooking water to minimize this … so my assumption that beans stored and processed in their liquid may have different health benefits and phosphorus levels. Ultimately, my goal was to return to whole/real foods and get away from the high-processed foods that underpin most commercially processed food and dog food. Hope this helps.
Hi! May I ask how long I can store it in the freezer? I can’t seem to find the answer anywhere.
ANd btw, my furbabies loved the recipe. Thank you soooo much for this.
Hi Delaine — I’m glad your furbabies love the food. As for storage, general storage principles apply depending on your technique, but certainly 6 months will be fine if it lasts that long. All the best and good luck.
Has anything been added or changed since 2015 on this recipe? And are you talking 17% ground beef? Or lean.
Hi April — I’m not sure what your question is, sorry. Lean ground beef is defined, in Canada, as ≤ 17% fat.
I haven’t “changed” the recipe — but, as you’ll read through the comments, others have approached it with their own variations or additions.
If I’ve misunderstood your questions, please accept my apologies.
Hello Dale. Is ground turkey okay instead of lean beef? I was using 85/15 turkey. But the store quit carrying the 85/15 ground turkey. I’m .Using 97/3 ground turkey now. Thanks.
Others have asked the same thing, so forgive me for copying the same answer, but you’ll have to research the comparative phosphorus levels of the turkey vs. gr. beef. My advice to you is to be careful because when it comes to buying pre-ground poultry, you may not know what you’re getting exactly (what ratio of white vs. dark meat) … which is important because they have different phosphorus levels. My bet is that the 97/3 has more white/breast meat in it which may not be a good thing.
Is Moringa Powder good to.use?
Sorry — I can’t comment on this. I don’t know anything about it.
Hello. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe, and taking the time to respond to the years of comments. It is such an active thread.
Can you tell me if the letter from the pet owner who verified the diet with a nutritionist is specifically a veterinary nutritionist? I know that it is certainly implied, but if I could verify that as fact, it would be very helpful. I am new to all of this, and I apologize if that is stated someplace and I just missed it. Thank you so much.
Sorry, Amber. I honestly don’t know and can’t answer on Kerri’s behalf.
I’m anguished that my 15 1/2 yo coton has failing kidneys. We have been dealing with this fir some time and make all her food. Always have. Her latest blood work and urine show her declining and I’m At a loss as to whether to have her euthanized mainly because she still
Has a voracious appetite and has no vomiting or any other of the end stage symptoms. She has lost weight of course but still loves to eat and every once in awhile takes a big run around the yard. The last few days she’s been trembling mainly in her back end so I thought she was in pain but the vet says no she’s not in pain. No leaking about the house and can go the night without urinating. Not drinking excessively either. Her diet is moderately low protein and we are mindful of sodium and phosphate levels The vet says three quarters of her kidneys are shot and she will only get worse. I get the sense that he thinks we should let her go but feel so conflicted about this. Just don’t want her suffering needlessly. Thanks for listening. Wonder if other folks out there have a dog whose numbers are through the roof but show none of the usual signs of failing kidneys. It’s a mystery to all.
Very sorry to hear your pain, Ruth, and all the existential challenges and decisions that come with it. There are a number of tools like this one that help you “objectively” measure “Quality of Life.” None of it is perfect and the decision will always be deeply personal, but it may help you you to think through where you’re at from the perspective of your dog vs. making a purely emotional decision about how you feel. It’s a horrible crossroads to be at, but in the end, you will most certainly “know” the right time if you listen to your heart ….
Hello Dale, Today is a good day for us. We have spent the last two days thinking we were losing our Bentley to Hemangiosarcoma (a bleeding cancer). They say when they bleed out, it is a very peaceful way to go… they just drift off to sleep. No suffering. We thought that was happening but Bentley didn’t drift off to sleep to never awake again; he just kept coming back and this morning quite brightly. Through no support from a vet, when he bounced back this morning we came to realize what we saw one of our other dogs go through several years ago; this has to be kidney failure. The sad truth of it all is once a Vet (or some) know a dog has a terminal cancer, they just assume that’s what’s getting them. If that were true for Bentley, he wouldn’t be here right now. But alas here we are trying to battle on our own.
No small complication to try to feed a homemade kidney diet that won’t feed a cancer. Rice is a primary concern so not sure I will use much if any of that but we are very willing to try the rest of what seems like good ingredients from a sounds knowledge base… and that may give us as much time as possible. I read the Memoriam to Ben; it was incredibly touching. I also read that you cooked for him almost his whole life… 18.5 years to have had him with you is amazing. So, call it inspiration if you will… but we are keen to give it a go and do whatever we can to keep all our boy (and our other two girls) with us for as long as we can.
Thank you for sharing your path and your story. It is nice to have hope and a plan. All the best, Karen.
Thank you, Karen. It means an awful lot, even these almost 5 years later, to still be reminded at the difference I like to think I made in Ben’s life. Ultimately, we never really “know” … but the amazing stories and feedback from the hundreds of people who have left comments here since have become a remarkable “sample” that gives me hope that I did do my best and best by Ben. It’s all we as ‘parents’ can ever hope to do by our children, no matter their number of legs.
I’m sorry that you also find yourself on this journey but I suspect that you will more than do right by Bentley, as well, and he’s lucky to have you inspired and battling in his corner as well. Thank you again for the kindness of your words and stopping to sharing them in the midst of it all. Best of luck.
Karen, have you considered CBD oil for the cancer? Our little Jack Russell, Bear, was diagnosed with aggressive mass cell cancer in July of 2018, after I noticed what appeared to be a fat lump on his leg. Our vet said he had between 3 to 8 months to live and that more lumps would appear. I started giving him a teaspoon of Medipaws with his evening meal. One year later and no new lumps, and the original lump has not grown. Plus his arthritis no longer bothers him. CBD oil stops cancer cells from growing and spreading, as well as helping with inflammation.
My 13 year old pomeranian recently got diagnosed with early kidney disease and I just made this recipe, he LOVED it! I didn’t puree any of the food though, just chopped the beans small and mixed everything up and he ate it no problem. Is there any benefit to blending it other than to get them to eat everything?
Hi Libby. Sorry for missing your comment. I had a similar question from Linda and thought they were the same. Linda was asking if there was any nutritional difference in blending everything together. My answer to her is the same. “I did this more because Ben was 18 years old and to make it easier to digest and eat and so that he was less likely to pick out ingredients he was less crazy about.” There shouldn’t be any nutritional difference otherwise.
Have you ever seen a vet beaming? Hildy’s is! We’ve just taken her back for a two month check after being diagnosed with early kidney disease. Blood pressure is perfect and she’s not spilling any protein in her urine. The little 12 pound girl has gained 6/10 of a pound and on Monday RAN across the park and back twice – which by my measurement is 900 feet! She’s turned into a 14-year-old Dachshund puppy who is taking the stairs two at a time. I handed a copy of your diet with the few changes I made to our vet who was excited to have it for her other kidney patients. Hildy was a Valentine’s present from my late husband the year before he died and I’m excited that he’s not going to get her back for a while. Thanks ever so much. (My changes: frozen for fresh green beans, and 1/4 C dried parsley.)
Hi Diane — and thank you for sharing your experience of a beaming vet and exuberant “Mom.” Keep running those lengths, Hildy and keep everyone smiling even bigger. 🙂
I was so grateful to find your site. It means so much that you were willing to share your work and research with folks who are going through a rough patch. I am the dog mom of Molly, a 14 year old Shitzu Bichon. Molly has high blood pressure and protienuria. The words Kidney failure weren’t mentioned but I’ve been doing the research and I am sadly coming to realize that my dear girl is very sick. So I have been busy searching for a new recipe for her home made dog food. I plan to give it a try. I was wondering if you know if stripped bass would work as a whitefish. We have a bunch of it from my husbands recent Lake Powell fishing trip. Also, years ago she didn’t tolerate rice very well but seems to do ok with grits. So I was thinking of using those two ingredients. Do you know if they will be good substitutes in your recipe? Thank You so much for any suggestions you might have. You have obviously put a lot of effort into this presentation. Sincerely, Michelle Davis
Hi Michelle. You’re very welcome and I can most certainly relate to what you’re going through right now and the realization, as you say, that your girl is very sick. True as that is, don’t give up trying and hope. As for the question about the grits, grits have different definitions in different places, but assuming you’re speaking of hominy (processed cornmeal), then, yes, this is listed on most sites as a low-phosphorus grain.
Just learned my Jack Russell Terrier has kidney disease. In addition to the home made diet, I have also started him on herbal tinctures from the CanineKidneyHealth website. A friend of mine had great improvement in his kidney disease when he added these herbs to his treatment protocol. We’ll see if it helps my dog.
Thanks for sharing, Maureen. Good to know of other complementary treatments. Please drop a note back here later if you can and share how the tinctures fared with your dog.
Best of luck on the road ahead.
Would you give 10 mg Pepcid AC to a 12 lb. dog or would you cut the tablet? Also, is your food recipe appropriate for a dog in acute kidney failure?
Hi Stacey — I would strongly recommend that you get both those answers from your vet. My vet prescribed the Pepcid AC and the dose. A pharmacist might help you as well in that regard. I wouldn’t want to give you misinformation by guessing. Sorry I can’t be more help.
Thank you so much for sharing all your hard work – I have one very full and happy lady after the first batch made today 🙂 Was just wondering – is there a nutritional benefit to puréeing the vegetables rather thank keeping them chunky?
Linda
Hi Linda — You’re very welcome. There shouldn’t be a significant difference in nutritional content of one method over the other. I did this more because Ben was 18 years old and to make it easier to digest and eat and so that he was less likely to pick out ingredients he was less crazy about. Hope that helps a bit more and good luck with your Lady. 🙂
Why not use Chicken? I think I will try your recipe. I have made my Dutchess food in the past but now dr. Wants her on a KD diet. Very expensive. For years I cooked Chicken, chicken liver, brown rice, broccoli, green beans, carrots, and peas. Thank you for doing the homework and posting it. Ellie
The simplest answer, Elvera, is by simply looking at the phosphorus content of different possible ingredients (including chicken) and chose to use the ones with the lowest levels. You’ll have to look at the phosphorus breakdown of foods and ingredients through the links provided if you’d like to compare them further. It seems a bit counter intuitive, but often foods and cuts of meat higher in fat were better in terms of lower phosphorus.
Hi Dale,
I would like to ask if you freeze the bags of food when you have made them only it doesn’t say it or maybe I missed it.
My Yorkie has just been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and I would like to try your recipe but would need to freeze and use as needed as he is only small.
Can I warm the food up as he does like it that way at times.
Hi Sue — yes, definitely freeze the bags of food and simply let defrost in the fridge overnight. I would heat the servings up for 30-60 seconds before feeding to encourage aroma and food appetite.
Thank you for all your research, it’s extremely helpful and I will definitely be using your recommendations to help with my greyhound’s renal failure. However, I would just like to mention that garlic (which you suggested as a flavouring), and all other foods belonging to the allium group such as onion, leeks, chives… are in fact toxic to both dogs and cats.
Thanks Gail. It has been noted in both the blog and discussed several times. Ultimately, the choice rests with each person as to what they’re comfortable and whether their companions are used to it or not.
Hi Dale – so sorry for tour loss. I have a 13 year old golden spaniel that’s just been diagnosed with renal failure. So have been researching home cooked meals as she refuses to eat any of the kibble kidney foods. I am definitely going to try your recipe, and would love to get some more recipes from you. She gets bored with food very quickly so will have to try alternating often?. Regards Martell
Thank you Martell. You’re very welcome and wish you the best in finding ways of keeping it all interesting. I know how hard it is but don’t stop trying and I’m sure it will all be appreciated. Take good care.
My 7 and a half year old rescue German Shephard mix (Rocky) was just diagnosed with Stage 3 CKD, and he has barely eaten for 2 weeks now. I’ve been feeling hopeless and am full of anticipated grief. We’ve tried basically EVERY type of kidney diet dog food my vet has and he hasn’t even wanted to taste them. I was cooking some rice and egg whites for him after doing a bit of research, but knew that wouldn’t be enough as far as nutrition went, and he’d already started turning his nose up at it. So I started googling, and I’m SO pleased I came across your blog.
He’s just eaten an entire bowl. Frantically eaten it actually, he couldn’t get it in him fast enough. He’s a big boy though, at 75lbs, so I have a feeling this recipe will only last him 3 days, that has yet to be determined. As a comment above has said, I have no idea if it will help his blood work numbers, but I was so pleased to just see him eat, I hope it continues! THANK YOU for sharing. (He has blood work in 2 weeks, I’ll try to let you know if we see any change)
Karen
Hi Karen — I do hope that your blood work returns with a positive result indeed. I can definitely relate to the relief when you’re facing desperation and just seeing the one you love eat when you’re worried that all hope is lost. It means a lot, I know, to see Rocky fill up. I hope with you that it continues and, if nothing else, as you say, that the quality of his life improves. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to hearing how it goes. Fingers crossed.
I am beyond grateful that I found this page. In February our Lucy (13 year old Lhasa Bichon mix) was diagnosed with stage III renal failure along with pancreatitis. My first and original vet was absolutely no use, so I sought out a specialist and with the care she has received there, all the meds, fluid therapy and this recipe- she is doing better then ever. I make the food weekly, alternating between Turkey and Laura’s lean beef and omitting the egg whites because she won’t eat them. We call it her “foo foos” and she just loves it! She also gets white toast, watermelon, apple, and a quarter of a graham cracker once or twice a day. For treats I found Mattie’s Treats- healthy treats for dogs with kidney disease , on amazon. Her last blood and urine work up showed huge improvements in all areas!! Her specialist call her a furry miracle, as at one point she was given days and here we are now, 15 weeks later. Anyway I just wanted to let you know that your dogs legacy lives on through your work of helping to save other dogs by sharing your story and recipe. I will be forever grateful.
What a great story, Jodi — a great miracle indeed and a beautiful place in a tremendous legacy of your own. Thank you for sharing and also for sharing your own strategy. So many contributions by so many. A great community effort. I especially love the graham crackers. Thanks again for your incredibly kind words. I hope your values continue to make for a special miracle that knows no end. Take care and all the best.
Dale thank you so much for all the love you put into your efforts to help Ben have a better 6 months with you. Please know this has undoubtedly helped many other furry creatures live a happier and healthier life. I made your recipe this morning for my Wilma who was diagnosed with kidney failure in May. She and my other guy, Ernie both loved it. Once she was diagnosed I knew I could not keep feeding her the canned garbage out there. For one she wouldn’t eat it and the other I didn’t like what was in it and now wonder if it accelerated her renal decline. I will be switching up the recipe and know mealtime will now be a treat instead of torture. Grateful from Florida.
You’re most welcome, Diane, and wonderful hear your very kind words all the way from Florida. I’m sorry that your family is also threatened by this insidious disease, but glad it is bringing you comfort and a measure of ‘control’ in the battle ahead. Wishing the best of luck on that road ahead and thank you again for your very kind words. 🙂
Hello Dale
My old friend, Chuky, was recently diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure…
I read a lot and finally came here. I’m really happy with your article and I cooked your recipe today! My dog absolutely love it!!!
Thanks a lot for your help and a sweet memory for the lost of your dear Ben…may he rest in peace.
Thank you Martine. A very sweet and kind note. Wishing Chucky continued success with the recipe and many great memories for you. Thank you again.
Dale – I just wanted to send a quick follow-up note. We made a fresh batch last night and offered it to Daisy this morning. She dove right in. So, this time we froze 50%. Thank you!!
That is great to hear Cecilia. Fingers crossed with you for many great days ahead. Thanks for the update. 🙂
Hi Dale – We made your recipe on Sunday for our 17 yr old, Daisy, and she really likes it and it’s been great that she’s been eating about 50% of each meal on her own. We end up syringe the rest, which is okay because we add her supplements to the syringed food. Tonight we offered her dinner and she sniffed it and walked away. The food has not been frozen, but kept in the refrigerator. For how long is the food good in the fridge? Oh, and thank you for posting the recipe!
Hi Cecelia — You’re very welcome but sorry things are a bit inconsistent. Be prepared for that and it may have nothing to do with the food as it does with Daisy and what’s going on inside her. Ben went through similar ups and downs and as good as the food was to him in moments, in others, his food drive just waned owing to pain and nausea etc. In the end, the vet also prescribed him with an appetite stimulant (Mirtazapine, sold under the brand name Remeron among others). You might have a similar conversation with your vet.
As for the food, it is human grade and without preservatives — all good things. But as a result, it is subject to the same guidelines around spoilage as it you were eating it or giving it to your elderly grandmother. In other words, for a creature with compromised health, I’d say no more than 3 days in the fridge.
I just tried this for my little boy who just got diagnosed with CKD. I tried it with pumpkin and sweet potatoes and he absolutely loved it. Thank you so much.
You’re very welcome, Amanda. Wishing you and your little boy continued success and his improved health. Thanks for stopping by and sharing 🙂
How much would you recommend I feed a small chihuahua? She weighs 2.5 lbs. but has lost weight due to her illness. She usually weighs about 3.7 lbs. when healthy.
Hi Karen — to your other question here, I honestly can’t say. Dogs have as much variability in metabolism and caloric/nutritional needs as people. I would start by giving her similar amounts as you would have typically in other food … and gauge both her food drive and any increases in weight. If you’re trying to help regain lost weight, let her eat more. If you’re trying to keep weight constant, then you’ll need to monitor. Sorry I can’t help more from a a distance, but perhaps this will help you some.
I have 3 tiny fur babies. 2 female Yorkies. Misha (12 yrs old). Misha weighs 5 lbs. and Laci (15 1/2 yrs old) Laci weighs 3.7 lbs. But it is my little female Chihuahua, Tia that has developed a kidney problem. She will be 9 yrs. old in July. She was just under 4 lbs. but is now down to 2.5 lbs. The only symptom she had was loss of appetite and weight loss. She will be going into the doggie hospital for 72 hours to get fluids and flush her kidneys. I do not want to give her canned or bagged food and prefer to cook for her and I am going to give the same food to the 2 yorkies. Neither of the Yorkies has a problem with their kidneys but I assume at their advanced age this diet will not hurt them. The issue is, even though Ben was just 25 lbs. my dogs are significantly smaller. I will cut your recipe by 50% and see how it goes. I have one question. Is beef with 20% fat a good choice.? I have read that red meat at 20% fat is a good choice and low in phosphous.
Hi Karen — very sorry to hear about Tia’s health problems. I hope she loves the recipe and it is therapeutic for her and gives you hope as well. In answer to your question around 20% fat, in Canada ≤ 17% fat = “lean.” If you’re in a different country where labelling laws are different, perhaps try “extra lean” or something that gets you closer to the 17%. To be clear, I don’t have any scientific proof that 17% is better than 20% — simply, this is what I used and fundamentally that’s because that’s what our butchers would produce in that approximate range. Hope that helps and best of luck.
Thank you so much for this recipe and your story! My dog is also 18 and was just diagnosed with kidney failure. He wasn’t eating or drinking until I made this recipe for him this morning. Now he won’t stop!! Thank you!!!!??????
You’re most welcome, Brittany. It’s all I could have ever hoped but to have helped one life … may it be richer and much longer. Best of days on the emotional road ahead. ??????
Thank you for this recipe! When I discovered last week that my fur baby has compromised kidney function, I was determined I would not feed her manufactured food but would find a recipe I could cook! But I have 2 questions: why did you add an antacid to the diet? And what did you do about treats? Unfortunately store bought treats are now not allowed, and she won’t touch any raw veggies or fruit at all!! She is a raw meat kind of gal…. thanks again so much!
Hi Robin — first off, hang in there. It’s a tough, complicated, and heart-wrenching journey so just continue to do your best. The antacid is because one of the symptoms of compromised kidney function is a more acid stomach which in turns creates nausea which leads to reduced food drive and therefore weight loss. That’s what you’re struggling with here. As for treats, a few choices are manufactured ones which don’t include meat (by products) — apple, for example. You might use other bits of human food, sparingly and judiciously. And thirdly, if you’re comfortable cooking and experimenting, some other readers here have used this recipe make a to make homemade dog ‘biscuits’ by baking smaller portions at a low temperature until they’re harder (I expect you’d want to refrigerate/freeze them in batches if you do). Hope this helps and good luck to you.
My 14 year old 12 pound dachshund began piddling (flooding) all over Sunday. Vet on Monday did blood work and said she’s in the early stages of kidney disease. Tried Hills KD, which was OK, but pricey for what it is. Didn’t fancy the list of ingredients. Made your recipe today (Friday) and she snarfed it down for lunch, then for actually came in at her normal feeding time of 4:00 PM and gave me the look and licked her chops. Fed her 1/3 C for dinner and the plate is clean! Thank you ever so much. It’s a delight to see her wanting to eat again. I did cut a couple of corners: frozen green beans (no salt) and dried parsley, as I have a ton of it. She also gets a heaping tablespoon of yogurt once a day. So far so good. Also, I figured if she didn’t want to eat it, I could season it and feed it to dear hubby. 🙂
That’s very cute, Diane. God knows I ate enough of my own homemade dog food over the years of tasting and seasoning, so your husband might enjoy it. 🙂 Glad your girl has enjoyed it so far and wish you the continued best with it in the days ahead. Good luck and thanks again for the smile.
Isn’t yogurt on the list of “no-no’s” because it is high in phosphorus?
Yes, you’re right. That said, here is an interesting article on Greek yogurt specifically in CKD diets. While not definitive, it does raise an interesting point of consideration of using some Greek yogurt, in moderation, because it is not only is slightly lower in phosphorus, the fact is has twice the protein means, theoretically, you need half as much. This is the phosphorus to protein ratio. All to say, choices like this need to be weighed, carefully, but considered over the whole.
Sorry 6 cups cooked thank you for your recipe my dog loves to eat now and sorry for the loss of your boy Ben.
Hi Laura. Yes, that’s correct.
After many months of worry and increasing symptoms we finally learned on Thursday that our 10 year old angel, Asta (a feisty, intelligent, funny, loving wire fox terrier) has stage 3 kidney disease. She was already underrating and badly losing weight. She pretty much ceased eating on Saturday. In desperation I turned to the internet and found your blog. Tonight I cooked as close to your recipe as I could and Asta actually ate a decent amount. My husband and I cried tears of joy and now have hope she will be well enough to visit the vet on Wednesday for some more tests. Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing your recipes and your stories of your life with Ben. Kindest regards, Ana, David and Asta
Hi Ana — thank you for taking the time to share your story of Asta. I hope for her sake as well as yourself and David that she remains interested and driven to eat it. I remember well the mixed feelings of despair and anxiety and hope measured in each bite. It is very hard, I know. Stay strong and no matter what tomorrow or the next test brings, know that you’re doing your best. It’s all you can do. Best of wishes and thoughts … ~ Dale
Hi Dale,
Thank you for sharing your recipe. My 13 yr old GSD diagnosed with stage 2 kidney disease 3 months ago. Her appetite has been up and down in the past few months until I tried your recipe a week ago. She ate very well the first week but she suddenly vomitted yesterday and eating only 20% of her food now. I wasn’t sure if it’s because I didn’t follow the recipe 100% or her arthritis acting up on her. She sleeps most of the time and doesn’t feel like eating when she’s awake.
I used 2 lbs chicken dark meat instead of ground beef as she likes chicken better and probably lower phosphorus http://dogaware.com/health/kidneytable.html. I didn’t put parsley and coconut oil. I used buttercup squash instead of acorn squash. I boiled instead of scrambled the eggwhite. I fed her puree (green beans, squash, rice, eggwhite) and meat separately as I need to give pain medication for her arthritis. Do you think what i did will make the recipe less effective and/or less attractive for her? Or it’s normal for her to have fluctuating appetite all the time?
Thank you so much again for sharing your experience.
Hi Eva — Firstly, what you and others (and I previously with Ben) are facing is something that seems to beg self-doubt and questioning. There are a great many variables, not the least of which is each dog is different with different tastes like people. Their diseases and health often have different variables too. When you mention the arthritis, though, it does remind me of Ben’s condition — in the end, he had bad arthritis in his hips and while I started with Tramadol and then Metacam because of the kidney disease, controlling the pain was important to improving the appetite. Few of us like to eat when we’re literally ‘sick to our stomach’ with pain. All to say, your tweaks to the recipe are normal and wouldn’t suggest to me the reaction you’re describing — so my guess is that there may be something else at play here. Sorry I can’t help more, but I think you’re doing your best.
Dale, — my condolences on your loss of Ben… it’s so hard… I’ve walked in those sad shoes many times through the years. I have a question on the sweet potato/pumpkin substitution. Is it either or? Or both at the same time? Blessings to you… Becky
Thank you Becky. Your words are much appreciated. Thankfully, time is a merciful healer and it gets just a little easier with each passing day. As for your question, my intended suggestion was ‘either/or’ — but the truth is that you could ultimately combine them as well if you prefer while maintaining recipe proportions. It might produce a nice flavour. Definitely play around with things and create different batches that keep things interesting for your pup. Best of luck to you as well. Thanks again, Becky. ~ Dale
Hi Dale, I found your recipe about 1 year ago when my standard poodle almost died from pancreatitis and renal failure. He is now 13 and doing fine thanks to your sharing of recipe. I make it weekly. Sincerely thankful for your research. Of course I use lean meats for the pancreas. Rita
You’re most welcome, Rita. It is a delight to have people come back here a year and more later and share their stories and successes. It doesn’t work that way for everyone, I know, but each success is incredibly precious. Thank you again.
Hi Dale,
We lost our dog Tank in February. He was loved so much, and brought more joy to our family than I can possibly put into words for almost 15 years. He helped us deal with the bad times, and the good times were much better having him with us. He was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure in February, and we didn’t know how to help him. He was given no more time. Then we found your blog. What a blessing! He was able to eat without getting sick,(prior to this, he would get sick), and we got to spend a little bit more time with him. Plus it was comforting to make his food, because he really liked your recipes! Your information was spot on, and helped us through such a sad time. I wanted to write sooner, but I was having a hard time writing about him. Miss him so much it hurts!!!!!!
Thank you again for posting about what you learned during Ben and your difficult/sad time. We are grateful! We also know we will feed any future pet better after reading your information.
Thank you SO MUCH!!!!!
I’m very sad and sorry for your loss, Beth, but comforted that the recipe brought Tank comfort … and it also brought you time (so amazing when we get those stolen days and weeks) and therapy in the process. You’re so right, though, the process of making the food is itself rehabilitating and comforting and brings us closer to our loved ones and to just being in the moment. You’re very welcome and I know that right now, things are likely still pretty raw, so thank for visiting in this moment of pain and sharing your own thanks and story of Tank. Wishing you health and healing. ~ Dale
Hi Rita
Would you share whether you substitute coconut oil to fry the egg whites or alter the cooking method due to your dog’s pancreatitis issue? My dog has both pancreatitis and renal disease and I am afraid to use oil.
I make scrambled eggs with water
Hi Dale,
My husband and I have a 16 year old rescue, Bob, that was diagnosed with kidney disease about a year ago. His last visit left us with little hope. His numbers were all elevated much more than they had been a month ago. We have had a horrible time getting any nutrition down him, as he HATES the Rx food.
But,….,,, he just gobbled up a nice big bowl of your recipe. I literally had tears in my eyes watching him eat. He is now walking around with a curled tail and acting like he owns the place again. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for providing a recipe that is healthy for him that he seems to love. We are hoping to get those numbers back down and squeeze some more time with our precious boy.
Greg
Hi Greg — Thanks for your sharing your own precious story about your precious boy and your success. I can ride the emotions you’re going through from here. It’s a tough journey, but I’m glad this has filled you with some relief and a chance to squeeze in some more memories and the time to do so. Stay well, and hold Bob tight. All the best and cherish the spring and its new life ….
Just made this and it appears that it is being happily consumed!! Substituted kale for green beans, as our strange little girl hates them. Fingers crossed her excitement over the new food continues. It is good to read that others have the same issues with their older dogs.
That’s great news, Patsy. Wishing you continued good luck with the kale and fingers crossed here with you ….
Thank you so much for this recipe! My sweet Costa Rican rescue absolutely loves it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are most beautifully, welcome. May it continue to feed the love in your home ….
Hi Dale. I want to thank you SO much for this post. Our beloved Yorkie, Stuart, was diagnosed with renal failure a few months ago. We tried every brand and flavor of prepared food, none of which he would eat, and were watching him slowly starve before our eyes. At only 6lbs, he didn’t have any extra body weight to lose and I thought we would have to put him down if we couldn’t get him to eat. But then I found your story about Ben and your recipe and have it a try. Stuart loves his food now and has gained back all the weight he lost. I know this condition will not get better, but we feel we got a gift of more time with our special dog with this recipe. It was a challenge getting the supplements reduced for his size, but we are following every recommendation as closely as we can and Stuart is clearly feeling well again.
Thank you, Susan, for a very sweet and inspiring message here. I’m so very happy for you and Stuart that he has gained back his weight. I hope it gives you all some very tender and precious time. Make the most of it, even if it turns out to be many years. Stuart is very lucky to have you battling through this with him. Wishing you continued success and love. Thank you again.
Raw green tripe is a life saver for dogs with kidney disease. Please research it! It has saved my boxer. It smells like a barn but it’s so hood for them.
thank you for posting and sharing this recipe. My four-year-old Sharpei Rosie, who I think I love as much as you did your Ben, has chronic renal failure. I have no children or significant other so she is my most important companion and friend. I’ve used to recipe for 10 days now. I just went to the vet yesterday and some of the bad kidney levels have gone down. I just want to say thank you for doing all the research you have, it saves so many of us searching time to look up things. I love the list for phosphorus in foods. That was very helpful. I read your memoriam to Ben. You have many Kindred Spirits who feel the same about their dogs. Bless you for sharing this.
Dear Annette — Thank you. Phew. A lot of misty eyes this evening as I read through recent comments, yours included. I am struck, as you say, how many kindred spirits there are here, united by their love of their dogs, united in their struggles with this disease, and united in our grief when time simply runs out for the best of us all. There are so many good people in this world united by beautiful things — and, as I say, I’m just struck that we should somehow be able to unite that goodness to make the world a better place for us all and our dogs. Thank you for finding me and I wish you the best with the recipe and on your own road ahead. Take care. 🙂
Our 13.5 year old Sheltie, Buddy, has just received this diagnosis as well as liver issues. The vet has prescribed urea and phosphorus binders, the acid reducer, as well as the prescription diet food. My question for you is do you think Ground Deer meat is an ok substitute for the ground beef? It does have less fat in it, so I could always augment that by adding extra coconut oil.
Hi Elizabeth — that’s a great question. Honestly, I don’t think many get that choice, but a quick search suggests that venison is about 40% higher in phosphorus than beef (give or take). While it seems like a healthy and kind alternative, it doesn’t sound like it would be a good choice.
I am so happy to find this site also. Given news today my son’s dog Ruby has late stage kidney disease. I care for her while he is away. Giving him the news tonight. She isn’t eating very well. This might help. Going to try it. Thank you!
You’re very welcome, Pat. Good luck in sharing the news with your son and on the days ahead and I hope Ruby likes the food.
Hi I am so sad about my little Miley she’s a Shit-Poo only weighting at about 10.5lbs and I need all the help on how to help her she’s not eating the Hills KD food they gave her and is drinking and peeing a lot idk what stage she’s in… Dr just released her to me yesterday from the hospital getting IV he had to leave and they couldn’t give me much info but she seem very weak… I’m devastated for her…Pls help can you tell how much can I feed her on a daily with this recipe. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Anna — I’m very sorry for your news and your sitatuion with Miley. My heart goes out to you and I can imagine how lost you feel at the moment. Unfortunately, I’m not a vet and I don’t know Miley so it is very hard for me to really ‘help.’ My best knowledge is just what I’ve provided by way of this recipe. It may help — I don’t know. Cook up a batch and see if she’ll eat it and take it from there. The IV treatment may produce short-term benefits and allow her appetite to come back enough to eat …. One step at a time and I hope you find this helps. Wishing you strength — Miley needs that in you.
My baby Rudy wouldn’t eat anything until I started giving him the antacid and this recipe!!!! My vet sent me home with some recipes I could make, and he wouldn’t want to eat anything but the meat.
You have no idea how much this means to me.
A big smile your way, Jessica. I’m so glad you’ve found a path out of this that is working for you and Rudy. You’re most welcome and wishing you the best on the road ahead.
Dearest Dale & Ben,
I am writing today with a heavy, yet exuberant Heart & Gratitude that words SIMPLY CANNOT EXPRESS!!! As a DIRECT result of your shared experience, you added QUALITY YEARS to the lives of both my precious fur babies! Sadly, last week, returning cancer took my Booker of nearly 20 years—but only after cooking for him for one year which REVERSED his kidney disease so his initial growth could be surgically removed! He is a med/large breed shepherd/lab mix rescued from the [awful] pound here in Dallas, Texas nearly 18 years ago. Two years ago, when tested to see if my PRECIOUS Booker could withstand surgery, his kidney numbers did not pass—so, as I have done w/his wife, Daisi, I cooked for him for one year, returned to the vet last December AND HIS NUMBERS HAD REVERSED so that his horrible growth [left lower jaw/gums] could be removed & his teeth/beautiful smile cleaned. Two years prior to that, I began cooking [your recipe] for Daisi which ALSO reversed her numbers so that SHE could have an extremely large lipoma surgically removed as well.
PLEASE NOTE: The Famotidine [acid reducer] is ESSENTIAL!!!!! Before I began administering this to Booker & Daisi, I could literally hear their tummies rumbling @ night, as well as my loved ones charging outdoors to ‘eat grass’. Had I known about this long ago, I feel Booker’s cancer might have been avoided. Our home backs up to an airport which works on jet engines not far behind our back yard. I feel the hideous toxins/ carcinogens Booker was ingesting by eating the grass covered w/this crap, was what incited his cancer. I had a 14yr old feline [Zubi] who often did the same re: grass & also [strangely] died as a result of a cancerous growth on HER lower jaw in precisely the same place!!!! So, pet owners…if you are concerned about what toxins/pollutants/carcinogens might be on your grass, purchase some wheat grass seeds & ‘grow your own’!!! Super EZ to do!
Re: COLLOIDAL SILVER
In addition to your protocol, I added Colloidal Silver/10ppm [parts per million] to my pets’ drinking water.
I learned of this while sharing w/a friend how I needed to boost my immune system [I teach preK 3,4,5 yr olds/Montessori]. He suggested I place 2 water bowls down, one with the colloidal silver, one w/o to see what my pets did. I placed the [large, 4 cups/32 ounces] bowl w/the Colloidal silver down first & before I could return w/the other, my exquisite polydactyl [6 toes each foot] rescue cat, Loki, went directly to the bowl & consumed almost half of it w/o stopping. Needless to say, Booker & Daisi did the very same-thus greatly increasing their water intake & further negating the kidney disease. My two 20 yr old cats are so healthy, as well as all other critters in my household!
Lastly, I would like to correspond w/you & seek permission to utilize your info [w/credit, of course!] to create a cookbook for dogs w/kidney disease so that additional pet owners may offer this to their pets
[vs. GROSS Science Diet which uses RENDERED BEEF!!!!]. My vet is on board!!!!!
With Eternal Gratitude & LOVE,
Booker, Daisi & Fi [moi]
Thank you.
Dear Fi, Booker and Daisi …
Much to acknowledge in return, but thank you for sharing your story and your own gratitude. There continue to be many many readers that take heart and advice from the experiences of people like yourself. Thank you for your own thoughts on the Famotidine (Pepcid AC). It’s an easy thing for most to administer and it does have good results for many. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience with the COLLOIDAL SILVER as well. I don’t personally have any knowledge of it, but, again, your sharing it here may help others who are similarly considering it as part of their treatment.
I think the idea of a cookbook and even a more comprehensive book “Treating Kidney Disease in Dogs” would be a wonderful resource for many. There are increasingly more and more resources out there, I know, but gathering them together in one resource would likely help many. I’d be happy to connect with you if you’d like to discuss. You can email me here [email protected].
Take care and thanks again for sharing all of this.
~ Dale
I have 2 dogs that was just told they have mild kidney and liver dysfunction but I am writing to u to tell u I have a shihtzu (Gizmo) who had gum cancer almost 2 yrs ago and had to have his lower bottom jaw removed…We go to our last Oncologist vista in May or we hope it will be out last..He is 9yrs so I feel your pain..Just wanted to let u know that..
Hi Dale! Thanks so much for your meticulous research! What is the benefit of blending everything together vs just chopping/combining?
Hi there — sorry, I swear I had replied to this earlier but looks it disappeared. The benefits of blending really come down to taste/preference. If your dog will chow through it all and not ‘pick’ through the food, chopping would seem fine — for others, like Ben, blending ensured the flavours mixed together, improving taste and consumption and also ensured a consistency to every bite and serving. Hope that helps.
Hi. This has been a very helpful site and recipe for me My 15 year old Jack Russell has recently been diagnosed with stage 3 renal failure. He is on a lot of meds and my vet recommends he eat only prescription renal food But my dog hates this and it is so stressful watching him eat the bare minimum and losing so much weight my heart aches I don’t want to go against my vet, but I also don’t want my dog to starve to death. I have decided to feed him morning and night on the prescription food and at lunchtime give him this recipe, minus the egg as egg causes him to vomit. I think I am needing reassurance from those who have used this recipe over a longer period that I am not going to cause his phosphates and urea count to shoot up by feeding him this recipe which he loves. He is doing well on the meds but food is a major concern for me and I want to see him regain the kilogram he has lost in 3 weeks My gut tells me I am doing the right thing, but I guess I need others to tell me so too. I will do anything for this precious dog of mine!
Hi Wendy — you’re very welcome and I appreciate your need for reassurance. Perhaps someone from this informal community can provide you that directly, but there are lots comments here already that may provide you some of the reassurance. Either way, if you have a good relationship with your vet and you can collaborate on treatments with him/her, then by all means, share the recipe with them and get their input and support. That might be what you need. Ultimately, many here are not seeking ‘cures’ but rather treatments the extend the quality of life and memories — and as you’ve shared, doing the ‘right’ thing by using prescription food only to watch your loved one waste away doesn’t seem like much of a treatment either. Do your best and trust your gut …. All the best.
The scary thing is the dog foods being recalled all the time and with Hills and Science diet just being recalled I am just not willing to put my dogs on that food and rather take my chances on cooking their food…
You’re very welcome Sandee. I’m very glad that every little bit of sharing helps and hope it helps you and your boy. Stay strong and best of luck. Thanks for sharing as well.
Hi Dale. I am going to start my dog on this recipe. I know that phosphate binders are important, so I am wondering if this recipe needs a phosphate binder added to it. I just don’t want my dog to get too much calcium. If you recommend a phosphate binder, could you give me a recommendation as to what I should use with the recipe and how much? My dog is 56 lbs.
I would ask my vet this question, but he is totally taking advantage of the situation. Every time I ask him a question about my dog’s kidney failure, he tells me that I need to bring her in and then insists on doing a full blood profile on her. It so bad that I brought her in one day and did a full blood profile on her. Literally, a few days later, I called him with a question about her kidney issue and he told me that I needed to bring her in for more blood work.
Thank you for continuing to help all of with with our dogs kidney failure issues. I appreciate all of the information on this site.
Hi Genevieve. Sorry to here about your own struggle and fundamentally the lack of support you’re getting from your vet. That doesn’t make it any easier — and you’re right, my answer would typically have been to speak to your vet about your dog and your context. My understanding is that while binders are helpful and necessary even for some dogs, they are not necessary or helpful in all stages. My vet didn’t recommend them for Ben at his stage so I omitted — other here are using them. No simple answer, sorry, but that helps.
Hi Dale- Thank you so much for this recipe & all the loving research you did. My 14yr old best friend just got diagnosed with acute on chronic kidney disease and I am hoping this helps. I’m curious what the benefit of blending the beef, squash and green beans is vs. just chopping it all up together?
Hi there and best of luck as you start out on this journey as well. In terms of your question, it really comes down to your dog’s preference. With Ben, mixing it all together helped with his digestion of it and produced something he was less likely to pick things out of … and ensured even blending of he ingredients for a consistent meal. It’s not a requirement if your dog will eat it the way you want to prepare it. Wishing you strength.
Thank you for all of the research that you have done. I found it very helpful. Although my almost 16 year old Boston, who is the light of my life, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease almost a year ago. My vet and I have been closely monitoring and managing it. However, due to her advanced age we are facing additional medical issues. Back to her CKD… we have decided, with input from her cardiologist, that I should start administering subq fluids at home. My vet has also recommended some kibble diets designed for dogs with CKD, but I prefer to be in control over what she is fed. All of my dogs have been on organic, non-GMO diets for years and the kibble diet my vet offered is not organic and contains ingredients that are sourced from China. Absolutely unacceptable.
A question that I have is why did you serve in 1/2 cup measures 4-5 times per day? My girl is fed her current diet 2x daily. Her appetite is excellent. Switching to the diet that you described above, is it fed in smaller more frequent portions due to better digestion and bioavailablity of the ingredients?
Thank you!
Hi Rose — very sorry to hear that you e joined many others on this journey. It’s a challenge and I wish you the best on it. As for your question, it is a choice I made based on my context but one which is common in more advanced stages of the disease is that appetite flags and even with food drive, it doesn’t last through what was once a normal “helping.” So if Ben would have previously eaten 2cups per day, I tied instead the same quantity over more meal servings. It may not be necessary for you today — but perhaps helpful to you in the future. Take care and as an aide — I’m 100% in agreement on sourcing food and being sure where it comes from and what our digs are eating.
Hi there. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. I just have a question about the cooking method. Is it okay if I cooked the meat in water and add chopped (cubed) veggies and let it all slow cook until everything is soft and then add the egg whites to the pot? Just wondering if doing thing this way would change any nutrients.
Thanks.
Hi in return and thanks for the question. The method you describe would likely change things nutritionally, but, it would be easier, I agree. If your dog would still eat it this way (because it would likely change the texture and consistency a lot) and if the ease of preparation is the difference between you making this or not, then you have to listen to yourself and do what you’re able and no one will judge you for that. Just do your best. The real nutritional difference is likely that you’re not ‘boiling out’ the phosphorus from the veggies and discarding that veggie water if you’re just doing this as a one pot crockpot recipe. Ultimately listen to your dog and yourself and let that be your guide. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Hi Dale,
I was reading over your recipe, I’m getting ready to make it. When do you give the Omega 3? I read over your schedule but I didn’t see when you give the Omega 3, with food, without food, is it a liquid or chew tablet? My dog weights 21 lbs., would your suggested amounts be okay for his weight?
He is stage 2 for over a year, he’s been on the Hills food and ate really well and now he is losing interest.
thank you.
Hi Darlene. To be clear, I didn’t use the Omega-3 supplement with Ben very often — I reference it only as something that emerged in my research and it is suggested in this context as part of a holistic approach. If you do want to give your boy a supplement, you might try different things that you think you can get into him. Drops in the food might work for some dogs. Others might be able to eat it a capsule wrapped in something to disguise it. In terms of how much — I’d recommend asking your vet or a pharmacist that will work with you to confirm. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Winter squashes are a million times easier to peel if you cook them first! Simply cut in half, de-seed, and place the halves in a baking dish, open side down. Add about 1/2in water to the bottom of the dish, bake at 400 degrees until you can easily pierce the squash with a fork (usually 45 min – 1 hour depending on the side of the squash). Once it’s cooked the skin basically falls off, you could cut it away with a butter knife.
Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Eisley and you’re very welcome. With respect to your advice, that is very true and when I cook squash for ‘people,’ that is my approach. The roasting cooks the sugars and brings out the flavours of the squash as well. However, as you’ll see in the narrative that goes with this recipe, the reason I pre-peeled the squash and boiled it is to leach out the phosphorus and remove by discarding the water. In the end, it’s entirely up to you and I appreciate how much more labour my suggested method requires, but that was the rationale. All the best.
Hi Dale!
I owe you a huge thank you for your inspiring tribute to your much loved Ben, your dedication and sharing your findings and success in managing Ben’s diet with the folk. I also want to thank the other contributors for their fair share of useful information relating to feeding a dog with renal failure properly which is still very hard to find. All the advice I found here gave me hope that Shadow will run again in the meadows in the summer.
My old girl was first diagnosed with cushings about a year ago when she was close to 13, which is a good age for a Springer spaniel, and there was a long battle in managing that, as the only medication available didn’t agree with her, put her completely off her food and caused a weight loss. Eventually the vets and I found the right way about the dosage and the situation had improved, but in September she was diagnosed with renal failure on top of that and ordered the Royal Canine Renal diet. And by the end of October we hit the trouble of no appetite again. Though this is not completely so – she was happy to eat anything but. In November I found your blog and believed there are ways to go about it – this is what I am thanking you for just as well.
Shadow was on dry food all her life with some trimmings for flavour, usually a bit of boiled chicken breast or a few spoonfuls of stew when I cooked it for myself, so I decided to stick with the renal dry food but the challenge was to make her eat this. Inspired by your blog I got on with it and we have achieved a great result in the mean time – at the moment her blood test has improved very much though still above the norm but that is the result only after a month of feeding her her new diet with her consistently eating it and leaving a shiny bowl after every meal. The vets were very impressed and said they rarely see such a significant progress.
And this is the way I went about it. I have carefully read your and other contributors’ advice and got on with my research. The information here http://dogaware.com/health/kidneydiet.html I found very useful as a guidance, and my next stop was here https://nutritiondata.self.com/
I boil peeled veg for her having checked it against the nutrition data first. The veg I use regularly: bell peppers, cabbage, sweet potato, cauliflower, sugar snaps, green beans, turnip, rocket, carrot, courgette. And some other – basically, check it against the nutrition data, and if it is low in the key minerals it goes to the pot. I pick 4 or 5 of these for a batch and prepare a second batch at the same time with a different veg combination to alternate it day to day. When boiled, each batch goes to the food processer together with a few boiled egg whites and some extra virgin olive oil.
I also changed her water. No tap water anymore, I buy her water with dry residue at 180C of about 100 mg/l and also low in Potassium and Natrium, currently on a brand of 80 ml/I, which is a bit low but I am using it. I used to work in a bottled water company years ago and I know that low mineralisation in water drains the excessive minerals out of the body and foods, so I use this water for boiling her veg too. I can not be more precise on that, it was a long time ago, but I believe this to be true. My professional background is not scientific in any way but I remember this from working in the company and a mix of the regulatory documents and the relevant World Health Organisation recommendations and the IBWA standards and guidance paperwork that my employer had used at the plant and for IBWA certification. And – Shadow is drinking a lot less water now, which is great for her kidneys and her cushings.
Now I am aiming at mastering some homemade kidney-friendly dog treats!
Many thanks for inspiration, and happy new year to you Dale!
Happy New Year, Yulia, and thank you for sharing your own inspirational story and advice. It is an amazing community of strangers that has formed here over the years with each person leaving a little and taking a little. A great, informal network helping each other. I’m happy to have played a small part in this and to be reading your many stories and experiences. I hope that things continue as wonderfully for Shadow and you as they ended 2018 and your new year is filled with new hope and new memories. Thank you again for sharing the great resources for others. All the best and thank you again for your kind words in return.
Hi there
Many, many thanks for sharing this. I have just one query. Do you freeze this? If so do you defrost and reheat or just defrost and serve chilled?
Mother in law’s westie is not enjoying the manufactured renal diet and I’m just looking at options.
Many thanks
Lisa
Hi Lisa — and happy New Year to you. You’ll see in the post that the portions are frozen in freezer bags. Take them out the night before and let thaw overnight in your fridge and just microwave them for 30 seconds to take the ‘chill’ off before serving as this will improve the ‘aroma’ and the associated taste with it.
I just fill a cup w hot water and place the baggie of frozen food into it. it takes just a few minutes to thaw and its ready to go. I believe that a microwave kills off a lot of nutrients in the food.
Seems like a great approach. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Thank you for this it has been god sent! My Layla a 13 year old boxer has been on your diet now for a month and we’ve seen considerable changes!! My question is would it be ok to substitute the beef for chicken to change it up a bit? Thank you
Hi Megan — That’s good news and thanks for sharing. If you do make other ‘protein’ substitutions, just make sure they are relatively low on the phosphorus levels. If chicken, use thighs would be my advice and use it less often as it is higher in phosphorus than the beef. Good luck.
Made my first meal for my Xena today. She ate every last bit with relish, something I haven’t seen since her renal failure began. If this extends her life Or not, I feel relieved that she is enjoying your recipes…I’ll take the small blessings. I’m so grateful to you that you shared your findings and recipes. You made my Christmas morning! Happy Holidays!
Such a beautiful thing to read over the holidays. Thank you, Isabel. I hope your New Year is filled with the same blessings as your Christmas and you and Xena get many more miraculous days together. All the best to you.
Hi,
I would just like to say “Thank You” for this post. My dog was diagnosed with renal failure 3 weeks ago. Her appetite has not been good and I was not able to get her to eat much. Switching to this home made diet, she is now eating twice a day, regularly.
Hi Voon. I’m sorry for your recent news. It isn’t easy, I know. Hang In there — but does sound like you have received an early Christmas gift. I hope her appetite continues to improve. All the best in the coming holidays.
Hi Dale! You are beyond amazing for sharing your story and for keeping up with all the questions getting thrown your way. You are an angel – you and Ben were made for each other. Pebbles, my beautiful 12 year old Yorkie, was diagnosed with acute renal failure just 5 weeks ago (though it seems like an eternity). Apparently she ingested something toxic and now has chronic kidney disease. She is currently in remission from lymphoma and has been doing so well. We are approaching a year on her second remission! She is a tough cookie and I do believe hope and love so go a long way (and of course the resources to care for her.) I am very blessed.
I do have a question for you… Pebbles has a full appetite again. I am feeding her royal canin renal diet mixed with Ziwi Peak Lamb Tripe moist food (https://www.ziwipets.com/file/4209/download?token=E2dnKDKA ). Is there a reason not to feed my cutie best friend the prescription food? I just want her to feel good and enjoy each of her precious days.
Another question. I’ve read EFA is better than Salmon Oil? Any ideas? Can I use both?
Also, thank you for mentioning the vitamin D! I did not find this information in any of my obsessive research. Pebbles has been on Vitamin D supplement since her lymphoma diagnosis (low vitamin D levels are linked to cancer). I will speak to both my internist and oncologist about the risk/reward of vitamin d at this point.
Thanks a million for being here for all of us!
Hi Susan — You are very sweet and kind in your words. I don’t believe I deserve all of them but I’m very grateful to by luck and strange fortune to be helping so many people I have never met and yet feel I somehow know through our common fates. No of this easy and there aren’t many simple answers out there, I know. Each of our situations is a little different and I think you’re doing exactly the right thing by using this as another complementary resource with our other advisors and professionals.
As for you question about EFA, I honestly can’t answer. I do know that the source of ‘essential fatty acids’ isn’t always the same and so I would recommend reading the label carefully or contacting the manufacturer to know from what the EFA is being derived. I may well be something that is also high in phosphorus. Fundamentally, this is the same answer to your other questions around the prescription food and the tripe. If they are low in phosphorus and don’t have other contra-indicated elements, and Pebbles likes it … I say go for it, especially if your vet approves too.
I truly hope this helps a bit. Sorry I can’t be more definitive but it does sound like you’re looking in the right places. Take care and all the best to you these holidays.
My pet Mylee (7 yr old, 80lb Doberman/lab/Shepard mix) was diagnosed with Addison’s disease and hypothyroidism about 6 years ago. It has been a real battle. Costly, but, more confusing at times. Her disease has taken us down a road of pure symptom and bloodwork guessing to keep her healthy. She has been nothing short of a miracle to our Vet, who diagnosed her. Just last week, she was diagnosed with renal failure and the Vet gave us a week to see if she would make it. He also gave us a regiment of meds and a different diet to help her. We just took her back to the Vet after a week and total success….her numbers were normal!
I am just wondering if there is anyone else out there struggling with a similar situation? Also, my Vet suggested chicken instead of ground beef in her diet? Not sure why. Is there a bigger benefit to one over the other?
I also live in Northern Ontario where we hunt and eat a lot of moose meat. I’ve done some research on the nutritional value of moose, but, not sure if the information is accurate and really don’t know where to get a trustworthy answer. I don’t want to go backwards with Mylee by giving her something that is not good for her kidney functions. Her meds for Addison’s are already $100/month. Absolutely not complaining as I love my girl and would do anything for her, but, we live in a remote community and ingredients are either costly or hard to get. Local ingredients would make more sense for our family.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks and I love your page….so helpful. It gives me hope for the future of our Mylee…our “fur baby.”
Colettte
Hi Colette and welcome to another Ontarian here. Your questions are good ones and my gut says that your hesitancy is probably well deserved as well. I believe that some of the challenges many of the visitors here are facing are different — while the symptoms may seem the same, the root causes are not all the same at all. Our own two stories are good example as any — Ben had Cushings and your Mylee has Addison’s, contradictory diseases which have led to the same co-morbidity in the renal disease. I suspect, therefore, that the treatments may be and need to be different because you’re controlling for other symptoms and issues as well. Perhaps another reader here can answer your question as you ask. I can’t answer the question around the Moose meat either, though I can say that there seems to be a observable trend in the low-phosphorus proteins that are often higher fat meats. Moose isn’t, I know from experience. Whether the corresponds to being a good alternative or not, I can’t say, but something to look into for sure. Wishing you the best and hope this helps a bit. Take care and happy holidays to you.
Hi Dale, I’ve just read Ben’s story and I’m hoping that my Charlie will get similar success with your recipe. Charlie is a Yorkshire terrier/Maltese cross and is not even 6 yet and like a few of the other comments on here, when he was due for a dental clean up and investigate lower jaw pain (we thought an infected tooth) his blood work showed signs of advanced ?stage 4? Chronic renal failure. As you can appreciate our lives fell apart with the news. Charlie is our baby and the thought that we somehow missed this disease developing breaks my heart. The strange thing is Charlie is full of life, no vomiting, great appetite, and mad for at least 3 walks a day. Only for the jaw pain he showed no signs of being sick at all. But unfortunately after a week of tests, it seems that the CRF is so advanced that the problems with his jaw is been caused by his kidney failure and it has seriously effected the bone density and structural integrity of his mandible.
We have been told that although his outward health would suggest different, that his blood numbers are so bad that his time with us is limited and that some supplements and diet are the only things we can do to manage his condition… Here lies the problem, Charlie has always been the fussiest eater on the planet, when he was a puppy we tried to be tough and take his food away if he didn’t eat it and he just refused to eat for days and still to this day, if he’s not getting what he wants, he will leave it in his bowl until he gets something he likes. And up until now that has been fresh cooked chicken thighs or fatty steak, basically pure protein. Since his diagnosis, the tinned renal food recommended has been not only been left, but last night he actually ran away from his bowl. Hense I’ve found your blog…. And fingers crossed he seemed to love your recipe. Not to get too excited just yet as he has to have been starving, bar a few little treats (cus I couldn’t bare to watch him eat nothing) but he wolfed it down and wanted more.
We are at the very early stages of dealing with Charlie’s disease but nuggets of information like yours not only will help Charlie but we find great support reading your story/Ben’s story and the other people who love their dogs insanely like us. Hopefully I’ll be able to put a more positive update up soon, but for the moment, thank you for taking the time to share and apologies for my long winded rant, probably helps me to share my pain..
Hi Shane — thank you for sharing your story with Charlie and your journey to here. I’m sorry for my own delay in getting back to you as well. Challenges with notifications are partly to blame and just been a bit overwhelmed with the approaching season … and here we are. I hope that since your comment that you’ve continued to see Charlie’s interest in the food and that you have found hope and something to help a bit. You’re certainly not “ranting” to anyone here — so many are dealing with their thoughts and emotions in the best ways possible, and just talking to others about it is a huge help. Fingers crossed with you and wishing you and Charlie the very best over the coming holidays. Take care and thank you for your own kind words.
I have a great shortcut/cheat that I found in another very similar recipe. Instead of cooking the egg whites in coconut oil, cook them in the ground beef after you’ve browned it and while it’s still hot.
That’s great, Kaye. Thank you for sharing your advice and experience. Seems like a great suggestion indeed. Thanks again! 🙂
Hi!
I’ve been seeing this recipe circulating around and I’d love to try it out. I just have a question regarding the fat content. I thought that because it uses lean beef that it didn’t seem very high fat, but when I plugged it into a food tracking app, the fat was 40% calories from fat. Is there a concern of that being so high and leading to pancreatitis?
Do you need to add a multivitamin supplement in addition?
Hi there and thanks for the question. Yes, this is a high-fat diet than what we’d normally feed our dogs which generally consume more calories from fat than humans anyway. The rationale behind this was that a dog that is wasting away from not enough calories needs a higher calorie diet whilst recognizing they have smaller appetites and aren’t eating as much food. Keep in mind that I used this because my Ben was given a couple of months to live and so I wasn’t worried about things like pancreatitis or other diseases. I was treating the one he was suffering from. That’s all.
As for multi vitamins, I didn’t use one — because most come with phosphorus among other things I was trying to control for. Speak to your vet and/or nutritionist if they think it makes sense in your case. Hope this helps.
Hi Dale, I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for us! Trixie loved her renal diet dog food for a few weeks and then she refused to eat another bite. I didn’t know what to do, and then I found your site, Trixie absolutely loves your recipe, and my 2 other dogs love having a small spoonful mixed into their food, it really helps when trying to feed 3 dogs, when one is on a different diet, and thank you for sharing the information from Kerri E. it was very helpful. You are an amazing person, you not only helped your absolutely adorable Ben, but you are helping more dogs and families than you could ever know!
Thank you, Robin. I’m glad the recipe and the site is providing you and Trixie with some hope and some useful advice. I appreciate the kind words and thanks … it does indeed make a difference knowing how grateful you and others are and that by a real stroke of fate more than anything, Ben and I are helping others. Stay well and best of luck to you all on the road ahead….
Hi Dale, it’s been a long hard year for me and by beloved Molly. She loved your recipe ?.
It sure was hard making that decision to put her down 12/1/18. She was not eating the last week of her life and loosing weight. She was a small dog any at 6 lb toy poodle, only 4 lb at the end. It was a ver sad thing. She was getting bladder infections that just wouldn’t clear up.
But the not eating was the worst. Just wanted you to know that she really enjoy your recipe.
Thanks again. She lived for a year and a half after being diagnosed. She was 13 toooo young.
Thanks.
Oh, Linda, I’m so sorry for your loss. I remember you well and I’m glad you had a great run in battling the disease but I’m sorry that it did come to an end: 13 is indeed too young. Thank you for returning to share your sad news and I wish you peace and comfort in the days ahead. I know it will likely be hard. Take strength from your memories and this miraculous year you provided Molly. Take care, Linda. ~ Dale
Hi Dale, my dog, Odie, was just diagnosed 4 weeks ago with early onset chronic renal failure. He is 15 and miniature wired-hair dachshund with an attitude. LOL One week after his diagnosis he was diagnosed with a UTI. His vet gave me Hills Science Diet Kidney Support dry food which he ate once but that was after he realized he was hungry but that was it. Trying to hide that huge nasty smelling antibiotic (even with cutting it in quarters) was quite a pain as after nearly 2 weeks of it he started getting smart (let’s just say I had to try and shove it down his throat once and I ended up with 2 puncture wounds on one finger and a puncture wound through my thumb nail – I’ve never felt such pain in my life when it came to my thumb!). Right now I’m waiting on the urine test to see if the UTI is cleared. But in the meantime I’ve been doing all sorts of research on foods to avoid, feed, etc., for him. I’ve come acrossed a few good sites including yours. I am wondering if your Ben ever stopped liking his favorite foods? Odie use to love carrots, cucumbers, watermelon, eggs, apples and now he won’t even touch them. After he was diagnosed I got him to eat sweet potatoes but now he turns his nose up to it. He was eating pasta with butter and ground beef but won’t touch that either. The only thing he wants to eat is pasta (plan), and rice with chicken and nothing else. Oh I forgot, I gave him some steamed broccoli that as on my Jack In The Box Rice bowl (tried to get the ones without teriyaki sauce on it) and he devoured those. Haven’t tried it at home yet, just bought some last night.
I’m just at my wits end as to what he’ll eat. I can’t keep affording to spend tons of money on “people” food only to have him turn his nose up to it. Believe it or not, he only ate hot dogs for 1-1/2 days (well only for his pills), now he won’t eat it. His vet said just to feed him anything he wants to eat but I’d like to keep it to low phospherous, low protein, kidney friendly, to keep him around a little longer if possible. As far as his quality of life, if I didn’t tell anyone about his condition they wouldn’t know anything was wrong with him, he acts like his normal self except that when he has to pee you only get one chance to take him out (and that he urinates way more then before) and that he only wants to eat rice with chicken, and plain pasta.
Thanks so much for your advise and wisdom, and for sharing your recipe Dale!
Hi Patricia — I can very well relate to you being at your wits end as to what to give him and battling through what seems like irrational pickiness. The reality is likely that he’s not in a good way inside, regardless of his temperament and what others would observe. Yes, as the end for Ben neared and we got closer and closer to that point, his food drive waned considerably. The prescribed appetite stimulant from the vet helped, but similar to your situation and the advice you’ve been given, nearing the end, I became simply focused on quality of life and getting him to eat anything. I’m not saying that you’re at your own “end” stage — I honestly couldn’t tell you from here. But to share my own story, yes, it was hard, and yes it was moments of desperation at the end and just doing my best as he’s likely feeling nausea from a few sources of things going on and it’s hard — very hard, I’m sorry. My advice, again, like your vet’s, is just get him to eat … whatever it is, and soak up the moments in the meantime. Take best of care ….
Thanks so much for your response Dale!
I found a food called Dr. Harvey, they have various types and one for kidney support. It’s all dehydrated & they let you order a free sample bag (6.5 ounces or 3, 1 lb meals) for the shipping cost of $3.95. He didn’t like it at first because it said to use water to rehydrate it. I contacted them & they said to use low sodium chicken broth & coconut oil along w/the protein of choice. He like definitely like it better but only for a few times. Thank goodness it’s dehydrated as I just ordered a 5 lb bag from Amazon at 40% off so at least it won’t spoil. I am continuing w/this food as well as your recipe & another I found, plus his 3 favorites (chicken, rice & plain pasta). His vet did finally provide an anti nausea medicine & an appetite suppressant, both made into a compound since he is hating pills. It seemed to help. Plus I had read about doing fluid therapy which he got 1ml 6 times a week (Sunday’s the vets closed). The fluid therapy said it may or may not help or just temporarily help. He seemed to have a little more pep in his step so to speak. I figure I might try it again in several months as he was tired of getting poked between the therapy & the vets trying to draw urine, so much so that they had to put the cone of shame on him to give him the liquid as he tried to bite them.
Thank you for your words of encouragement! I will continue to just make him comfortable, feed him homemade foods, and focus on his quality of life making sure to watch for the signs. And as you said, soak up the moments!
Thank you again Dale!
You’re very welcome, Patricia. Sorry for delay in reply. I has been unusually busy around here, but my best wishes are with you and your boy. Wishing you a miracle for Christmas.
Hi Karen,
I pop on to this page monthly to make my grocery list for my dog Hannah’s food. I have been making this recipe for her for the last 3 months. I saw your post and it looked very similar to what happened with us. I took Hannah to the vet because I thought her loss of appetite was due to a tooth problem. The vet said she did need some dental work but did a blood test to make sure we could put her under for the work.
That’s when I found out about her kidney problems. She’s almost 15, a small dog and a mutt.
The vet kept her for three days to flush her with fluids and lower the toxins in her blood. When she released her there was a good improvement in her results. The vet said this was the best we were going to get blood work wise and gave me some commercial Kidney Dog Food, some anti-nausea pills and some blood pressure pills.
I had hoped that when I got Hannah home her appetite would improve, but I was wrong. She just pushed her bowl around the floor with her nose, gave up and walked away. It was very disappointing. I knew she had to have some calories, but nothing interested her. At this point, having read about it on the web, my friend and I began force-feeding her green tripe from a can. One of us held her still while the other just smooshed the tripe into the side of her mouth (it’s mushy and we were able to force it into the spaces between her teeth). She swallowed. (By the way, this was a holiday weekend or we would have had better vet resources). We did this until the Vet opened on Tuesday and then asked the vet to get us a drug called ‘Entyce’. In the meantime, I went to the store, bought what I needed to make this dog food and had it prepared for her. She still wasn’t interested. When the Entyce came in, it was like a jolt to Hannah. Within 30 minutes she wanted to eat. I put a bowl of this low-phosphorus food in front of her and she ate it.
From there on it was a regimen – A squirt of Entyce in the morning, her pill to control nausea and her blood pressure pill. Wait 30 minutes and feed her this food. I did this for a couple of weeks and found that eventually I could do the Entyce every other day. I marked it on my calendar. Then every other day became every 3, 4, and 5 days. Eventually I didn’t need it anymore. She ate this recipe of dog food with great gusto. I began to wonder if she needed the anti-nausea pill so I started giving her just her morning dose. Then in a few days I stopped that too. It’s been almost 3 months since I thought I was going to lose my Hannah. She is doing amazing, just eating this low phosphorus food and taking her blood pressure pill. I hope there’s something in here that might help you. She truly loves this new food and circles impatiently while I prepare it for her. I saw you asked about chicken, and I did cook some chicken leg quarters and put a small dice in with the food at the beginning. I also warmed it up slightly at the start as it helped the aroma. Now she just eats it plain and cold and is still very happy. Thank you to this website for giving me the tools I needed to help my dog. I hope something in this post might help you or others. And a big dose of gratitude for the author and creator of this recipe!
Hi Dale,
I’m so thankful I found your blog! Thank you for sharing your story about Ben and providing really helpful information. It’s comforting to know that you as well as the many other people who have commented really love their dogs and after searching and searching the internet for more information on how to help my dog, I found your post today. And it’s given me some more hope.
I just found out last week that my 16 year old mini dachsund, Coco, has kidney failure, severe periodontal disease and liver problems. It started off with bleeding gums, loss of appetite, shaking, lethargy, disorientation and some weakness in her hind legs. After a blood test, her BUN was at 210, Creatinine: 5.1, Phosphorous: 15.7. All of her symptoms started to happen within a week and before they started, she seemed totally fine and overall healthy. The one thing that should have been a red flag for me was her having pee accidents while sleeping but I thought this was due to old age incontinence.
The vet told me that I should put her in an emergency hospital for 2-5 days to get IV fluids but my little girl is very sensitive and the stress alone of being in a hospital with other sick animals could put her over the edge. So I’ve started giving her subcutaneous fluids once a day at home. She’s not drinking any water unless I give her some in a dropper and the nausea is putting her off food. At first, she was okay with homemade chicken broth and boiled chicken and white rice but she’s been throwing up. I’m wondering if her stomach was so empty that just a little bit of food was too much for her stomach? Before she ate, I did give her 5mg of Pepcid AC but maybe I didn’t wait long enough? She weighs about 9 lbs and she was about 11 lbs before this all started. The vet also prescribed her antibiotics (Clavamox) because they think she has an infection in her gums that’s causing her gums to bleed constantly. I’ve been trying to wipe them gently with coconut oil but her mouth is so sensitive.
My question to you and anyone who’s had similar issues with loss of appetite and throwing up, is should I give her the 5mg pepcid AC in the morning on an empty stomach? And how long should I wait before seeing if she will eat? My dilemma is how do I help her with her nausea and help her to eat something and hopefully not throw it up later? I’m sure the antibiotics are not helping with the nausea.
Someone mentioned Rehmannia 8. I’ve tried to get information about it online and it seems like it has helped some dogs and cats with kidney disease but I’m guessing I shouldn’t try it until after the antibiotics are finished. Do you or anyone else have any personal experience with this and is it safe to buy it at a Chinese herbal store or is there a particular brand that is good and safe?
There’s so much information out there that it’s overwhelming. I will definitely try making your recipe.
Thank you for taking the time to read and for any advice you may have.
Hi Janet and thank you for your kind words and thoughts. I’m glad all of this provides you a measure of comfort as I can well relate and remember how alone and overwhelmed I felt in those initial days myself. Hope is a powerful thing and I’m touched that this humble site is able to provide some for so many of you. I hope it brings hope to Coco as well.
As to your questions: I administered the Pepcid AC more or less with Ben’s morning meal. I would hide it and his other pills in pieces of cheese or sausage to make sure he ate them first and then I gave him his meal. You can certainly confirm this with your vet to ensure there are no contra-indications. I’m very sorry to hear about the gums and all the soreness in her mouth. That sounds awful and I have no doubt that that and the infection are both impacting her food drive. Sounds like the vet is responding to get that under control first and it makes perfect sense. One thing at a time. Yes, there have a been a few comments from readers over the past few years regarding use of Rehmannia. I don’t have any knowledge or experience with it, but you may find some helpful comments here on the subject. Yes, it can all be very overwhelming and scary at the same time. As I say, take it one day at a time — manage the issues with your vet and hopefully you can get back out in front of this horrible disease and improve the quality of Coco’s life again. Take good care and thoughts are with you. ~ Dale
Hi. My dog, Repo, is like my child and we take excellent care of her – took her to vet in April for lab work pre teeth cleaning, but was not told by vet her creatine was elevated at the time. Fast forward to now – she urinated in the bed (which has never happened) she is 11 years old she is a Feist – took her to vet they did sterile urine sample (needle thru belly) creatine high as well as liver enzymes told she is stage IV kidney disease – I was beyond livid when I found out about the lab work in April (they had actually told me it was fine), had xrays done, and took her to internal med where the MD did ultra sound. They have put her on 2 BP meds and fish oil and a half a baby aspirin – and the renal dog food.
The first day she ate the dry food (it was mixed with her old dry food) but we always cooked chicken for her and put it on her food prior to this anyway then we bought the canned food – she is just flat out not going to eat it. I have mixed it with rice and some chicken and even pretended like we are eating it (all the stuff you do). So I have been all over the web trying to find answers as I do not want her to be miserable and I am afraid I am stressing her out trying to make her eat this prescribed food.
She still plays, drinks acts perfectly normal (has not peed in the bed). My friend had a dog with a similar illness and she gave him boiled chicken, white rice, and green beans – I decided tonight I am giving up on the “dog food” and she ate a nice meal and I could tell she was very happy.
I was so happy to see this site – I am going to get the ingredients for this recipe tomorrow and make it for her. I wanted to ask you why I don’t see chicken in it? Do you find the beef is better – I have read several articles that say beef is better than chicken for the renal diet and I do have to be careful with the phosphorous because of the liver as well. I was wondering if I should mention to the vet I am not giving that food and ask for a phosphate binder.
Sorry this is so long I feel like I am babbling on I am just really relieved to have found this site with other people going through the same thing. Thank you for sharing all your research to help our babies. I will let you know how she does but if you know the answers to any of my questions, those answers would be greatly appreciated as well. They also did the 8 hour test for Cushing’s disease and it was negative.
Thanks Karen
Hi Karen — I can definitely relate to all the confusion and the search for answers amidst all the information and sometimes contradictory information. It sounds like you’re doing your best to become informed and take care of Repo. There is no great mystery as to why I chose the proteins that I did — I simply looked down the list of meats and chose those that were lower in phosphorus and which were both available and attractive to Ben. Beef was what I came up with. As for your question regarding a binder, it is something you are best served having a discussion with your vet — yes. Your vet may think it is appropriate or not. You can certainly tell your vet that you’ve turned to homemade food instead — some are very supportive, others are not. Really, though, it is your choice. That said, if you trust your vet such that you’re working with him/her on a course of treatment, then they need all the information you have to help you best. If you don’t trust your vet, well, you have a different problem on your hands. Hope this helps. All I can really say is what I said at the beginning which is that you’re doing your best and doing your best to help her …. Be kind to yourself in the process but also know that it is an insidious disease and while you may improve the quality of life in the short term and may even provide longer term care, it is unlikely that you can wind back the clock … so do take care.
Bravo and thank you for this recipe! Daisy just got diagnosed within the past month and recently stopped eating altogether, totally uninterested in food. While I was making this recipe, she sauntered over to the stove and planted herself at my feet, which I took as a good sign. Fast forward: Recipe complete and 3 helpings later, I think we have a winner. Brought me to tears to watch her enjoy food again. Just want to say thank you for sharing all the thoughtful research. My love and healing thoughts to those currently going through this emotional roller coaster with their beloved dogs. ❤️ They truly steal our hearts. Cheers to sweet Ben.
Such beautiful healing thoughts, Heather. I’m delighted that Daisy has responded to the diet and that it has lifted a weight from your shoulders at present. I hope it continues for a long time and that you have plenty of time to share those thoughts of health and love with her. Thank you for reaching out and take care.
What a coincidence….My girl is also named Daisy and was diagnosed with CKD during the annual check up yesterday. I have been looking up for receipes as the vet recommended Royal Canine Renal and I don’t like it…I hope my Daisy too start eating….
Wow, great story. Suoer helpful. So much research. Great love for your animal. Impressive. We
Thank you and you’re welcome … I believe the rest of your comment got cut off, so I’m not sure if you had a question in there as well, but you’ll see from my reply, there wasn’t much to go on …
Hi Dale,
I’ve written before and our Zoe is still hanging in there (will be 16 in December). We have used this recipe on and off since last fall. I haven’t done a lot of the supplements just wondering is the B50 is store bought or for animals specifically? Also what else can I use beside a “fish oil” for the omega 3. I think that gives Zoe loose stools. Where and when does the calcium come in too? Thank you for continuing to help and answer all these questions from pet parents. I am so frustrated in understanding this problem and how what food to give our pets will help them the best.
Lisa
Hi Lisa — welcome back and great to hear that Zoe is still hanging in there. Happy to offer my thoughts as best I can. Regarding the B50, that is a ‘human’ based vitamin. I was told that there is no difference for either man/dog, just the dosage. Be warned, though, it is something the dogs hate more than anything else in this list, so it needs to be snuck in cheese or sausage or something … because they will spit it out and become averse to the food if they find/taste it. As for the loose stools, it could be any number of things, to be honest. The fat content, the fibre content, the egg whites, or just excess drinking and therefore water in the stool. You can ask your vet, but likely not the greatest worry you have to control for. Finally, the calcium is a so-called “phosphorus binder” such that it binds to the phosphorus and allows the body to more easily get rid of it. Your vet is the best person to advise when/if it is appropriate for Zoe based on blood/urine tests etc. Hope this helps a bit more … and hope it is another year before we talk again. 🙂
Daisy is a 15 year old Bichon. Losing weight and weak. Learned at the vet that she is in some kidney failure with severe anemia and a hemoglobin of 6. They could not flush her with IV fluids due to the anemia. Was told to just take her home and spoil her but I don’t want to hasten her demise with with the wrong Foods. She does not like the renal support canned foods. Some days she’s like a pup again and the next day she is wobbly and weak. I don’t know if it will do her any good but I would like to help her anemia with a good diet with some iron. Would the iron be bad for her kidneys and do you have any suggestions how to add iron to your recipe?
Hello Dolores — and I’m very sorry for the place you’ve arrived with your Daisy. It is hard, I know, and a place of fear, desperation and seeking answers. Unfortunately, I don’t have a good answer to your question but suggest you speak to a nutritionist you know one. The best suggestion I have is to Google foods with high iron and cross reference them to see where they are on the phosphorus list … and hope the for the best. Certainly be careful of certain foods which are famously high in iron (like liver) because some are also the worst for phosphorus. However, the diet I have provided does use ground beef … and ‘red meat’ would certainly be a good step. Other veggie choices may help as well. Best of luck. Hang in there.
Thank you for the suggestions. The vet did say to stay away from liver and now I understand why.
You’re very welcome, Dolores.
Can you use ground turkey? And you do you have to purée??
Hi CJ — I really depends on what ground turkey you’re using. They stuff in the store is a mixture often of white/dark and so phosphorus could be all over the place. If you want to use turkey, I’d use the dark meat and either have a butcher grind it for you … or, use it in cubes and ‘mince’/puree it yourself in the end. The pureeing is simply to combine the food so everything is mixed evenly and that it is easier to digest. Your choice.
Hi Dale,
Thank you for the information. My 18 year old Lhasa Poo was diagnosed last week with Stage 3 Renal failure. He still has his appetite and I am slowly switching him over to your diet. My question is how you were able to figure out the dosage for additives. Buddy’s current weight is 13 pounds.
Thanks for the help and caring.
Angie
Hi Angie — That’s a good question and pretty easy to answer. I spoke to both my trusted pharmacist to get some of the dosages and supplements right and then confirmed things with Ben’s vet to verify. While your Buddy is half Ben’s weight, it might suggest you further ‘halve’ the amounts I provided, but before doing so, I would strongly recommend that you confirm this with your vet to make it sure it suits your boy and doesn’t complicate anything. Best of luck and thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot.
Having health with so much research and finding such a well thought out and concise listing with your real experience interspersed is a true gem. Our 17+/- year old queen of the house will be so much happier with this listing and we are so pleased to have this foundation to build on. Cheers to you and big peanut butter kisses to the memory of Ben.
You are most welcome and the peanut butter kisses are thoughtful and well-taken. Ben and I both were/are big fans and a shared guilty pleasure. 🙂
I’m very glad the post and all the many comments and shared experiences has provided you something of value. Wishing you and your Queen much happiness and a very long reign in your home. 🙂
I’m so happy to find this recipe on low phosphorus for my 10 year old Cocker boy just diagnosed with early kidney disease. Most recipes reduce protein which my vet doesn’t want at this time. I need to know is the meat weighed before or after cooking? Also I have always added a calcium supplement to my home made dog food. You think it’s best to omit it?
You’re very welcome, Linda. In answer to your question, yes, all measures are before cooking. As for the calcium, my best understanding is that it can/should be used as a phosphorus binder. However, this is only required if prescribed by your vet … which is usually in more advanced forms of the disease. Either way, your vet is likely in the best position to advise if/when it is necessary. Stay well as you join this path taken by many and best of luck.
Thank you so much Dale for your quick response.
My vet said to use ground beef, not lean ground beef.
I’m not sure if that is a question or comment but I can’t comment on your vet’s suggestion. I assume he knows your situation best and is making an informed recommendation for your situation. Hope things work for you.
HI Dale, Thank you immensely for all the work you put in to put this together. Ku-Ku my 16 year old Lhasa/Shiztu cross (who’s lived the life with me, canoeing, hiking Killarney/Algonquin, rowing, sitting in my back pack watching over my shoulder when I cycle and running 5 km with me, has lived the life and has been my shadow and is a piece of me) Is now starting to loose balance, can’t make it up the stairs, drinks a lot, pees a lot, sleeps a lot and even looks confused a lot. AND….I’m certain (as years ago noted with high levels in kidneys) is succumbing to kidney failure. It’s the inevitable and will be hard the day we say good bye. Basically it’s all going down hill fast this year, with plateaus every so often. But, I think we are down to mere days now. I wish I had found your recipe earlier, nonetheless, I found it now while trying to understand what I can do for her. Thank You.
I do have a question that I hope is not too intrusive to ask. When did you decide and how did you proceed with the final moments? When did you find was the time to make The decision? I will be investigating with an emerg vet today see if she needs pain medication…because last night was more troubling and to watch her trip fall was difficult. But, I don’t want to put her through any that will make life uncomfortable. And I’m trying to hold out as much as I can. I have difficulty taking any ‘life’ out of her. I guess I’m trying to understand if Ben had balance and leg strength issues near the end or if it was different and if the same and that’s how close I am. Thanks again for the care you gave Ben and sharing all this.
-Dalia
Dear Dalia — and greetings to a near-enough neighbour as well. Given your proximity, I’m providing you a local resource which may be of great help to you. Dr. Lianna Titcombe is a vet in the area who both runs a hospice team to support people like you in times exactly like this. She can help you understand what’s happening, advise on when is the ‘right’ time, and even support you through that moment when you have to let go. Check out Claire Place for more info. Lianna also runs and volunteers as part of the Ottawa Pet Loss Supprt Group which helped me immensely in the transition to life without Ben.
In terms of your questions, there is likely a lot going on in Ku-Ku. Some of it may be old age and some of it could be other diseases, organ failures, or conditions. Ben had a whole host of things emerge in his last few years, from arthritis (so I spent the last couple years largely carrying up the stairs and onto bed), to doggy dementia/senility (Sundown syndrome), Cushings (drinking/peeing), and finally the renal failure. I treated them all, adapted and adjusted with them all, and we spent several extra years together as a result. I’m deeply thankful for those years, but I won’t kid you or anyone else, it was a heck of a lot of work (and money), but I was in a position to do so, and did so. We all have our limits, so don’t compare with what you “should” do — do what you can. In Ben’s end, he had a neurological event, likely a stroke, and had a couple of seizures in the months before the final one. I had stayed in contact with my vet over these months (she was amazing), and I talked through what was happening, and she prepared me for what was likely to come and let me know that when I was ready, when I “knew” (and she said, I would know because it would be obvious when the suffering or the pain/bad days started to greatly outweight the good and joy that Ben took from life) … that in that moment, it would be time. That day came, came suddenly and was, yes, preceded by a fairly quick decline when it came — but he didn’t suffer in any of it and I’m thankful for him (and for me) that he didn’t and that that choice was never mine.
It remains, as the anniversary of his passing nears in another week, the hardest day of my life and the most painful … but the days since have each been a bit easier by degrees and while I carry that loss with me still, it has ‘mostly’ been replaced by love and gratitude for the life I shared with him. It sounds a lot like the life and connection you have to Ku-Ku, so my heart really does go out to you, Dalia.
I hope all this helps but certainly let me know if I can help further. Take care in the days ahead.
How much chicken can they have ??
What about carrots if I can’t find pumpkin or acorn squash?
Hi Olga — yes, carrots are likely a good source of soluable fibre that is also relatively low in phosphorus (20mg/100g).
Hi Dale- did you use 80% o 90 % lean ground beef ? I’m using 92% lean.
Thanks Linda
In Canada “lean” ground beef must have less than 17% fat. Hope that helps and good luck.
Hi Dale,
Your memoriam to Ben brought me to tears. You have been selfless over the last four years in giving your time to help and give comfort to others we who are going through the same journey. Thank you for continuing to help so many of us with dogs with kidney problems. My 12 year old lab mix SUGAR was diagnosed last month and has been eating off and on since July. I made your recipe and it is the only thing she will eat more than 1 serving in a row, as long as I don’t try to put any meds or supplements in with it. I have read some of the same articles you mention. Is there a reason that you did not choose chicken as a protein source? It seems to have similar phosphorus content as beef and the fish you used. Thanks for continuing to help so many. God Bless.
Thank you, Jeanette. You’re very kind and truly, I continue to do my best to keep up with the questions and comments I get. I am only too happy to help where I can, even if it is a sympathetic ear as someone who has gone through it all as well. As to your question, Jeanette, re: chicken and phosphorus, certainly some chicken is better than others and it may be your preference to use it … but in my reading at the time, it did seem that the beef and fish were better alternatives. Varying them would certainly be ok and would likely keep the food drive going as well. Wishing you and Sugar the best ….
Hi Dale, Thank you for your recipe. We made it for our bulldog with kidney disease. He loves the it and kept it down. However, he throws up when he drinks just plain water. It is clear and kind of slimy, like mucus in it. He is very thirsty all the time. Any suggestions?
Hi Susanne — My apologies for the delay in response. All I can advise is that in Ben’s situation, something similar sometimes happened when he was ‘uncontrollably’ thirsty. Sometimes I had to take away his water to limit him from going into overdrive with the drinking. Sometimes that break would help him reset his thirst-meter. Fundamentally, though, it is being driven by either the kidney disease or something else related (in Ben, the Cushings had the double-impact of this). In the end, if they over-drink, there is nothing more they can do except throw it up again because they don’t have that much room in their stomach. Ultimately, and I’m sorry to say, if it continues and worsens, and if it is like Ben, you’ll have a quality of life question to deal with sooner or later.
Hi Dale, thank you for sharing your recipe. I have a 14.5 year old Peekapoo who recently was critically ill with Pyometra and underwent surgery. The vet was amazed at how she beat the odds and survived, but now we are faced with the diagnosis of Mild Renal Failure. She only weighs 6.5 lbs and is not likeing the food the vet has provided. I’m going to try your recipe today and see how she does. I do have one question though…When you package your food, did you just refrigerate it or freeze it? She is so much smaller and I don’t want the food to go to waste, as she won’t eat as much as your dog. Thank you again for sharing this recipe.
Hi Kim — good luck on the road ahead. As for your question, the food was packaged in freezer bags each with enough food for about 3 days, and then placed in the freezer. I simply took one out of the freezer, as needed, the night before and let it defrost in the fridge. No food will go to waste as such. Hope this helps and best of luck again.
Thank you Dale! She has absolutely woofed this recipe down today at intervals and this has been a blessing for me. I have hated to watch her waste away, but the shine is back in her eyes and her energy has definitely came back today, seems like she is on a good path now.
That’s great to hear, Kim. Fingers crossed it continues and you get great results through the bloodwork too.
I’m curious to know if you add anything to his diet such as the Balance IT Canine-K that your one reader commented about, as per her vet nutritionist recommended she do or if with this diet it seems to have enough minerals and vitamins alone? I’m so new to all of this renal failure diagnosis, I just want to do what is best for my dog.
Hi Kim — No, I never added anything. I honestly can’t say how ‘complete’ the diet really is because, fundamentally, the goal was simply to do my best and prolong Ben’s life … it wasn’t expected to be a ‘maintenance’ diet for healthy dogs or for long term. That said, others have clearly used the diet for a few years. That doesn’t make it ‘complete’ but it does provide hope.
Hi Dale,there’s some item I couldn’t find from my supermarket . Coconut oil(solid) mine is liquified.Is it ok for me to skip the coconut oil ?
It shouldn’t matter if liquid or solid as long as it is for cooking. Failing that, use avocado oil as another reader suggested. Good luck.
If you have concerns over potassium levels this page will tell you about which veggies are good or bad, and how to leech potassium out of some veggies.
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/potassium
Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth.
Hi my little shitzu Missy is allergic to eggs. Can I substitute something?
Hi MJ — that’s no doubt a challenge, but I’d simply add more protein through extra beef/fish. The egg white is generally there for the “protein” richness it brings so choose another protein with low phosphorus is all I can suggest. Hope this helps.
This was such an informative post and I appreciate all the research you’ve done and shared with us. My little Yorkie was just diagnosed with renal insufficiency and I’ve been feeding her a prescription diet that she’s just hates. She’s losing weight and just not her chipper self. I found a diet that was very similar to what you’ve posted here and tried it and she loves it! Hallelujah! It’s hard to watch such a tiny dog wasting away. Ironically the prescription food lists phosphorus in the ingredients. My question for you is do you think I could, as a simple cheat, add organic baby foods that have puréed beans, sweet potatoe, carrots etc.? My 14 year old Yorkie has no teeth so I have to purée it all anyway.
Hi Charity — you’re very very welcome. I’m very sorry to hear about your own challenges with your Yorkie. You’re question is a good one and an interesting one which quite honestly I can’t answer because it really would come down to how the babyfood manufacturer has prepared the food. You might find on the nutrition label if contains phosphorus/phosphate etc. To be clear, most food contains ‘some’ amount as it is a naturally occurring mineral. It’s not that it is there, it is how much is there that is the key. Failing that, you could contact the manufacturer and ask for a detailed manufacturer/processing sheet which I believe any reputable company will provide. Hope that helps and good luck.
Hello, thank you so much for your recipe. Will try it this weekend for my 14-year-old pooch with kidney troubles. She won’t eat the same food twice in a row, and you mentioned you had three other recipes. Are you sharing these somewhere also? I have been home-cooking for since time, but always on the lookout for new ways to try, since my pooch is very hard to feed ?
Hi Micha — Simply, the “other” recipes are made by using the “substitutions” listed in this recipe. Mix and match to create your own. Good luck with your pooch … I’m sure she will appreciate your continued exploration of new recipes to stimulate her food drive. All the best.
I am shocked and crying today. My heart is breaking. Went to the vet for one issue and instead was told our darling Yorkie is in stage 2 renal disease. Here in Saudi Arabia veterinary resources are few. I will try your recipe, but she is so tiny – only 4.6 kg – that I must try to cut it down. I am trying to do the math but it is not working. Probably because I can’t think straight. They gave her IV fluids today and want me to do subcutaneous fluids every other day for the next ten days. I must do it but I am so frightened.
Hi Renee — it is a very emotional prognosis and it does leave the world spinning for awhile until you get your feet under you again. But once you do, you’ll be in a better position to help your girl. My advice to you is don’t try to “cut down” the recipe. There is no point. You’re going to freeze it in smaller portions anyway, so all it means is that for your girl, you give her smaller portions of the meal and you don’t have to cook as often as 1 batch will go further. Hang in there.
Hi to everyone,
My question is some say to use lean ground beef and some say not to use lean?
I’m using just what your recipe calls for. Any out look on this?
My Molly was diagnosed last August,about a year ago. Just started I’ve drip for 3 weeks.?
Molly has lost a little weight,but she is still doing good.
Hi Linda — I’m sorry, it’s hard to know what other sources of information you’re comparing to here. My own recipe here clearly supported using LEAN ground beef. The research suggested that it was lower in phosphorus than ‘regular.’ In addition, the extra calories support keeping more weight on the patient. I know it is hard disease to watch and while there are positives that you’re still here caring for Molly a year after diagnosis, the pain of the decline is still very much real and difficult to deal with … hang in there. You sound like you’re doing your best and making a difference in her life.
i’ve been using this recipe now for 2 yrs and my dogs numbers have improved and held steady. I use the 96% fat free ground beef from trader joes. I also don’t add the parsley since it’s a diuretic though it does have some benefits I choose to leave out. Otherwise I make this in batches and freeze.
Thank you for sharing — indeed, others continue to ask about the long-term use of it, so your story will surely be of help.
HI, Dale:
Isabelle (almost 15yo Chihuahua-Min Pin mix) is just recently home from a 4-day hospital stay where she was discharged with a creatinine level fo 7.7 mg/dl. She was above 12 mg/dl when she was admitted. When she arrived home we put out some cooked chicken, which she had been eating at the vet’s, but she would only eat it if we hand-fed it to her. When I put out some chicken for her yesterday AM, she was not interested. Hence I began my research into food options and found this site (I also sent you the nutritional information for the Low-Phosophorous Dog Food).
I went home and made a small batch (Trader Joe’s has 12 oz. packages of green beans and peeled/chopped butternut squash that microwave in the bags), based on 12 oz. of ground beef and adjusting all other ingredients proportionally.
She likes to be in the kitchen when I cook and lives in hope that I will drop something. I didn’t expect her to leave her bed while I was cooking, but she did, so I put some already cooked chicken in her bowl and she ate that. When the food was done I fed her a bit by hand and she was all over it. I showed her the bowl and walked it into the kitchen where she usually eats, and she followed me and consumed a full 1/4 c. portion. We started her subcutaneous fluids shortly after her dinner, so did not eat more last night.
Isabelle did not eat this morning, but I left some food out for her. She did not get her appetite stimulant until just before that, so I wasn’t surprised. I do hope she continues to enjoy it and will keep you posted.
Thank you for generously sharing your recipe and your experience with Ben.
~Gail
You’re very welcome, Gail, and I hope things turn around for Isabelle. It’s a heart wrenching experience and thing to watch, I know. All you can do is your best and hope … and whether it turns out to only be one more magical day or 5 more precious years, each day is a gift and I’m sure you have given her many gifts and her, in return, has lavished you with appreciation. You have what sounds like a great team around you and supporting her, so hang in there. And, yes, if you’re now at the stage of using an appetite stimulant, you are likely on similar ground as I found myself. There is still hope.
Thank you also for your post below regarding the nutritional information. I will convert that into a document for sure and add it to the site for others who are interested. It’s great to have this community helping each other in your sharing and research. Thank you again.
Thanks, Dale. We are braced for a plateau at best. She is not eating well, despite the appetite stimulant, but when she eats, it’s your recipe she prefers. Your kind words have moved me to tears–no doubt a common experience her–we all have such love for out four-legged family members. BTW, anyone out there who might offer advice on giving subcutaneous fluid injections? Dwight (dad) has been a trooper, but Isabelle is truly unhappy about this. Help?
You’re very welcome, Gail. I’m sure there are readers here who may have advice for you on giving the injections — I certainly have no wisdom to provide as it is a route I consciously chose not to go down as a simple matter of maintaining the quality of the bond Ben and I share(d) and not to introduce any more stress into his life. I know many here, however, have found great value in the approach so hopefully they can share their wisdom with you as well.
Hi Gail. Firstly I know your pain and sadness all to well. We just passed the one year anniversary of our boy, Mojo being diagnosed. He has been on fluids for the past 6 months mostly as a precaution We were TERRIBLE at first and I know he tensed up because we did. With practice I promise it does get better Just relax. it really is a learning process for you both. This is our routine now and it works with little distress in Mojo
We always walk or play with him first to get the jitters out. He seems tired and less concerned about what’s going on. I also make sure I do it before his dinner feeding attempts (mealtimes are stressful for him) and I have some of his favorite snacks on hand to give him during the process. We also switched to a lower gage needle with doesn’t hurt as much when inserting. Get the bag as high as you can as it helps increase your drip rate. Now my husband does the poking and I just pet his head and give the love & treats. We only have to give 100ml so this takes less than 10 minutes now.
I hope this helps. A year later and we still struggle with eating … Thankfully he’s put on weight and not lost any. We all do what we can to help our ‘fur babies . Be kind to yourselves. You are doing great
All my best to you and Isabelle.
Tara & Mojo
Thank you, Tara, for so kindly sharing your experience and wisdom here for others in need as well. Such a beautiful community of people here … thank you.
Hi, Dale! Thank you so much for this recipe, for the advice, and especially for the hope that there is something I, as a dog mama, can do for my beloved fur baby. My three year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi Faye was diagnosed last week with Protein Losing Nephropathy (a name longer than she is, poor baby). I’m using a modification of your recipe for her and thankfully she eats it! I spent a lot of money on the prescription food and she absolutely despises it, even when I heated it up and ate a bite to “show” her it was good. She knows when she’s being snookered, she wasn’t buying it. But she likes this recipe (minus the squash at the moment, just because I haven’t ever cooked it before, so I increased the rice). I’m also adding calcium carbonate in the amount of 1/2 teaspoon per pound of food as a phosphorus binder. Thanks again for posting all your findings, it’s so very helpful!
You’re most welcome indeed. Glad it has provided you a footing and you’re able to adapt it to your girl’s needs. They are indeed very smart creatures with tremendous hearts and they know when they’re being snookered … and even more when they’re being loved and someone has their back. So wonderful to hear and please take care.
Thank you for this recipe. My vet gave me something similar. He has me crushing up 2 tums over the mixture. Is there something else I should do. I used ground beef,rice, 2 hard cooked eggs, 2 slices of crumbled bread, I put in 1 can of drained green beans and 1 can of drained carrots
You’re very welcome, Wendy. Glad that you’re finding other similar sources and treatments …. Sounds like the tums are there to likely provide a ‘calcium binder’ and perhaps to support the acid in your dog’s tummy as a result of the disease. You do seem to have a solid vet there supporting you and who knows you/your dog’s condition more intimately, so I would keep trusting him and working with him on the treatment. The only thing I’d caution is with respect to the eggs — if you’re using whole, hard-cooked eggs, it is the yolk which has the phosphorus in it. Speak to your vet, but I’d avoid the egg yolk. Best of luck.
Hello, Like most people in this conversation I’ve found your information very important for our girl Nola who became suddenly sick last week. We rushed her to the ER vet and luckily she came home three days later diagnosed with lyme disease. Her kidneys were damaged. They gave us a short list of recipes and told us to follow up 10 days later with their internist who would give us nutritional information then. After we took her who home with a variety of meds I started researching kidney damage/disease and realized how much they didn’t tell us. So, seven days later I come across your page. I had gathered enough information to keep her well enough, well, better than she was and she is holding her own. But for the last week I’ve felt like I might as well have been throwing darts blindfolded hoping to hit the target. We are following up with another vet tomorrow. I hope to get a detailed diet for her particular stage of kidney damage and her weight. Your ‘layman’ explanation has helped me, my partner and Nola. I know it will help me ask the vet the right questions tomorrow. Five years ago our girl came from the streets of Houston to Massachusetts. I do like to think she landed right where she is meant to be. I know the joy she shares with us daily is a gift of love. Thank you for helping me feel ‘sane’ today during this anxious and unsettling time. Nola will be eating your recipes soon. Thank you for the research you’ve done. I feel Nola has many more years to come. d.
Dear Debra — I’m sorry you and Nola have found yourselves on this journey as well. It does my heart well to read a comment like yours — for indeed, my goal was simply to share and provide, as you say, a layman’s tale and take on what all this means and try and plot a path out of the mess of it all. It is, as you say, a perspective to help so that you can ask the right questions to the right people and find a treatment plan that works Nola … who is unique and I’m sure very special. She certainly sounds like she is in the right place and with the right champions to help through the difficult journey ahead. All the best to you and good luck in getting the right information to guide you.
Dear Dale,
I dont know how thankful I am to come across your words while desperately trying to do something.
There are so much appreciation. I am sorry to jump right into a question but because I feel so oblivious and time is ticking and I am just worried about my dog’s next meal, my heart is racing too much. So I needed to confirm a critical detail.
The vet said my dog( golden+ jindo mix) is stage 3 renal insufficiency.
Is your story something I can relate to my dog too? I was wondering whether your strory was for an earlier stage. May I ask at what stage you started the recipe?
Thank you beyond words. The difference you make is amazing. Bringing hope.
Hello and thank you for sharing your story. Angus is our 14 year old Wheaten terrier with food allergies and renal failure. He is 39 pounds. Would you please help me to adjust your serving size for him? He also just had a sarcoma removed and I do not want him to spend the rest of his life eating Rx food! Your amazing recipe and thoughtful research gives us hope.
Many thanks!!!
Hi Laura — Hope is so important to us all … and no doubt, your boy is depending on you for his as well. With respect to serving size, a question I’ve received several times, the truth is that I don’t know … because each dog, like each person, is just a little bit different. Age, size, metabolism etc all factor in. Angus sounds like he’s 10-15 lbs bigger than Ben was, but also younger. I recommend that you ‘trust’ your instincts and experience — you know when he’s full/hungry. Typically with renal failure, there is a loss of appetite, so obesity and over-eating aren’t usually an issue. If you’re still not sure, take what you’d normally feed Angus and divide into smaller portions and have more meals through the day and see how he does. If he’s picking at it and leaving food behind, you’ll know he’s getting more than he needs/wants or that he might need an appetite stimulant if he also continues to lose weight. Hope this helps a bit at least. Best of luck to you both. ~ Dale
Hi Dale, Hi all others with amazing canine friends, We lost one of our 2 Briard Brothers on 23rd June 2018, Bouncy Boo, poor guy, was diagnosed with chronic renal disease, underwent a séance of ‘dialysis’ sadly all to no avail, came home but, sadly just couldn’t eat much at all, he still played with his bro at frisbee tugging, he only wanted to do that, He was 9 and a half, the ‘comedian’ of the pair!!! Well, we got his bro Mighty Monty Mouse, tested straight away, yep, also got this awful disease, luckily only 33%, but this guy is missing his bro so very much as we all are, he’s decided he no longer likes the Hills Kidney diet or the Royal canine, or the Bosch, he was eating well till a few days ago, obviously we’ve been ‘reading avidly’ on the subject, and I have come to the conclusion that ‘homecooked food’ has to be the better option, your recipes seem very ‘mouthwatering, and healthy’ I’ve just bookmarked all your info and recipes, so, I shall be getting out the pans to ‘cook up’ some ‘gourmet delights’ for Mighty Monty:), today he didn’t want brekkie, or lunch, my daughter’s just dishing up his supper, crossing all digits he will eat something. He quite happily goes out in the garden and plays ‘tossing’ the fallen unripe apples around!!!! little imp!! so. I shall let you know how he goes with the new food. I have high hopes.
A huge thankyou, to you, for all the research you’ve obviously put into this subject, resulting in helping many many desperate dog lovers world wide. Good luck to all out there in this situation and now shall go give Mighty Monty a huge squeezy cuddle (he loves those) hahaha!!!
Pam
Hi Pam and thank you for your kind words. Very sorry for the loss of half your band of brothers — it is gut wrenching, I know, and I can imagine the feelings of having lost the one and knowing that Mighty Monty faces the same disease. I hope with you that this food and treatment show him to, indeed, be ‘Mighty’ and that he bounds up this mountain and over the other side. All the best to you and take care.
How do you defrost the food after freezing it? Can I keep a few days worth in the fridge or will it go bad?
Hi Lori — Defrost it the same way you would ‘human’ food: either take it out the day before and let it naturally defrost in the fridge … or defrost it in the microwave. Treat this as human food to answer your other question about how long it will keep once defrosted. I’d generally say 3 days to be safe.
Thank you so much for creating this page. Our baby, Rockwell, (he’s actually 10.5yrs but very much our baby) was diagnosed a little over a week ago with degenerative renal failure. We went in to have knee surgery and the vet said they wouldn’t be able to do the surgery because his blood tests came back indicating poor kidney function. Hearing her explain how this is fatal was such a shock. Rockwell’s appetite started to rapidly decrease within days and he was not a fan of the Hill’s. I just completed making the above recipe and sat at his bed and fed it to him with my hands. He devoured it. I am so thankful for the community you created with this informative, honest, and heartfelt blog. Be well- Amanda
You’re most welcome, Amanda. I can well relate to the “shock” of the news, especially when you think you’re just running routine ‘tests.’ Truly, I’m thrilled that my experience is helping so many … I never dreamed to be creating a ‘community’ but it is astounding how many have struggled along the same road. You’re certainly not alone. All the best to you and Rockwell and I hope this in some small way helps you both. ~ Dale
Hi Dale,
In January 2016, my fur baby Gypsy a 10 and a half rescued Greyhound, was diagnosed with renal insuffiency grade 2. Prognostic was 6-12 months. Our great vet recommended a reduced protein diet and to try to limit phosphorus intake. Within a couple of days of web searching, we found your recipe. Every 2 weeks or so since, we make a batch that lasts us 28-30 meals (2.5 recipes). We did change the squash for puréed pumpkin.
Here we are , 2 and a half years later and Gypsy (she has other issues) is still going strong. Our last visit to the vet was 3 weeks ago. She did a complete blood panel. Not only did her illness not progress since her diagnosis but some of her numbers have actually improved. Our vet was more than pleased. It is my belief and opinion that this is due, for the most part, to your recipe after all we have to take credit for all the cuddles, kisses and love we give her.
We are so grateful that you published this and so is Gypsy.
Thank you again
Danielle, Michelle, Pascale and Gypsy
Dear Danielle, Family, and Gypsy … what a tremendous story and journey you have been on. It is a delight to read or the ‘miracles’ like your own and as far as I’m concerned, you should take all the credit for the cuddles and love and the incredible effort you have clearly made to get your Gypsy to this result. I’m more than happy to have shared my experience and it’s beautiful to read how it continues to live on in people and families such as your own. Thank you for taking the time to come back and share and I truly wish you a continued treasure of days and years ahead. Wishing you all an amazing Canada Day together. ~ Dale
Thank you very much, Glenda!
I appreciate the recipe, but I am utterly confused about where you found your research on vitamin D consumption related to renal failure.
I take my dogs to an integrative vet. I also have undergraduate in Psychology and Statistics and hold three research certificates. I have researched vitamin D extensively. For my dog with kidney disease, we ran a vitamin D test because vitamin D tends to decrease if there are kidney issues (related to receptors). Research has found that vitamin D consumption improves renal functioning and wards off parathyroid disease associated with decreased renal functioning. This is verifiable through peer reviewed studies (can be found online) and any veterinary practice that stays current on research in the field of medicine.
In addition, canines lost the ability to absorb vitamin D from the sun. So the only source they get it from is food. Almost all canines are vitamin D deficient for this reason.
The range for vitamin D toxicity is narrow with canines, so it is important to have vitamin D testing done prior to supplementation and during in order to ensure it doesn’t go too high. If it gets too high, it can cause organ calcification. Increased calcium is a problem with renal patients.
I will say for my pooch, she is taking 2000 ius of vitamin D a day under veterinary supervision to improve renal functioning and to ward off parathyroid disease associated with renal decline. We ran about 5 tests over a 8 month period just to get her up to the 70 range, and she is still deficient. Moreover, a vitamin D deficiency can cause a host of other diseases, including bone loss, neuropathic pain, cancer, depression, anxiety (yes, mental health issues also apply to canines), etc. So it is important to run tests and to supplement whether your dog has kidney disease or not.
If you are going to make statements like you did with vitamin D, you really need to cite your source. If you would have searched for peer reviewed articles regarding vitamin D and renal decline, or if you would have consulted with a properly trained veterinarian, you would have found the statement to be completely wrong.
You aren’t doing anyone any favors spreading misinformation like this.
Dear Christina — I appreciate your passion and interest and sharing your thoughts here. However, I believe that a better way for you to engage in a conversation would have been attained if you had followed your comment in your first paragraph with a Question asking if I could provide you more information or background as what led to my conclusion. In that context, it would have fostered a dialogue and produced a discussion which seeks to learn as opposed to attack and hurt. I would suggest that you read, carefully, again, the context and numerous disclaimers made in my sharing of MY story, MY research, and MY BEST before you level statements like your last. This simple, very personal, Blog is an attempt to share a personal story based on a personal experience and my own dog’s condition … thinking that it might help others who could similarly personalize it for their own needs and take from it whatever might help. This is not a prescription nor am I selling anything. This is an n=1 experience; it is not an academic paper — therefore, you have absolutely no right to attack it as such.
You will note that I have not edited or deleted your comment here because I’m a staunch supporter of free speech and not of censorship and I want to continue this be site for a fair exchange of views, ideas, and research. However, I expect this to be done respectfully and with the same humanism and compassion for each other as we would express towards our canine family members which unite us in the community which brings people here.
While you are certainly entitled to your own opinions and to do your own research (I encourage it with everyone) and to consult with a team of trained professionals (again, something I have consistently advised everyone to do), you, Christina, are very much in the wrong to come onto my personal website and level the accusations here as you have. You don’t know me, clearly haven’t taken the time to read my story, and don’t have a moral right make your personal attacks on anyone. Shame on you.
For your information and in answer to the question you never asked, what my research indicated is that while vitamin D is exceptionally important to health and “Healthy kidneys are rich with vitamin D receptors and play a major role in turning vitamin D into its active form. This helps balance calcium and phosphorus in your body by controlling absorption of these minerals from the food you eat and regulates parathyroid hormone (PTH)” … However, my reading of literature also revealed “If a person has a high blood level of phosphorus or calcium, the physician will often choose not to treat the high PTH with activated vitamin D because there is an increased risk of calcium-phosphorus deposits in the soft tissues. It’s important for all kidney failure patients to keep phosphorus and calcium blood levels within a normal range.” None of this takes away from the fact that vitamin D is important and especially important in healthy dogs and people. This was researched, with a “properly trained veterinarian” (shame on you again) and devised as a course of treatment for a dog who was already in renal failure.
Should you be motivated by the welfare of others and those you have hurt, you’re very welcome to reply with an apology if you’d like, but otherwise, I would ask that you not return to this site.
Very well stated. Enjoy your advice.
Thank you.
Dale,
Your ability to keep your cool in dealing with this ignorant woman is a tribute to your good hearted nature. Shame on her! Bravo to you!
Thank you Wendy. I greatly appreciate the words of encouragement and your perspective. I’ve been blogging here now for half-dozen years and the comments by Christina were a low point in my experience — but, thankfully, they are an anomaly and one I can frame with time and perspective as representing the diversity of human thought. While such expressions sadly happen all too often in our general world, I’m thankful that this site is one which ‘almost’ universally brings out the best in people and their love. I have no doubt that in Christina’s mind, her motivation and intention was to help some and she felt justified in her choice of words and behaviour as a result … that for her, the end justifies the means. It’s not a position or belief that I share — and while none of us are perfect and we will assuredly say things that are wrong, make mistakes, and hurt through reaction, our hearts will generally bring us back to “sorry” when we do because while it is easy to hurt and destroy with words, the time it takes to heal and to build trust is one of deliberate choices fashioned as a lifetime.
May I ask what brand of B vitamins you used? I’m having difficulty finding a good b supplement for dogs.
Hi Dedra –you’ll see the brands of all the supplements etc in the photo included in the recipe I used. I believe I simply used a Jamieson product — Ben hated it, understandably, so be prepared to have to hide it very well … or perhaps you’ll find an easier product that dogs like more.
Hello everyone, my dog was diagnosed with early kidney disease on Thursday, and I just asked my vet about a homemade diet. My vet recommends consulting with a canine nutritionist first. Has anyone else consulted with a nutritionist?
Thanks!
Hi Britanney — I’m sorry that you’ll find about 1000 comments here to weed through, but there are a few others who have spoken with nutritionists etc. I totally agree that having a wide and deep professional support team around you is important and as it helps you in finding a diet etc specific to your own dog and needs.
Thank you so much for this information, we are just getting started with a low phosphorus diet with our son’s Golden.Bless you for helping so many dogs and the people who love them.
You’re very welcome, Patty. Best of luck as you start the diet and I hope it brings positive results. Take care and thank you.
Hi, everyone. I was making this recipe for my little Kira, who unfortunately passed away last week. I have extra frozen food (both combined and individual ingredients) and I’d love to not waste them. If you live in Manhattan please let me know and I’d be happy to give them to you.
Hi Jeff and I’m very sorry for your loss. Thank you for your very kind, generous and ultimately selfless offer especially as you work through this period of loss and change. Please take care.
Jeff, what a beautiful way to honour your little Kira! You will meet her again, Jeff, in another place … another time. Much love to you.
Hi: I just recently found this article because my 16.5yrs old Yorkie Teky was diagnosed with renal failure one week ago when the vet told us the news we were devastated WE ARE DEVASTATED! He doesn’t like his new food but he is a eater and when he is HUNGRY HE is hungry but I like to please him with good nutritious and healthy food and I’m gonna try this recipe. Right now he is taking Enalapril and I infused him every single day; he is more alert and active but we know that we have a heavy road to walk… we don’t have children so they are our babies! We rescued he’s brother Frijol 3 yrs ago (schnauzer mix).
PS Sorry my writing mistakes English isn’t my first language
Hi Thanya — thank you for sharing the story of your own heave road that you’ve begun to walk. It is devastating and hard on so many levels, but it sounds like you have a good plan for the road ahead and a great spirit and much love … so wishing you the best of luck. Stay strong for all your family.
I ordered the Rehmannia 6 from Amazon, how did you give it to your dog? My dog is eleven pounds.
Hi there — I suggest you post your question in “reply” to the person who left that comment. To be clear, I have no experience whatsoever with Rehmannia so can’t comment. Failing a reply from that person, perhaps speak with a doctor/professional familiar with ‘Chinese’ remedies and get their thoughts and advice. Sorry I can’t be of more help myself …. All the best.
It has been my experience that Acorn squash just slips out of the peel once it has been cooked. Since you noted in your article that many people disliked the experience of peeling the squash beforehand , I am wondering if you have ever tried boiling the squash with the peel on and removing it AFTER cooking ? Is there some reason that it cant be done this way ? It sure would save a lot of time and effort. Just wondering. Thank you for all of your research and the links provided. I have been concerned about how sub par the ingredients are in the commercial kidney support dog foods that the vet prescribed. It is nice to see there are alternatives that I can discuss with her.
Hi Michelle — and thank you for the comments and question. The reason I approached the squash the way I did is because in my own personal readings, I concluded that the skin has the bulk of the phosphorus in the squash … so removing it before the cooking process ensured it didn’t leach into the final product. All that said, this is more hypothesis than fact — it would be great to have a chem lab measure the two processes to determine the reality of both methods.
We are feeding Ben’s diet to my daughter’s pet. Vet told her that her pet had kidney disease and kidney stones. Heide loves the recipe. She had stopped eating but now looks forward to meals again. We are giving her smaller meals more often, as you suggested. Heide is getting fluids through an iv
Thank you for sharing Heide’s story and care — but I’m very glad that the recipe and diet is having a positive impact on her food drive, so, fingers crossed. 🙂
My 18 yr old blind bichon was urinating so much she had to wear diapers. She is drinking up a storm & even tapping me in the middle of the night for water. Her appetite is voracious which made me think she had diabetes or Cushings like my other bichon did 10 yrs ago. I always cooked for her. When she had her blood work last week, it showed elevated kidney values (not very high) BUN 41 (9-31 norm), Creatinine 1.8 (0.5-1.5 norm), Phosphorous 6.4 (2.5-6.1 norm) Creatinine Kinase 201 (10-200 norm), IDEXX SDMA 17 (0-14 norm) & Platelets 655 (143-448 norm). Everything else, inc urine analysis, was normal. The vet did a renal ultrasound, and found a large cyst with highly echogenic contents on the left kidney & a large solid mass associated with the cranial pole of the right kidney. Her right renal pelvis was moderately dilated. Conclusion: right renal neoplasia with probable obstructive hydronephrosis. Left renal abscess, hematoma or neoplastic cyst. The vet doesnt want to put her through any invasive tests or biopsies & just wants to do palliative care. Im still grieving. She has been my emotional rock through so much.I did a lot of research, and Ive decided to go with egg whites & apple sauce as a snack & Dr Harvey’s excellent freeze dried food. You just add protein (he gives measuring charts). You add hot water to reconstitute the freeze dried food full of real food & nutirents. Takes about 12 mins. The kidney formula is called Veg-to-Bowl (they even make a fine ground for dogs with no teeth, gum trouble or trouble chewing). drharveys.com/products/dogs. He answers all questions directly via phone calls or email. His facilities posted on his website are impeccable. There is another grain free product that already has the chicken & beef in it that he makes called Oracle.He cares so deeply for animals. He makes supplements as well. My vet gave me an herbal supplement for dogs with renal disease, an immune system powder supplement, omega 3’s (which I had been giving my dog along with probiotics) & Epakitrin, a phosphorous binder (which may not be necessary if you feed the proper diet). I read the the Epakitrin is not recommended these days & some vets at teaching hospitals use an aluminim based product without the side effects of calcium depletion. But aluminum has its own issues.We can all only do our best & choose foods our dogs love. There were times months before my Felicity’s diagnosis that she would smell her home made food platter & walk away if I so much as snuck in a multi vitamin broken up. Now she inhales her food & her poopies have drsdtically improved as well! She was very constipated before. I hope I can arrest her kidney issues before they progress further, bec I cant handle any more loss in my life right now. Best of luck to everyone & their precious dogs. Thank you Dale for all your hard work in researching and, documenting it all for us in pictures! God bless beautiful Ben! PS Did anyone else get abnormal renal ultrasounds on their dogs?
Thank you Denise. You’re most welcome and thank you for your kind words to Ben. As to your question, over the years of the many posts here, yes, there have been all kinds of underlying causes for the renal failure, from cancer, to old age, to toxins and poisonings, to other primary diseases. Forgive the pun, but it has been a veritable ‘dogs breakfast’ of issues that have been shared and likely very very exactly the same. I’m so very sorry for your own diagnosis and the prognosis of palliative care … it all hits very close to home and I can relate. Hang in there, find strength in love, and celebrate every moment you get. Thank you also for sharing own research and advice. I’m sure it will resonate with and help some. Take care …. ~ Dale
Hi Dale,
I am three months into my journey & am so devastated..cried the entire night. I took Felicity to the ER and they said her BUN, Creatinine and Phosphorous numbers are off the charts. I tried so very hard and blame myself for the worsening of her disease. They told me she has an adrenal tumor pressing in the kidney (a different read from the last u/s) and both kidneys have much less than 25% function. They want me to learn how to administer IV fluids. It’s 1pm and she is still asleep. I didn’t want to leave her in the hospital, bc last time it was awful. My home is foreclosing in two weeks. I have no place to go right now, and my hope was for Felicity and I to move to a new place with better karma. We’ve been here 27 yrs,last yr my husband took his life Aug 11th after a Corp layoff & inability to find work. He looked for 1.5 yrs, but at 56 it was hard. I was diagnosed with cancer right after that, and I’m appealing the life insurance (it was denied to their admin error), and now little Felicity is so sick. It all feels like a cruel joke. My daughter just started her first permanent job after graduating university in June, but now she is so upset our dog has been given this death sentence. I am taking her to a holistic vet tomorrow (Dr Marty Goldstein’s practice) and looking for a grain of hope. She is so disoriented and won’t walk, she splays if I try to help her…she was so lively up to this past Monday. Blind as she is, she was following me around and so active after months of being lethargic and depressed before I switched to the Dr Harvey diet. I don’t understand ? Felicity got fluids yesterday (the vet tech cut her when shaving her for the u/s, and then squished the fluids in instead of holding the bag up to let it gently drip in…she developed heart palpitations and shaking). She wouldn’t eat when she got home despite being given anti–nausea meds (I Usually give her wild salmon, bison or chicken minimally with her peas, carrots and blueberries or apple sauce topped with Omega 3s or coconut oil). Ironically, my vet gave her a can of Royal Canine renal food (I told the vet it is terrible and has bad reviews and she had the gall to say “don’t believe what you read on the Internet,” and I told her if I didn’t, my dog probably wouldn’t be alive today…they need to educate them better in vet school about home cooking, and holistic meds) which has horrific ingredients in it: chicken and pork by-products, egg, salmon, corn flour, but after turning her nose up at my food, she gobbled the junk food down…she was starving having not eaten or drank any water the day before. Did you experience horrible breath with Ben? My dog hasn’t had a cleaning in 8 yrs because she crashed under anesthesia so they told me to avoid it (and this was after getting her blood work, and EKG and echocardiogram). I clean her mouth with coconut oil. I can’t stop crying but know I must be string for Felicity. I will try your recipes today! Thank you so much Dale!
This info is so helpful!! My baby Dorothy is pushing 18 & has kidney failure (not sure what stage). She drinks a lot of water, but also has mobility issues so has trouble getting to her dish. I have been pushing water in her mouth with a syringe and it works really well!
One question I have is why you recommend whitefish but not salmon? We have spent time in Alaska and are big fans of salmon and salmon oil.
Thank you for your blog!
Hi.
Have you heard of sticky rice? I read that was better but don’t know what that is. Thank you so much for posting this.
Suzannr
Hi Suzanne — “Sticky rice” is a short grain rice which is higher in starch and produces a gooeyness when cooked … which makes it ideal for certain dishes, like sushi and can be found, not surprisingly, in many Asisan grocers and even some larger supermarkets which have Asian specialties. I don’t know how it compares in terms of nutrition, but hope this helps.
This is almost identical to my recipe. I used to add parsley but Lew Olsen from K9nutrition said she wouldn’t recommend it because it can act like a diuretic. My Barkley loves this recipe.
Great to hear, Denise. Independent validation is a good thing. Thanks for sharing.
I’m upset she is recommending the use of garlic powder. I have been told by my vet garlic is as toxic as onion for dogs. Check it out!! SSj
Hi Dale,
I too was told by my vet that my dog should be on a low protein diet due to renal failure. Your article is excellent and very thorough.
I am wondering if you have any idea of the composition of the finished product in terms of Protein/ Fat/ Carb ratio? Any any other nutritional information? Unless someone else reading here knows how to calculate this?
Thanks.
Hi Sammie. It is a question I’ve been asked a few times and my offer remains for someone to put it into online app or nutrition calculator … and if you get the results, send them along and I’d be happy to post them for others. I’m sure there are ‘free’ calculators out there, but I didn’t invest the time, I’m sorry.
Dale: Thank you for this website. My almost 15yo Chihuahua-MinPin, Isabelle, was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney disease/renal failure just last week and came home from hospital yesterday, so I am assuming she is at/near where Ben was. Her (creatinine over 12 upon admission and down to 7.7 after four days of IV therapy. We are still working to get her to eat even with the appetite stimulant she is taking, so I’m hoping that something resembling “people food” will appeal to her. Hand-feeding cooked chicken is not a good long-term solution. We’re trying to balance our hope and the reality of her diagnosis, and this will help me to feel I am doing something.
In answer to the question above, MyFitnessPal has a pretty good nutritional calculator and I ran the recipe through (using 90% lean ground beef and without the parsley). Based on servings referenced in other posts, I calculated 42 – 1/2 cup servings:
Nutrition Facts
Servings 42.0
Amount Per Serving 1/2 c.
calories 96
Total Fat 3 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 14 mg
Sodium 39 mg
Potassium 171 mg
Total Carbohydrate 10 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 1 g
Protein 6 g
I left off the daily values since those anticipated consumption by a human. I’ll post an update after I’ve submitted it to the princess for her consideration.
Dale, this website is such a wonderful legacy for Ben, and for you. Thank you, ~Gail
Hi! Thank you so much for this. My baby has renal failure and is in Stage 4. He’s been on the Hill’s Prescription diet for three months, but has recently started not to want it. Today, he took a chunk of cooked chicken out of my hand and gobbled it down. That makes me realize that he is hungry, but doesn’t want the crummy prescription food anymore. I am going to try your recipe! Thanks again for all of your research and help!
You’re most welcome. I hope the things have continued to be positive and your baby has turned a new corner.
Hi Dale, In your opinion, best vitamin supplement for dogs with kidney and some sight issues. 14 year old, 17 pound dog, Einstein.
Hi Robin — I’m sorry for the delay in response but the truth is that this outside my expertise and research. My only advice on supplements is based on my own experience and is laid out in the recipe here. Otherwise, speak to your vet and you may benefit from some secondary support from a pharmacist.
I just wanted to sincerely thank you for all the effort you put into making this information available. What a wonderful life you gave Ben and now you have helped so many others. My almost-15-year-old terrier has been on a similar diet for more than a year now, after showing signs of very early stage kidney disease. Her blood work returned to normal after three months on the diet and all of her symptoms are gone. Her energy level is amazing. I am realistic in understanding that the disease is progressive, but I have zero doubt the diet has lengthened, and more importantly, enriched the quality of her life. In my dog’s case, discovering the disease early was key in slowing the disease progression before there was a large amount of kidney damage. Therefore, I encourage people with senior pets to get bloodwork done at least once a year so that they can catch any kidney function changes in the early stages.
Great advice, Kristin. It is an insidious disease and I suspect you’re very right that “catching it early” at least affords caregivers choice and opportunity to slow or change the course of the disease. For others who haven’t caught it “in time,” I would advise against blaming yourselves, though, either … because we can’t know or control for everything. Somethings happen quickly and without prediction. But wholly, agree, Kristin, that in the case of our senior pets, just like our senior ‘people,’ they need to be seen very regularly to guard against a whole host of potential illnesses: knowledge is empowering and enabling.
Hi Dale. This is amazing. I have 1 question. You put a days worth in a freezer bag and freeze it? Im not quite sure what to do after you bag it..
Hi Carol — My recommendation is to freeze it in ‘portions’ (bags) that will last you 3 days worth. The volume will be determined by your particular case/dog, but that is my advice.
Hi my dog isn’t 14. His bun is 227, creatinine 3.5, globulin 4.9, phosphorus 14.6. Where anyone else’s numbers like this? I’m trying to get a sense of the severity and if I am being realistic to try this diet or am I just prolonging his suffering. He is up walking around but drank too much water and threw up and had diarrhea. I feel like if I can stop this he can get back to normal. Just wondering what other people’s dogs numbers were.
Hi Jen — I can empathise with where you are at and a very difficult situation. While the numbers are certainly a signal as to what is going on inside your guy, the numbers themselves don’t speak to “quality of life.” There are actually “quality of life assessment scales” (a google search will provide you with a few, but ask your vet for one appropriate for you) — this is a sort of ‘objective’ way to make hard decisions, but in your heart, you will know, when the joys in life are greatly out balanced by the ‘suffering.’ It’s certainly not ‘one’ thing and not indicated by bloodwork. Throwing up isn’t an issue … but if he’s throwing up repeatedly and can’t keep food or water down at all, then it’s different. Trust your heart and gut … you know your boy better than anyone. That said, your vet and other professionals are there to advise you as well. Hope this helps … even just a bit.
Jen-
have you contacted an herbalist? We put our dog on the herb Rehmannia and it seems to be helping. Also, we have incorporated some Prilosec in her diet given that she was throwing up. I am so thankful for my herbalist!!! Our #’s were super high like your fur baby too.
Thanks for sharing, Amanda. Hoping it helps Jen …
Hello,
I really appreciate all of the research you have done, thanks for helping so many pups and their families. What is the reason you seem so avoid chicken in the renal friendly recipes? Does it not filter well through the kidneys?
Thanks
Hi Hannah — you’re very welcome. It’s amazing and I’m thankful for the opportunity to help in my own small way. 🙂 The avoidance of chicken is purely based on the ‘numbers’ … just looking at where chicken fits on the phosphorus spectrum. You can certainly google yourself and see the values of different meats/fish/protein to compare … but that is all I did to land where I did. Hope that helps. Best of luck to you.
Hi my friend has a Black Russian with this horrible condition. He thinks his dog is so fussy he might not touch this but is definitely encouraged by all the information. Should he halve the ingredients to start with would it be as effective . Sounds silly question but would really value your advice
Thank you
Hi Denise — yes, it is a horrible condition. I can only imagine what it must feel like as a dog with renal failure because for us outside, watching our dearly beloved slip through our fingers, it is heart breaking. As for your question, it is truly up to him. Since the recipe gets frozen anyway, in his situation, I’d simply make the full amount and freeze it in smaller portions. The effort to cook it is the same and unless he wants to be cooking more, it is more labour savings to simply portion and preserve it instead. Hope that helps and hope the picky eater 🙂 enjoys it and it has positive results. All the best.
Wow thank you a lot for sharing this info!! I have only one question – do you know how much phosphorus (mg) it is allowed for a dog per day?
Once again thank you!!
Hi Maria — you’re very welcome. With respect to your good question, the answer is “I don’t know.” I suspect it differs significantly by weight, age, and even some breeds. It certainly would change depending on health conditions. With respect to this diet and recipe, the goal was to reduce “as much as possible” the amount of phosphorus while maintaining quality of food/taste to entice Ben (in my case) to still eat. That’s about all I can answer but hope it helps you in whatever your personal situation might be.
my dog cookie toy poodle was duagnosed with renal failure n i never gave up. i went n looked for a homeo guy n the right vet who believed in alternative. she prescribed me azodyl n the five leaf pet life pharmacy herbal meds n diet.. n we tried inly homeo n it was up n down battle so it became a mix of homeo which i opted for her enlarged heart n kidney. the diet is similar to yours. n the vet required daily liwuid therapy until we were sure. after 8 months her blood test finally showed normal but the vet saud ut was a lifetime comitment to the diet to the liquid therapy n the homeo. i am so happy although the everyother day subq liquid therapy is taxing. im still afraid to do it so i do vet visits. if i give up she may die shes a bubbly 15yrs.. the blood test was perfect but because of the diet her calcium is so poor thats probably why she cant climb stairs so now they gave synthetic calcium. i want to give natural calcium without hurting her kidney. i cant find any material in web. i was hoping u can help me. the homeo from another place is really for her heart. i didnt use pet life heart just kidney herbs cause they are tinctures n taste terrible i didnt want to stress her. ur advuse will help
Hi Gwen — I’m very sorry that you’re having to deal with this now. My heart goes out to you and Cookie. Hang in there. It sounds like you’re doing a lot to help her. As to your question, the best answer I can give is something a few other readers have suggested and that is eggshell … ground up finely (e.g. with a mortar and pestle) and mixed in her food. I’m not sure why you have concluded, however, that calcium supplements will harm her kidneys — so perhaps there is something more to her diagnosis. However, many here and myself understood calcium to be phosphorus binder and therefore promotes kidney health in dogs with renal failure. Hope this helps and, as I say, hang in there.
Thank you very much… the phosphorous went high and the vet gave us antacid which apparently is a binder.. like what you said.. but they told me to hold unto the calcium because her calcium is okey… so confusing… i tried to figure what i did wrong that her phosphorous went high when i use only two diet then after doing lots of research i figured i may have exceeded the brocoli.. which apparently is so high in phosphorous… she s so picky so i have to keep changing recipe. you are lucky your dog stayed on that diet. and they told me about the blood separating..and asked me what i introduced into the diet and it was the fat from the chicken.. i use to remove all the fats but everyone says keep the fat so i kept it… i cant think of any other thing i introduced except that i change every now and then from the fish oil to the coconut oil..
with the antacid she cant take meds for 2 hours so with all these herbs western medicine im gving her meds till eleven pm. i asked the homeo to pls just mix and reduce the number cause i am exhausted and am sure she is… now her heart is weak and they want coq10 back… but in the dog green label of pet pharmacy it says it has coq10 properties but honestly im getting skeptical with homeo and want to put her in the one you gave. my question is since u didnt do any herbs how long did ben stay healthy…
my baby is eating if i give this rice diet but im worried she might develop allergy like bella who is on same diet and got allergy… hard to make 2 different meals. bella is a healthy dog n had a cancer scare only before. so maybe i should alternate rice with something …your suggestion will help… in a few weeks it will mark our 1 year battle with this disease. thank you.
Thanks for coming back, Gwen, and the update. It is a journey — and a scary adventure. There are so many things to consider, so many options, and each day can be different. It is overwhelming but in the end, all you can do is your best while remembering that the ultimate goal is comfort and maintaining a quality of life. The issue about “what if” and allergies is likely getting too far ahead of things in my opinion. You’re trying to keep her comfortable and nourished for “today.” “Tomorrow” will come fast enough and when it does, it may require you to adapt. One thing at a time. It’s more manageable in small steps. Regarding how long Ben hung on — we caught the disease late and while it was very far advanced. He was given weeks to live and yet we got more than 6 beautiful months. I will always be grateful for that time which, I know, for some may seem short …. And, no, it is never long enough, but when we think about the reality of it all and what is really happening, 6 months was a miracle. I hope you get one too.
Do you have a grain free lower fat cooked diet? My dog also has Pancreatitis.
I don’t, sorry. Not sure if some ‘grains’ like barley might be better than others, but, sorry, I don’t have any experience or knowledge of pancreatitis …. Sorry.
Anonymous, I have also dealt with both kidney disease and pancreatitis with the same dog as that seems to sometimes run concurrently with kidney disease in dogs. I used a very low-fat diet of lean red meat (I boiled it to death) and I never used the liquid from what was left in the pot after the meat was cooked to where it was literally falling apart.
Thank you, Liz, for sharing your experience. I’m sure much appreciated by many.
Hi Dale,
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I am going to try and make this! I’m in a kinda weird place with my Yorkie. He’s about to be 17, this week, and was diagnosed with Kidney disease/failure a couple months ago. The weird thing is it isn’t a typical case, when he was first tested his BUN number was 176 and he was doing horrible, we thought it was the end. We decided to try doing 9 days of subQ and then retesting. Miraculously his numbers came back to about normal range. The weird thing was his potassium went up! Very strange. So now trying to find the right diet is difficult because we need to lower his potassium but still keep in mind the kidney disease. He is also very picky! Do you have any suggestions for food choices? I’ve been all over the web trying to find the right food but not having much luck. Thank you!!
-Lexi and Boo:)
Hi Lexi — Hang in there. Our old-timers and their bodies are full of surprises and in the end, it’s hard to predict and the whole nutritional therapy approach can be a little bit like a game of whack-a-mole. It’s admittedly been awhile since I did my research so I can’t advise much from memory, but as a I recall, there were definitely some ingredients in this list which were higher in potassium as I was putting this together (squash and pumpkin and collards as I recall) … so if that is something you want to consistently limit, then use some of other substitutions. All that said, be prepared along the way for the effects of the sub-Q fluids to wane and have to zig and zag in your therapy again. Best of luck and hope this helps a bit.
Thanks for getting back to me and giving me some tidbits! Hoping and praying for the best!
You’re very welcome …. Here’s hoping with you. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I am just getting started making my baby’s food and this article was extremely helpful and easy to understand. Deuce is 9 and just got diagnosed with early stages of kidney disease so I hope to fight back by making him nutritious food myself so I can have many more years with them. We thank you for taking your time to put this together!
You’re very welcome and I’m glad you found this helpful and easy to read. I hope it provides you the outcome you hope as well. Best of luck and thanks again.
Hi Dale,
My shih tzu is 12.5 lbs… do I cut the recipe in half when preparing… patches is a fussy eater and I’m hoping this will put some weight back on… he’s 15.5 years old!
Susan
Hi Susan — I wouldn’t recommend cutting the recipe in half as it gets frozen in batches anyway. All it means is that it will take you longer to go through it … which makes your job easier. However, that is your choice, but it takes mostly the same time to cook half as full, so that’s my advice. In the end, he’ll eat what he’s read and wanting to eat ….
My dog Mona & I just left the vet and we were told that she has 25% kidney function, her phosphorus levels are very high & that I need to make “that decision”. She’s 15 & has gone thru a lot but she’s a strong dog, she survived removal of her gallbladder when she was 12 & she still wants to eat! I have been crying with this news but now I want to do what I can on my part for her. I came across your blog & I want to try this recipe. She was given subcutaneous fluids today w/a pain, antacid & B12 shots & in suppose to make a decision after that. I want to give this a try so maybe it could give me a bit more time w/ my Mona.
I can well relate, as can many here, with your emotions and the difficulty of receiving this news. It cut like a knife to my own heart when I heard and was more or less told that I was going to lose my best friend (soon). In the end, I gathered my wits, found a path forward, and was granted a miracle and some very very special months that I will forever be grateful. I hope that you get your own little bit of extra time as well with Mona and that wherever this path leads, it leads to a beautiful place. Stay well and strong …
Elizabeth u r the best judge…unless ur dear dog Mona is suffering, try whatever u can, I.e. different diets, such as this one that dear angel Dale is sharing with us! Even find a second opinion, perhaps an alternative Vet ….. please try, as long as she is not suffering!
Dale,
I’ve been surfing around for recipes for home cookin’ to give my 9 1/2 yo Shih Tzu. After 4 months of treatment, he is a Lepto survivor. His kidney values are still elevated and this may be his new normal. My vet has him on Royal Canin Renal Support, which I agreed to for a while just to get him to eat and gain back all the weight he lost. We’re treating it as if he has early stage kidney disease.
Note: my 14 1/2 yo Shih Tzu did not survive the infection. She was already fragile and it came on too fast. Lepto is unforgiving, fortunately not in all cases.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey and the information you learned! I have a master’s degree in (human) physiology but it isn’t much help when applied to nutritional needs for my dogs ?
I will give your recipes a try in hopes of better quality food than Royal Canin.
What makes this even more complex is I have a 9 week old cavalier King Charles spaniel joining our brood next month. I imagine I’ll be spending a lot more time cooking two totally different diets.
God bless!
Kati
Thank you Kati — and a big smile from a lot of dog lovers on your own dedication and sticking with your family through the many challenges you’ve faced. I hope the recipe provides you a little hope in your own path. And, yes, a full house with different nutritional and therapeutic needs no doubt will be complicated and a lot of work, but it sounds like your creatures have chosen the right home. All the best to you and thank you for sharing your own story here. 🙂
Hi Dale. I am struggling with my little Jack of 15 years. I would like to get her on the best kidney diet possible in hopes to redirect her path and hopefully get her out of pain each day and improve her appetite. I am looking at your recipe and wanting to try it but have been told to avoid fat and that chicken and fish are the safest meats instead of beef… can you please advise why these are suggested and how this should help?
Hi Val — and first off, my deepest empathy that you also find yourself on this road and trying to make the best decisions for your Jack. I appreciate the advice you’ve been given seems at odds with what I’ve written … but, without knowing your Jack’s particular conditions and needs, the contradiction you’re reading is largely the ‘point’ of why I created this recipe because the general practice and advice out there is a blanket ‘removal’ of protein … not a look at the elements in the protein and other ingredient sources. My conclusion is that which you see in this recipe which is quest to reduce, purely, phosphorus … wherever it is found. Not all meat, not all cuts of that meat, and certainly not all fish are the same when it comes to phosphorus. That’s the point. Regarding the fat, it’s there purely to boost the calorie counts and keep the ‘weight’ on our struggling creatures. Hope that helps explain again what you’re reading here.
My dog was poisoned by my neighbor at 2 years old with antifreeze. She threw up and had bloody stool. We rushed her to the hospital and all we could do was re hydrate her hoping she would be ok. Java suffered major kidney damage and is suffering from (non curable) renal failure. She will live a shorter life because of this. About 3 months after she was diagnosed as a side effect, Java started to have heavy incontinence. She was welcome on our furniture as a puppy but was no longer allowed on our furniture after wetting the couch so many times. That was hard, we loved our snuggle time. Every night she would wet her bed. She would wake us up at night because she could not sleep in a sopping wet bed. I began giving her up to 3 dog beds each night so she could move to a dry bed. Every morning I would drag her wet beds to the basement for daily laundering. It was smelly, dripping, and expensive to wash every day. It has been 2 years since her diagnosis and we noticed her not eating for 2 days and becoming very lethargic. We had tried many store bought foods that we thought should be healthy for her in this condition. When her hunger stopped i knew I needed to do something/anything! else to help her.
Dale! This recipe SAVED my dog!!! The second day on this diet she no longer wets the bed!! It’s been 3 months and not a single wet bed or leaky drop from her! She has so much more energy!! It is literally a miracle! I got all the vitamins you recommended and I make her a fresh batch of dog food every week for her. She is healed! It’s amazing and I just wanted to reach out and say thank you so much for your research. I know this will extend her life substantially and be apart of our loving family.
Fellow dog lover
Lauren
Oh, Lauren. What a beautiful tale you tell. Thank you and I’m so thrilled for you and Java. It is really hard to believe and yet your story and so many like it reveal that there is a little magic in this recipe … and it fills my own heart with magic to hear of these miracles. I can well imagine how you feel to have weathered a couple of hard years and feel desperate and hopeless at times through it all … and now to be here, filled with hope and seeing the change in your girl. Seems so appropriate to be reading this on an Easter weekend. Thank again for all your kind words and I hope your miracle lives on for a long time … but for whatever time you get, enjoy it. It’s all very special.
?✅‼️Yay and Bravo and Kudos for your Courage and love for Java, that you are having positive results with Angel Dale’s recipe…..we are so lucky that he is helping our dear dogs in sharing this very
Special recipe with us! I wish you continued luck!
Hi Dale, may i know if i can change the ground beef to ground pork due to my religion.
You’re going to have to do your best and use what you feel comfortable and appropriate … while understanding that it will have different impacts. Pork is not the least of proteins with low phosphorus which is why I haven’t recommended it nor used it in the past. You may be better choosing certain fowl if you can’t use beef.
I hope, in the years since Ben has passed, that you (his person) take a measure of comfort in all of the dogs you’ve helped with your recipe – including a 13 year old Jack Russell Terrier, named Patch, from Charleston, West Virginia. My three adult sons joke that I’ve finally found a willing audience that will actually eat the food I cook. Thanks, again. 🙂
Awwww — Thank you, Rebecca. And thank you for the good humour through all of it as well. It can be such a lonely and emotionally challenging road to travel, so finding a little laughter is awesome and I’m sure Patch appreciates it and your cooking both. And, yes, this little blog of mine has enriched my life in ways far in excess of anything I ever expected. It is a beautiful legacy to Ben, indeed. Thank you for sharing and wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter weekend.
Hi Dale, can i just purely use ground pork instead of beef as due to our religion we cant take beef at home. Thanks.
You’re going to have to do your best and use what you feel comfortable and appropriate … while understanding that it will have different impacts. Pork is not the least of proteins with low phosphorus which is why I haven’t recommended it nor used it in the past. You may be better choosing certain fowl if you can’t use beef.
Dale, thank you for sharing your research with others. My 11.5 year old Chihuahua was diagnosed with kidney disease just a few weeks ago. She has food allergies and though we have it a shot, has clearly displayed she cannot eat the k/d which was prescribed to her. Finding your blog made me feel so much better. I’ve just finished making three versions of your recipe – beef, trout, and duck. Tilly taste tested them and loved them all! I’m eager to see how this helps her. I adopted my sweet girl when I was 23 and so she has been part of my life for most of my adult years. I’m so hopeful we will be able to spend a few more years together. Ben was a lucky dog to have had you. Thanks again for sharing your story and time.
Hi Kim and thanks for sharing … sounds like your girl is lucky herself. A wonderful medley of flavours to keep her engaged for a long time, I’m sure. Very glad that this has provided you hope and help. 🙂
The world desperately needs more humans such as yourself. Ben was a blessed canine to have you as much as you were blessed with him.
Much love
You make me very teary with that, Lillie. Thank you. That’s very sweet of you to say and I hope the same can be said of many more people all the time. I think dogs are trying to change the world, one owner at a time. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this information
I lost 2 dogs to Renal failure and I know this diet would’ve helped ???
Thank you for the thanks. 🙂 I often wonder what might have happened if I’d started Ben on this myself earlier than I did … if I’d known his risks as he got older with his medical history. All to say, you’re not alone in retrospective musings. 🙂
Dale. I was passed this link through Canine Kidney Disease Facebook group. My 12 3/4 year il lurchef was diagnosed with stage3 kidney failure one week ago. The vet is useless and I am trying to research the disease and suitable food. She has always had a dry prescription diet for bladder problems but most recently to help her eat I have been Introducing other ingredients such as ground pork. But now we need to change everything.
Anyway, your article has been the most amazing find for me, informative, researched from the heart and is possibily the best solution to our new dietary needs. You have answered all my questions in one article. Thank you. I am going to cook today and hopefully she will love this recipe. . I will keep you informed.
Dear Nicky — thank you so much for coming by to share all of this. I wasn’t even aware of the FB Group, but added the link in here for others as well. It’s phenomenal and wonderful to see a group spring up to offer this support to others. As I can well attest through my experience here, there is a real community out there and a real need. Glad people are finding each other. 🙂
Wishing you the very best of luck as your begin your new culinary adventure. 🙂
I want to start with my sincerest condolences. You seem like an amazing person. I made your recipe for my 10 year old black lab who has CRF. She LOVES it. I also bought the supplements you mentioned (CoQ10 and B50 and famotidine). Prior to feeding her this recipe, I used to always give probiotic powder with her food. What are your thoughts, do you think it is necessary?
Your words are incredibly kind and moving. Thank you, Misty. Truly, thank you … and you’re most welcome. The question about probiotics is a good one. If you have a pharmacist you trust, I think it would be great to get their thoughts and make sure there are no contraindications — but my own guess is that it wouldn’t be a bad thought as anything that would improve the digestibility of the nutrients in the food would be a good thing. I know that some geriatric dogs already have tummy and digestive issues which the change in diet may not help, so this might be a good suggestion. Let me know what you hear … and thank you again. 🙂
Thank you I am going to try this for my 15 years young chocolate lab Flynn who has kidney issues
Best of luck to you, June, and Flynn. I hope the recipe brings you the hope and answers you’re seeking. 🙂
Dale, A friend just shared your article with me since my dog Mars has been diagnosed with kidney failure. He also has heart problems. He’s 14.5 yrs. now. My friend, who has been dealing with kidney issues with many of her dogs through the years and has done lots of research said that your article is the “best” she’s ever read on diet for a kidney failure. I can’t thank you enough for doing so much work to help so many. Thank you!!!
Hi Cathy — thank you for your very kind words and such high-praise from your friend. Honestly, I’m humbled by it all — I only ever expected to share my own experience with whoever could learn from it. Really, you’re very welcome and hope that it helps you and Mars through a very difficult time, I know. All best on the road ahead.
Hi, Dale,
What a wonderful friendship you and Ben must have shared. Thanks for helping so many people to benefit from the same delicious and healthful meals you prepared for Ben. I have a question: is there a reason why the squash or sweet potato would need to be steamed or boiled,versus baked? I’ve been mixing baked sweet potato into my dog’s food for years. I think baking it imparts extra flavor, but was wondering if there would be any health reason why this would be ill-advised. My dog is 13.5 years old and in the last year he has begun drinking more and peeing more often, although up until now his kidney values have been in the normal range. I am mainly just trying to acquire some knowledge in advance of any diagnosis. Thanks, in advance, for your reply.
Mary
Hi Mary — and welcome to these pages. It’s wonderful to meet so many new people and I’m very happy to impart whatever knowledge and experience I gained through my relationship with Ben. As to your question, the answer is pretty simple: cooking it in the water allows you to ‘leach’ out more of the phosphorus by discarding the cooking the water. It does change the flavour, you’re right and as many have also noted, it is a pain in the butt to peel it vs. baking it in the skin and scooping (as I would do for humans). Ultimately, the choice is yours, but that was the reason for these specific instructions. Hope that helps and best of luck to you and your senior citizen there. 🙂
Love this information. My 14 year old Roxy, mini dachshund was just diagnosed with renal failure. My vet ordered her to begin Science Diet k/d but she isn’t a fan. Thank you for your thorough research and I look forward to making this recipe today.
You’re very welcome, Mary, and I hope that Roxy loves it and turns this important corner. Best of luck with it all….
Hi Dale,
My 13 yr old black lab has been diagnosed with renal failure as well as a heart condition due to her age. The vet suggested the normal vet renal diet, but she won’t touch it and to be honest I can’t blame her it’s disgusting, not to mention expensive! I did some research and came across your site and I’m glad I did – now making up my 3rd batch of your recipe and she loves it – haven’t seen her this excited about food for a long time, she’s definitely a much happier dog! Thank you for sharing your story and your recipe, I’m a Brit in the UK so your love for Ben and the help you gave him has spread far and wide to make many older pooches happy in their retirement years!
Helen
Hi Helen and thank you for your comment. You’re very welcome. Honestly, man, woman or dog, we all deserve great food … life is too short to not enjoy our meal times and I’m glad your girl is enjoying it. And truly, nary a day goes by since I posted this recipe that I’m not continually amazed at the reach and our community out there. Best of continued luck to you …. Big smiles.
I too have just had my precious shitzu, a rescue dog that’s obviously older but we have no idea how old, tho he looks like a puppy and at times had had puppy ways, almost dies on me last week, heart and kidneys. I purchased the scient diet k/d neithe of my shitzus will touch it and I’m always trying to something daily to get him to eat, thus the research for home diet. Thank you so,much and excited to go to groc store for items to start my first batch .
You’re very welcome, Robin. Best of luck in the cooking and days ahead and I really hope that it has a positive impact on your shitzu.
Hello Dale, I just cooked this for my Jayjay ( almost 14) . I’m a vet tech and did blood work cuz I was suspicious of his kidneys health. Dogs with bad kidneys have a very specific breath! So I caught it soon. His kidneys are still trying to work( checked his urine numbers too) but are showing his age too. My ol Man is picky..
He can smell the veggies lol but still ate it. The only time he gets real excited is when I feed just beef and rice. ( or commercial nasty wet food) My other old dog just went crazy on your recipe. She has a bad liver .Do u know if your recipe is ok for a ” liver ” dog? Thank you.
Nadine( wyoming)
Hello Nadine — and hello to Wyoming. What a treat to see visitors from all over the world here. I’ve had your question a few times as it relates to supporting dogs with other diseases and conditions and I honestly do not know. I would have to do a lot of the same reading and understand that disease to know better. Sorry about that — and don’t think it would be good for me to hazard a guess. All that said, very happy to hear that Jayjay loves it, even as a picky ol Man. Best of continued luck …. ~ Dale
Hi Dale,
I asked you a couple of questions a few months ago about my 14 y/o Sheltie, and I so appreciate your feedback. As I continue this journey of wanting to do the best for my boy, I have a couple of other questions that I’m having a hard time finding answers to. I’m hoping you might have some insight. The first is about supplements. Do you have any knowledge of (or know anyone who uses) Vetri-Science Renal Essentials? It SEEMS like it might be helpful, based on Amazon reviews. The second question is about treats for CRF dogs. I’m trying to find things I can make for and give to my dog as yummy treats, and also things that would help up his fluid intake. Specifically, apple sauce, blueberries and carrots. I THINK these are all safe, but it seems like every time I read that they’re safe, I find something else that makes me question it! My last question is the most subjective, but I so hope there’s an answer out there. My dog is currently eating Blue Buffalo Kidney Support (the ingredients seems so much better than Science Diet). He eats it just fine and is acting like his normal, silly self. Would switching to your homemade diet above (which I’m fully prepared to do) be beneficial to him if he’s still happily eating the kibble? I understand the huge benefit of it being edible to dogs who won’t eat kibble, but is it better for him, health-wise, to eat that over the dry food? If the only difference is the amount of fluid in dry food vs. homemade, would throwing in some plain apple sauce even it out? I will 100% do whatever is best for my boy. Anyway, thank you so much for taking your time to thoughtfully respond to everyone’s questions. I hope you know how appreciated it is!
Hi Nicole. Glad things are going well with your boy. It will be hard for me to answer the other questions you have here because, as you and others indicate, new products are constantly coming onto the market — in part because the old ones didn’t work well and because there is clearly more research going into holistic approaches (and new opportunities for people to commercialize them too). I simply don’t know the products in question well enough to offer an opinion, so I’m sorry. With respect to your question about treats, there was a contributor here who previously made the great suggestion using this recipe to make homemade biscuits by taking a puree and making ‘cookies’ with it on a sheet and baking them till ‘hard.’ Seems a great an novel approach. In terms of getting more liquid in your boy’s routine, you could just add a little extra water to the food at meal time as one option too. Hope this helps a little bit more. Good luck.
Hi Dale,
I’m so glad you posted this recipe. We adopted a 13 year old chihuahua whose owner went into decline which led the little pup to be nearly dead by the time she was surrendered to the shelter. She weighed in at a little less than three pounds while she should be 5. She looked like a pathetic chicken wing and, quite frankly, it was uncertain she would make it. I fostered her, but my mom fell in love. It’s a mutual love affair. 🙂 Her blood work shows potential kidney disease, but in her severely emaciated state it’s hard to say. However, as she hates dog food and keeps going hypoglycemic and whether whatever is going on with her kidneys is disease or strain from deprivation, I needed something she would eat and would NOT stress her organs. I cooked this up, with the addition of oregano because I discovered, by waving spices under her nose, that oregano perks up her ears. Watching her wolf this down with a happy tail wag when up until now getting her to eat has been a horrendous chore was…simply marvelous. So I thank you and so does little Pippin. Who is happily on her second serving.
What a great story, Holly, and tremendous inspiration for Pippin as well. I hope she continues to wolf down her helpings and not only regains her weight, but regains years to spend in her love affair with your Mom. Truly, a very beautiful story and thank you for sharing. Keep rockin it and best of luck on the road ahead.
I tried so many commercial products and even a recipe from my vet for my Abby after being diagnosed with kidney disease. She hated all of it. I finally found this recipe and she ate this food for over three years until the disease finally took her last month. I believe that this food gave me three good years with her. I used butternut squash because I gave up on peeling the acorn squash. Thank you soooooo much for publishing this recipe.
Dear Trish — thank you for coming back to share your story and your own view and perspective that this contributed to your 3 positive years. No doubt, your own love and care for her which certainly went beyond the food, was the real salvation … but it is so wonderful to hear that this was part of your overall care plan and it gave you hope and time. All that said, all our runways are ultimately bounded and I’m sorry Abby in the end ran out of her own. Please take great care as you move into this next chapter of your own life, post-Abby. Thank you again.
love your devotion to your friend…was he a jack Russell? I have Molly…15 1/2 years old…was having issues for a week, just had blood test and was told she’s in kidney failure…nothing much to do, that her kidneys were about 75% kidney “loss”…recommended that we take her home, krill her comfortable etc., but she probably had only days…couple days ago and she hasn’t vomited since, is eating and drinking, albeit less than normal…back end is weak…but seems far from leaving us! I will start making some meals for her tomorrow, per your recipes…just wondered what Ben’s diagnosis was, I.e diff they tell you percentage of kidney filter when you first started his special diet, and how much longer did you have him? know it’s been a few years fort you, but still thought I’d ask…and sorry for your loss….they are family….thanks so much for all the information
Hi Sheila — and thank you for your kind and very supportive words. It has, as you say, been a few years now so my memory as to values isn’t good, but Ben was given a diagnosis of a month or so … that he was in near full failure according to the values. So he beat every odd and all prognostications by a long long way. I know full well how unsettling these words are when you get them from the vet, so hang in there.
Hi there – my pup has protein in her urine and my vet has suggested we switch to a K/D diet. I’d really like to make her a homemade diet and am wondering if this diet might help with her urine issues. I know you’re not a vet, but just wondering if you’ve heard anything positive in this regard.
She’s currently only taking Benazapril. Thanks so much in advance for your advice!
Hi Paul — it’s a good question and while I’m not a vet, my logic brain suggests that ‘yes,’ it might help. Based on my story and many others here where the diet ‘helped’ change kidney values, it suggests that at least for some, the food is improving and helping with kidney function … which would include the urine values your referring to I believe. My best guess, admittedly, but it makes sense, at least to me. Hope this helps and good luck.
My sweet yorkie is almost 12 years old was just diagnosed with kidney disease. We noticed she was losing weight and took her in for a checkup when they told us she had chronic renal failure. It was heartbreaking to hear as I really thought she would be around for many more years to come. She is happy and at times full of energy, but we also have noticed her shaking and a real loss of appetite for a dog who used to eat any and everything she could find. We tried the k/d Science Hills and at first she gobbled it up. Then all of a sudden one day she wouldn’t touch it. We then tried mixing it with some rice and microwaving it. Again, she gobbled it up for about a week then one day–bam, she wouldn’t touch it. We love her and so we are very grateful to have found your site. I am actually in the kitchen and we are making it now. I am just praying she eats it. I don’t know what else to do– the vet said at this point she has to eat so even if I feed her none-kidney diet foods that is better than nothing, but I am really hoping to keep her eating foods that will help to improve her quality of life and her length of time left with us. The vet said 1-2 years and I just imagined her her living to be much older. It’s hard. I am grateful to you for doing all the research. I am so sorry that Ben has passed.
Hi Katy — truly, I can relate and hope that the recipe does indeed help and that your girl responds well to it because, your vet is most certainly right, eating is critical to survival, let alone improvement. I hope you get both and then some. You’re very very welcome and thank you for your kind words.
My baby yorkie is only 8 and in stage 4 renal failure. I made this tonight and she ate it. Lots better than hills kd dog food . She wouldn’t eat it. Thanks for all the time you put into this. I am praying I don’t loose my baby. It is unthinkable to me.
Good luck, Sharon. I’m glad your girl ate the food and seems to have enjoyed it. I hope it has a similarly positive result for you too. Don’t stop praying and doing everything you can … it will serve you both well, today and into the future.
Hi Dale Love your site and am working my way through all 800+ comments. I’m helping my friend care for her old girl, Molly, who is in an advanced stage of kidney disease but not ready to give up. She has been using Tums so I googled Tums vs Pepsid ac and read that Pepsid can be harmful to someone with kidney disease. As I said I’m just starting to go through the posts here so it might have already been discussed. Another thing I’ve been reading about here and there as an holistic approach, that some people have had good results using a Chinese herb, Rehmannia 8. Any thoughts on these?
Hi Barb — thanks for the very kind comment about the site. And, yes, and duly noted, there are a lot of comments that have come through over the past few years and I can well imagine the challenge this presents to those visiting the site. I’ve been thinking what to do about that and summarizing the wisdom and FAQs but not sure if that is the right answer either. We’ll keep mulling it over 🙂
As for your own questions, I’m not sure I can be much help. A great many people here, myself included, have all been “prescribed” Pepcid AC by their vets. That doesn’t obviously make it right, but the preponderance of independent practitioners prescribing it hasn’t raised alarm bells with many. The other thing to note is that while there are some studies suggesting concerns with PPIs and longterm effects on kidneys, the truth is that most of the people here are in the treatment of pre-existing kidney disease and the use is not likely to fall into what any would call “long term.” As for naturopathic remedies, I’ll admit that my own research never took me down that road, but I support complementary medicine and so if it makes sense in your research and you’re comfortable with it, you might get a trusted vet’s second opinion as well. Hope this helps and best of luck to you on the road ahead with your friend and Molly.
Hi Dale. We got the ugly stage 2 renal disease diagnosis today and I found you while looking for recipes. My boy has eaten raw and premium kibble for his whole life. The nasty prescription diets are not an option. Just a question on the supplements. Did you base them on your dog’s weight? Do they need to be adjusted for my 40 lb dog?
Hi Leslie — Very sorry that you, like so many others here, find yourself on this despicable path. Hang in there and I hope you find course of action that works for you and your boy. With respect to your question, the supplements are generally by weight, yes. That said, I would strongly encourage that whatever supplements you decide you want to incorporate as part of your therapy, speak to your vet and/or pharmacist to ensure it supports your specific situation. Hope this helps and, again, all the best.
hi Dale, i think You n Ben are Angels sent to help support us. I’m so glad to chance upon this page. Thank you for yr generosity in sharing yr story, recipes n knowledge.
My 16yrs (soon 17yrs in April) Silky Terrier was just recently diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, which affected his liver too. All i know is his BUN was way off the chart that readings could not be taken… He was admitted for 2.nights for some emergency treatments. Now he is discharged, but readings still high as I read from other readers here n compare their test results. My boy’s BUN is 111+ mg/dL, CREA 2.8+ mg/dL..
He is already on home cooked food before he became ill. but now after reading yr post I know I have to change his recipe as it contains potatoes, chicken fillets, broccoli, carrot. Vet got me to try adding Hills KD, which I so unwillingly tried. Torn between taking vet’s advice, or my own ignorance on recipe planning, I’ve been trying to feed him all combos: KD with home cooked, KD alone, home cooked alone, with meds, without meds, with supplements, without supplements. His condition is unstable. sometimes he eats a tiny portion, most times he gets turned off due to the meds and supplements. Occasionally he’s still throwing up even after I was celebrating that he managed to eat some food – my joy was short-lived the moment he threw up.
Can I ask u some questions please :
1. Did you feed Ben the food laced with vet-prescribed renal medication and supplements? I’m so lost at this. I know he needs his supplements and meds to support his liver and kidneys, but it seems that he chooses food not laced with any of those. He throws up when it comes to meds and supplements.
Did your vet prescribe Ben an anti-vomit med? My vet didn’t. My vet prescribed something for the gastric/stomach to control the acid.
Do you re-heat the frozen food, let it cool to room temperature before feeding him? Or do you just let it thaw and feed him the cold food?
I’m definitely going to my organic supermarket to buy the beef, beans, eggs and parsley tomorrow and start him on yr recipe. It is real challenging to get him to eat, especially eating with his supplement and meds, then hoping he will not throw up. He is barely 4.25 kg, but now 4.10 or less due to not eating well. I really hope I can celebrate his 17th birthday in April this year, and his 18th next year, and more to come. He also has cataracts, hind legs problems, bad gums and teeth problems, and something about his mouth/jaws/teeth/gums … i don’t know what is it. He kept biting and making some strange sounds…
I will update again after trying out yr recipe. I pray things will work out. Once again, thank you Dale and Ben.
Clara
Hi Clara and thank you for your very kind words. I’m glad to answer your questions as you continue to nurture your boy through a difficult chapter of his life which, while it sounds like it has been richly filled with love, is showing many signs of old age … and I can relate, because this is how things were with Ben as well. Our bodies all just, quite simply, wear out. Hang in there and more than anything, just be there for him as you have all this time.
Answers:
1. I didn’t combine this with any prescription food or renal medication or supplements other than what has been listed in the recipe/post here … other than to say, he was taking a few things to control pain (arthritis) and his other ailments. Ben would have nothing to do with the KD either.
2. No, he wasn’t on anti-vomitting (antiemetics) meds … the closest was the Pepcid AC described here which controlled acid … and which should reduce the nausea … which should positively impact vomiting.
3. Ben liked his food ‘warm’ … the aromas encouraged appetite. However, this isn’t necessary and really is a preference. Microwave works well to take the chill off and get the juices flowing.
Hope this helps Clara and best of luck with the recipe.
~ Dale
4.
Hi Ben-
Thank you for sharing your story, my boy Abe is 15 years old just had a seizure or stroke last week. He is back to himself but his urine to protein creatinine ratio is high all other kindey function normal, they are checking for kidney infection and may be hypertension involved as well. Did Ben suffer from urine to protein creatinine? I cook for both my boys and I am researching as I do not want to give him canned Kidney disease food. So my questions are as follows…
1- what percentage lean beef did you use- also can you use dark chicken meat boiled?
2- Do i have to puree or can I leave whole in pieces- is there an upside to the pureeing?
Thank you so much I am so confused my poor baby has arthritis as well so I would want to incorporate sweet potatoes and tumeric since it is an anti inflammatory do you think that is ok?
Hi Priscilla — the ‘percentage’ of lean beef is determined by government in your country. In Canada it is less than 17%. As for chicken, as you look at phosphorus content of different proteins, you’ll see that chicken isn’t ‘ideal’ … but there are worse choices. Dark meat is generally better than white, yes, if you go in that direction. Pureeing the food is generally one I did to produce texture and ‘blend’ the flavours to promote the palatability. It also worked better for an older dog, in Ben’s case. That said, there is no ‘medical’ reason to do it, so your choice in the end.
Hi Dale. Thank you so much for your reply.
As for Bonnie’s allergy/sensitivity to chicken, the vet says she’s allergic to it. I struggled for years with constant colitis attacks. And she was a very picky eater and would only eat chicken. I discovered the benefits of slippery elm broth, which helped significantly, and was finally able to get her off chicken and onto rabbit. When my pet store ran out of rannit, I subbed in Christmas Clen and that when she had another major colitis attack followed by extreme it had no. So I’m pretty sure it’s an allergy rather than a sensitivity. I looked up rabbit and a 3 oz serving has 187 mg of phosphorus. Another alternative would be duck, which only has 52 mg of phosphorus. Since she’s been eating rabbit and her phosphorus isn’t elevate, I think I’ll try to transition her from rabbit to duck, very slowly and hope that works!
I actually have a couple additional questions.
I have two dogs. One, Bonnie, who has the beginning stages of kidney disease. Another younger dog with no health problems. Would it be nutritionally sound to feed both dogs this diet, for ease? Or should I do something different for Roxy, my healthy dog? Or would it be possible to simply add something to Roxy’s so it wasn’t particularly too low in phosphorus? I could also use brown rice or barley for Roxy instead of white rice, if that would be better.
Back to Bonnie’s…do I need to add a calcium supplement to your recipe? I read that calcium opposes phosphorus and obviously this recipe doesn’t contain bones. So do I need to add something like Animal Essentials calcium? I noticed that in Dr. Pitcairns Complete Book of Holistic Healing for Dogs and Cats, he has a somewhat similar recipe to yours (but it’s low protein and phosphorus) and he has Animal Essentials calcium in that recipe. Should I add that to your recipe?
Just to verify, your recipe is low in phosphorus but has a normal amount of protein, correct? It’s not low in protein? Do you happen to know the nutritionals of your recipe, i.e., protein, carb and fat percentage?
Thank you greatly for everything. I made your recipe tonight and will be transitioning over to it slowly, beginning tomorrow. I let her have a taste and she loved it! So thank you!
You’re very welcome, Dedra. Seems like you’re doing your own good research and finding the right data to inform your choices and substitutions. Good luck with the duck — fingers crossed.
As for your other questions related to nutritional info and using the recipe with other dogs where renal failure isn’t indicated, I can tell you that I don’t suspect there is harm in other dogs eating this recipe, but I wouldn’t guess it ideal to switch over a healthy dog to it. There is a lot of give and take in the recipe and while it supports a sick dog as best as I could imagine, it doesn’t have what I would assume the right balance of nutrients for an otherwise healthy dog. If you’re looking for another recipe (and, yes, I know more work), there is the ‘breakfast’ recipe here that I made for Ben before his diagnosis. I can’t answer your question more ‘specifically’ because, no, I don’t have a nutritional breakdown of the recipe — but by all means, plug the ingredients into a tool that does this for you and let me know what you learn and I’d be happy to share with others who may have the same question.
Continued best of luck.
Thank you so much for yr reply Dale. You hv really made a difference out here – it made me feel that I’m not alone and many out here are with me.
My boy is getting so ever fussy with his food ever since he fell ill. he won’t touch his food if it has any supplements or meds in it! And we are always torn between feeding him his food without the supps n meds knowing his condition might deteriorate faster this way, or keep trying to lace his food with supps n meds n knowing he won’t eat it and keep losing weight – which is equally detrimental. . And force feeding him meds with syringe has been proven to be a failure. My vet did prescribed me famotidine to control the acid in the stomach. Glad to know it helps in reducing the nausea.
Family n friends are telling me to just let him eat whatever he wants as He is already coming 17 yrs old! too much meds is not good for his affected liver
too.
It’s just so hard…
I hv already switched to adapting yr recipe, main difference is I steam it instead – ground lean beef, french beans, sweet potato, carrots n white rice. n after reading yr method, I’ve learnt to pour away the liquid which comes out from the veg. He is eating (though appetite has turned much smaller) like 4 small meals per day!
Just being here is so comforting. Thank you so much again Dale, and not forgetting dearest Ben up there! May God Bless You! <3
Hi Clara — and thank you deeply for your incredibly kind words and support. I’m very sorry for the delay in my reply, however; it seems your message got pushed down in a longer list of a flurry of comments and I missed it. Not good when a person is looking for support and connection — sorry. That said, I’m very happy the recipe is provided you with a community and given you a sense that you’re not alone out there. I’m struck several times a week by people like you how prevalent this is in dogs … because, like you, I felt entirely alone in trying to figure this out when I got the news as well. It sounds like you’re entirely on the right track, in as positive a routine as you can with your boy. Nevertheless, there will undoubtedly come a point where your friends’ advice is the right advice because I lived that experience as well. Do what you can to keep him healthy but when that fails, do what you can to make him ‘happy’ and comfortable. Love comes from giving what they need most…. Stay strong. 🙂
Hello. Thank you so much for posting your recipe. I really appreciate it. I have a couple of questions, if you don’t mind. To start, I have a 13 year old jack russell that’s 20 pounds. She has just been diagnosed with “possible” beginning stage kidney disease. Her BUN and creative were just slightly elevated during her recent bloodwork.
Here are my questions:
My girl is highly allergic to chicken and, most likely, turkey. She has also suffered from colitis because of a genetic disorder and the vet has discouraged me from using beef as a protein. I’ve had Bonnie on canned rabbit for a long while and have had good results with it. However she’s recently been diagnosed with early kidney disease and my vet wanted to switch her to a KD diet. All the canned KD diets have chicken so that’s not an option, though I wouldn’t use it anyway. Could I use ground rabbit in your recipe instead of beef? With her colitis, sticking with the same protein might be the easiest on her tummy.
Many different boards suggest raw feeding. I’ve seen a few recipes that give an option to cook the meat or not. That being said, I tried my girl on raw before and she didn’t take to it. Recently someone suggested I mix my ingredients together and make it into a “hamburger-style” patty, leaving the meat raw. Then, toss the patty in a pan just before feeding, seering both sides so that the inside is left rare to medium rare but the outside is cooked enough to appease the dog. I like the idea of this option. I’m not sure how “soupy” your recipe is. Is it too soupy to do this? And would you think this could be a good option?
Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate you sharing your recipe.
Hi Dedra. There always seems to be “one” extra thing for most people here to manage into their solutions. With respect to her allergy, is it a sensitivity or true allergy? If a sensitivity, it may be the better of two choices to try some of the proteins here. I’m honestly not sure about rabbit, but my gut says it is NOT a low phosphorus protein. You could combine a few proteins to lessen the impact. The other choice might be more fish: mahi-mahi or tuna or trout.
I was never a fan of the raw meat approach with Ben. Much harder to control for bacteria and if your dog is st the beginning of a decline in health and potential immune challenges, my advice is to be careful with raw and/or “undercooked” food. Notwithstanding that answer, the squash and soluble fibre ingredients add “mushiness” to he meal but not I wouldn’t described it as soupy as you can see in the pictures I hope. My best advice is start with it once and adjust from there to your preference and the needs and appetite of your girl. Hope this helps.
Our 15.5 year old terrier’s blood work showed signs of kidney issues due, in part, to the last few years on Rimadyl for arthritis. I will be trying your recipe. The vet will change her meds and I will change her food. She’s old, deaf, blind, senile and arthritic, but I would rather she went fat, sassy and feeling good. If she didn’t obviously still feel very important around here, we would make that decision, but she has her rounds and is still on them.
Question: I have issues peeling squash (carpal tunnel, de Quervain’s) and so bake squash and sweet potatoes before peeling. Would boiling or steaming these things unpeeled add to the phosphorus levels? One can buy squash cubes in the freezer section sometimes, sweet potato cut for fries among the veggies. Comments? With thanks.
Hi Marianne — I can so relate to your senior citizen there and your continued fight for quality in the face of her age. Awesome to hear and don’t stop with that approach. As to your question, a couple other people have had similar approaches to the ‘squash challenge.’ Baking seems a good approach … and buying the frozen pieces, already peeled, and then boiling them is probably your best option as the boiling and discarding of the water will further leach out extra phosphorus. Ultimately, do you own best, whatever that is, and whatever works within your own abilities … no one will ever (nor should) judge you for that.
Miss “Boss” here is showing more interest in her food dish than she has in literally years.
Wonderful hear, Marianne. Hoping with you that it continues. Thanks for sharing …
Wow, I’m saving this. Bellagio is stage 2 renal disease. From a baby he was never a good eater. I’ve cooked for him his whole life. I now give him ground beef, egg whites, white rice and he’s eating like a piggy. (He’s a silky terrier). Many a days I’ve spent being unhappy because my bff wouldn’t eat.
That’s great to hear. Thank you for sharing. I hope in return you get many days of ‘happiness’ now instead. Best of luck to you both.
My boy has just been diagnosed with kidney failure. He is almost 14 ( he is a rescue so I don’t know for sure). He came into my life at 9 years old and heartworm positive. Unfortunately, the heartworms did quite a bit of damage and during treatment he went into heart failure. That was almost 5 years ago. Sadly, the heart meds that saved him then have now destroyed his kidneys. I don’t know that diet can help him at this point, but I am willing to try anything for for time with this little old man. Thanks k you for sharing your knowledge.
The love you and Ben shared…and I am sure still do, albeit in a different way is so clear and relatable to me. Thanks again.
Thank you, Shannon. It is a very ‘validating’ and moving experience to express feelings and relationship in words and have others like yourself be able to relate. I hope the recipe does indeed provide you and your boy with some hope and extra runway as well. He’s been lucky to be given 9 years of incredible support, nurturing, and love from you and I’m sure his eyes express that to you every day. Take care and all the best ….
Is this food stored in the refrigerator or the freezer? Wondering about the length of storage in the refrigerator? I want to try it out for my Maddox. Thank you.
Follow the same guidelines for any food with meat in it that you would make for yourself. Aim for 3 days to be on the safe side; however, some people, depending the food handling and storage practices might get 4-5 days if the ingredients are super fresh as well. Freezing the extra, in 3-day portions, is your best bet to stretch the food.
I have a GSD who’s almost 14 years old and suffering from arthritis and kidney failure. I’m wondering if I could add glucosamine and chondroitin to this recipe to make it suitable for him? The vet just switched him to an extremely expensive kidney/joint formula–the cost for that just isn’t sustainable along with his arthritis/pain meds. If I can get a better result with a lower cost homemade formula then I definitely want to give it t try. Thoughts?
Hi there and thanks for the question and stopping by …. The honest truth is I don’t know. Easiest way to know would be to simply walk into your (trusted) pharmacist and ask if there are any contraindications for the supplements with those facing kidney failure. I’m guessing not, but I truly don’t know. Ben had bad arthritis in the end as well and controlling the pain for that was as important as the anti-nausea to improve appetite, so I do encourage you to explore it as part of your holistic treatment plan. Best of luck and hope this helps a bit.
Hi
May I know the reason for adding parsley? Not sure if my jack Russell will eat that. Also is there a reason for not using potatoes? He’s keen on this and not sweet potatoes.
Thanks. My 15 years old four legged has last stage kidney failure.
The parsley was added because of the vitamins it adds along with the ‘flavour.’ Same reason ‘we’ as humans add it to food. It seasons and adds health. If your dog doesn’t like it, of course, omit it. I didn’t use potatoes because of their phosphorus levels. One potato has about 20% of the available phosphorus for a person … and given many are grown with the aid of fertilizer (i.e. potash), I chose to stay away from them as a carb source here. Hope that helps and you and your boy. Good luck.
Hello,
Can this also be giving to a Diabetic dog?
I don’t know. In most cases, diabetes is accompanied by renal disease … but not necessarily always right. Ben didn’t have diabetes so I can’t speak to that experience. Please speak to your vet and ask for their advice …. Sorry I can’t help more.
We just found out yesterday that our German Shorthair has kidney failure. They can’t believe she is even functioning like she does. Full of spunk still. We have been trying to research how to prolong her life and I came across your post. Thank you. I am sorry for the loss of your dog. I am hoping this will help prolong our dog’s life as well. I was wondering if salmon is an ok fish to cook for the lean protein?
Hi Cora — and thank you for your very kind words. With respect to your question, no, as “fish” choices go, Salmon is not an ideal substitute. While not all salmon area equal, I’d generally avoid it (though salmon oil as a supplement for omega fatty acids is a good choice — but not the whole meat).
hi. been reading your info on the kidney diet you did for ben. my dog has the start of kidney disease to. he’s 11. tried the canned stuff from vet. doesn’t like it. well im not surprised. {boring}. any way i have been doing what you have done read and read info about a home made diet. looks like i’m close to what you’ve have done.two questions:-i take it the supplements really work and are worth trying. and second question you added garlic powder to his food. i thought garlic was toxic to dogs. or is that only in solid form. from lou. in uk
Hi Lou — a few quick answers to your questions and hope it helps you on your continued path. In the end, the recipes are really guides more than anything and have lots of room for you to adapt and experiment according to your own dog and tastes, his particular disease condition, and the rest of your treatment. Which is to say, the supplements are what I chose to use in the situation with Ben, his age, and his particular profile. Yes, they worked for Ben, but you may/not need the same in your case. When using supplements, I’d recommend doing it in consultation with your vet as you don’t want to do harm. Secondly, there has been lots of discussion about garlic here and there is a special note in the recipe that addresses it. Use it with caution and according to your own feeling of right/wrong. Truth is it was used in small amounts here for flavouring. Ben ate it his whole life, so, I’m guessing that after 18.5 years, it probably wasn’t the cause of his death … but Ben and my own use may not be typical. You’ll have to judge that on your own. Wishing you the best.
I have been making this for my girl since september and she loves it however i want to rotate the meat. Can i use turkey? I would use trout but ive read fish have been eating plastic in the ocean and quality isnt good. Ive been prepping it all in for weekly batches and freezing them, is it ok for the veg to be frozen?
My dog is 5lb so i just took the recipe and halved it 2x. Is this ok? I had her on your measurements however took her for blood work and he levels were just slightly higher than when she was on perscription canned food. Or should i have just lowered meat?
Thank u
Hi Callie — glad you’ve been having success for so many months already. That’s great news. With respect to using turkey, yes, definitely turkey can be substituted but I’d recommend the thighs (dark meat) over the more easy to find white as you’ll see if you do a quick search online that the darker meat is lower in phosphorus (and higher in calories) … all good.
With respect to freezing, yes, definitely. Just rotate it out regularly (i.e. 3-6 months). I’m not sure about the measurements you mean, to be honest. I’d personally cook the recipe with the quantities here and serve smaller portions for your dog (and freeze the rest). She’ll guide you with respect to how much she can/wants to eat. As for her bloodwork, I can’t say as, again, truthfully, not all conditions are remotely the same. This diet should complement your veterinary care ….
Whenver i tried to freeze it after letting it thaw it always had a funky smell, not sure if that was just normal or not. Also do you have the nutritional info of the meal ie amount of calories in the recipe? Thanks Dale
Hi Callie — I wish I was there to answer, but, no, there shouldn’t be any “funkiness” to this — if you used human-grade ingredients, it should smell like human food. My only guess is that it is separating as it thaws and just needs to be mixed together again. To confirm, however, you’re letting it thaw (overnight?) in the refrigerator, right … not on the counter top? If you’re letting it thaw at room temp, it could be spoiling on you.
Sorry i didn’t explain well. I had her on prescribed food for months. Then 2 weeks before her blood work i made this. The vet said she was getting too much protein however wasn’t very concerned. I believe i wasn’t portioning her food properly, and i also wasn’t adding the vitamins and the rest you have.
Thanks for clarifying Callie. Hope the recipe is continuing to work out for you and the lab results are improving … and that you’re getting more comfortable judging the right quantities. Your girl will likely let you know when she’s had enough ….
I’ve been making your recipe for a few months for my oldest boy. He just turned 8 and already has some renal disease concerns. He loves it, and his tummy has been much happier too! I was planning to use sweet potatoes this batch, and am wondering if I should peel first or include the skins?
Hi Noelle — I’m glad your boy is doing well with the diet and things seems positive. My advice with respect to the sweet potato is to peel them before use. The truth is that there is likely enough soluble fibre in the sweet potato on its own that you don’t need the peel and it will likely be more palatable without. Hope that helps … and good luck.
I just made my first batch and Laddy loved it. He ate two half cups for lunch. I have two questions: can you freeze some, and how long does it last in refrigerator.
Hi Ruth — yes, you can definitely freeze it in portions you feel appropriate for approximately 3 days. Treat this as you would any ‘meat’ in your fridge — there are no preservatives in this and your dog has compromised health, so don’t take chances. Hope this helps and good luck.
Thank you for this fantastic information! My dear Mercer was stolen after he ran off while housesitting last Feb 12 on the other side of town 23 miles from home. After an extensive and exhaustive large scale search, I had almost given up hope in ever seeing him again and had decided my New Year’s resolution was to let go of the anguish concerning his whereabouts and any potential suffering he may have endured. Shockingly, he was returned Dec 27!! Someone had taken him in and basically stolen him! Now 12 and suffering from renal failure that had not been treated medically or managed otherwise while missing has now become severe…as has my heartbreak over all the lost time and now loss of time together again. The vet he has been seeing seems to have the attitude of make him comissingle but his kidneys are too far gone. I was given very little suggestion on food options and he turns his nose up to most. He has been back 8 days now and I am desperate to find something safe, nutritionally sound and tasty to him. I’ll be trying these recipes tomorrow and adding cbd oil when it arrives. Thank you for sharing your knowledge when the rest of us are in the dark on how to manage renal failure.
You’re very welcome, Meredith. That has certainly been a real kick in the teeth losing him like that, especially when he needs care, but glad that against all odds he has found his way back to your caring home. I hope that Mercer responds well to the recipe and you find some new hope. Very best of luck to you ….
Hi! After switching vets we learned Mercer was suffering from lepto and now that it has cleared up and he is ravenous and quickly gaining weight, the vet has put him on kd kibble with continued sub-Q fluids, will have kidney values checked in a few weeks. The very pricey food contains several ingredients that he doesn’t appear to need…enhanced appetite tech, l carnitine to increase muscle. After regaining appetite he loved your recipe so I am sticking with that, substituting nutrient enhanced pasta for barley. Have you had any luck with or researched kidney support tonics? Thanks! Meredith and Mercer
Hi Meredith — and Mercer! … Great to read your story. Glad he’s loving the recipe … and can relate to the pasta subsitution. Ben was a total pasta-loving dog too and came by his love honestly. 🙂
In terms of your question, I’m sorry to say I have no research nor experience with such tonics. They certainly weren’t coming up in my research a few years ago. As such, I really don’t have much to comment on other than there are other visitors here who have had similar thoughts and questions and my advice is always the same which is to speak to a trusted healthcare professional for application in your specific case. Best of luck.
Hi Dale! I should have written sooner, I wanted to thank you and let you know that my cocker spaniel of 16yrs got very sick and has stage 1 renal failure – she was in the hospital and diagnosed TWO years ago! She absolutely loves the food and is thriving! She is a very happy dog and I hope to have her in my life longer. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Thank you for the update and sharing another beautiful success story. It’s thrilling to hear that you’ve been using this recipe for 2 years with great results. I’m very very happy for you and your girl. Wishing her continued longevity and you a very happy New Year. Thank you again.
Hi Dale so sorry about your baby Ben . I live in Central America , and my dog has been with me for 6 years since I found her on the street she had been abandoned after giving birth , could never find the puppies, she was about 1 year old then and very thin , had erliquia because of the ticks. She has had a couple of episodes sequel to that. She has been ok till now and have been eating lately dry food (Victor dogs and puppies) mixed with boiled chicken breast. The last blood test she had creatinine 1.6 and the vet told me to feed her less protein but told me no more. I know now that the Victor food has 33% protein but I see that the phosphoro is bad. Could you guide me through this with ypur experience do you think I could turn this around at this I think is early stage, with the food?. .. How were Ben’s tests when you first started with this diet? is to try and compare. I will wait for your feedback. thank you very much
Hi Maru — I’ll try to answer your questions but I’m not sure I can answer them with specificity or certainty … partially because it has been a few years since I was in your situation and partially because I don’t know or have all Ben’s tests from back then. That said, I don’t think it is ever too late to “try” and do you best. There are never any guarantees here about how any dog will respond to the diet. They’re all different and the diseases, which while they may sound ‘similar,’ aren’t all the same even though the symptoms of kidney failure look the same. I don’t know your situation and I’m not a vet so I’m not really comfortable ‘advising’ you on a treatment other than sharing my own experience for Ben. Hope this nevertheless helps. Just try your best, talk to your vet, and test again … and see.
Hi again – just remembered one of the main reasons I commented in the first place!! One more question – have you ever tried throwing all the ingredients together in a slow cooker? Just letting it all cook together in there for a few hours? You may need to brown your meat first….? Just thinking this would be a wonderful shortcut if it works, and wondering if you’ve tried it.
Thanks!
Hi Barb — a couple of other people have suggested it. I’m not sure how it would work but try it for sure. The tradeoff may be in flavour, texture (more mushy) and perhaps slightly higher phosphorus because I drained off veggie water which kept it drier and leached out extra phosphorus. I’m personally not a fan of slow cookers and Ben likely wouldn’t have been either as a result, so we never went there. However, perhaps it would work for you and your boy. 🙂
Hi Dale,
Just wanted to say I’ve made meat loaf … Cook sweet potato and green beans,then purée them, mix everything and bake them in muffin pan.
Molly loves it!
Hi Linda — thanks for sharing a great idea and imagination. A few others have used it to produced biscuits and ‘treats’ but you’re the first to offer meatloaf. A brilliant idea and I can well imagine a very happy Molly. Awesome. 🙂
Hi there! Thank you so so much for the wonderful post and for the recipe! My 16 1/2 year old sheltie was diagnosed 3-4 years ago with kidney disease and we’ve had great luck on the prescription kidney diets (Purina and Hill’s) until recently, when he just decided he didn’t like either of those any more. And so began my search for “what to feed him now.” We are just finishing up the first batch and I’m ready to make the second batch – he loves it! Hooray! This time, I’m trying the 1/2 pork and 1/2 beef version. Three very quick questions….
1) what do you consider to be a good fat-free percentage for lean meat? I found 98% lean beef at my butcher (for a price!!), but all they sell on the shelf is 88% (I think?) fat free….just wondering what you thought.
2) In the nutritional analyses of the different squashes, I was hoping to see you include values for sweeet potatoes (not a squash, I know) and pumpkins, which I’m planning to use today on the second batch. Specifically, the calcium values? Are these two also not as high in calcium as acorn squash? Just looking to change up the taste for my boy.
3) My pup is about 18.5 pounds, 16.5 years old, and also has vestibular and heart murmur issues. Right now, his blood actually look really good, as far as the kidney values go, so that is under control. Do you think we should be supplementing with a either a tablet or other foods to increase his calcium intake? Or do you think your recipe is sufficient for now?
Sorry if you’ve answered these questions for others in the past – I read some, but not all, of the comments and responses and didn’t see these.
Thank you so, so, so much for your time and attention to the fur-children of so many concerned pet parents. Like you, all of us would do anything to help our pups live the best lives they can for as long as they can! Your advice has clearly helped many people do just that.
Hi Barb and thanks for stopping by with the questions. Some quick answers for you. 1) The definition of “lean” ground meat isn’t the same in every country. In Canada, it is federally defined as “less than 17% fat” … so the stuff on the shelf seems like it would serve you well. 2) Each squash and veggie substitute brings other tradeoffs and benefits in terms of the “other” nutrients which may be helpful or not. So read the whole list of nutritional information to make the decision. I also reference using pumpkin and sweet potato both, much like you ask, for a “change.” The potassium, for example, will come more with the pumpkin if memory serves. 3) In crafting this recipe, I didn’t select for calcium. However, we all know that calcium is important as phosphorus binder, so getting it into the diet wouldn’t be a bad idea if you think he needs it — which is to say, depending on the advancement of the disease and the other health profile of your boy, it may or may not be necessary. Best advice is ask your vet if they’d recommend a supplement. And, finally, you are most welcome. Happy to help and glad to answer your questions. Best of luck in keep going strong and happy New Year to you.
Dale,
Thank you for sharing your recipe. I have to say I was hopeful that my elderly Yorkie, Daisy, would eat the food. She has been on Hills k/d but just won’t eat it unless it is laced with the regular food and she is losing weight from not eating enough.
I spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen a few nights ago and semi-cursed as I tried to peel the acorn squash. Daisy usually eats a late night snack so I tried a little of Ben’s recipe and….She gobbled it down!! The next morning I was afraid that she might not eat it but she loves it.
I have been transitioning her from the k/d to this and mix a little of the k/d with it and she eats it still. I am so thankful to see her eat and I tend to feed her whenever she acts like she wants to eat. She has to take medicine for a heart murmur and a collapsing trachea at the evening feeding. Before, I had to just hope that her discerning nose wouldn’t find the pills I had hidden in a tiny lean treat. Now she eats her food and medicine as well.
I will check with her vet soon to see if she is okay with her diet but I have to think that she is way better off eating and hopefully gaining weight than what we were doing. As long as she will eat some of the k/d, I may continue to put small amounts in your recipe.
Thank you so much. It makes me feel so much better to see her eat!!
Hi Sara — thank you for sharing your story and experience with Daisy. It sounds like you’ve had a few positive days and hope that it continues. I and many here can relate to the challenges of peeling the squash. It’s probably the most painful part of the preparation. Another reader who similarly found it too painful elected to bake the squash and then scoop it out instead. That might be something you want to try next time instead. Best of luck in continuing the success with her eating and happy New Year to you.
In response to peeling acorn squash…my market sells peeled and cubed acorn squash. It’s expensive, but WORTH IT!! I hate peeling it, too ? I believe they also have frozen and cubed acorn squash, as well. You might want to check!
Thanks for sharing the suggestion, Barb.
Hi Dale – My 9 year old Lab Millie was recently diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure after a bout of vomiting. She was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and kidney injury. Her creatinine levels were sky high and her phrous levels went from 2.7 to 3.2. Following a 2 day admission to hospital with iv fluids, the phrous levels went down slightly. She was discharged home with antibiotics, an ACE inhibitor, ranitidine. However, after 5 days she started vomiting again (morning) and went off diet and water. We took her back to the vets and he gave her an injection of antisickness and randitine and changed her antibiotic by giving another injection, plus a steroid injection. Although she was reluctant to eat and drink. She did with encouragement. I wasn’t happy, as I didn’t want her to deteriorate and become dehydrated, Following discussion with the vet, we agreed to reamit her to hospital and aggressively treat .She is currently in hospital on 3 days of iv fluids to clear her kidneys out, IV antibiotics, IV randitine and antisickness and continues on the ace inhibitor. Her bloods were done on admission and prior to IV fluids and her phrous level went up to 4.2. She went completely off the kidney diet we commencement her on and when the vet left it with her yesterday – she buried it in her bed. She would however eat chicken. Today, I cooked her boiled chicken breast (no bone or skin) and went to fed her. She ate a good 400g. I also made her sweet potatoe, apple, carrots and peas but she wasn’t interested in that, she just ate the chicken. She is due to be discharged tomorrow (subject on blood test results). If she is allowed to go home the vet has agreed to me administering the randitine, antisickness via injection so reduce vomiting and calm her tummy sod she doesn’t lose her appetite again. She will continue with antibiotics, ace inhibitor and a phrous binder has been prescribed too. The vet said today her kidney function is probably 35-40%. I want to give her every opportunity. She has lost 2kg in 2 weeks (was 27.5kg now 25.7kg). Having read all the positive comments on your blog – can you please sign post me to the reciepe? I want to give her every possible chance to come through this and try and give her more time with us. She has amazed the vets as she has always been bouncy, wagging her tail and receptive/alert during this acute illness, although sleeeping more. We will never let her suffer. But she is a fighter and as a family we must also try anything that will give her a good quality life with the time she has with us.
Hi Jennie — it sounds like you’re going through quite the ordeal but hopefully Millie responds and gives you an opening to getting her back on her feet and regain some of her weight. I’m not sure why you haven’t found the actual recipe as you’re posting your comment here at the bottom of the page of the recipe. Scroll up and it should be right there. Best of luck and don’t give up …
About the ground beef /meat, I find it difficult to find lean ground beef, there seems to be fat even in the leanest. According to several sources, kidney failure pets should not eat fat however coconut oil/ butter is safe. I also read that chicken is safe as long as it is organic. It doens’t matter the low content of phosphorus, it is suggested to add Aluminum Hydroxide powder to food which eliminates toxins from kidneys, base on the pet weight….and no egg yolk it is high in phosphorus
It would be helpful to provide your “sources” if you’re adding to the knowledge base here for others. To be clear “lean” doesn’t mean there is no fat in the meat. Depending on what country you live in, different government agencies (usually) define what this means. In Canada, where we both live, “lean” means less than 17% fat as defined by Food Inspection Agency. The fat is used in the recipe because of the caloric count it adds to the meal … and allowed Ben to keep up his weight. I would encourage you in your re-reading to distinguish between the different kinds/cuts of meat of meat you’re using as there is a significant different between the phosphorous levels in “white” meat (e.g. breast) vs. thighs. On the subject of Aluminum Hydroxide, while an accepted phosphorus binder and antacid, I’d recommend any using this or other similar therapies to consult with their vets and/or pharmacists as it relates to possible interactions with other therapies. And finally, yes, this recipe opts for egg white (vs whole egg or egg yolks) for exactly the reason you write.
Hi Dale,
I should have written a long time ago, but I didn’t. Your recipe helped prolong my dog, Libby’s, life by over a year after she was diagnosed with renal failure. She loved your recipes and I so enjoyed making her food for her at the end. She lived to be just over 18 1/2, too. She lived on two different continents and even spent some time in Warsaw. The second anniversary of her death is coming up and I am dreading it. I just revisited your recipe because I am now living in China and manage an animal rescue. One of our most recent rescues is a little kitten whose kidneys are in bad shape because she was poisoned. Ben’s special recipe is helping her recover. I sincerely thank you for sharing this recipe with the world and for helping so many fur kids along the way. Thank you, thank you.
Best,
Sara
Thank you, Sara, for coming back and sharing both your story and Libby’s — and travels which have such a beautiful likeness to my own. Crazy how two lives can travel such similar paths. I’m glad that the recipe gave you some very special (extra) time with Libby. Anniversaries are hard … and with a long life lived in connection with our companions, there are inevitably many anniversaries and memories which bring both joy and pain as we re-live the loss. It has been a very precious honour for me to have somehow helped so many … it is hard to imagine. Hard to imagine that it this recipe is even giving hope to a kitten in China. It is very touching and thank you for sharing … truly. Happy New Year to you. ~ Dale
Hi Dale – My 9 year old Lab Millie was recently diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure after a bout of vomiting. She was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and kidney injury. Her creatinine levels were sky high and her phosphorous levels went from 2.7 to 3.2. Following a 2 day admission to hospital with iv fluids, the phosphorous levels went down slightly. She was discharged home with antibiotics, an ACE inhibitor, ranitidine. However, after 5 days she started vomiting again (morning) and went off diet and water. We took her back to the vets and he gave her an injection of anti-sickness and ranitidine and changed her antibiotic by giving another injection, plus a steroid injection. Although she was reluctant to eat and drink. She did with encouragement. I wasn’t happy, as I didn’t want her to deteriorate and become dehydrated, Following discussion with the vet, we agreed to reamit her to hospital and aggressively treat .She is currently in hospital on 3 days of iv fluids to clear her kidneys out, IV antibiotics, IV ranitidine and anti-sickness and continues on the ace inhibitor. Her bloods were done on admission and prior to IV fluids and her phosphorous level went up to 4.2. She went completely off the kidney diet we commencement her on and when the vet left it with her yesterday – she buried it in her bed. She would however eat chicken. Today, I cooked her boiled chicken breast (no bone or skin) and went to fed her. She ate a good 400g. I also made her sweet potato, apple, carrots and peas but she wasn’t interested in that, she just ate the chicken. She is due to be discharged tomorrow (subject to blood test results). If she is allowed to go home the vet has agreed to me administering the ranitidine, anti-sickness via injection to reduce the vomiting and calm her tummy so she doesn’t lose her appetite again. She will continue with antibiotics, ace inhibitor and a phosphorous binder has been prescribed too. The vet said today her kidney function is probably 35-40%. I want to give her every opportunity. She has lost 2kg in 2 weeks (was 27.5kg now 25.7kg). Having read all the positive comments on your blog – can you please sign post me to the recipe? I want to give her every possible chance to come through this and try and give her more time with us. She has amazed the vets as she has always been bouncy, wagging her tail and receptive/alert during this acute illness, although sleeping more. We will never let her suffer. But she is a fighter and as a family we must also try anything that will give her a good quality life with the time she has with us.
Hi Jennie — it sounds like you’re going through quite the ordeal but hopefully Millie responds and gives you an opening to getting her back on her feet and regain some of her weight. I’m not sure why you haven’t found the actual recipe as you’re posting your comment here at the bottom of the page of the recipe. Scroll up and it should be right there. Best of luck and don’t give up …
Hi. I have had a terrible year with my fur babies. Nola my 13 year old was diagnosed with early stages of kidney failure. She has lost so much weight in the past few weeks. As of this week I am making her food very similar to the recipe you posted. Nola also has terrible knees, she had both her knees operated on when she was younger. I am so sad that she has to go through this. I am hoping this will help her.
Secondly my dog Pumpkin 4 years old has liver issues and we almost lost her. She is on a low fat diet and supplements I get from the vet.
I have 2 more babies, Sadie and Copper all are rescues! Being a dog parent is hard but so worth it.
Randa
Hi Randa — it does sound like 2017 was a tough year for you. It is no doubt a difficult road to open your heart and home to rescues who in the end are even more lucky to have found you as they enter periods of even higher need. It certainly takes a toll on the heart in the process, I know … but I’m sure you see their love and appreciation in their eyes as you care for them even as their suffering breaks your heart. Be well and thank you for the great love you have shared in the world.
Hi, I forgot to add this to my post.. now that Barkley is getting ulcers in his mouth and acid reflux, I can’t get him to eat- not even your recipe- which he loved! I’ve tried everything…ice chips, cold water, baby food, soft foods etc. the vet has him on an anti nausea medicine(ondansetron)very expensive and on an appetite stimulant (mirtazapine) and antacid- Zantac. I am more concerned with the pain in his mouth and the acid reflux. I cannot find anything that will help numb his mouth. I can’t apply anything in his mouth- he would bite me. He needs something to coat his stomach and decrease acid. Is there a specific probiotic or product you or your followers can recommend? He is final stage of renal failure and trying to keep him comfortable.
Hi Sue — further your other comment and my reply, there is only so much runway in the world and only so much we can do. I’m glad you have had some success, however. I haven’t heard anyone else talk about mouth ulcers here, but it is not surprising that it could happen in some. It sounds like you vet is doing their very best to control the acid … which is, itself, caused by the renal failure. It does become a very vicious cycle and I can well imagine how helpful you feel watching it happen. I’m not sure what else to suggest as I’m sure your vet is on it. Calcium supplements perhaps. I know that some people have even used Pepto Bismol, but I can’t personally advise on it as I haven’t done the research or used it first hand. I think you’re right, though, that ultimately, keeping Barkley comfortable is your best objective at the moment. Sorry I can’t provide you more myself …. Hang in there.
Thank you Dale! You don’t know how much comfort you gave to me & Barkley. If you wouldn’t have posted such a personal blog, I never would have known how to help him. With a broken heart, we euthanized Barkley this morning, his suffering was too much. After much research, I firmly believe the Vet caused his kidney failure. She insisted he needed a dental at 12 years of age. Prior to the dental, he never had any dental/mouth or kidney issues. Within weeks everything started going downhill with his kidneys, we spent well over $1,000 trying to save him & he had be euthanized within 6 months. After his passing exam we saw that you were correct, there were no mouth ulcers. We’ll never know why he randomly clawed his mouth & ate with alternating sides. I have leftover prescriptions I would like to donate because they are very pricey. Barkley was a 16 pound daschaund and was prescribed:
mirtazapine 4 1/2 tabs 15 mg (appetite stimulant)
Barkley supposed to break in 1/4 tablets as needed.
Total 18 doses
Ondansetron- generic Zofran 5 1/2 full tabs 4 mg
(For nausea) Barkley rx was to break 1 1/2 tabs twice daily.
Total 5 doses.
Thank you again, as you can see you have touched the lives of many many people.
My deepest sympathies, Sue on losing Barkley’s battle. You tried and did everything you could, but in the end, there is only so much runway we can buy. It will be hard as you transition through the different stages of loss but I hope you find the support you will need along the way. Always remember, you did you best and Barkley was lucky to have you as a white knight fighting along with him. Thank you also, Sue, for so thoughtfully returning to share the wisdom of your own experience for others … and for your kind words for me. You and so many others here through your words and sharing have filled another beautiful year for me. Thank you and here’s hoping you find new happiness in the New Year.
Hello Sue, my dog is at stage 2. I give him Azodyl which is a probiotic. I empty the capsule in a spoon ad omega 3 fatty acids (I bye it in a bittle) and a very small amount of dark organic honey. I also give him Aluminum Hydroxide powder which removes toxins from kindeys, I also mix it with omega 3 fatty acids and close to 1/8 or 1/4 spoon of organic honey (all based on your pet’s weight, mine is 12 pounds)… I thought I would share it for whatever it is worth. It is best to get him dark organic honey because it is higher in antioxidents, and it is even used in healing wounds in hospitals. Maybe the sweet taste of honey will incite his appetite.
Thank you SO much for your article. Barkley would not eat any food and was dropping weight. Your recipe not only got him excited to eat, but helped put some weight on him.
You’re very welcome, Sue. I’m glad that the recipe provided you and Barkley some hope and extra time. I’m very sorry, as per your next comment, that no matter how good the treatment, it can’t turn back time and can’t fix all the ills in the world or our pups. You’re doing your best …
Hi, Dale. Thank you so much for sharing your story/research and Ben’s recipe. I look forward to cooking it for my pup.
You’re very welcome, Chris. Best of luck in the cooking that lies ahead. Merry Christmas.
Thank you for this very thorough discussion and recipe. I’ll be trying it out with my sweet Oscar.
You’re very welcome. Best of luck to you and Oscar. 🙂
Hi. I found your recipe a few weeks ago. I called and checked all the ingredients with my vet, before I started my dog King on it. I was trying to feed him the kd wet can food and he was barely picking at it. I had to hand feed him every bite and encourage him. He wanted all other types of food besides it. So we tried him on your recipe instead, and he is excited for meal time again. I just wanted to say thank you so much. He was very underweight and he is gaining weight again. He is running and playing like he used to. He is still a very young dog at six and your recipe made him happy to eat and live again. So again from the bottom of my heart thank you so much for sharing what you learned. My boyfriend also says it is a delicious recipe for people and shares it with him.
Awww — thank you Erin. Such a wonderful story and great to hear that it is a fan with your boyfriend too. 😉 But seriously, why would we feed anything to our pets and extended family that we wouldn’t eat ourselves? If we wouldn’t touch it, why would they? Glad we have our first human testimonial now too. Wishing you all, and King especially, continued success with it and a great holiday season and New Year. Take care.
Thank you so much. You have helped me buy my shepherd more time. You are a thorough and caring saint.
Thank you — but you’re too generous with your words. I’m glad to have helped and wish you the best of success with it and your shepherd. Happy holidays to you both.
Hi Dale, My story is the same as everybody else’s on here, my beautiful 9 year old bichon frise – Polo was diagnosed with CKD two weeks ago. I have tried Royal Canin Renal diet and surprisingly he loves it (he’s a fussy eater) but he has a lot of allergies and it contains gluten, it is making him itch ALOT! So I decided to look into feeding him myself, started researching on line and found your site so I am going to try him on your recipe. However, I am based in the UK and can only get Pepcid AC antacid chewable tablets which contain berries. Please could you let me know if these are safe for my boy. Many thanks and God bless you for taking the time to help so many other doggie lovers! From Sharon in the UK
Hi Sharon — thank you for your kindness and words as well. In answer to your question re: Pepcid AC, the drug has been genericized for a long time, so you may have access without knowing or seeing it on the shelf labeled as such. Speak to your pharmacist/chemist re: Famotidine — that’s the ingredient. They can also best advise you whether the chewables are the same and similarly safe for canines. Best of luck and happy holidays to you and Polo. 🙂
Firstly, so sorry for your loss. It’s one of the hard things about being a pet lover and owner. Thank you so much for your well-researched recipe. Our dog has been touch and go over the weekend, due to Bartinella, Lyme, high blood pressure and UTI. She has refused food, but has finally turned around with the help of this food, which she loves. Some of the other recipes on the internet call for a calcium supplement for kidney dog recipes. 1/2 teaspoon calcium carbonate per pound of food, is what I’ve seen. You don’t have that in your recommendations. Is there enough calcium in the squash for health? I see that it has 14% calcium, but I have no idea how to translate that into what our dog actually needs. Also, what is the citrus q10 for? It’s really expensive, and with our dog already on 10 medications, I’m trying to limit expense and also the number of supplements we give. I’m a former blogger and cookbook author, so I love reading your recipes too.
Thank you Penny — Great to get feedback on the other recipes here too. With respect to your question around Q10, WebMd says it better than I could, but generally the reason I turned to it and accepted it in the research I read is because of ‘belief’ that it will help in heart health in particular … which with the issues of hypertension that come with the renal failure I was trying to support. In your dog, it may not be necessary and truthfully, just follow your own heart and do your best with the means you have. I can well relate to the expense of it all.
The subject of calcium supplements comes up here often as they are used as a phosphorus “binder” to assist the body in excreting the phosphorus more easily. It’s proven. However, it isn’t always necessary at all stages of treatment, so my advice to everyone is ask your vet if it is appropriate and/or would be helpful in your situation. Hope this helps a bit more. Best of luck and thank you again.
What about a multi vitamins
Dale,
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this with us. I found your website over a year ago when I thought I would have to put my dear Honey down. She has been on this diet ever since and I feel that every day is a blessing that I have her with me. I really do believe this diet has given me extra time with her. I just wanted to take a moment and let you know how grateful I am for you and Ben. Ben is an angel and is watching over us all.
Honey will be turning 17 on January 6th 🙂
What a beautiful story and note. Thank you. Absolutely great news about Honey and am glad to have helped in any small way. You’re most welcome. Ben has certainly provided much love and healing to many here and I very much like the way you have framed it with him watching over us all. While the thought makes me teary, it is a great image and feeling to hold. Thank you. Wishing you and Honey and your whole family a very beautiful holiday season and another great year in 2018.
Hi Dale,
My beloved 14 y/o Sheltie just had blood work come back with a pretty high BUN (67) but creatinine is still in the high-normal range (1.3). I’ve started him on Blue Kidney Support dry food, but I want more for him. My family eats Paleo, and I’ve begun thinking recently, “why shouldn’t my dogs eat real food too?” My worry about making a home-made diet, though, is that his diet won’t be nutritionally “perfect” (because I’m not a scientist) and he’ll have some vitamin or mineral deficiencies that will affect his health. What I would like to do is feed him a combination of dry kibble (that’s been scientifically formulated for kidneys) and home-made real food. Have you come across research or information about doing this? If I feed him 1/2 kibble and 1/2 home-made (your recipe above), would that provide him with everything he needs? Also, what if your take on leafy greens? They’re so good for so many things, but what about a dog with kidney issues? Thank you for this article and thank you for taking the time to answer! Sincerely, a dog mom willing to do anything for her boy. 🙂
Hi Nicole. Sorry for the delay in reply. I can well relate to your research and approach. I took a similar approach for much of Ben’s life balancing his diet with a combination of high-quality kibble (one meal) with table scraps and a homemade meal for breakfast (also posted on my site). So, yes, I support your thinking and for the same reasons. The challenge with a dog in renal failure is that it becomes very difficult to be whole-food oriented and provide for all nutritional requirements and also do so with an “elimination” approach (which is really what I did). In other words, in eliminating whole foods from my potential ingredient list that contained ‘unhealthy’ amounts of phosphorus, I also ended up eliminating certain nutrients that are important (hence the use of supplements). You could balance this the right kibble, in theory, but it becomes a question as to whether they are co-designed to complement each other. You might get lucky — you might not. The other factor is ‘taste’ because most dogs, as indicated by owners here, have shown little interest in KD formulas. Finally, with respect to your question about leafy greens, be careful. Kale by its “superfood” label is actually a great source of phosphorus … which isn’t what you want. That’s why I went with collards instead, but Ben wasn’t a big fan of them. In sum, there isn’t really a perfect formula that will do everything — it comes down to risk management, doing your best, and more than anything, working with what you have (available) and your own individual canine’s taste. Hope that helps a bit …. Best of luck to you both and happy holidays.
Is there a reason for pureeing the meat? My blender is struggling with it even though it is a Vitamix. The dog eating this food is actually a puppy who has kidney damage from an infection at Birth. He loves the food and I mix it with wetted down prescription kibble to extend both.
You certainly don’t need to puree the food. I did it because Ben was elderly as are many in this situation. But if your pooch will eat the food simply ‘mixed’ then no worries at all. As always, work within your means/limits and do your best. Good luck.
Can you freeze the food and if so do you just take one bag out of freezer for the week.
Thanks Linda
Hi Linda — yes, the recipe discusses and strongly recommends freezing in ‘baggies’ to be taken out when you need them. Take it out the day before and let it thaw in the fridge so it is ‘ready’ when you need it. As for the question of multi vitamins, speak to a pharmacist for advice, as they’re not all the same. I’d personally advise against them because, by their, they are “multi” and are “blanket” solutions and likely contain things your dog should avoid.
Thanks for posting this information. My 6 yo female standard poodle was recently diagnosed with chronic kidney disease due to an infection. After my dog started turning her nose up at the canned and dry prescription diet food, my vet gave me a recipe for making dog food. This new recipe has simpler ingredients; ground beef, eggs, rice, and white bread. After two weeks, my dog is now bored with this fare. I am excited to try your recipe and love the addition of supplements and vegetables. My question is this, I noticed that both packaged white rice and white bread have phosphates added to them. In your research did you find any specific type of white rice without the added phosphate?
Hi Tanja — thanks for the good question. No doubt, white bread may be “enriched” with many things we don’t want, so reading the labels is a great reminder to everyone. With respect to white rice, however, if it hasn’t be parboiled or otherwise adulterated and processed/milled (beyond the removal of the rice germ and fibre), most should be equal …. Again, like you say, though, read the label. If there are any other “ingredients” in there other than rice, they “should” be listed … at least in Canada. Quite simply, I’ll decry “instant” rice as unfit for person, hound, or fowl. Hope this helps.
Hi Dale,
So incredibly grateful to have found your wonderfully informative post and sharing, and the discussion/comments with others is invaluable.
My 11 year-old whippet girl was just diagnosed with kidney disease, creatinine level 1.54 and apparently “urea so high that the machine couldn’t read it”. She was drinking a lot and peeing a lot, and completely lethargic, hence I was worried something was a miss.
My challenge is that I am in a developing country where vet care is limited, as is ability of vet to communicate. He didn’t run any other tests or urinalysis, but did an ultrasound to check there weren’t stones (all clear). Vet then prescribed a renal food (Monge brand, it’s Italian). She hates it and has been resisting it since she started it on it four days ago — already losing too much weight.
I’m trying to figure all this out in a bit of a vacuum here. I don’t want her to go another day without eating, so heading out to buy ingredients for your recipe. I’m not confident I can find the exact vegetables and might need to substitute, wondering if you could suggest a few other options for:
Acorn squash: we have lots of orange winter squash or pumpkins, but not acorn. Hope I can substitute one of those…do you know if the nutritional values vary greatly between varieties?
Green beans: might be out of season by now. I can get beet greens and spinach, do you know if either of those are suitable? Broad beans?
I have Tums on hand, would it be wise to add this as well? Please forgive me if there are answers elsewhere in the comments, just a bit overwhelmed with trying to figure things out.
In gratitude,
Caroline
Hi Caroline— very sorry for the delay in replying and not sure if you have found some answers since. But quickly, yes, pumpkin will be a reasonable substitute. As for the beans, frozen would be a good option if you can find them instead. Failing that, do your best but just research “phosphorus levels” for any veggie you are considering. You will likely find what you’re looking for — but always take solace in the fact that you’re trying and can only do your best. Happy holidays to you and best of luck.
excellent article while researching for home made food for my 15 year old shih Tzu recently diagnosed with CRF. His condition was probably triggered off by furosemide medication taken over a year for a weak heart condition.
two weeks ago, his urea reading shot up to 7x the upper limit. Vet asked to admit him for 24/7 IV drips for a week. I refused. Knowing my dog, he would die from a broken heart before we see any results from the drip. I chose to do subcutaneous drip daily and took the risk- this was against the vet’s advice. my dog was refusing all food and his stools were watery.
Fast forward a week, his urea reading went back to upper limit. The vet said this was acceptable for his age. He started eating heartily and at the moment, he is on Royal Canine Renal. diet as well as kibbles. I have added lots of vegetables and yoghurt. I don’t know what worked to restore his condition as the vet was not hopeful at all ( he even talked about having to euthanise the dog if his condition got worse cos I refused to admit him for the IV drips). ( I also do alternative therapies but as this is controversial, I would not go into it- reiki, sound healing etc).
We stopped the drip after last Saturday and took him back for another blood test today. Every thing is under control. I need to keep monitoring to make sure the urea stays within limit. Now I am looking for a home made recipe as prior to this renal diet, I have never fed my pet on kibbles and canned commercial food.
Thank you once again for your enlightening post. Let’s keep sharing
angie
malaysia
Hi Angie — I can see that you’re living an odyssey filled with love and hope and frustration and fear like so many here, and like me before you. It also sounds like you’re doing all that you can and monitoring and trying all that you can. Truly, that’s all any of us can do. I’m glad you found support in the recipe and the posts of others here … and truly, many are indeed ‘sharing’ and supporting each other, yourself included. Best of luck in the days and weeks ahead. Fingers crossed. ~ Dale
I’m so glad I found your site.we found out at presurgery blood work that my 13 yr beagle bob had renal kidney failure at the beginning of the year an vet said he wouldn’t live 6 months..well my bob is my everything an wasn’t ready to accept that so fed him kd an give him fluids at home everyday an everything seemed ok til bout 2 weeks ago his ear an tooth were infected so we got antibiotics an vet said his levels haven’t been goin down bt staying the same so he was goin to do surgery on his ear to remove ear canal which he needs an thought that was why he wasn’t eating as much bt then I got the call his levels were thru the roof an at this point he wouldn’t eat at all an that went 5 days til I’ve started force feeding him cause he had lost 5 pounds an sleeps most of the time an weak.vet of course told to put him down there was nothing else I could do so I cried for days an thought bout it an there’s no way..I’ve been in internet non stop trying to see what I can do…I told the vet that I was not goin to give up an he said that if I could get bob eating an stronger there were things that could b done ..I’m getting stuff to make your recipe an pray I get some kind of result as others have…if you have any other suggestions please let me know
Dear Barbara — I am very sorry for your news and hope that you’ve in fact since had success with getting Bob into this diet. I and many here can surely relate to your emotions and commitment to do everything you can. All the best in your continued fight and hope that the holiday season brings you your own miracle.
We are struggling with the same issue with our sweet dog and she hates the “special” diet food that costs an arm and a leg. In searching for options found your post. Anxious to see if our sweet girl will like this. On the lean ground beef what % did you use? And you mention trout would canned tuna work as an option. Appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.
Have a great day!!
Stacey
Hang in there Stacey. As this long list of comments shows, you are certainly not alone. And, yes, apart from simply being a more palatable option, its a much more affordable one as well. As for what is “Lean,” it is a federally regulated term both in Canada and the USA. Not sure where you’re located, but these are the federal guidelines in Canada (less than 17% fat). With respect to using canned fish, I would strongly encourage you to look up the phosphorus levels from the manufacturer if you substitute these as I would expect that not all tuna is the same (white vs red vs yellow fin etc). However, a quick read suggests that you may be onto a good route but, as I say, would recommend you research the levels of whatever you’re specifically thinking of using just to make sure you’re really talking about the same thing. Hope this helps a bit.
My cookie is stage 4 renal failure and enlarged heart.. It was pet five leaf pharmacy and herbs i get from a homeo for humans that has turned her around. She has daily fluid therapy as emergency treatment and will be having her first blood test since her creatin shot and bun to 85. they prescribe diet that is egg and sweet potato based. She wasnt eating and so we spoon fed her but now she gets really hungry and tries to grab the other dogs food which shes not allowed.
She still hates the green food prescribed by that company so wont eat on own so we are back to spoon feeding her but she doesnt throw up and tries to eat the spoon so its a sign shes hungry and has appetite.
I am a gerd patient so i tried the same thing and did my research on my natural way ‘s acceptability on dogs. So now she has ginger and tumeric juice once a day one squirt.. Once shes better I will try your diet. it is pretty similar to the five leaf pharmacy diet…
the expenses for this dog, daily subq etc is costing an arm and leg but its worth all the try so i can enjoy her for another year or so.
thank you for sharing.
Hi Gwen. Thanks for sharing — and I can definitely and well relate to your comment about the costs. It can and does very quickly add up — but, fully agree, there is no denying that it is all worth for every bit of extra time and quality of life we get with our extended family. Wishing you much success in the days ahead and hope it turns around. Take care.
Parsley is reletively high in phosphorous do you just add for flavor b/c the photo shows quite a bit of green flakes, is that more collard greens/kale?
That parsley was “window dressing.” I “garnished” the plate in the photo for the purposes of the photo. There is only a small handful in the whole recipe which is there for flavour and because it does have other nutritional properties.
I just made this recipe for my two elderly dogs, one with kidney disease, and one with heart disease and low appetite. Both ate it! My kitchen is a mess, but I will continue to make it if they will eat it. Thank you for sharing!
You’re very welcome, Lorie. I’m sure the cooking process will get easier with additional batches … and sure your dogs are grateful for all the work you put in. There is no question that over the years in making Ben his food, there were certainly many days I rued the labour and wished it could have been easier … but then when it finally came to an end after more than 18 years, I longed for a reason to once again cook for me friend. How empty my kitchen felt when he was gone from it. Hang in there ….
How much for an 8# dog
Sorry. I can’t really answer that. In my view, portion is influenced by many factors, not just weight. My continued suggestion to such questions is let your dog and your personal knowledge of him/her be your guide.
It is wonderful of you to be sharing Ben’s diet with all of us…it makes me sad because I can’t give my dog your recipe…he’s also a diabetic… recently diagnosed with kidney disease… I don’t believe that grains are an option…his vet wants me to give him prescription diet… can’t do that… I am lost right now… hopefully soon I will figure this out…just wanted to say what a wonderful job you did!!!…thank you for your inspiration
Dear Mary Ann. I’m very sorry to hear of your own challenges with your boy. I wish I had more to suggest with respect to how to manage this recipe for dogs with diabetes. I’m sure there are answers out there — perhaps speak to a nutritionist who recommend “grains” that might be more appropriate. Likely hard to find something “perfect” so it may be a trade off and something you have to do in rotation. Look into barley perhaps. Hang in there. And thanks for your very kind words.
I want to thank your recipes.
I live in thailand
My Golden Dog is 12 years old.
My dog is sick with kidney disease.
I cook your recipe for dog food.
My dog has eaten this recipe for 45 days.
My dog is healthier.
The quality of life is improved.
Dear Pattamapun— thank you so very much for visiting and commenting all the way from Thailand. It is great news that you have a big success in your country as well and with your dog. Thank you again for sharing and I wish you many more days of improvement and health.
First, I want to graciously thank you for sharing this information. Ben was lucky to have such a caring, loving friend. You gave him another chance at life. There is no greater gift.
My toy Poodle (Camey) was diagnosed with kidney function issues about 5 years ago. They also believe she has Cushings, but it was never officially diagnosed. My Vet placed her on Purina NF Kidney Function dog food. All of her tests came back great and I thought the situation was under control. In August, she began vomiting and passing black tarry stools. She didn’t eat for 13 days straight. They pushed electrolytes, antibiotics, Pecid, and anti-nausea drugs via IV. After an ultra sound report yielded a diagnosis of stomach carcinoma, they recommended euthanization on the Friday of Labor Day weekend. I refused to give up and took her home. I held her all night and told her how much I loved her and was not ready to let her go. She will be 13 on Dec 1st. The next morning, I made her fresh boiled chicken and rice with sweet potato and offered it to her for the 14th day in a row. She accepted! For two months, she has been eating rice, sweet potato, carrots, green beans, and eggs (with the shell). Two meals a day I added chicken. One month after the euthanization recommendation, I took her back for another ultra sound. The Vets were astonished at the improvement in her stomach walls. I decided to keep feeding her the same diet, giving her 6 meals a day along with Pecid. A week ago, the kidney issue reared its ugly head again and she began drinking gallons of water, needing to go outside every hour, even throughout the night. She was loosing interest in eating, barely finishing her meals. Four days ago, occasional vomiting started again. The nightmare was coming back. When I read the part of your post that said “one of the symptoms of renal failure is an acidic tummy and nausea”, I became angry. Why did the Vets miss this piece? They knew she had been on a special kidney function diet. The kidneys had to be the reason for all of her stomach issues. What if I had let them euthanize her Labor Day weekend?
I headed to the store this morning and got all of the ingredients I needed to make your recipe. I tasted it and thought it was pretty tasty myself. She devoured her food in record time and licked the bowl clean. After 3 meals today, I have already noticed a significant reduction in the amount of water she is drinking. I think this is exactly what she needed. The horrors I faced in late August were knocking on my doorstep, but I feel assured now that she is going back in the right direction. From here on, she will be enjoying your recipe (along with the supplements) to keep her healthy for years to come. I can’t say thank you enough for all of the time and effort you devoted to getting this right and then sharing it with the world so that other dogs could benefit. Thank you so very much! I am not ready to say goodbye to her; although I know I never will be. But now she can live out her life expectancy healthy and happy, hopefully to age 19.
Hi Karen and thank you for sharing what Is certainly and difficult story and road that you’ve been in for awhile. Diseases like what Camie and you are managing can be very difficult to diagnose and treat and leave us as caregivers lost at times and feeling like we’re pulling the string in a sweater. Hard stuff so hang in there — you’re doing your best as I’m sure are your vets. These diseases aren’t likely to go away but managing them as you are will give you quality time — but there is no guarantee how much. And, again, while any of us outside don’t have all the info and things can be very complicated and emotionally overwhelming, it does sound like your vet was trying to help with the acid with the Pepcid AC — the “ac” means acid control and it is the same thing I used with Ben for the same reason. Hang in there and I hope things improve and you get your miracle.
It’s so good of you Dale to continue sharing your experience some years on, and I’m sure Ben would be happy to know that he is still helping others. Instinctively I really like the diet you worked out for Ben; like you, I’m a lay person with no scientific training but an interest in health, nutrition and doggies, and I’ve home-cooked before for a previous loved-one with IMHA & iatrogenic Cushings.
My border collie Fly, 13yrs old, had CKD diagnosed about 3 months ago. My vet put her on Hills k/d, and was anti my suggestion of home-cooking or even supplementing Hills with home cooked. I agreed to comply until her urinary tract infection cleared and we could properly assess the stage of her kidney disease, but she’s just started her 3rd course of antibiotics and the labs are still culturing bacteria each time I take in a specimen. So I’m still feeding Hills k/d but now adding in liquidised kale, green beans, squash, blueberries, raspberries, salmon oil, some cooked egg white and added vitamins – to hedge my bets. Apart from the UTI and incontinence Fly seems to be doing well, her bloods are no worse and she’s perky and hungry.
The reason for my post is to contribute something that other readers may find useful. The P.S. from Kerrie E above mentioned brown rice cakes as a treat, and this is a great idea. My Fly is used to having a chew to take to her bed after supper, and she is perfectly happy with a (no sodium added) rice cake spread with some Hills k/d. It may not be adding much nutrition, but it does taste like meat paste (according to Fly, I haven’t personally tasted it).
Dear Hilary — Thank you for sharing and contributing your own knowledge and experience for others here. We certainly have the beginnings of a “village” to support many in their similar struggles and challenges. Thank you for sharing Fly’s story here and your own nutritional strategy for treating her UTI. ?
Hello, first of all I would like to praise you for all the hard work you put into this post and sharing it with the world to see.
I do have some questions I’m hoping you can answer…
1) You said four to a bag and then into a large freezer bag. Is this four portions in one little bag or four portions into four seperate bags?
2) I’m pretty sure my dog won’t eat this food if put into a processor. What percentages/ratios of each ingredient would I need to give to my dog just put into his food bowl and mixing it up with a fork?
Many thanks and sorry for the questions
Hi Natalie. Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say — but the fact is, it really fulfills me to have been able to share with so many.
As to you questions: 1) I portioned it into 4 sandwich bags and then placed these in a large bag together to protect and preserve the freshness. 2) processing the food is not a requirement— you can still cook and prepare and chop all the ingredients and mix together with a fork. No problem. If your dog will eat it like this and not pick things out, that’s great and a lot easier for you as well. Hope this helps.
Hi Dale – I am sorry but I couldn’t find where to post a question so I have hi-jacked your answer in order to communicate with you. My dog is loving the fish and beef and pork recipe but I am interested in trying the duck. In the shops I see duck breasts and i am sure if I go to the butchers I will get a whole duck. Do you cook the whole duck? Use the skin? Duck is quite a fatty meat, so do you use the fat? Do you blend it, finely chop it, get it minced? Thanks in advance.
Hi Karen. No worries at all. Post where you can and I’ll find you. ? With respect to your question, duck is dark meat throughout so I think you could use any part of the bird you want and can access — whole or parts or breaststroke. Whatever you can afford. Yes, it is fatty so if cooking whole parts, use some but not all the fat for seasoning and calories — save the rest for your own purposes (it’s gold). You could certainly have a butcher mince it for you … or cook it whole and chop it into the other ingredients. It really depends on how likely your dog is to pick out just the meat … or if it minced, is more likely to eat all the food. Hope this helps.
Thank you so much Dale – she loves your other recipes and we are relieved to see her eating on her own again. I will explore duck options further to give her more variety 🙂
That’s great to hear, Karen. Wishing you continued success with it … and let us know how the duck works out too.
Hi Dale – just an update – we didn’t get as far as trying the duck as unfortunately our dog went from loving your meals and having them 4 times a day to having none now. Unfortunately she can’t seem to keep anything down now except the prescription food which we are not overly thrilled about but it is keeping her alive.
Hi Karen — thanks for the update. Sorry things have taken a turn but I’m glad you have the support of a treatment that is working for your girl. Wishing you continued best as you go forward.
I am so happy to come across this recipe! My little Princess (14 years old, 2.3kg papillon x) has just been diagnosed with kidney disease, (seeing a specialist tomorrow to get the full story) but I have been non-stop googling for the last 4 days since I found out, trying to find what I can feed her and being so overwhelmed and confused with all the conflicting information out there, until I found this! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I am hoping with the correct food, my beautiful baby can live a good quality life for awhile longer as we have been together since I was 13 and I honestly don’t know how I would live without her. Thank you again!
You’re very welcome Chelsea. I can certainly relate to the fear at both the news and the prognosis of losing your best friend. I’m glad you found these pages and that it has given you hope. And I hope with you that it brings you many more quality years for your Princess. Strength from afar as you set out in this journey.
I like your recipe…my dog is also a diabetic… I know that you’re not a vet but what do you think?? Thank you for any help you can give by to of
Hi Mary Ann — as you say, I am not vet, but in my personal judgment, and if you don’t have someone more qualified to ask, I think it is worth a shot as a means of supporting the kidney as a whole. That said, I don’t for a minute think it is a treatment for diabetes: this has nothing to do with insulin levels. However, it may compliment whatever you’re doing to treat the diabetes. Still, if you can, speak to a vet and/or nutritionist to be sure.
Thank you for this recipe! Just after 2 weeks of feeding my Shih Tzu this his creatine came down 0.9 points and SDMA from 15 to 8! I am however nervous about finding acorn squash all year round so i may buy in bulk , cook and freeze it. Life saver! Thanks again!!
Hi Julie — thank you for sharing your uplifting and positive story. That’s great to hear … and what an improvement in such a short time. Depending on where you are, acorn squash is pretty common and also will keep well in a cool, dark room. But short of that, yes, by all means, pre-prepare it and freeze and you will have it on hand when you need it. It’s great to hear the stories of all you resourceful people … and for sharing with others.
We just found out an hour ago that our dog Dega is in kidney failure. We are told he may only live a month if we can get him to start eating. After reading this I don’t expect this recipe to cure him but if he will eat it, hopefully improve what time he has left. Thank you for sharing!
You’re very welcome, Heather. As so many here can relate, and myself very much included, the prognosis is completely overwhelming and shakes our core … but in that, we still have choices, as you say, to bring comfort and quality to the days and months our beautiful friends still have … and perhaps, just perhaps, you’ll get a special miracle in there as well. Stay strong in the days and weeks ahead … and thank you for sharing as well.
I have a 13 yr.old chichuahua she’s our baby and we love her so much but they’ve told us they suspect kidney disease I’ve been reading everything I can find about it and I’ve heard a lot of praise for something called rehmannia 8 we’re going to try it along with this diet which we are so thankful for.thank you so much
You’re very welcome, Jean. Best of luck on the road ahead.
Hie Dale,
Thank you for your sharing and useful post about these home-made food. My dog (4yrs and twice time gaving births) has got renal for 6 months and yes still.. permanently it is. I was suffering since known her illness. She had lost 1 kg from 5.5kg to 4.5kg now. and She did not eat much and obviously she lost her appetizer. As vet recommend I should feed her renal diet dry food (Royal cannin), I tried but still she doesn’t like it. She prefer to eat beef, pork or chicken stomach, fish.. just a little bit. I do research and read a lot.. Because I live far away from her so my parent was taking care of her. Also, I ordered Tripsy NHV for her supplement. Could you please advise me if the Diet dry food can I mixed in your diet recipes or my usual food as she wants it. She really choose different kind of food every day for her “menu” and eats not much.
Thank you for your time and your kindness.
I am looking forward to receive your advice.
Trang Nguyen
Hi Trang … and welcome here. It is hard to answer your question about the dry food because I don’t know what is in it or what it’s nutritional profile might be. Perhaps it is on the package? Generally, if it isn’t designed for kidney disease or renal failure, though, it probably isn’t the best food to give your girl, even if she likes it. That said, there is still an argument to be made for comfort if she won’t eat anything else … but in the end, when the disease nears its final stages, it will be hard to get your girl to eat anything. Till then, your choices are to use a recipe like mine or others or treat her therapeutically and just give her comfort. Hope this helps a little and wishing you the best of luck in your choices ahead (which may be hard).
Hi Dale, Happy new year! Thank you so much to response my concerns. The mentioned dry food is Royal canine for kidney failure. However, she didn’t eat it. So everyday my family feed her cooked rice (rice with water almost like liquid) and human milk for elders by themselves to supply her needed energy and nutrition. She still eats food she like by herself and it was not much. We won’t give up and continuously feed her like that. I hope the miracle appears. She is still keeping her habits excersice everyday especially walking and sunbathe.
Trang
Hi Trang — thanks for coming back and adding in your answers. Honestly, it does sound like you’re into a point where you’re doing your best and she is as well. I don’t think you have many more options available than to keep doing what you’re doing, keeping her comfortable, and enjoying the very special time you have together. Wishing the very best into the New Year … take care.
Hello Dale,
I from India and I just read your recipe. I am also having a 10 yrs dog (JOY) who diagnosed with CKD with 14.6 cretinine level. He is not eating anything from past 5-6 days and also he stopped drinking water too. He is going through with dialysis but still I am not satisfy. Can you suggest what should I do?
Hi Pooja and all the way to India. Though I’m really not that expert at what you should do, I’m sorry, I’m hopeful you have a vet and professional who can guide you. There are many tales and stories in these comments of what others and their vets have done … sub-Q fluids, some meds, and a diet like this may help. But you should prepare yourself, as hard as it is, that it may not either. Some here have tried it and literally seen years given to their dogs … others, where the disease is simply too advanced, have seen only a few weeks of comfort. But in the end, your best is all you can do … so shower Joy with love regardless. She needs you for certain ….
Oh, thank you. My husband, kids, and I will sleep better tonight because our Coconut is sleeping well – with a full tummy, thanks to you and Ben. I started making a similar recipe for our Coconut years ago after noticing her incessant thirst – which returned to normal within a week of eating my fresh food. But, this time, when I noticed her thirst again increasing and weight decreasing, we took her to the vet for the renal failure diagnosis and prescription food. Like others who have commented, our Coconut didn’t like the food – she barely ate in the last few days. We couldn’t afford let another day pass and I went shopping for food and supplements this afternoon. Our 15 year old baby ate and ate! It’s a texture and similar taste to the food I’d been making, but now I’m confident that it’s nutritionally right for her condition. We’ll start the supplements tomorrow. The worry I spent the day in, while trying to get her to eat the Royal Canin prescription food, is much relieved.
Coconut “chose us,” as my son used to say – the 20 year old kid who has known her since he was barely 6. She’s a shelter baby – found wandering the busy streets when she was barely 3 months old. Her choosing us was only the first of gifts she’s given us. Even if Ben’s recipe doesn’t alter Coconut’s diagnosis, it will give her comfort. Comfort might be the only thing we can give her now, but knowing that we attempted something besides trying to get her to eat standard vet Rx food, helps us all. Thank you.
You’re very welcome, Mindy. I couldn’t agree more with your goal — “comfort” and quality of life. “Miracles” will certainly happen for some and if there is still enough strength, but that doesn’t change the value as you say in just knowing you’re doing your best to return quality to her life, knowing you’re doing the right thing and best by her, and that your family is whole a little while longer. Indeed, your story of Coconut reminds me much of my own with Ben, so I hope for you that she takes from your diet the strength she needs to live many more great years with you. Stay well and thanks for stopping by here to share.
What stage was Ben when you found out? My dog is very advanced and we are trying to come up with a good diet right now. We have started kd diet but the only way she eats it is if I shredd up a little bit a boiled chicken into it.
Hi Kara — I’m not sure how to answer your question as we weren’t about labeling his ‘stage’ as it all sounds so final when you do that. In retrospect, he was certainly in kidney failure and likely close to end stage as the vet didn’t have a very good prognosis for him … but he beat it and then some for many more good months. Hope that helps you a bit ….
My baby, Freckles, was just diagnosed with the beginning stages of kidney failure. She just spent 3 days on IV, her numbers aren’t where they need to be, yet, but she is definitely feeling better. My Vet gave me a recipe to make for her, and told me to look online for others. I found yours, and I am so excited to make it for her. She was in a dog shelter for 4 years when I rescued her, and she, literally, wouldn’t let a human touch her….. she has been my baby now for 4 years, and she is the sweetest baby, and absolutely loves her family…. My question is, do you have to use fresh green beans, or will canned work? The recipe I have been making for her is just rice, ground beef, boiled egg and light bread. I also add 1 teaspoon of calcium carbonate to her daily meal. I ordered her a supplement to cover needed vitamins and trace minerals that she needs. I am anxious to get started on your recipe, as she loves the one I am currently making, so it will change things up for her, a bit.
Hi Karen — glad you found us here and my apologies for being a little slow getting to answering your question. Life has been very busy. With respect to your question about canned vs. fresh beans, I honestly don’t know. You’d have to look at the nutritional information on the package or online to find the phosphorus levels. The point of using fresh is that you can control their cooking more and more in control over throwing out the extra water which will have leached out some of the phosphorus. I can’t say what would remain if you used canned.
My dog was recently diagnosed with renal failure. She’s only 7 years old. All the vet did was give me a prescription for reglan and omeprazole and a script for K/D diet. Didn’t give me any education over how to care for a dog with renal failure. All he mentioned was the subq fluids. Well, I tried to give her the canned KD diet but she didn’t take it very well. Now, I prepared this recipe above and wouldn’t take either. However, she did take a few bites of the ground beef while I was preparing it. I feel like I’m at a loss. Can you make a recommendation?
I can feel your pain and, no doubt, your sense of being at a loss of just what to do when faced with this horrible diagnosis. It’s hard, it really is, and sadly, there is no magic wand, no matter how much we love and want to help. You can only do your best and your vet is likely doing his as well, but if you don’t feel supported there, get another opinion and someone who will take the time to explain what is happening and how to help. Stimulating the appetite and reducing the nausea is really a big part of the battle. But if you can’t get past this, it will be very hard to treat your girl … but do you best and love her to bits as you can.
Hi Dale,
Thank you for sharing this information. I have a 6yr old terrier mix that was early diagnosed at the age of 2 1/2 with cushings disease that overflows the kidneys with cortisol which in turn creates UTI’s. To say the least she’s been a handful but I love this dog to death and would do anything for her. In reading different studies, it looks that she needs the right protein and to minimize her phosphorus intake. She has been on a rice and chicken (minimal chicken) diet with a little Royal Canine Urinary SO mixed in. I’ve heard such horror stories with that food and desperately want to get her off, she is losing muscle mass and I’m getting worried. I want to try this recipe for her, my question for you is in regards to the supplements. How did you know what supplements to give Ben and what amounts to give him since these are human grade and dosage supplements? My girl is 19 lbs. Also how did you determine what foods to combine? Is the idea to just pick foods in a low to mid phosphorus range and of course safe for dogs? Thank you so much!
Hi Noelle — sorry for the delay in reply. Your message got missed right at the moment I was embroiled in our family move. I can definitely relate to your situation as Ben also had Cushings for many years before the renal problems emerged … and so his miracle is one of many chapters. With respect to your questions, I determined all that I did through reading, research, consultation with Ben’s vet, and through discussions with other professionals like my amazing pharmacist who helped me determine which supplements I could use and in what dosage. The choice of ingredients was really a bit of a filtering and cross-referencing exercise combined with my own instincts on how the foods would pair in a recipe as well as knowing what Ben liked to eat. Really, just a combination of research, a little luck, a love of food, and a huge love of my boy, Ben, produced this…. Hope it is working for you and your girl. All the best.
Thank you for sharing your recipe and research. My husband found your recipe in January 2017 and we have been making it since then. Our vet was skeptical at first however is now convinced given how well our Bogart has responded and his numbers stabilized and reduced in some cases. We have shared your recipe with her as she recently had another dog diaganosed with lyme nephritis resulting in managing your dogs kidney disease. We are now one year since diagnosis and 10 months on your recipe and if we didn’t tell you, you would never know that our dog is sick. We are truly grateful for your research and willingness to share as we struggled to find low protein diets for dogs. Thank you again!
Hi Kerry — and thank you for sharing another incredible story. I’m so happy for you and Bogart … and wonderful to hear another vet who has gotten behind the diet. It clearly won’t be a miracle in every case but every dog it seems to help is one more special miracle in the lives of many. Ultimately, you are very very welcome and thank you for your own appreciation. Wishing you many many more months and years of happiness as a family.
Thank you so much for sharing this diet. After my dog was diagnosed with Stage 1 kidney disease I tried to find any information I could about low phosphorus diets for dogs. Your diet is an excellent model and was so helpful to me. There is so much conflicting and confusing information out there and your Blog addressed many of the same things I was asking. What a great tribute this is to your sweet dog Ben. In 3 months my 13 year old Pomeranian “Fergie” has had a reduction in both her BUN and Creatinine following your diet!!! Her BUN is now in the normal range 29 down from 41 and Creatinine has dropped from 1.8 to 1.6. She is also on a phosphorus binder (Epakitin) that I sprinkle on your recipe. She has a noticeable improvement in energy and alertness. The first time I made your recipe I tasted it like you suggested and it really is delicious. My other 2 dogs love it as well! My vet said whatever you’re doing keep it up!!!
Thanks again for keeping this going!!
Hi Jane – thank you for the wonderful message in return. “Whatever you’re doing, keep it up” is a message I was told and many others here have received as well — proof, non scientific as it may be, that diet and nutrition has a profound impact on us and our dogs in ways we simply “can’t describe” … but can see. Glad you liked it too! Good job! 🙂 And thanks to you all for keeping this going as well.
How many days or meals does this recipe make. I’m planning on feeding my dog 2.5 cups per day to start. Curious how many meals I can get out of this recipe. Thanks so much!
Hi Selena — I couldn’t say for sure, sorry. It really depends on your dog (size, age, advancement of disease etc). In the case of Ben, it produced food for the better part of a week, give or take.
Hi Selena, we feed our dog 2 cups a day and have gone to making a quadruple batch (recipe times 4) which gets us 25 days give or take a day or two.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Kerry. A great community effort.
Is there a reason you went with egg whites only, not the whole egg? I’ve read recommendations of feeding the shell and everything as a calcium source, too. I may have missed it, but your recipe accounts for calcium needs right?
My pup is in early early stages if kidney issues, no protein in her urine yet, so I’m very very grateful that you’ve put all this info together.
Hi Stacy — a good question. The reason is because the egg whites are lower in phosphorus without the yolks and are still high in protein. The question of the use of the shells and/or some other calcium ‘binder’ is a question that has many comments. In the end, I didn’t use one because in my particular case, my vet advised against it … however, the use of a calcium supplement would definitely appropriate for some dogs (perhaps yours). Ask your vet, ultimately, if you should be using this in your case. The question about using shells vs. a supplement is really something I can’t answer, but my gut says a supplement would be easier to administer and more palatable than eating ground up shells. I always ask: “Would I eat this?” Best of luck in your decisions.
Hi Dale, thank you for this recipe you made for Ben. My pal, Tiger, loooooves this. I have added some tumeric to this too. I think Tiger is 12, I adopted him 10 years ago. He has aspergillosis nasal fungal infection, and now kidney problems on expensive meds for these, about $700 every month. I gave him the hills science diet k/d, but it’s expensive & I was not trusting the ingredients. With Ben’s recipe, Tiger is thriving, the specialty vet we go to is often surprised at Tigers wellness & spirit & energy. He’s been on your recipe for almost a year. I thought Tigers disease was a death sentence, with little I could do. His fungal infection had broke through the cribiform plate to his brain, making treatment options extremely limited. I feel so good making this with organic foods! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you sharing this. This is the only recipe online for kidney disease in dogs, that I have come across. I’m a person that must finds solutions, I’m an ER nurse & yoga teacher, so I definitely believe in a East meets West treatment regimen. This recipe fits his nutrional needs & is delicious! Tiger flips the bowl over every time looking for more of your delicious recipe. Making this is actually cheaper than buying the prescription foods, plus Tiger loves it so much more. Thank you for returning power to me, so I can help Tiger! Plus Tiger is good at keeping at Mom’s side as she has Alzheimer’s. Thank you for sharing, you are awesome! Xoxoxo
Dear Tracy — thank you for sharing what is a growing list of testimonials from people who are a year or more into their nutritional therapy. What a great story you have with Tiger. My sincerest apologies for the delay in reply — your message got missed as my family and I became “distracted” with our move. It sounds like Tiger is incredibly lucky to have you to have found you in his life, to have rescued him and fought through his diseases …. Thank you immensely for having shared your story and your miracle. May it continue for a long time ….
Thank you!
My eleven year old pup Charlie was diagnosed with stage 3 renal failure on Thursday of a long weekend. His appetite was gone. He lost a lot of weight. I tried 4 types of prescription food for kidneys (both wet and dry) but he refused to eat any.
Two vets told me to “keep him comfortable” and that there was a 24 hour emergency vet two cities over if needed before Tuesday after the long weekend.
I did not accept this was the end for Charlie and I.
I began researching and calling canine nutritionists at veterinarian universities and thankfully came across your tried and trusted recipe. Everything you posted here lined up with the information I was able to get without having Charlie physically re examined by several other vets before they were all closed for the holiday.
Immediatley, Charlie gobbled up the meal. He was free of his other symptoms by the end of the week. He gained back a steady weight by the end of the month. He continues to love the recipe you provided here and we are approaching our one year anniversary of health!
Time was not on our side. Having your info here to rely on and seeing it was thoroughly tested on your own pup, was exactly what I needed when I felt like I had already tried everything.
Giving Charlie the environment he needed to take it easy on kis kidneys by providing a healthy and tasty new diet, was exactly what got us back on track to leading a happy life full of playful energy and keeping the symptoms of renal failure at bay.
I am so proud to say he is not slowing down even though he has kidney disease. 12 years young and still going strong. I cannot express how greatful I am to you for posting this experience you had with Ben. It saved us. Thank you !
So sincerely,
Jen and Charlie from Whitby, Ontario
Dear Jennifer — Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to Charlie by posting your own miracle story here. And with all the stories I hear from all over the world, it is very warming to hear of one so close to home here. My apologies for being late with my reply, but your comment came through it seems just as I was in the midst of moving our home and I clearly missed it along with a few others. I’m very sorry but am truly delighted to be reading it today … and reading about your success over a whole year. I really love the way you frame your approach to the diet as providing Charlie the “environment” he needed to regain his strength and fight. A great approach which no doubt underlies your approach to his health in general. Hope your story gets longer and Charlie continues to defy the odds. All the best from Ottawa ~ Dale
Hello My name is Ruby and I have a Fur Baby I would die for. He has IBD and Chronic Kidney disease. I take him every 3 – 6 months to have his workups down to make sure nothing has elevated. My visits to the nutritionist have been several. She recommended I feed Scooby white rice, chicken and carrots. Scooby is 10 pounds and Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix. I don’t know if this homemade food is upsetting his tummy but the last several weeks have been hard on my little guy. Can you please suggest a couple of things to me. I want my Scooby to live for as long as possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read this
Hi Ruby — I’m not sure I can help much. It sounds like the nutritionist is giving you advice to support the IBD … which doesn’t necessarily support the fact Scooby has kidney disease. In other words, the treatments would seem contrary and so you’re going to need someone else’s advice, I think, or pick which one you’re catering to. It’s devastating I know, but I hope that you find some comfort and ideas in these pages. All the best … truly.
So sorry for the loss of your sweet buddy, Ben. Our 12 year old Cavachon, Bailee, was recently diagnosed with renal failure. She was placed on IV’s but in a few days the levels were already on the rise. It’s been about 3 weeks and we are struggling to get her to eat the Prescription Diet K/D. She literally spits out the canned lamb, would not eat the beef stew at all, and has severe allergies to chicken and all things related, so that one is out. My question is…in your recipe the egg whites are important for needed protein but she can’t have eggs. Do you know of any substitutions for the egg whites? I will be making this recipe for her and so appreciate you sharing!
We were on vacation (with our dogs) when our daughter-in-law found your recipe. I made it immediately upon returning home and it was a big hit! Bailee ate better than she has in a long time. After eating, she even rolled around on her back…a sure sign of happiness for her. 🙂 I did a little research online and ultimately substituted the egg whites with a whey protein powder. I will check with our vet to see if she approves. Thank you again for sharing your recipe and experience.
You’re very welcome Tamie. I’m glad that Bailee has responded well. Good luck with the substitutions– hope they work. Just read the nutritional content carefully and do research if necessary to ensure the phosphorus levels are low.
Hi Tamie — I relied to your second question first, so my advice to you is there. Hope it works … certainly worth a try if the levels are in line.
Thank you for sharing the details and good you used for Ben. I have a one year old dog in stage 2 kidney disease but he has high calcium to complicate things. I am going to try this along with other research I have done to see how the numbers look.
You’re very welcome. I can definitely relate to the challenge of managing these diseases in the context of other complications which so often seems to be the case. My sincere apologies for having missed your message previously.
I saw your recipe today and want to make it for my Starr who’s been battling chronic kidney disease for almost 2 years. I had tears running down my eyes when I read your tribute to Ben. Thank you for sharing that. I had a dog like Ben . His name was Max and he was like the dog Bryan off of the tv show , the family guy. He passed away of cancer . Now we are battling kidney disease . We won battles but we won’t win the war . But we keep fighting the good fight. I am making your recipe tonight . Hope my girl likes it.
Thank you for the smile, Rayna. You’re so right — all of this is ultimately an effort to win battles along the way in a war of attrition against these diseases. My apologies for the lateness of the reply. There seem to have been a group of messages that got late delivered to my email here and am just getting caught up. Good luck in your fight and hope your girl liked it.
Thank you so much for providing this recipe for us. My Frankie just quit eating his prescription diet and was losing weight. I made this for him today and I started to get a little teary-eyed as he wolfed it down and wanted more. He will get more later tonight. And tomorrow….as long as he wants it.
One question, to mix it up, can I use 2 pounds of chicken thighs?
Thank you again for your generous soul.
Hi Mary Anne — my sincere apologies. I missed replying to your message previously and just found it today. Yes, chicken thighs, periodically, would be a good choice to mix it up, but not too often. Hope Frankie has kept eating. 🙂
I notice the absence of turkey and chicken in the protein with low phosphorus list-Is that because it has a lot of phosphorus-or is it a good substitute for the ground beef, etc.?
Hi Kathy. Poultry choices and substitutions are mentioned — but the advice is generally to go with dark meat when you do. Check the phosphorus levels of the different cuts of meat before you go in any particular direction.
Thanks. One more question about the diet is the Omega 3 fatty acid-What amount and what strength for a 25 lb dog?
Hi Kathy. I’m honestly not sure. Speak to your vet or pharmacist for advice on dosage. Others here havé included it as part of their regimen but I do t have direct experience. Hope that helps.
I would like to try the duck for my protein source and I was wondering which parts are used and how is prepared.
Hi again Sharon — I’d recommend some simple searches of the internet “phosphorus+duck+breast” etc to find some values that you trust. Here’s one I did which shows that contrary to our expectations about what is healthy, less lean + skin had lower phosphorus. As such, I’d ‘guess’ that a leg/thigh would be better than a breast, but on a duck, all the meat is fairly dark which might be why there is no data to distinguish in this nutritional report from Cornell: https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/Sects/duck/foodvalue.cfm
I read that regular parsley isn’t good for dogs especially those in kidney failure. Per ASPCA (ALLOWED in small amounts was only the curly variety)
Hi Terri — thanks for sharing and your question. You’re not the first to ask. This is what I replied last time:
“it’s a fair question and the answer is probably a bit grey. Other reading I’ve done suggests it may depend on the particular kind of kidney disease. As so many and their stories indicate here, few dogs are exactly the same in their disease profile so the treatment likely needs to vary. What I’ve shared here is what I did for Ben. For others, variations might be important. For this reason as much as to maintain appetite and food-drive, I suggest alternating some of the ingredients. If you think some parsley is good for [your dog] but don’t think it is good for her every day, then I suggest different batches where some include it but others don’t. The amount is still relatively small, but diversity is likely key regardless. Hope this helps and all the best.”
I want to thank you very much for sharing your story about Ben.
I have made your “Ben recipe” and it is a big hit.
My best friend died in July and her 3 kids( they are all related to my dogs) came to live with me.
Sunny has lost weight so I had blood tests ran on him. He has kidney problems and he was not in favor of the k/d. I mix Ben’s recipe with some of his dry 4 times a day and he is gaining weight and is a much happier fella.
Again I thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you Sharon — and thank you for sharing … and thank you big time for opening your heart and home to your best friends “kids.” You sound like an amazing person with a beautiful heart and I hope that you’re rewarded with much love in return. All the best and thank you again.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and this recipie. My at least 12 yo rescue Zora doxie-spaniel mix had renal and liver issues and was loosing weight. My vet prescribed the very pricey RX food and Zora hated it! I tried so many different types, tried mixing in various things to make it more palatable, heated it, all to no avail. Since stating this recipie over a year ago, she’s gained weight back, eats 2 meals most days, and has seemingly recovered from the chronic cough for which she has been taking Salix for over a year! Remarkable! And, a blessing to my family.
Good evening Stacy — what a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing and making my day — and trust me, it was a day where this really really made it, so thank you. No matter how many “testimonials” are shared here, stories exactly like yours, I find myself teary when I read them …. I really is hard for me to believe, to accept, that this diet is making that kind of difference … and that it really was the best gift I could have given Ben. Thank you and thank you for your sharing your blessing with me. ~ Dale
Hi, I wanted to tell you if your girl’s cough is due to kidney problems.
I am fostering a chihuahua Chelsea with renal disease (Vet said beginning stage).
The rescue group does not always delivers the prescription dog food to me, which is frustrating.
It gets very expensive over $60.00 for her a month as I have four of my own pets and another foster — so I started reading about homemade food for her.
Could you tell me how much I should feed her: she only weighs maybe 7lbs.
Where can I buy the vitamins through Chewy or Petsmart?
Which ones do you suggest?
Also can you suggest a healthy dog food for my other dogs: they are very picky and getting very expensive with the six.
The rescue group usually sends the food for her but the person who does is not consistent.
I do not want her getting sick.
Thank you.
Hi Linda — you sound like a very caring and courageous person with your big, extended family. Kudos to you for being there for so many in need.
In terms of portion size and quantity, it has been a common question with, I’m sorry to say, an unspecific answer: it depends. Usually I say that an owner knows their dog well enough to gauge habits and moods but in your case, that is likely a hard guess. However, unless the dog has issues with obesity, I’d ultimately her “guide” you … when she’s done, she’s done. When she slows and becomes picky, she’s done. That will be the “meal size” and in the future, make it a bit smaller and feed her more often than you. Smaller and more frequent is better.
If this is a beginning stage, the vitamins are likely not that necessary. When/if you get there, speak to a trusted pharmacist.
Finally, in terms of ‘regular’ homemade food for your other dogs, this is the recipe I used with Ben before his disease advanced: https://eatswritesshoots.com/2013/09/15/homemade-super-dog-food-aka-bens-breakfast/
Hello, I was wondering since your recipe calls for a pound of green beans if I choose to feed my dog kale instead would the recipe still call for a pound?
Hi Madison — that’s a good question. It’s quite honestly been awhile since I’ve made the recipe, but, no, I’d likely go more towards a ‘relatively’ similar amount. Don’t overwhelm the recipe with the kale or it will be unpalatable. Experiment in degrees and see what your dog will tolerate, but don’t go crazy. Remember, if it doesn’t taste good to you, your dog may very well turn up his/her nose too.
I started with rice and ground beef. She was vomitting all day yesterday but today we have had success…so far. Shes a 3.8 lb Yorkie….only 6 years old. She was fine her entire life until recently. 🙁 I don’t know what happened to her! She is my little sweetheart! Cammie is her name. I plan to add the other ingredients as tolerated. I hope to keep in touch! Thank you for this blog!
Hi Christina — It sounds scary and I’m sure you’re going through a very emotionally distressing period. Stay strong for Cammie and take it step by step as you’re doing. I hope you find a solution that works for you both ….
My Boston, Bozley, has an enlarged heart, I am following Ben’s diet. He luvs it. Can i cook the squash with skins on and peel after. I change up the meat with chicken … thanks a lot I’ve shown this to vet and thinks it great… Boz also may have some kidney issues too….
I’m very glad that your Bozley loves the food. Wonderful that you’ve received support from your vet as well to integrate the home cooking into your care plan. I hope it continues to bring you a lot of very special time with your boy. As to your question, I honestly am not sure. I’d be guessing that “boiling” it with the skin on and peeling it afterward would be ok … as long as you discard all the water. I’m honestly not sure what vitamin/minerals are in the skin. It might well make working with the squash a lot easier. Give it a try. Best of luck to you, Susan.
Hello Dale,
Thank you for maintaining this excellent blog, and for continuing to answer questions!
My mixed-breed 45-lb hound dog, who is 14 years old, has some indicators of early stage renal failure. Our vet wants her to go on a commercial prescription diet, but we’ve always fed her high-quality dog food, and it feels terrible to put her on a lousy commercial dog food now! I am so grateful to have found your advice. I’ve been feeding her this diet for a week, and I just made her a second batch today. She loves it. I look forward to seeing how her blood-work looks in another few weeks.
Looking at other internet advice for homemade renal diets, I see one thing apparently missing here that most other sites say is really important, so I wanted to ask you about it. Most other recipes say that adding calcium, ideally in the form of ground-up eggshells, is vital to help maintain a healthy calcium-phosphorus ratio (and to bind the phosphorus). It’s possible to buy ground-up eggshells on-line (we don’t eat enough eggs to provide the necessary shells), and the powder would blend easily into the big batch of food. Before I buy the ground eggshells, though, I wanted to ask what you think about this, and why there is this difference between your advice and that of other websites. I know you did very thorough research in creating this diet.
So, I guess my questions are, why does this diet not include eggshells (or calcium in another form), and also, do you think there’s any reason NOT to add the eggshells?
Thanks so much for your help.
Dear Agatha — really, it feels an incredible privilege to be able to help so many people through the simple act of sharing my experience. You’re very welcome and I hope it helps your hound. Terrific news that she loves it.
With respect to your question about calcium, it is mentioned under the section on Supplements: “Calcium levels (over time this will need to increase as a binder to help control the phosphorus even more).” I used and then stopped, under advice of my vet, an over-the-counter calcium supplement. She felt in Ben’s case that his numbers didn’t warrant it. However, in other cases, it would be a good bet. Others here have said they used eggshells, for sure. I know it is a common remedy, and perhaps with a good mortar and pestle it is palatable, but if I were a dog, I think I’d prefer a calcium tablet wrapped in cheese. Ultimately, you’re right, it is part of regimen for “some” dogs. My advice, however, is speak to your vet and make sure it is right for yours.
Hope that answers. Best of luck to you both.
Thanks so much for your reply, Dale. I will ask our vet as you suggest.
Hi dale, I so much appreciate this recipe… my 15 year old mini schnauzer has kidney failure, 75% of her kidney is not functioning and she has anemia. We found out few days ago. I cried all day and then found your post. I trust all the research and effort you’ve put on this and I feel blessed that you are sharing this with so many people. I bought all the ingredients and will be making this soon… thank you
Hi Sally — really, you’re very welcome. I’m happy to share. I’m sorry for your own fate to be travelling this road, but I hope the recipe and the advice and experiences of so many others here proves helpful and brings you your own miracle. Best of luck.
I just made a long post but not sure it took? I hate to rewrite and it show up twice?
Messages received … I hope you get the answers you need.
My furbaby who will be 16 in October has been given a death sentence basically. As all moms, I am not ready to let go if there is a chance. We just spent 1200 and three days in the hospital getting IV fluids. Today the dr says her numbers have improved very little so I should just take her home and decide what I want to do. I want to give her any possible chance if she is up for it. Thinking we are down to hours, we just got home and she acted like she wnted some chicken tenders so I gave it to her and she ATE!! Can it be worth it to try and see if she would eat this food? I was preparing myself for goodbye until I saw this post.
Hi Cindy — I’m very sorry for your personal situation right now and as you face the grim news given to you. Speaking from my own heart and experience which has been echoed by many (hundreds) of people here who have faced the same news, we can always choose to give up or to ‘fight’ and try. This recipe isn’t a sure thing, but for many, it has worked and provided hope, time, and for many who have shared their results, “miracles.” Only you know and can tell what is right and how best to fight and ultimately support your dog … but try it and see how it goes. Perhaps there is a miracle in here for you as well.
Thank you for responding. I am going to try a variation of this with what ingredients I have in hand. Maybe she will eat. All i can do is try if she will. Lots of great information in your post. I read some of your others and it’s obvious how much you loved Ben. I know that feeling well. Cherish the memories forever
I wanted to mention about pepcid/famotidine. Look it up for yourself in relation to renal disease. It has to be cleared by the kidney to be metabolized. I wonder if it’s the best to use for stomach acid.
Rebecca
Thanks Rebecca. All I can say is that it was prescribed by Ben’s vet … and according to other readers/posters here, their dogs have similarly been prescribed the treatment by other vets. If you have concerns or questions, I’d definitely recommend you speak to your vet and/or a trusted pharmacist. All the best.
Dale, I hope I have you as I can’t find another way to contact you. I have been using the recipe since March. My renal dog Rooney uses a phosphorus binder instead of added calcium to avoid Hypercalcemia. We love the diet and he seems as heatlhy as he can be on it. I really would like to add a supplement for home made if you know of one since you shared this recipe. I would feel more confident The Balance IT seems hard to get. Also, in the recipe you say 2 lbs. of meat. Is that before or after cooking? If you use beef or pork, the weight seriously changes after cooking however if using chicken or fish I would not expect the weight to change as much.
Hi Stephanie — there was a comment awhile back from someone who had researched and found a great supplement, but I am not sure which one exactly, but a number of people here have talked about this one: https://secure.balanceit.com/marketplace2.2/index.php?m=homemade. Honestly, I have no experience with these nutritional supplements and can’t recommend or provide any advice on them.
As for your question about whether the weights are before/after cooking, the answer is always “before” for the reasons you mention.Hope this helps and best of luck to you.
The vet just gave it to my furbaby as well.
Thank you for sharing your own story, Cindy. I’m sure others will appreciate it as well.
Dale-i would like your thoughts on my post earlier today. I think it came up as anonymous. Its about my 16 year old baby. If you wouldn’t mind.
Thank you
And thank you for sharing your story and knowledge
Thank you. I discovered your site as I set out to research exactly what you already have–a homemade diet for my dog recently diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney failure. She’s been on the Science diet k/d food for about 6 weeks–with her lab work improving a month into it–but it’s evident to me that the Science k/d is not a longterm diet for her–she’s craving something & has started eating dirt! Besides which, it’s one thing to put your dog on a low-protein diet if you think they have a few months. But if she hangs on for a year, I can’t see her doing that without any protein to speak off. I’m gradually switching her over & scrambled some egg whites for her last night. Happy, happy dog.
All of this is to say, kudos to you for doing this research and for sharing it.
And re the onerous task of peeling acorn (or buttternut) squash: if you have a large enough pot to put the whole squash in, submerge the squash in boiling water & let it sit a few minutes. After it cools, it is much easier to peel.
Hi Jaye and thank you for the ‘thank you’ and kind words. Great tip on the acorn squash. Will have to try that at some point, but I’m guessing anyone with at least a ‘pasta pot’ will be able to do the same.
Interesting thing about the dirt — in years past I seem to recall someone saying that it could be a sign of nutrient/mineral deficit: something like anemia which seems a good guess given the other issues she is battling through. Definitely something to note as you say. Hopefully a switch in diet as you’re doing will improve it all. Best of luck to you and thanks again.
Yep. Had a blood test today & will find out tomorrow if the dirt eating is a kind of pica, caused by anemia. Also, re: the question below about the pepcid, dogs can develop ulcers from the excess stomach acid (which can cause anemia–).
Also wanted to ask if you’ve ever calculated the percentage of protein in the food. The Science k/d canned food is ~3%,
Definitely let us know what you hear back, Jaye, once you get the blood work back. And, yes, as I understand it, the failing of the kidneys causes an acidification in the body which shows up in many symptoms, including stomach nausea. So yes, as you say, the Pepcid AC is combating this and providing stomach comfort which in turn promotes better eating and digestion.
On the subject of nutritional calculations, the simple answer is no, I haven’t done any … but would very much welcome a “volunteer” among my readership who would love to take on that task and send me the results which I’d happily post in the recipe for everyone here. (hint hint) 😉
Definitely let us know what you hear back, Jaye, once you get the blood work back. And, yes, as I understand it, the failing of the kidneys causes an acidification in the body which shows up in many symptoms, including stomach nausea. So yes, as you say, the Pepcid AC is combating this and providing stomach comfort which in turn promotes better eating and digestion.
On the subject of nutritional calculations, the simple answer is no, I haven’t done any … but would very much welcome a “volunteer” among my readership who would love to take on that task and send me the results which I’d happily post in the recipe for everyone here. (hint hint) 😉
Well, it’s not anemia. The dirt-lust comes and goes; it seems marginally less on the homemade diet I’m guessing it’s a micro-nutrient she’s not getting, a different mineral perhaps. The nutritionist my vet consulted said ‘She’s just hungry, feed her more,’ but that wasn’t it. I fed her so much she’d leave food in the bowl & still eat dirt. I’ve added a supplement, am thinking to talk with my vet about calcium as well. Changing her diet–first the Science diet, then the homemade–has been significant. Durga’s gone from Stage 3 to Stage 2.
So thanks again for the recipe. You’ve had several posters ask about amount to feed. My girl weighs ~40 lbs, and gets between 3 1/2 & 4 cups a day.
Thank you for sharing your own perspective on quantities. I’m sure others will find that very helpful as well. Hope your girl continues to do well on the recipe and apologies for the lateness of this reply.
Hello..well my Boston terrier.Boz..has a heart murmer enlarged heart and kidney problems…he almost 11 yrs and has been very active…he now faints if too active …he is on Ben’s diet…why give the anti acid and B vitams
Hi Susan — I’m sorry if the rationale for the supplements isn’t clear, but the anti-acid was prescribed by Ben’s vet because with the renal failure, there is often an issue with nausea and the Pepcid AC will help alleviate this. Similarly, the vitamin B complex is a deficiency that comes with the diet. Best of luck to you.
Hi Dale, thanks so much for posting this recipe! About 2 years ago my 13 year old senior Rat Terrier, Riley, was diagnosed with kidney disease. At that point our vet put him on a diet of kibble for dogs with kidney disease. Within a few weeks his numbers stabilized and he continued to do well on this dog food with no new issues. Then a few weeks ago he stopped eating the food. No interest at all. However, he was still interested in the treats that my vet had approved. Things like green beans, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, egg whites, etc. At that point I knew that it wasn’t food in general that he didn’t want, it was that particular food. Over the next week he lost about 2 and a half pounds. I lost an 8 year old dog several years ago to kidney failure and I was devastated by the loss. At the thought of losing Riley, I started to panic. So this time around I got on the internet and did hours of research about alternative solutions, and liked your recipe the best. I threw together a quick version of your recipe, I was missing the pumpkin to add to the sweet potatoes. Riley loved it! He also gained back a pound of weight. I made an appointment with my vet for blood work and wanted to talk to him about starting Riley on a homemade diet. I had my speech all prepared to lay out my case to convince him, but it was not necessary. He was all on board! However, he wanted to print out a specific recipe that he wanted me to follow. It was your recipe! I was so happy and it reassured me that I was on the right track all along. Riley loves this mix so much, there is not one grain of rice left in the bowl. I am still waiting for his blood work to come back to see where his numbers at at, but for now I am relieved that he is enjoying his food and putting weight back on. Your story of Ben has really touched me and I thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for your great story, Sharon. What a wonderful surprise to have it independently handed to you by your vet too. That’s a first for me to hear in comments here. Thanks for sharing that as I’m sure it will “reassure” others here as well. I’m glad Riley is enjoying the food and I hope his food drive continues. Please do let us know how his numbers respond as a result too. Very best of luck to you both. ~ Dale
Hi Dale, we got Riley’s numbers back and they weren’t as good as I had hoped. They weren’t terrible, but they weren’t as good as they had been. The doctor didn’t seem too concerned, he said that it’s too early to tell if it means anything serious. He seemed to think that Riley’s numbers may improve after being on this diet. Also, we discovered during these tests that Riley had picked up a tapeworm. The doctor feels that could explain some of the weight loss. He is currently being treated for the tapeworm and my doctor wants me to keep him on your recipe. He continues to have a good appetite and eats every bit of this food. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t found your post. He is now starting to show a bit more energy and no new negative symptoms have come up. He will go back in 3 month for new blood work. I am realistic, he is now over 15 years old. I know that he doesn’t have 10 more years, but I will take what I can get as long as he stays the happy dog that he is. Most people are so shocked when they find out that he is 15. Doc says we are definitely on the right path. Thanks again! I will keep you posted.
Thanks for the update, Sharon. It’s a very tough card to draw and one which, as you’re experiencing, has plenty of ups and downs and uncertainty. Hang in there and now that regardless of outcome, you’re doing your best and it sounds like you have a great vet working with you. Hopefully the evacuation of the tapeworm improves everything! Do let us know how it continues and thanks again.
Hello, my 14 yr and 8 month Lhasa had CHF last year and is on many meds. Dr thinks she is having kidney issues now b/c she had diarrhea and then did not want to eat. I would love to make her food but not sure about the beef could I use chicken breasts or some type of chicken. Would your recipe work for heart murmur issue too. I am desperate to prolong my pups life. TY
Hi Lisa — I’m sorry to hear of your challenges with your girl. I really can’t comment or advise on heart murmurs or CHF etc … sorry. Yes, there are definitely substitutions for other proteins available. Just check and compare their different phosphorus levels before changing. Chicken breasts are worse than thighs from my memory, so be careful.
Dale just FYI we have adjusted meds according to vet and I have been making this food now for two weeks with the beef and Zoe loves it. She was actually running around a bit and seems to be more alert and have a little more energy. TY for posting this and to continue to answer questions. So sorry to hear about your dog Ben – I know how much he meant to you. They are definitely members of our family. Take care!
You’re very welcome, Lisa. Thanks for checking back and letting us know how Zoe is doing … wonderful to hear. Here’s hoping it continues for a very very long time. And, yes, “family is forever.” Take care yourselves.
Hi Dale, our little Zoe is still lapping up this food and it seems to be helping her. Thank you so much for sharing this. Would you happen to remember the brand of B vitamin as well as the other supplements you were giving Ben? TY again.
You’re very welcome, Lisa. I’m glad Zoe is loving the food. With respect to your question about brands, you can see them in the picture in the recipe, if that helps at all. I’m sure you can do better than the B vitamin I used … perhaps something coated if you can find it because Ben hated the taste of this more than any of his pills and it is a struggle if they get wind of what you’re giving. Hang in there ….
Hi Dale,
Thank you so much for this recipe! Almost one year I’ve been using your recepe after my 14 years old big Yorkshire was diagnosed beginning stage of kidney problem. Now his blood test came out good and vet said what ever I’m doing just to keep doing that ? . In addition I give him lots of kidney support supplements too.
I learned slightly different way to prepare squash and egg whites to make easier for me. I bake the halves squash and after I just scoop the pulp off from the skin. Also I bake the egg whites in glass baking dish with covered foil and crumble when it gets cooler. Just an idea I wanted to share because it saved a lot of time for me.
Also, when I serve each time I sprinkle an enzyme (dr.mercola’s website) and probiotics (1x day).
Again, I’m very grateful to you.
Rosa
Hi Rosa — thanks for stopping by and sharing both your great news and your tips. It’s wonderful to hear how he’s responded over the year. Ultimately, any solution that works for you and your dog is a great solution. I agree that baking squash makes using it a lot easier which is definitely what I do in my ‘human’ recipes — the only reason again here for boiling it is that it leaches out more of the phosphorus … but it is more of a pain in the butt, I know. Great tips with the egg whites and and enzymes and probiotics as well. Might be a good solution for others too.
thank you for this post, I have a 3 year old Golden retriever with high creatinine and and BUN levels. I did make this today and he loved it. I do have a question however, is this diet complete? Will you please suggest from all that you have read if I should be giving him extra vitamins? I do break open a capsule of fish oil and mix it into his food. Thank you so much for your help.
Hi Karen — I can’t comment other than saying that I used the supplements referenced in the recipe-post. If you have other ideas with respect to multi-vitamins or something else, be careful if they include phosphorus in some form and/or whether they are otherwise contraindicated. Bottom line, you’d be best to speak to your vet or pharmacist for further advice on this.
Hello Dale,
Thank you so much for your hard work researching all the information needed to make a home cooked meal for dogs with KD. Not only that, thank you so much for sharing with the world!! You have made a great impact on my little senior, Eli, and myself. I have made two batches of food and Eli is loving it! I’m hoping you are aware of how much you’ve helped myself and all the other people out there. Now our loved ones can dine on quality meals and live better lives. I am truly so grateful!!!! Thank you so much!!!! I am so sorry for your loss of Ben, but I hope you find comfort in knowing you made his life that much better with your home cooked meals. Not only were your meals made with nutritious fresh food, they were made with love. It doesn’t get any better than that, my friend!
Forever in your debt,
Solah Han
Thank you Solah, for a beautiful and very kind message. It means so much to hear the gratitude of others and, more than anything, to know that my own experience and Ben’s help is helping others through similarly difficult trials. There is nothing that will ever replace that loss, but it means a lot that some ‘good’ has come out it … and it just feels ‘right’ to have shared it with others. There is no doubt at all. So thank you again and I wish with you the best road ahead for Eli and yourself. Thank you again. ~ Dale
For the love and memory of your sweet Ben, Thank you for this priceless information!
My brothers dog Ricky was just diagnosed this morning with stage 3 kidney failure, my brother is devastated!!! I am going to the store to purchase a blender and all the ingredients . If it helped Ben and everyone else that has posted then Ricky who is a finicky eater will benefit from this. From the bottom of my heart Thank you.
You’re very welcome, Joanne — and my best of luck to your brother and his dog, Ricky. I hope he does in fact find appetite for the recipe and it gives him and your whole family hope and a way through this. My only word of advice is to please persevere even if picky Ricky doesn’t go for it immediately — adjust and keep working with him. Thank you for your kind words and all the best again.
Dale I have read dogs are not suppose have garlic in any firm. My dog just got diagnosed with polycystic kidney dis. Also baking powder is on the list of things to avoid….your opinion please.
Hi Becky — yes, there is lots of evidence and cautions out there with respect to the use of garlic in any form. It is a topic that has received much discussion here and, in the end, my story is simply my story. It’s what I did and isn’t intended as a “prescription” to others. All that said, many here would argue that the garlic is in trace amounts that isn’t like to do any harm, but if you want to avoid it entirely and not ‘risk’ it, by all means, that seems a good route. On the subject of baking powder: sorry, I don’t have any experience or knowledge about it, so I can’t really comment or advise. All the best on the road ahead….
Hi Dale,
I wanted to express my gratitude for this post. I found it after researching options in caring for my 14 year old shih tzu diagnosed with chronic renal failure November of 2016. I brought her into the emergency vet after not eating or drinking for 24 hours. She was limp and could not even stand or sit up. She stayed at the vet for 3 days on an IV and given other various meds. We brought her home even though the vet expressed this may happen again and of course gave us the usual 2 options….$$ or put her down. The following days at home she was lethargic, confused and not herself. It is hard to watch your very first “kid” go through this. I found your post a few days later and put her on the diet you created for Ben. She has been on this diet since. It has been 9 months and she is just as spry, energetic ( for a 14 year old;) ), and bossy as she was years ago! She seems happy and I believe this diet has truly saved her life. Thank you so much for sharing!
Jessica
Awww … thank you Jessica. Stories like yours, of people coming back here months and years later to share their success and their tips is such a gift to me … and to others seeking hope and courage. It really warms my heart and each “success story” just breathes new life into my love for Ben and our own adventure that was. Thank you again and here’s wishing that your success continues for much longer.
Wow! Thanks for sharing Jessica. I jist picked my furbaby up and was basically told there was nothing I could do and the IV treatment wasnt working. Her numbers are through the roof but she does not look like she is ready to go. Your post gives me hope. I think this diet is worth a shot.
Thank you. I appreciate your help. I too love my dogs.
You are helping me now with your experience and research.
Many thanks and many blessings.
Thank you Rachelle. It is an honour to receive your blessings and thanks. I wish you the best on the journey ahead. Your love for your dogs will be their greatest champion as you battle this with them.
Hi –
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and your recipes. Our sweet Mitzi is 13 years old and was recently diagnosed with kidney disease. She wouldn’t eat any of the prescription food and was losing weight. After two days of her not eating, we were afraid we were going to lose her, but our vet said that prescription food was our only option, so it was wonderful to have somewhere to turn for help. I followed your recipe and she gobbled up the first helping, but then it gave her a little diarrhea, and now she won’t touch it unless we mix a little of this recipe with a lot of scrambled egg whites. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks again for helping so many dogs (and their owners) with your knowledge and generosity.
Mary
Hi Mary — you’re very welcome and I’m very sorry to hear about your challenges with Mitzi and her fussiness. The diarrhea could be anything, quite frankly, as it is ‘normal’ when switching diets. It could be a sensitivity to an ingredient as well, like the egg, or just the extra fibre if she isn’t used to that. I wouldn’t worry too much. Otherwise, on the subject of adding the extra scrambled eggs, I say go for it. The recipe here is just a guide and as we all know, every individual dog is different and with different tastes and even different underlying issues related to the kidney disease. You know you girl and, in the end, you’re going to have use your imagination to make this work. Sounds like you’re already doing that, so high-five.
I just made this. My 14 year old “puppy” Chloe just got diagnosed they don’t give her much time as there are a lot of underlying issues too but this perked her up and she loves it.. thank you for sharing this recipe ?
Hi Dale! Thank you for sharing your recipe and research. Having recently felt like I was loosing my husky Riddick after 13 yrs of friendship, I sympathize with the panic you must have felt. I hope that you find comfort in knowing you have helped so many others! My dog was diagnosed with kidney failure, liver failure and spinal degeneration about 2 weeks ago. I bought the special renal food and he refused to eat it. It was days before I started researching different food options and came across your recipe. He loves it and gobbles it right up. The vet prescribed tramadol and gabapintin for nerve pain, I stopped giving it to him because I was worried that was making him not want to eat and he was just acting like a different dog. I know it’s really hard to tell if a dog is in pain but he seems so much happier when he’s not on any medication. The vet also recommended a supplement with SAMe for liver but I discontinued that for now, getting him to eat was the main concern. Im currently worried that he may be constipaded. Did you ever experience this issue with your fur baby? It’s been about 3 days since a bowel movement, but he’s been eating 2x a day along with some apple and cherrios as a snack. I have also been adding coq10, fish oil and vit B complex. Any advice on how to keep things moving is greatly appreciated!
Hi Elizabeth and thank you for kind words and stopping by. Yes, many of us here have been united through our pain, fear, and love. Ben was also on tramadol through the last month or so to assist with his arthritis which seemed to get worse as he wasted. In his case, as much as he hated taking it, he was better with the pain relief … because while suffering through pain, he lost his appetite even more. I believe the tramadol has listed as one possible side effect as constipation, but I might be misremembering. That said, no, Ben never in his life had constipation issues, but I’d guess it is very much a ‘personal’ and individual thing. Otherwise, my only advice would be to make sure Riddick is drinking enough and perhaps slip in a bit of extra fibre (psyllium?) in some form of a supplement or in his food.
You can microwave squash. Just poke some holes for venting with a knife and microwave for about 4 min. Turn and microwave another 4 min.
Cut in half and let cool a bit. Scoop out the seeds. Scoop out the “meat “.
I do this all this time for the humans in my house with spaghetti squash! ❤️
Hi Karen — squash definitely microwaves well and it is a good tip. That said, the part of the point of “boiling” it is to leech out the phosphorus in the discarded water. Microwaving won’t have exactly the same effect, but it is a good time saver and will be a helpful tip for some making the recipe. Thanks for sharing.
How many cups of food does this recipe make? I’m trying to figure out how much powdered eggshell to add.
I’m sorry. It’s been a long while since I made it, but judging from the pictures, it made about 5 medium sandwich bags full of food. Assuming each bag holds 3-4 cups, I’m going to guess, 16 or so cups.
Hi Dale! Thanks so much for posting this recipe. My dog has chronic renal failure and he enjoys this meal a lot! Pookie also really loves fruit. Do you have information on what fruits we can give him and how much?
Hi Michelle — my apologies for the delay in reply, but I’ve been recently away on vacation and just returned. Ben too was a big fan of fruit and ate a lot of apple, especially in his previous diet (see my “Super Dog Food” recipe). There is certainly phosphorus in apples, but if it is grated into the dog food, it will be there in trace amounts and shouldn’t be an issue. Hope this helps and all the best in your own care of Pookie.
Hi Dale,
Our beloved Boston Terrier has just been diagnosed. He is losing weight rather quickly and I wondered if this diet helped Ben maintain his weight. So sorry for the loss of your dear companion. I hope you found another pet to spoil!
jean
My dog was diagnosed with IMHA two years ago from which she made a full recovery, then due to a weakened immune system within a week of being weaned off those meds she came down with a terrible case of valley fever. Finally after another 2 years on heavy meds she has a negative titer and is off those meds as of a month ago. Recent bloodwork showed the beginning stages of kidney failure. I believe the last two and a half years on these heavy meds have taken a toll on her kidneys. She hated the Hills diet and my Homeopath sent me your diet info. She loves it and would eat a weeks worth in a day. She seems to feel great so it’s hard to believe her kidneys are not healthy. I have great hopes for her continued appetite and maintaining her current status. She is 12 years old. Do you have any leads on how to make healthy treats? I am so sorry for your loss of Ben but what a great run. It’s never enough time. Thank you so much. Sandy
Thanks again, Sandy. With respect to your question about healthy treats, there was a recent comment on here from another reader who discussed how she used this recipe to make treats by baking this in small amounts. I never tried it, but seems like a great option. Hope it helps.
Hi again. I have fed your diet to my 12 year old cocker spaniel for 5 weeks and just got bloodwork back and her numbers have improved, in fact several are at the high end of normal and the lab report said it appears that at the level they are now that her kidneys are functioning well. I gave my skeptical vet a copy of your article with the hopes she will pass it on to her patients whose dogs won’t eat the prescription dog food. Thank you so very much. Sandy
What an amazing piece of great news, indeed! I’m so very happy for you and thank you for sharing it back here, Sandy. I’m sure there are other factors in your dog’s recovery, but I’m glad that this recipe has helped you and played some role in her recovery. It doesn’t really matter the “why” of miracles when they come … it just matters that they come. Best of luck to you and I hope this success is sustained for a long time ahead. ~ Dale
Great info! I too am s lay person who has done extensive research in this area. I lost my KD dog, Anja, 5 years ago. She would have loved this recipe! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Connie from Texas
Thank you, Connie — It’s great to meet wonderful dog lovers from all over the world here. I’m sorry for your own loss. Wishing you the best in your own journey post-Anja.
Looks interesting. Do you have the nutritional analysis of this recipe? Calories per cup, % protein/fat/carb calories, phosphorous, potassium sodium etc?
Hi Donna — no, I don’t, I’m sorry. I’m sure there are many applications and sites on the web where you could put in the ingredients to find out — if you do, please send them along and I’d be happy to post the results for others who might similarly be interested.
Dale, First let me say that I am so sorry for the loss of your best buddy, Ben. The story that you told about him touched my heart. Having just lost my sweet Charlie last September I know first hand the heartache that you are going through. Charlie was a 13 1/2 yr old pug/bulldog/Border terrier that we rescued at the age of one. He was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 8 and did really well for 5 years but the last 6 months of his life his glucose levels got out of control no matter what we did and we knew he was getting tired of fighting. Having to make the decision to let him go was the hardest decision that I have ever made but it was the right one, for Charlie. I miss him so much, everyday. Now Charlie’s best friend, Bosley, our 15 1/2 yr old terrier mix, (that we rescued at the same time that we got Charlie,) has been diagnosed with Protein-Losing Nephropathy (PLN) or Early Renal disease. We needed to make decisions about his food right away and since Bosley is the finickiest dog ever, we were not looking forward to changing his food… So we went the easy route at first and got a small bag of prescription food that he absolutely hated. I think we threw more of it away then he ate. We supplemented with lots of veggies and egg whites thinking that would help but when I took him in for another test after being on that food for 4 weeks I was alarmed that he had lost 1 1/2 lbs. He only weights 26 lbs.! So that was when I decided that we needed to go another route. Our vet suggested that we log onto BalanceIt.com and find recipes for him as well as supplements. So I hit the web to learn more about what we were up against and found your website. I made the first batch of your recipe today and Bosley gobbled it up! I didn’t blend any of it this first time because I wanted to see if he would pick anything out but he didn’t so I think I will just keep making it this way unless there is a reason for me to. Thank you for putting this out there for people like me who just want to keep their doggies as long as possible. God bless you and Ben! Bosley and Charlie’s Mom
Hi Monica — thank you for the kind and very compassionate note here. My apologies for the lateness of my reply, but I’ve been away on vacation. I’m very sorry for your previous loss of Charlie — but am glad that Bosley seems to be responding well to the diet and is enjoying it. I hope that it gives him much more time with you … and a much more optimistic road ahead. All the best. ~ Dale
Hi Dale! Sadly, our dog was diagnosed with kidney failure today. We were advised to try to feed him rice and boiled chicken, and to drain the juice. In your diet plan, the directions were to fry the meat and but not get rid of the fat. Is there a reason to this? Thank you for sharing your story and advice, we hope you are able to respond.
Hi Yas — I’m very sorry for your sad news but glad that you’re getting good professional advice. It’s so important to have strong people in your corner to guide you on this journey. With respect to your question about the “juice,” the reason it is left in the recipes is to preserve the caloric value of the food. Many with kidney failure are and/or will suffer from a slow and insidious “wasting” as they literally starve as the kidneys stop working. Keeping the fat from the right protein sources was part of my strategy …. It’s your choice to remove it, but my advice would be to find more calories elsewhere or add in even more vegetable fat instead. Hope this helps … and best of luck to you.
Is there a good substitute for the egg whites? My vet suggested my frenchie may react poorly to the eggs. She said to maybe try apple, banana and vegetable oil as a substitute for the eggs. Other suggestions welcome. Thanks!
Hi there — unfortunately, I don’t know what to suggest though I’m very confused at your vet’s suggestions: they seem more likely substitutes for baking without eggs rather than substitutions for the nutritional quality the egg whites bring. To be clear, the egg whites add much needed and essential proteins without the addition of phosphorus. Without the egg whites you’re back to a low-protein diet. You can try it, but apples and bananas contain no protein and will simply add fibre, sugar, and some other vitamins.
Good morning! Like so many others have said, thank you for doing the research and for your post.
I have an eleven-year-old Golden Retriever/Chow mix named Dali. She is a rescue dog we adopted at five months. She has always been an extremely picky eater and in the past 1-1/2 years has become even more so. In her prime she weighed 85 lbs. and that has decreased to 70 lbs. over time.
Early this year a blood test determined there is a problem with her kidneys, and the vet put her on the k/d food. At first she was eager to eat the canned food – a novelty after eating kibble all her life – but after a couple of weeks the novelty wore off and she started refusing her food. I noticed that even though she had been eating, she also seemed to be getting worse. She became lethargic and depressed. She also has weakened hips and back legs, which seemed to be getting worse. I was having a lot of anxiety about what to feed her that would be healthy and palatable.
Then I found your post and made her a batch of your recipe. I was concerned that I would be tossing yet more food into the trash, but I needn’t have worried. She loves it! For the first time ever she is eager to eat. First time EVER. I still can’t quite believe the change in her appetite. She will eat as much as I give her, and seems to be gaining a little weight back after having a sustained weight loss for the last year.
I foresee making many batches of food for her! The first batch lasted about a week. I plan to package it a little differently to make it easier to thaw. Maybe I’ll shape it into meatballs or patties, and I’m going to bake a tray of “cookies” in the oven to dry it out and make treats. I’ll let you know how that works out!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Kim
Hi Kim — I’m very sorry for the apparent delay in reply. I honestly replied a few weeks ago but as I was scanning comments and getting caught up on my answers today, it seems that my reply never made it to the web and vanished wherever things vanish.
Firstly, I feel for you and what you’re doing through and the fear, but I’m so very happy for you that Dali has responded well to the food and diet. That’s wonderful to hear. I hope her appetite stays strong for a long long time. Secondly, I think the ideas both of freezing it as “meatballs” is genius … and the idea of turning it into cookies and treats. I’d be very curious to know how the latter turns out and would be happy to let others know if it does. Kudos on the imagination there.
Truly, thank you for sharing and I wish you nothing but success going forward. Dali is lucky to have you in her corner. All the best.
~ Dale
Hi again Dale, I had written a few days ago about my 12 year old Vizsla with Vitamin D overdose. I have been using your recipes as they are what was prescribed for him – a low calcium/phosphorus diet. I do not yet see any change in his water drinking yet but it has only been a few days and I’m sure it will take a bit longer. Your recipes are great, and I’m sure it took a lot of research on your part to put these recipes together for your very loved Ben. I have just one more question. Would I be able to substitute Quinoa for the rice in the recipe? On the list of “Phosphorus in Foods by Class of Food” I do not see Quinoa listed at all. Many thanks for your time and devotion to this site.
Hi Doris — thanks for the questions and your very kind words. I hope you saw my reply to your previous question re: vitamin D. With respect to quinoa, a quick Google search reveals: “Foods that naturally contain high phosphorus levels include milk and some milk products, amaranth, bran, brown rice, millet, quinoa, spelt, dried beans and peas, nuts and seeds, organ meats, sardines, beer, corn tortillas and chocolate.” That is to say, quinoa is promoted as a “good source” of phosphorus and magnesium — and when nutritionists say that an ingredient is a good source, it means it should be avoided if you want to limit it. So, no, quinoa is a not a good option for those with kidney disease.
Thanks again Dale. I was using Quinoa quite often in my previous recipes. So there again is an addition to a high phosphorus ingredient. Thanks for your help.
Hi dale. Another question. Whathe is lean beef? Fat less?
Hi dale. I’d like to try your diet but not sure if I can find liquid egg whites. Do you think I can use whole eggs? And how many?
Thanks from Israel
Rebecca
OK. Done. I cooked for Rex, our malinois who has a cronical kidney disease. He finally ate today. Thanks so much….next step is finding the vitamins
Hi Rebecca — and so wonderful to hear from you all the way from Israel. With respect to your questions: 1) no, whole eggs are not a good substitute for egg whites because the egg yolk is higher in phosphorus. The point of the egg white is that it adds necessary protein without the phosphorus. If you can’t find prepared eggwhites, my best suggestion is to separate them yourselves and perhaps you can find a great way of using the egg yolks in a dish for you and your family (say, creme brule?) 2) with respect to Lean Beef, in North America Lean Ground Beef is certified to have less than 17% fat. Extra Lean is even lower at less than 10% fat. Here’s a link from our Canadian Food Inspection which sets the standards in Canada: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/retail-food/information-bulletins/ground-meat/eng/1331668408417/1331668480561. Perhaps you have something similar in Israel. Best of luck to you and Rex on your journey and thanks for stopping by, commenting, and your questions. ~ Dale
Hello, I am from Des Moines, IA. Took my 14 year old Yorkie to the emergency vet on Saturday. He has an enlarged heart and has some fluid around his lung, not much though. The heart pushes on the lower part of his trac (wind pipe) which that is collapsing. His blood test showed his BUN is very high and his creatin. So being that high they consider him as having Reader failure. He is eating, drinking lot and peeing a lot. The doctors want to see him again this coming Friday. I cried all the way home thinking there was no hope for my little buddie. Then I saw your site on Prinrest and have some hope now. I didn’t follow your recipe to the letter. I used Turkey instead of ground beef (he is allergic to eggs) He is also allergic to eggs, I left them out, I got some Greek Yougrt just in case I could use it. Thought I had whit rice at home, got recipe almost made, NO RICE, so I used Qunioa. The story I was at didn’t have trout so I got fresh cod. I also added a little Kale. Is this to far off to help him. I also heard about some really good Chinese herbs that would help him too.
Thank you for living your little fella so much, your research and for being so kind to put it out so you can help others. I thank you from the bottom of my heart
Sincerely,
Donna from Iowa
Your recipe sounds very interesting. My dog was diagnosed with excessive Vit. D levels. I was told to give him a low calcium, low phosphorus diet. I had previously made my food for both of my dogs, ages 6 and 12, but obviously was adding too much vit. D foods such as beef liver, fish, yogurt, etc. I have been trying to find out other vitamin D rich foods that I may have been using but have not been successful in my search. Can you tell me if chicken livers and gizzards have vitamin D. My search only shows vitamin A and B12. Would they not be a good addition to your recipe that you made for Ben?
Hi Doris — thanks for stopping by and sharing your question. The truth is, I don’t know much about vitamin D in these contexts so I can’t answer your question about vit-D levels. I can tell you, however, that in most of my research, organ meats, like liver, were on the extreme end of phosphorus levels. If that isn’t your concern, then disregard — but if you’re wanting to control for that as well, then it would be a big no-no. Best of luck to you in the rest of your search and sorry I can’t be more of a help.
I just have to tell you how thankful I am to come across your recipe after many hours of googling the best diet for a senior dog with advanced stage of K/d. It’s been 4 weeks now using your recipe and my 16 year old girl Roxy Doggie has lost weight and not thrown up or have had any diarehha. She has a incredibly noticeable amount or energy and chases her brother( 1 year old shih tzu) Zito around most of the day. She has been on Azodyl a breakthrough drug for dogs( a formulated probiotic for dogs) with K/d for nearly 3 years now. I’ve lowered her dosage since the diet change and it’s amazing to see how much better she feels. I highly recommend this recipe for people with senior fur babies with K/d. My whole family has noticed the change and is spreading the word. It’s time consuming but totally worth it!
Thank you Dale and Ben. Much love to you!
Dear Erin — thank you for such a kind message and for sharing your story here as well. Your message is passionate and well received and it means so much to hear how you have seen a change in just a month. Amazing. Thank you from Ben and myself both. Truly. Wishing you continued great months and stories ahead. 🙂
Ps. Can you confirm that your comment above re: “lost weight”? Did you mean has “not” lost weight which is the struggle many are facing … or did you mean has actually lost weight because your dog had a few too many pounds and so that’s a good thing? Thanks.
Can I use minced chicken or turkey instead of beef. My dog get sick with beef. And how long does this keep in the fridge. Does it freeze well?
Hi Elaine — you’ll see at the end of the recipe that the food is bagged and ready for the freezer. In the fridge, I’d say 3-4 days, tops … same as human food which this is the equivalent, remember. There are no preservatives in what you’re making. As for poultry, turkey is better and the ‘dark’ meat better still. Research your protein substitutions carefully with respect to their phosphorus levels. Hope this helps.
Hi Dale,
Thank you so very much for this article! Words can’t express my gratitude. My dog recently developed acute renal failure after an episode of pancreatitis. We are still doing IV fluids at home and waiting to recheck his renal function to see how heavy a hit his kidneys took. He is 14 and my “child” so I completely understand and admire your love and devotion for Ben. He spent 4 days in doggie ICU and wouldn’t eat when I brought him home so I syringe fed him potato soup.He went from being a total food hog to refusing to touch even his favorites. He was wasting away before my eyes. He would not eat the renal dog food and the soft canned food gives him diarrhea so I was at a loss as to what to feed him. I’m happy to report that he really likes your recipe and has gained back 2 lbs! Your advice to offer small meals throughout the day has really helped. He won’t eat in the morning but he will snack throughout the day. You mentioned that you created 4 recipes for Ben and rotated them to achieve optimal nutrition. Could you please post the other 3 recipes? I’d be so thankful and appreciative!
Hi Kim — thank you for sharing your own heartbreaking story and for your kind comments on Ben and myself. With respect to your question about the other recipes, let my try and clarify. I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear, but the other “recipes” are in fact simply “versions” of the same using the alternatives I’ve provided (substitute the different proteins, veg, and soluable fibres) to produce the different versions that suit you and your boy. Hope this helps and makes more sense. Wishing you the very best on this difficult journey. ~ Dale
Thank you for caring enough to write your experience with Ben. I hope you’ve healed & know that you’ll run with Ben again.
I’m going to try your recipe tomorrow for my little 12yo Jack Russell ‘Terrorist’ recently diagnosed with CKD S3. As long as I see no signs of suffering, I’ll do my part for her, and we’ll cook together!
Thank you, Michael — deeply. A very kind comment and wish, indeed. I hope that your girl and you wage a great ‘terror’ truly on this wasting disease. I’m sure she’s take great strength from you fighting along side her and you’ll go much further together. Thank you again for a great image and great hope. ~ Dale
We have a 10 year old female Papillion who we love dearly and she has had kidney issues for a while but her most recent visit to the vet resulted in very bad news based on very bad blood results. We are administering subcutaneous fluids twice daily and the vet had a pharmacy make a special Phosphorous binding compound for her. She absolutely will not eat the Science Diet KD wet or dry food nor does she like the Royal Canine canned food. I am at my wits end as she has lost nearly 3 pounds down from 13 to 10 and she has been vomiting a lot. We have the vomiting under control but I need to find something she will eat. I am trying this tonight and will repost tomorrow to let you know if she will eat it. I am so appreciative that we have people like you that will post and try to help others out. Thank you so much even if she decides not to eat it.
Dear Leslie — thank you for your kind words. I know well the struggle and fears you’re facing and I do hope that the recipe proves successful for you. That somehow, against what would seem impossible odds, that your girl takes to the food and you get results like that posted by Ryan who commented just yesterday. Fingers crossed and please do let us know how things work out. Take care.
Hi Dale –
We want to thank you so much for taking the time to post this article. We just laid to rest our beloved French Bulldog two days ago. He had been diagnosed with renal failure and was on a prescription diet. After a few months of a leading brand of prescription diet K/D renal health canned food their recipe changed and it made Leon quite sick. His health deteriorated and things were miserable – that’s when I found this article. I started making this food for him and giving him the supplements you recommend in Sept 2016. Earlier this year we had blood work done at the vet again and all his levels were within normal range! This recipe essentially cured his kidney problems. Also, if you know anything about French Bulldogs you probably know their digestive systems can cause…. uhhhh…. considerable amounts of noxious exhaust fumes – but this recipe stopped that entirely! He, and the rest of the family, were so grateful for this recipe for all these reasons. It truly made Leon happier and healthier and more vibrant. We only wish we had been giving him this food all along instead of the more expensive “leading prescription diet brand” that only made him more sick.
Unfortunately he was 13 years old and had developed a brain tumor that was causing seizures, and his legs were giving out on him too so there was nothing more that could be done. But this recipe gave us seven solid months of a very happy, healthy dog and we can’t thank you enough!
Dear Ryan — firstly, my condolences to you and your family on the loss of Leon. It sounds like you’re very centred in the knowledge of what you had with him, the extra time, the quality, and the memories of his life-time with you. Still, the loss is hard, I know and I wish you all the best as it settles in. I can’t thank you enough, however, for taking time early in your loss to reach out and offer your thanks — each story I hear means so much and the fact that you think the recipe gave you those special months is amazing to hear. Many have had similar experiences it seems and it really moves my own heart to see over the years what seems like real “evidence” that the recipe can and has in a great many dogs, actually reversed the numbers. And you’re not nearly the first to ask some hard questions about these “leading prescription diet brands” and their true efficacy. All the best to you and thank you again, Ryan.
I thought garlic is toxic to dogs?
In large amounts it can be, yes. There certainly has been a fair amount of discussion on the subject here which is why there is a short section on it in the recipe.
Dale, like you, I too go researching & fortunately it led me to your story & recipes! Thank you so much!! Our CC is in similar circumstances as your beloved Ben, however she is an English Lab & 60 pounds! Alert and happy though very limited use of her back legs due to a nerve condition and a pinched nerve in her back year almost crippled her! She keeps happily trudging along with either her daddy as her back legs or the wheel chair he built for her. We suddenly found ourselves in a strange position when CC’s blood work came back different this year. Things went from “great” to CRF, heart disease, and pancreatitis & we were at a loss which led me to you. I am on my way to the market to purchase the items necessary for your recipe! CC too is a people food dog, spaghetti being her favorite! I am excited to try your recipes and the people food in them as the canned renal dog food just didn’t cut it! Again Dale, thank you!
Hi Dale – My 13 year old Shih Tzu is in the beginning stages of renal failure. When she was 11 – she had a cancerous tumor removed from her small intestine and has been on chemo therapy every day since. To date – her blood work has been good, but now she is showing signs of renal disease. I truly believe that although the chemo ( Nitrogen mustard – liquid form into her food nightly) has saved her from a cancer recurrence, I think it has affected her cognitively as well as in other areas; her vision and hearing are no longer acute and I have her in diapers because of incontinence. However – when she’s not sleeping, she’s trotting about, tail high, and remains the love of my life. We are just not ready to say good bye. After spending nearly $500 this past week on fancy blood work, etc, plus almost $100 monthly on chemo meds, I was floored by the expense of the renal failure food. Exorbitant… Finding your web site was an absolute godsend. So – off to market i will go to prepare her food and maybe get more quality time with my baby. thank you for your time, research and vital information.
Dear Katherine — You’re very welcome. No doubt, you’re not alone in your surprise at the cost of diagnosis, treatments, and maintenance. Indeed, I think few of us are really prepared for the cost our unconditional love will mean — and and the hard choices it brings with it. It was the chief reason I got pet insurance when Ben was 8 and I faced my first serious and challenging surgical invoice. Apart from insurance, there is no real way to protect from some expenses; but others, like the high-priced maintenance food out there, must surely come with more cost-effective alternatives. If nothing else, it allows us to make decisions based on more than “budget” which our human health-system wouldn’t dare to make if it were us facing renal disease/failure. I do hope this recipe provides you results to match your hope. We all deserve a little more hope, I believe. Best of luck. ~ Dale
My 14 yr old Scottie has had horrible liver issues these past 8 yrs. Vets & specialists gave her a year. I found a liver friendly recipe on line & she has thrived. Three yrs ago she was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis & told she had a yr to live. Modified her diet & people were stunned that this romping Scottie chasing leaves was so old. 15 mos ago she was diagnosed with foot cancer, big toe amputated & cancer hadn’t spread. I was advised it might reappear else where within the year. I had just lost a 7 yr old cat to breast cancer that spread & she passed from lung cancer. However, her Vet & the Oncologist gave her 6 months with or without chemo. I bypassed the chemo but provided a quality diet. Joy lived a very good life for 9 mos. Three months ago, I was told that my Scottie has renal failure along with her pancreatitis & that her cancer may have returned… in her kidney, pancreas or brain. Her Vetsaid 1wk & 6 mos max. Googled & found your site. Your recipe is similar to what I fed her for 3 yrs when 4 Vets couldn’t decide whether she had Cushings disease or pseudo-Cushings.
Your blog was so informative. The Pepcid AC was a major game change for her. Both Vets were perplexed by her dietary needs because commercial foods for renal failure will cause pancreatitis to worsen. So I took your recipe & mixed it with her pancreatitis food. Before doing this she was losing 1/2 lb a week & clearly ill.
Three weeks later she is thriving. Sleeps a lot but goes for walks & chases leaves.
In search of low phosphorus protein I contacted Stella & Chewy’s. They sent me a listing for the phosphorus levels in their food, little freeze-dried patties of Venison, Rabbit, Pheasant with low phosphorus levels.
I just want to thank you for giving me the info & tools to keep my Scottie going. Even this week complete strangers commented about how healthy & youthful our Scottie looks. Thank you!
You’re very welcome. It’s wonderful to hear the success you’ve had with your treatment. It is very telling how many diseases can be positively treated with diet-therapies. While they aren’t curative, there definitely seems a lot of evidence in just the stories and comments posted here, how diet can impact quality of life while living with chronic and failing diseases. Thanks for sharing your own story and success and I wish the continued best for you and Scottie. Please take care. ~ Dale
My little guy is 17.5 years and is in kidney failure last stage my heart is broken he was doing better after his blood transfusion but this week he’s going down hill again . He just won’t eat it brings me to tears cause I’ve tried everything and he’s like nope . I am going to try using some of your ingredients listed here but he hates rice so that’s out ..
Hi there — for sorry for your news and what lies ahead. It is such a hugely painful situation to be in as you try to find ways to get food into our loved ones who are starving. While your little guy may hate rice on its own, pureed or even slightly pureed, he might have a different reaction — but you more than likely already know what he will and won’t eat. My only other advice is that you may have to make other ‘trade offs’ just to get him to eat something. Others might advise otherwise because such decisions/trade-offs may impinge on length of life, but in my opinion, quality is more important … and if he’s not eating, that’s worse than eating things that aren’t ideal. Follow your heart and you’ll make the right decision. Stay strong ….
Hello! So glad to find this recipe online – I am making it now for my 10 1/2 year old Coonhound. THANK YOU TIMES INFINITY!!!!!!
You’re very welcome. I hope you have great success with it and that your coonhound responds well. Best of luck to you both and thank you again.
I am looking into cooking for my K/D dog. She is 7 and was diagnosed when she was 5. She isn’t doing well right now and we have had to start sub-q fluids. She is a golden retriever and right now weighs 57 lbs. How much of this recipe would she need per day? 4 cups? Does the food need to be pureed? Should we switch gradually if she is normally on K/D diet kibble/can food? Thank you.
Hi Kim — I’ve added this to my recipe post to answer your question and others:
The answer is simple but, I know, unsatisfactory: “It depends.” As I say to everyone, each dog trying this diet is different and unique. There are too many variables for me to answer. It depends on size, breed, age, metabolism, stage of disease, and other factors that make each dog special. My advice is simple, however. You know your dog. You know how much he/she would normally have eaten. Trust your instinct. As well, dogs with renal failure or disease are usually in a state of “not eating” and are prone to “wasting.” That is to say, they’re slowly starving to death. As such, let your companion be your guide. They will tell you if they want more or need more. Assuming their not overweight or have other diseases, let them eat till full is my personal recommendation. That’s what I did with Ben … and to make it more successful, I tried when possible, to break his meals up into smaller amounts and feed him more regularly through the day. I hope this helps you all — but if you need more advice, speak to your vet.
Hello Dale,
Our dog Bahadur (in Hindi meaning “The Brave One”) has been detected recently with renal failure. We came across your blog and wanted to thank you for your recipe. I am glad it has reached out to so many people globally (we are writing from India), and help in this emotional battle we get caught up with our furry friends by our side. Also, read extensively on Benjamin, couldn’t stop crying over his memoriam article. He must have been such a good dog, a friend, companion and everything else we lesser mortals can imagine.
Thanks again, and wish you all the best.
Jay & Meera
Hello Jay and Meera … and thank you for your kind note. I remain totally amazed at the global touch of this recipe and getting messages from people such as yourselves across continents and oceans away who have found your way here. It means a lot to have you share your stories and of your own “Brave One.” A beautiful name, indeed, and a reminder to us all that we ourselves have to become the “Bahadur”s as those who depend on us fight their battles with our help. Thank you again — Ben was indeed an amazing dog and companion and he is greatly missed but lives beautifully in these pages and in the minds of you all. Thank you and all the best to you as well on your difficult journey — bravery indeed.
My 16 year old Agnus went crazy for this. She’d been turning up her nose at the KD prescription food and had eaten only a few bites in about three days. Thanks so much!!
You’re very welcome, Mary. Glad Angus loves it. Best of luck in continuing with it and on researching other substitutions.
Unfortunately, Agnus only ate it one day. She did eat some plain ground beef several days later (she was starving herself; we had to do something) but only once. After that she refused everything but water and was still vomiting. She was too far gone and we had to send her to Rainbow Bridge 10 days after her diagnosis. My other dogs all love your recipe and we’re feeding that from now on.
Dear Mary — I’m very very sad for your loss of Agnus. I know you did everything you could and, in the end, you gave her the greatest gift you could which was release from her suffering. Wishing you peace and support as you work through your loss and the grief that will follow. A big hug to you all.
Hi Dale, is there another squash comparable to the acorn which is really time consuming to prepare?
Thanks,
Mary
Hi Mary — I appreciate and agree that the acorn squash is a finicky and time-consuming squash to prepare. I chose based on its flavour profile and the fact that it was lower in phosphorus. You can certainly do research and check the phosphorus counts on any squash that is readily available and make your own judgment on that. I haven’t researched, but perhaps spaghetti squash or butternut or Hubbard. Best of luck.
Mary, I too found the acorn too big a PIA to peel and switched to butternut, which you can typically find already cut up at many stores. I did do the research and the winter squashes are all comparable on phosphorus, so butternut is fine.
Dear Mary and Jennifer and others debating acorn vs. other squash. I’ve update the recipe with more information on the squash and added in this nutritional breakdown as well:
The supplements I think I could figure out from a 25 lbs dog to a 10 lbs dog, but can you tell me serving breakdown for a 10 lbs dog on the recipes; how much should i feed here and should I split the recipe in half, as not to make too much?
Hi Michelle — thanks for your question. It’s a common question with no clear answer. The truth is it is very ‘individual’ specific: each dog is different in terms of age, breed, metabolism, size, activity, and other factors. My answer is typically that when a dog is suffering with renal disease, the issue is rarely one of ‘over eating’ or obesity. On the contrary, the issue is that the dog isn’t eating (enough). As such, trust two things: 1) that you know your dog and his/her eating habits and 2) your dog will ultimately let you know how much they can/will eat. The final bit of advice is, if you’re able, feed your dog smaller amounts more frequently as it again supports digestion and appetite. Hope this helps. All the best on your continued journey.
Hello. My wife and I recently found this page.
Bachi, our just-turned-14yo Maltese, has been diagnosed with kidney failure after beginning to suffer from seizures a few months ago. He has since been put on Azodyl, but things don’t seem to be improving yet, at least with that. We made a batch of your recipe yesterday, and he informed us quite clearly that he prefers it to his old Science Diet canned food. 🙂 Also, it appears that this recipe costs only a bit more than science diet, and therefore certainly a lot less than the specially formulated canned food.
Today, for the first time (to our knowledge), he had two seizures in one day. So we know it’s likely downhill from here, but of course we are hoping to make the best of it.
We haven’t added any nutritional supplements yet, besides the Azodyl, but are browsing through the comments to figure out what is more likely to help.
So thank you from yet another family helped by your recipe. 🙂
Hi Damon — thank you for your words and sharing about Bachi (great name, by the way). I’m glad that he likes the food and it is a useful note to talk about the cost of preparation. I’m sure that will be welcome news to some. I’m very sorry to hear about his seizures, though. In the end, it was something similar, cerebral, that took my own Ben. A frightening thing to see and such a helpless feeling … so wishing you courage. It is no doubt hard and scary for you as well. May you have many good weeks and months with your boy … and memories for a lifetime.
In September, my 17 year old Sugar was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. After spending several days in the doggie hospital she came home. We were given the regimen of a kidney supplement and routine IV fluids. She didn’t want to eat anything and she really didn’t like the prescription dog food. Scouring the internet I came across your post. She loved it! Also your other information was immensely helpful for other supplements to help her along. She lived a very good 5 more months and passed 2/6/2017. She went peacefully over to heaven. Thank you for sharing. We would not have had the last 5 months had you not shared you research!
Dear Rose — my deepest and heart-felt condolences on the loss of Sugar. Thank you for taking a moment within your grief to share with us all, however, the benefit you realized with the diet. As you ultimately imply, there is no cure in this, but for some it does provide time and very precious months which can make the loss just a tiny bit easier in the end. Yours and Sugar’s story is a beautiful one and it is incredible to have people come back and share their stories after months and even years. Thank you and may you find love and peace in your memories and the strength to celebrate the great gift you were fortunate to have lived and known. ~ Dale
Hi, my 12 year old Greyhound was diagnosed with renal failure (stage 2). At first, the vet recommended Royal Canin renal dried dog food. We bought a small bag and 2 wet food cans to try but were very reluctant as past research on Royal Canin showed us it’s basically crap. But we had to find something with a much lower protein and phosphorous percentage than what we had been feeding her (35% all natural dry dog food). The vet’s recommended Royal Canin was 8-10%. We found your site and have put Gypsy on this diet for the last two weeks. She loves it. She probably thinks it’s human food. My question to you is tis, do you have any idea what is the protein percentage of your recipe.
Hi Danielle — Firstly, I’m sorry for your Gypsy the battle you’re now fighting. Thanks for your note and question. The truth is that I simply don’t know the numbers. I’m quite sure any of us could ‘weigh’ and measure the ingredients and input them into nutrition calculator to come up with the values, but that was never my goal. If someone here wants to volunteer to do it, I’d be happy to report the nutrition card, however. Having said all that, my principled approach was still fundamentally not to specific limit/control for “protein,” but rather just the phosphorus which is the risk factor in this case.
Dale…Just yesterday I had the sad news that my 12 year old smooth Fox Terrier has kidney failure. She was not eating well, had bouts of vomiting nothing but foam, seemed lethargic (NOT something I have ever known with this spitfire I call Tilly) She is at the vets as I write for fluids and further testing.
I have no intention of giving up on my best friend so I am studying….and reading….and counting the $$$ in my wallet. (I work in a nursing home and $$$ don’t come easy)
I came across your recipe and I am off to the store and bound for cooking. This seems to be the most logical approach to getting Tilly to eat . She has lost 3 lbs…on a 20lb dog it’s too much. She has been on Iams kibble with chicken, rice and veggies mixed in. It is not going to be hard to transition over to your recipe.
I don’t know how long I have with her….but I now have hope that she will enjoy and be eager for her food again.
I will let you know as we move forward.
Thank you for sharing your story with Ben and your experiences through his journey.
Marie Gilchrist and Tilly Pelham New Hampshire
Dear Marie — I’m very sorry for your own recent news regarding Tilly. It is a true kick in the gut as I well remember. I can also relate to your weighing of things you can “reasonably” do while at the same time feeling you have done “everything.” It is a paralysing place to sit while trying to process what it all means. I wish you the best of luck with the recipe and hope it provides a measure of improvement and hope. Thank you for stopping by, your own kind words, and best of luck in the days ahead. Hang in there … and remember, whatever it means, you’re doing the best you can.
Hi Dale, my 13yr old beagle Jakey has just been diagnosed….I am off to buy the ingredients to make up the diet food….its given me something practical to do to help him….thank you .Liz
Hi Liz — wishing you the best of luck in your work. I can definitely relate that putting my emotions to work in a practical/constructive way gave me a feeling of somehow being in ‘control’ of an otherwise uncontrollable fate and disease. I hope you find many more good months and years with your Jakey.
Hi, unfortunately my wonderful Jakey lost his battle on 14th February. We had him referred to a wonderful centre for extensive tests on 13th and they showed that he had cancer of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Also a large skin cancer appeared on his tummy. I had to make the awful decision to put him to rest. I just don’t know how to deal with my grief. He was my soulmate and best friend who gave me unconditional love. I see him everywhere and hear him plodding about. It was so quick..all over in a matter of days
Dear Liz — I’m very sorry for your loss and that you had to make the most difficult choice any animal lover will ever have to make. The grief may seem interminable, but it will change over time. Two and half years into my own loss of Ben, I still feel the loss and it still stings and there are still moments when thoughts or actions or other things bring tears to my eyes. I read a children’s book called Mutt Dog, by Stephen Michael King, last night to our son, and I cried through the whole thing — and yet I still live a very full and beautiful life. That is to say, it is true that “life goes on” and “it gets easier” — but what ‘they’ don’t say as clearly is that grief and loss never disappear, you just learn to become more comfortable with it, it becomes a little less acute, it doesn’t rule your everyday and moment, but it lasts … like the telltale fingerprints left by any amazing love. It’s ok to hurt. I don’t know what kind of resources you have in the UK and where you live, but I was fortunate to find a pet-loss support group here in Ottawa … and it helped a lot to find ‘like’ people who had been or were going through the very same thing. I didn’t feel crazy and I didn’t feel judged and it helped to find a safe, secure place where I could feel and express my grief, even once a month, as I worked through my loss. I hope you find something similar. My only other advice in that is to find positive thoughts in the process; find ways to remember the joy of life with Jakey and dwell less on the final moment when you let him go. Remember the thousands of other days you shared and memories. Find a physical thing, picture, toy, or write something, something to ground you in the memories you get to keep and own.
Dale thank you so much for sharing your story and experience my little girl Elsie was diagnosed a few months ago and I have been feeding her the prescription food from my vet but she doesn’t like it and it’s hard to get her to eat she to is very picky and I have prepared her food most of her life and I get so worried when she doesn’t eat. Thank You agin I really appreciate it.
Hi I have just cooked up a batch of this recipe for my dog Bubba who is 16 years old and just been diagnosed with early stages of kidney disease. She is half the weight of your Ben so this will last a while. Did you have success in freezing any at all to keep fresh. I am very inspired by your research thank you.
Hi Lynn — I’m sorry for your own news but glad you’re finding supports along the way and happy to share whatever I can as part of that. In answer to your question, yes, I froze it in ziplock bags that you’ll see pictured in the blog post. Each of these had about 3 days of food in it for Ben, so you may choose to freeze smaller amounts for your Bubba. I also made different versions of the recipe and so I didn’t take the same batch out of the freezer always … so Ben had more variety every few days. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.
I used this recipe to get my Deeder eating again. It worked well. Then I eventually got her back on her renal formula canned food. Now she refuses to eat it. It took me quite awhile but I found my way back here and this time I won’t lose the recipe. Printed and posted to my desktop!!! Thank you for the work u put into this. It is a dog’s life saver.
Thanks Carmen. Wishing you and Deeder the best. It’s my sincere pleasure to help a little as I can.
going to the store now for the ingredients…..
Good luck, Kim.
I have just learned my boy has kidney failure. It is difficult to find some things he will eat. He LOVE this. Thank you
Great to hear, Jeana. Thank you for sharing. Hope your boy sees improvement as well, but glad he’s enjoying the food. Best of luck to you and thanks again.
My 3 and a half year old pup was just diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease a few months after having pancreatitis. And to top it off she has severe food sensitivities to fish and chicken, so the vet foods are completely out for an option. (even fish oil sets her off) Then I found this blog post and we started cooking for her, and oh man does she love it! For the last 2 years in figuring out her food intolerances, she’s become such a picky eater and would reluctantly eat. We had to put canned food in her kibble just to get her to eat, otherwise she’d not eat for a couple of days. But now with your recipes she’s constantly begging for food because she loves it so much!
My only question is… she’s been eating it for about 3 weeks now and still has really soft stool. We’ve started adding some psyllium husks to her meals and that seems to be helping a little bit, but I was wondering if you have any advice? My thoughts are that she’s just not used to the new diet yet, and it’s too moist, as she was mostly on dry kibble before. So hopefully once she gets used to it it will be better.
But any recommendations would be amazing if you can!
Thanks!
Hi Mari — I’m so happy for you and that things are improving. It’s great to hear. In terms of your question re: your pup’s stool, you may well be right that it either the moisture content of the diet (which isn’t a problem as the dog will eliminate what they don’t need) or a transitioning stage only. It’s also possible that it is sensitivity to other ingredients like the egg white or the squash/sweet potato which is high in both fiber and water. In the end, if she’s enjoying the food and not having accidents, I probably would just accept it as just side effect of the diet. But if you are otherwise worried, perhaps someone else here has a suggestion or even your vet. Sorry I can’t be of more help but glad things are working so far. All the best in it continuing.
Good resource and good recipes BUT owners could be mislead into thinking supplementation with calcium and potassium is always beneficial, which it certainly isn’t. For example, if calcium or potassium is high in blood testing (often due to parathyroid issues in kidney failure), then supplementing would make these levels even more abnormal and the kidney disease worse. There’s also good reason not to use calcium as a phosphorous binder, but to swap to something more effective, such as aluminium hydroxide.
Hi Tony and thanks for stopping by and your comment. To be clear, this blog is one story (mine) of treating one dog (Ben) and what I did. I make no intention of “leading” anyone anywhere. This blog is, as you say, intended as a resource and whenever anyone asks about supplements, my advice is always to make such decisions in consultation with a veterinary/health professional as every situation is unique. As you’ll read in the comments that follow, numerous of which discuss phosphorus binders, this recipe more than anything has been a starting place for people who are struggling to make sense of it all. I’m sure your comment will be of further assistance to those weighing the different options around supplements as well. Thanks again.
Hi, I hope you can help with advice for my beautiful cocker who at 15, was just diagnosed with early stage kidney disease. She has stopped eating her regular food and is very fussy about what she will eat and I’m very eager to try your recipe. She weighs around 33 pounds. How much food should she get a day and also how much of each supplement? Thank you in advance so much .
Hi Robbi — thanks for your comment and questions. The answer to supplement one is pretty easy as you’ll read that the dosage I used was “Supplements (based on 25lb dog)” — so I wouldn’t adjust much if any. However, it wouldn’t hurt for you to ask the advice of your own vet if you’re able. As for the amount, it’s a common question which is answered best by your dog. That is to say, with renal failure and the dwindling appetite and wasting that comes with it, the issue is generally that the dog stops eating enough — so getting her to eat is the battle. Smaller and more frequent meals would be good too. But the ultimate answer is that every dog here is different, at a different stage of disease, different age, different weight, different activity, so you who know her best can likely judge how she does and how much she needs. Sorry I can’t be more specific but hope this helps.
Hello I am Nancy and my dog peluchin,has this problem he is 15 years old and I’m desperately searching to find what’s best to feed him and to prolong his life I do appreciate your story and I will be making this recipe for him, I did ask the vet for some vitamins that I’m giving him now and his medicine twice a day antibiotic, he’s having problems with his hind legs getting up and he’s not doing stairs anymore so we have to carry him down and carry him back up I would do all I can as long as he’s not in pain!!
Hi Nancy — I can certainly relate to elements of your own story and Peluchin’s as well. Ben also was suffering from arthritis in the last year of his life and, in my honest opinion, the pain of that had almost as much to do with his failing appetite and health. As such, for the last 6 months, he was on first Metacam and then tramadol once we became more concerned of the interaction of the metacam with his kidney disease. All to say, definitely treat his leg issues as it may also impact his overall mood and care. Best of luck to you and a very happy New Year.
I have a male black lab border collie mix who was diagnosed with renal failure when he was 2, now he is 4 years old. He got the bacteria from raccoon and possum pee, we came to find out that he was born the runt of 11 puppies. His kidneys did not all the way develop when he was born. The bacteria caused his kidneys to work harder causing him to go into renal failure. The vet gave him 5 to 8 years to live when he was 2 years old. His last two blood results were in the normal range because i have been making his food and being aware of everything that goes into his mouth. This was a tough diagnosis because he was so young, but i knew a little bit of what to expect due to working in healthcare. I did my research and I’m doing everything i can to expand his life span from what the vet has told me. Thanks for the recipe, I’m going to try it, I think i’m going add liver instead of the hamburger through. Liver is suppose to be good for renal failure dogs because its low in phosphorus and high in vitamins and my dog loves liver.
Hi Desi and Happy New Year to you — firstly, please note that liver is in fact very HIGH in phosphorus. All organ meats are. Perhaps you’re confusing it with something else but if you’re wanting to limit phosphorus, liver is not a good choice. That said, I do want to encourage you for all the great things you’re doing for your guy and hope that you best all the odds. Best of luck to you. Just be careful and check the phosphorus counts (check online or at links I provided) on anything you’re going to substitute.
Hello Dale,
I’d like you to know that Ben’s recipe is still helping people and pups today. My little 6 year old Cockapoo, Maggie, was diagnosed with CRD and spent eight nights in the hospital on IV and ABX. She’d lost a third of her once sturdy 24 pounds, became dehydrated, and had developed a cough and some disturbing tremors.
When she came home with a basketful of medicines and bags of lactated ringers for sub-Q injection, I was scared enough, but when she wouldn’t touch the commercial kidney diet food samples they sent her home with, I knew she would be passing shortly. I watched her sniff the food and refuse it, despite the fact that I could see every bone in her body and I knew she was starving. My wife found your post, and I ran to the supermarket for all the ingredients. She cooked up a batch and voila, ravenous little Maggie was back! She loves this food. We know her future is uncertain, but knowing that she it getting nourishment and having a full stomach brings a certain level of hope for a chance at a better time of it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share both your recipe and your story. I know what your loss meant to you, as I’ve been there. I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye to Maggie, but I’m thankful that she seems very happy now. Best wishes! – Russ
I have just tonight been told my 8month old chocolate Labrador has renal failure, he’s a happy bouncy athletic pup gaining good weight, yes he drinks loads and pee’s loads but how can this young energetic bundle of loveliness be sick? I have been given a bag of Royal Kings renal kibble to feed him, he loves to chew ham bones – can he still have them? Can he have Normal dog treats for training, I’m so confused, so devastated and want to do everything I can to keep Buddy as happy as he appears right now, I just need advice as I can’t stop the tears and feel totally lost but I must save this beautiful baby boy
Hi Belinda — I can certainly relate to your devastating news. I know how much it hurts and that it seems incredibly unfair to have such a young bundle of energy and joy that has been given such a grim diagnosis. Right now, I know the news is still fresh for you, but once you have found a bit of calm, I’d suggest you speak to your vet very openly and honestly as to the prognosis for Buddy. Is this a “chronic” disease that you can manage — and manage for years — or does your vet see this as more palliative condition. This will guide your decision as to whether to provide Buddy “comfort” or “treatment.” For those here facing the prospect of “comfort,” the choices are a bit different and you may elect to give Buddy treats that are not fundamentally “good” or curative, but make him happy and ease his suffering. I honestly don’t know what the phosphorus levels are like in bones at all or ham bones in particular. It would likely depend on how they have been prepared and what part Buddy is eating. I really don’t know but I would guess it is ‘high’ in phosphorus but also calcium. Keep in mind, “bone meal” is used in gardening as a natural fertilizer because it releases phosphorus necessary for plant growth. As for treats, there is no golden rule here either, so look at what it is made from. Certain treats will be better than others, e.g. those that use more plant protein/sugar/fat vs. those made of organ meats like liver. Best of luck to you Belinda and to Buddy. Stay strong.
Hello there. I’ve been using this recipe for a couple of years and seems to work great. I’m curious though I could’ve swore you were using a phosphorus binder? But I don’t see it listed here.
Thank you for commenting back and sharing your success. What a great testimonial for others. The only phosphorus binder mentioned is the optional inclusion of a daily calcium supplement but that really comes down to advice from your vet. Others here have discussed the merits of using the eggshells. But other than that, no, there is no real binder in this recipe but nothing to stop you or others from including one if you and your health team think it appropriate.
Hi Dale, I came upon your story with Ben during research for my Shorty. She is 13 and 1/2 year old toy poodle. She was recently diagnosed with CRF. I brought her home from the vet a couple of days ago after them keeping her for two days of IV therapy. The vet gave me Hills KD canned food, and she was put on enalapril 5mg a day. I’m so confused in reading all the information online. Her latest lab values are a BUN of 96+, Creatinine level was 2.7+ and Phosphorus level was 7.7+. I think she needs to be on a low protein, low phosphorus diet. Problem is she won’t eat the Hills KD canned food. I’ve always cooked for her. Excuse my stupidity, but would your diet be considered low protein and low phosphorus? In research I have read if their values are this, then do this, but if they are this, then do this. It’s so confusing. Thank you for your time.
Hi Donna and merry Christmas to you. It’s a very sad time of year to be getting such news and I’m sorry to hear it as well. In terms of your question, the answer is described in the explanation of the recipe you’ve found. This is NOT low protein. Protein is not often the issue but rather the phosphorus which occurs in protein rich (ie meat) rich foods. The research behind my recipe was to find protein and other ingredients that presented a balanced and tasty dish while lowering the phosphorus. If your vet truly is saying Shorty needs low protein too, this is not the recipe for you. Sorry again. It hope you find your answer and a holiday miracle.
Hi,
I have been doing research for days in order to modify my dogs diet to deal with his kidney issues. Your site and post is the best i have seen so far. I am going to do my next batch of dog food (I’ve been making Rex’s dog food myself for about the last 3 years) with your modifications. I have a question, I scrolled through the comments to see if anyone else had brought this up but there were just so many comments and I may have missed it……does cooking this all in the crockpot affect the nutritional values of the food or affect the phosphorous levels? Sorry if this sounds like an ignorant question. I am thinking that it does not but I figure that it would be better to just ask. I have been doing Rex’s food in a crockpot for years and was planning on doing yours the same way (with slight modifications…..the rice would be cooked separate and added afterwards).
Thank you so much for this article and the links!
Hi Tamara — thanks for your kind words and your question. No, the question of crockpot cooking hasn’t come up before. It is a reasonable solution and approach with one caveat: the cooking instructions here would have you boiling the veggies separately and discarding the water which will have leached out additional phosphorus. Cooking it all in the crockpot together, therefore, doesn’t afford this small benefit. Hope this answers your question and provides you a bit of guidance.
Thank you so much for this recipe!!! My tiny, aging cockapoo was refusing renal diet foods and my husband suggested I try cooking her food. I found your blog and I can’t tell you how much she has perked up! My original goal was to nurse her through the holidays so my daughter would have a chance to say goodbye, but now I’m more optimistic. Know that you have impacted many people and their pups!!
A very uplifting message, thank you for sharing, Latrice. I hope that Santa provides you an unrivaled and beautiful as you wish. Thank you for sharing and your own gift of appreciation. My stocking is now very full. 🙂
Dear Dale, Thank you for the dog food recipe used for Ben; I will try it for my Sophie who was just diagnosed with renal disease. She is my much loved 12 year JRT; Ben and her look quite alike! I am appreciative of your research and detail you have provided here; it is clearly evident that Ben was loved so very much!
Thanks,
Anita
You’re very welcome, Anita. I hope the recipe works for Sophie and she loves it. Thanks for your words of support. I hope you find your own as well. Stay strong.
This looks great Dale. Thank you. Over the last six weeks, we have tried three tasteless vet renal diets as well as yolk-lite scrambled eggs and various veg. I am fed up with my once loving comedy dog (15 yrs old miniature poodle) looking at me disdainfully and walking away from the bowl even when he is hungry. He has been utterly disgusted with the unpalatable renal diet offerings. We shall make this on the weekend. I reckon he will sing with delight.
I hope you are well. You gave Ben a brilliant life from what I have read. Thanks to him and your love for the recipe and research.
Carrie and the Pepster.
Thank you Carrie. Your story of disdain and despondence is a common one and one which I saw myself. I feel for you and do hope that the Pepster responds with gusto to the recipe and regains his comedy and vigor. All the best to you and thank you again for your very kind words.
Dale,
Wow. What a truly amazing legacy for Ben.
Cash, our Boston Terrier, was recently prescribed to the k/d Hill’s, along with Azodyl and Epikatin. At only 3.5 years old, we are battling against what the vet believes to be a congenital kidney issue that has led to “severely atrophied and fibrotic kidneys.” The prognosis is very poor and we are shocked, heartbroken, and completely devastated. Our little guy has shown absolutely no signs or symptoms (no lethargy, no loss of appetite, no vomiting, etc.), other than his recent bloodwork (BUN 120, CREA 4.1, Phosphorus 8.1) which led to the ultrasound and discovery of his kidneys’ condition.
For now, Cash seems to be responding to the k/d Hill’s with some Fish Oil mixed in. But, if/when he stops being interested in that, I will definitely be cooking your recipe for him. I cannot express how grateful I am for this article and recipe. It is the first article I found when searching “low phosphorus diet for dogs” and once I came across it and the awesome positive response to it, I knew I didn’t need to look any further.
Question: Did you monitor what treats you fed Ben? We only received “the news” about Cash two days ago and we are trying to figure out where to focus the most, which seems to be strictly monitoring the phosphorus. Do you have any advice or recommendations for treats, either store bought or homemade, that would be appropriate? I did read Kerrie E.’s very informative comment and plan to try some of her nutritionist’s suggestions.
Another question: Do you have any recommendations for a Salmon Oil that does not contain Omega-6? I have been cutting open a 1,000mg Fish Oil gel capsule that the bottle states “provides 300 mg of Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids compromising of EPA, DHA, and Other Fatty Acids.” From your own plethora of reading and research, does this seem to be sufficient? I also plan to investigate Kerrie E.’s suggestions with the pure certified fish oils.
Again, thank you so very much for continuing to honor Ben by providing answers and knowledge to those of us who are just beginning our journeys. It has been a blessing to read through 190 pages of love, care, compassion, and friendship. I wish more than anything I could be one of those who had many, many years with their companions, but I am determined to make the best of whatever time we have left. It is without a doubt that this article has given me hope for the days, weeks, and, with any luck, the many months to come.
All the best,
Daisy
Hi Daisy — what a beautiful post you’ve provided here. You sound like exactly the champion any dog like Cash could ever hope to have in his corner. While none of any of this provides ‘guarantees,’ champions like yourselves provide at least hope and the best chance our suffering companions could hope for. In answer to your question regarding treats, the truth is that I didn’t provide a high degree of focus on this part because I figured Ben deserved as much to be happy and comfortable as anything. It is hard for any of us to accept and very very hard to accept a few days into getting “the news” but for many, this isn’t a curative therapy, but rather palliation. 🙁 As such, my advice, choose treats that honour the dietary needs/restrictions as much as you can while balancing that which are available and those Cash actually likes. As an example, I know it wasn’t what Ben ‘needed’ but I continued to give him his free-dried liver as part of his oral hygiene routine (he got a sliver after teeth brushing every night for the better part of decade). Not sure what you have available, but there other good choices I considered were dried sweet potato and dehydrated cheese.
The fish oil is a challenge, I know but I think you have a good option in front of you. Instead of opening the caplets though which is a mess, you might think of wrapping it some other treat (e.g. cheese) and get him to swallow. Very hard with dogs the size of Cash or Ben, I know. Perhaps look for fish-oil caplets designed for children?
Thank you for sharing, truly, and for your incredibly kind comments. All I do seems insufficient to many of you, I know, but I’m glad to help as I can. All the best to you, Daisy, your family, and Cash. Take care.
Hey. Quick question. My dog has an allergy to beef. Is there any way to use chicken with your recipe?
Hi Susan — you’ll see many protein alternates described and those listed in the attached literature that describe the various phosphorus levels. If you decide to go with chicken, I strongly recommend dark meat only (e.g. thighs). Likely boil it to cook it before introducing it into the rest of the ingredients. Good luck to you.
Thank you very much for sharing such precious recipe example…
You’re very welcome, Jen. Thank you.
So my wife and I were just informed that our 14yr old is in kidney failure, he has been not him self for days and not eating, we were told the prognosis is not good , my wife and I are trying your recipe, we want to give him a little more quality in life and have him here a little bit longer ,thank you for everything you have done in helping others like us navigate through these tough and terrible times
Dear Roger and Sharon. I’m very sorry for your news. I can so relate. I hope that everything you do does indeed grant you some extra and very precious time. It is incredibly sad and painful I know and disorientating in the moment. You’re very welcome and, as I say, I hope it brings you all you seek. Strong wishes your way and thanks for sharing your story here.
Hi Dale – Thank you for sharing this recipe, I am making it tomorrow. I have a little (14 pound) terrier mutt that was just diagnosed with kidney disease a few months ago. She is just 5 years old so it was a shock to get a diagnosis like that. She has also had 2 bouts of pancreatitis since May and getting her to eat is a great challenge every day. She gets Pepcid twice a day, meds to prevent her body from absorbing phosphorus and I now also have her on renal support supplements from VetriScience. Doing fluids 2x a week. It is a struggle. I also need to give her an appetite stimulant some days because she will refuse everything except a few select dog treats. I have high hopes for this recipe. I’ll start with a 1/2 batch, I have thrown away a Lot of food the last few months. She used to be the best eater ever, never refused anything, especially loved veggies. Thank you so much for sharing. Keeping my fingers crossed and praying this gets her back on track with food. Thanks so much! Cheryl R
Good luck Cheryl. I can relate to many parts of your story, so keep persevering as you are. It sounds like you’re doing a great job indeed and making the most of what you have around you. It’s not easy, I know.
Thank you sooo soo much for posting this. I have been scrambling all year with my Layla when all of the sudden her kidneys began to fail after an infection attacked her! I cant wait to try this recipe because she seems hungry but has not been liking many of my efforts in the kitchen or with my expensive online orders ? She loves meat, but I was not sure of I could give her beef or what meats her body could still process. Looking forward to trying out some new recipes! Thanks again!
Thank you Nicky and best of luck to you and Layla. Hope this provides you the answer you’re looking for and hope Layla loves it!
Hi… did Ben start the dog food at age 18? Did it help him? How much longer did he live w/o kidney issues… tx Vicki
Hi Vicki. The answers to those questions are complex and covered to large degree in other posts here. But the short answer is that, yes, the recipe played a huge part in treating the illness and giving him many more positive months.
Hi my 5 yr old 7 lb chihuahua had acute kidney failure last week. She is on the mend and is getting daily IV fluids . I am not sure about the vitamins for a small dog. Can you add dinovite supplement instead? How about egg shells?
Thanks
Hi Lisa. I’m very sorry to hear about your recent news and challenges with your girl, but glad she’s on the mend and responding to treatment. With respect to any vitamins and supplements, the answer is best read as “advice” that you will need to gauge on your end and use as information in conjunction with your situation and the advice of your vet. When I did my own research 2.5 years ago, there weren’t many other supplements on the market and so I can’t assess or evaluate them, sorry. Some have merits and others really don’t add much that you couldn’t add yourself … and others are reasonably described as crap. Others here have also gone the route of egg shells. There is support for this added calcium being a reasonable phosphorus-binder … but I think it will really come down to how you use them and prepare them. I, personally, wouldn’t eat an egg shell if it was fed to me and some dogs will be the same. Again, speak to your vet, because a binder may not even be necessary in your situation. My approach was simple: make nutritious and appropriate food that a dog would eat … not to create perfect food they wouldn’t. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.
Thank you for taking the time to do this – I’ve found it so helpful as so many others have too (the tip about boiling carrots because of the phosphorous is much appreciated).
Luckily, my 10-year-old girl loves the Hills canned food for dogs with kidney disease (it’s expensive though) and I add quality white rice (better than the stuff I make for myself!) and a probiotic. She also takes Pecid once a day and a blood pressure pill (I upped the Pepcid and reduced the blood pressure medication) after some observation and a chat with the vet.
My dog also has a very sensitive stomach so I put her on a 24-hour rice, little chicken, Pepto Bismol combo now and then. She doesn’t tolerate going for long periods without food (tends to vomit) so I always try and give her a snack right before bedtime to get her through the night.
Thank you for sharing own story, Kerry, and your tips to others as well. Each dog is certainly different for so many reasons and there is much to be gained and shared through such stories among all. I’m sure yours will help someone as well. Observation and working with a vet you you trust is so critical. Our dogs are often giving us the answers we need. Wishing you the very best with your girl and many more special memories.
I don’t know if you know the hope this blog gave me. My Sophie dog is 15. Her BUN is at 75. I put her on a “prescribed diet” from the vet…which was nasty low protein food. Mostly corn starch. As I’m reading this…I am realizing how I would do just about anything for her. I also wonder if I am getting her enough protein. I hope I’m doing this right. It feels right. Which is the best I can do. Also, I want you to know…she has been eating this diet for 2 weeks now. She loves it and is so thankful and happy. I, on the other hand, have watched her muscle mass come back. I have also found out that garlic in VERY small quantities is ok for dogs. HOWEVER, eating 1/3 cup of garlic or any allium for that matter, can be fatal for your pooch. I am so thankful for you and hope that I have my little girl for 2 more years. That would be a dream come true! Thank you.
Hi Summer — thank you for sharing your story about Sophie and how she’s responding to the recipe. That muscle mass is such a powerful indicator and so important to living with this disease. Thank you for sharing from your heart, your fears and your doubts and your wishes. As you say, in the end, we have to trust our hearts and know that in doing our ‘best’ we are doing the best possible for our loved ones who are depending on us. Wishing you continued success and my apologies for the delay as I was away on my honeymoon.
My 5 year old Maggie has recently been diagnosed with renal disease. Thanks for all your information, I have been looking for a homemade option for her to add variety. Sorry for the loss of Ben, but wow, 18.5 yrs, you did something right!
Thank you for your very nice words. The sad part of it is that no amount of ‘right’ will ever make us feel like we did enough for our dogs, but words like your will always make a difference. Thank you. Wishing you the best with Maggie and thank you again.
Hi Dale, we are researching diets for our Mia who is having both Kidney and Pancreas issues, I have to be careful of the amount of fat I put in as well. is the fat content of your diet rather low?
Rob
Hi Rob — Sorry for the delay, but in quick answer, no, I’d assume the fat content of the dish to be fat as it a safe way to boost the calories for CRF dogs. It might give you a place to start, but think you will have to adapt. Best of luck to you.
Hi Dale,
My Wesley was diagnosed with early stage renal failure this past summer. I know Ben had chronic kidney disease so I was wondering if you think your low phosphorus diet may work for Wesley as well?
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your recipe. Your unconditional love for Ben is helping so many of us!
Hi Ling and thanks for the kind words — a quick answer to your question is yes, it should still be of help to most kidney diseases causing low renal functioning. Best of luck to you and Wesley.
After spending most of today day trying to find a commercial kidney diet that I can feel comfortable with, I realized that sometimes if you want something done right you just have to do it yourself! I’m excited to try your recipe but I have a question, my 14 year old girl absolutely LOVES fish. We live on the coast so ocean fish is abundant, but trout isn’t. Would cod, haddock, etc be an adequate substitute?
Thank you. You obviously love your dog. He knows and revels in your love. He could ask for no better life. Bless you.
Thank you, Scott. It is deeply validating to know that others outside my life can see and appreciate the love I still have for Ben. And while the patter of his feet are are distant from this earth, through this recipe he is very much a part of us all. ?
Hi Dale,
Thank you for posting the low phosphorus diet. I am a veterinarian and have recommended your diet to a few clients because it seems well researched and balanced. The pictures are helpful for clients as well. Nutrition is so important for chronic kidney disease along with proper medications if needed and supplements. Sorry for your loss of Ben, but your response to his diagnosis has blessed many.
Sincerely,
Sophia
Hi Sophia. I can’t tell you how incredibly validating it is to read your message here. So many of us who suffer through pet loss spend hours and a lifetime asking “Did I do enough?” This blog and this recipe has done my heart and conscience great healing to hear words from so many and now yourself, thank YOU. And thank you for sharing it with others. I know you know that not all vets are as giving and holistic as you sound, so a pat in your own back. Thank you again for the big smile. Wishing you the best.
Hello! I’m so happy i found your blog. I also have a sheltie dog who has renal failure. He is surviving and I make sure he eats healthy food for his kidney. But his BUN still continues to shoot up despite my effort of feeding him low potassium foods. Question: how often do you feed your dog this recipe? Can he eat this every single day?
Hi Kate. Sorry for the delay but I’m traveling so it’s been a challenge. With respect to your question, the point of the diet though is this should become the mainstay or only meal (“treats” excepted). Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.
This may save Deeder’s life. Off to the grocery store. I have tried everything else to no avail. It’s great that you went to so much trouble to post this for the rest of us out here who are floundering. I’ll let u know how it goes.
Wishing you and Deeder much success. I hope we get to hear back how it helped. ?
2 months ago I lost my 14 yr old Cattle Dog, Hansel to congestive heart failure. It’s been painful and our other dog, Sophie has been anxious and depressed. We started searching for a new dog a few weeks ago. We scanned shelters, rescues and animal control centers for the right fit. Frank is 1/2 Blue Heeler, 1/2 German Shepherd. We found him at animal control. He was abandoned in a house when the tenant was evicted. Frank is the sweetest most well-mannered dog I’ve ever met. He was great with my toddlers and Sophie. We were a perfect match! I adopted him and before I got home, animal control called and asked if I could bring him back, because they just got his blood work back and it’s renal failure. They said they never should have adopted him out and they will need to euthanize him. I was heartbroken! We decided to take him home anyway and give him an end he deserves. It won’t be easier on us, but he’s our family now in sickness and health. I’m so very grateful for this recipe and the research you put behind it. I hope it helps Frank to enjoy what time we’ll have with him. I’m so sorry for the loss of your sweet friend, Ben.
Yours is a very moving story. Frank is very lucky and will break a few hearts I’m sure. You’re doing an amazing thing and I hope your humanity comes back to you with some well deserved joy and happiness. Wishing you the best and thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for this. My dog has Cushing’s and kidney disease. This diet really agrees with him. He will eat anything. But LOVES this food. His hair is growing back in. And he is doing much better. Thanks again!
You’re very welcome, Jen. Wishing you continued success.
I think is great that Ben has a second chance. My best friend Rocky a mixed German Shepard recently passed away..i had to make the decision of letting him continue suffering….or not. He was a wonderful and very noble dog, to the very end. The Vet said his kidneys were no longer functioning and he was too far along to remedy. I wish I knew sooner about these problems dogs are prone to.
I have 2 other dogs younger in age, and I will definitely try this recipe. Good luck with Ben…he’s lucky to have you.
I will let you know how my dogs like this recipes….Irene
Hi Irene — I’m very sorry for the loss of Rocky. Wishing you comfort with your other two dogs. Thanks for stopping by and commenting….
Is there a reason you purree the foods? I think my babe would eat it all without it being purreed just wanted to check.
Hi Allyson. It is more a texture thing and to bind the food together so the dog isn’t picking around and eating only parts. Such dexterity in their tongues. 🙂 Ultimately, experiment and do what works best for you and your babe.
Hi Dale,
One more comment for you. The certified nutritionist said AminAvast supplement was garbage. She said there was a double blind placebo controlled trial where AminAvast had 0 effect. She also said she wasn’t a big fan of Azodyl, but that Azodyl couldn’t hurt (wouldn’t harm the dogs), I guess because it’s a probiotic.
Hi Dale, Thank you for taking the time to help others whose pets have renal disease. My 14 year old shih-tzu, Max, was diagnosed last year with chronic renal disease, and I’ve been home cooking him Ben’s recipe for a year, and he loves it:). I took it a step further and finally caved and spent $450 for a visit to a certified nutritionist ($200 for the visit and $250 for the specific diet plan). Your recipe was almost exactly the same as the Expert’s recommendation! I’m writing to you to share the few additions.
Fish Oil:
Here’s a link for pure certified fish oils, to avoid buying any oil with contaminants. The nutritionist recommended Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Pet liquid as a pure oil. I had already bought Bonnie and Clyde brand, but both are on this list of certified pure oils. http://www.nutrasource.ca/ifos/product-reports/default.aspx.
Treats:
I also thought the nutritionist’s recommended treats were interesting: unsalted brown rice cakes, plain cheerios, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, baby carrots, zucchini, apple sauce, pear, peach, pineapple, and watermelon. (No meat as treats for renal disease because of high protein).
Supplement:
The certified nutritionist gave my dog Balance IT Canine-K Formula (to be introduced slowly) for vitamins, minerals and amino acids. My dog is 15 pounds and the suggested daily amount is 2 1/2 tsps. This supplement can be found at the manufacturer’s website: balanceit.com, but they may need a veterinary code (which you can get from your vet) to purchase. On the site there’s a link to get vet approval. https://secure.balanceit.com/marketplace2.2/index.php?m=homemade
The nutritionist also recommended Canola oil for linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid (2 tsps daily for my 15 lb dog).
Overall, Ben’s recipe is fantastic.
Reminder for all, which is worth repeating… Toxic to Dogs: The following could be Toxic:
NO grapes/raisins, garlic,onions, chocolate or anything containing the sweetener xylitol.
Hope that helps!
Hi Kerrie — thank you again for checking back and sharing an update on your story. It is great to hear both that Max is doing well and that your nutritionist has independently provided support for the diet. There has been a thread of discussion on the merits of “fish oil” through here as well … and it sounds like salmon oil specifically would be a great choice for those opting to add it in. So, again, great to have another research source provided here. With your permission, I’d like to add your comment into the recipe as a separate pdf for those who are interested: just so it doesn’t get lost in all the other comments. Thank you again for your own great bit of sharing here. I’m sure many will find this hugely helpful, indeed.
Sounds great. Thanks for including my summary as a pdf :).Kerrie
help maltese creatinine number is 11. She spent three days in the hospital on IV fluids I just brought her home she won’t eat or drink. How can I get her to eat I will make the recipe.she still wagging her tail when she sees me but just laying on the couch.
I’m truly sorry but if things don’t perk up in the morning once she’s adjusted to being back home, speak to your vet about an appetite stimulant. Some of this just takes time. But I know how traumatic it is to watch and how helpless you must feel. Otherwise, sad as your words are, I can’t really help more from here and your vet is your best partner to work through the road ahead. I’m sorry. Hang in there.
how do I get her to eat or drink??? my heart is broken please help creatintine number was 11. brought her home tail wagging , but she still needs to eat or drink she’s just laying around, Help
Hello Dale and fellow dog lovers….our 11 year old Golden Retriever has recently been diagnosed with CKF….her once voracious appetite has since withered away…along with 15 lbs of her…thankfully she was a bit hefty 🙁 In any event…these comments and recipes sound good….I’ve just cooked up some ground pork and lean ground beef and added rice…she seemed to like it…though was kind of disgusted when I mixed it in with kibble…guess that’s not gonna work…she is a broad boned girl…so I’m at a loss as to how much I should be feeding her. Any help would be appreciated…as of today…she is 86 lbs….many many thanks for your website….Brenda <3
Hi Brenda –My heart goes out to you as you also join the journey of many others battling CRF. It’s a horribly paralysing thing to watch. With respect to adding it to her “kibble,” I’m assuming you have a KD kibble or something. If so, that’s likely the problem since most dogs as you’ll hear hate the stuff … and if it isn’t kd, I’d be careful about using it anyway since it may be high in phosphorus. All that said and to a common question about “how much,” my stock answer is let your dog guide you. Dogs with CRF, in my experience here, don’t over-eat. Their issue is not eating. Give her an amount consistent with what you might expect her to eat in kibble (give or take) … and then cut it in half and feed her the other half later and earlier than you’d otherwise. Again, with CRF, smaller and more frequent meals (3-5 times day) are easier to stomach. But beyond that, as I say, Brenda, let her be your guide. Her extra “heft” will help her over the coming months. All the best. ~ Dale
I have a dog going on 11 years old, a carin terrier and also an 8 year old silky terrier. ( the loves of mine and my husbands life). Still healthy but I am very aware of kidney disease in dogs from my past little girls (dogs). I have always ,cooked for my girls I want to prevent or try to prevent kidney disease, would you suggest your recipe for a hopeful preventive measure? I also research, but boy is it hard to figure out the right way to go.
Sincerely
Peggy
Hi Peggy — it’s a good question and one I and others have struggled with to answer. I’m not a doggy-dietician or nutritionist, but my gut is to say that while there is certainly no harm in healthy dogs eating this diet, I wouldn’t relegate a healthy dog to exclusively this diet. I don’t think that phosphorus is a poison that we need to limit in healthy creatures, especially because it forms in food that brings other important nutrients. Healthy dogs with healthy kidneys can and do deal with the phosphorus they eat and excrete that which they don’t need. Like so many things, it comes down to balance and moderation … which eating the same kibble for a decade in and of itself doesn’t provide. Check out my “super-dog food” recipe for another example. In the end, as incredibly hard as it is to watch our most loved pets waste away from chronic renal failure, the truth is, after 18.5 years, Ben was bound to succumb to some disease as a mere function of incredibly old age. There is no magic diet that will make our pets immortal … though if there was one, I know most of us would do anything to provide it to our loved ones. 🙁
My 13 year old 7 pound chihuahua mix, Reagan recently began feeling bad, started having a poor appetite, and throwing up. She was diagnosed with kidney failure, and our family is devastated. We got a special dog food from the vet, but she doesn’t like any of it. She does still want to table food, but we have never given her much thinking it wouldn’t be good for her. I turned to the Internet looking for some kind of help and found your article. I am so impressed at the effort you put forth to research what would be the best foods to feed Ben. I am so excited to try some of your ideas. Thank you so much!
Hi Cheryl — I can truly feel your devastation and hope that this recipe truly does bring you hope and level the playing field for you as you start to examine the future with Reagan. There are no words that can ever be enough, so hold her well and soak up all her love. Best of luck to you and your family.
Hi Dale my dog is a 6 year old pitbull named Laney she is our world as my husband and I are now empty nesters. Last week Laney was not herself she refused to eat and would throw up what small amount she eat , after running test at her vet we were told she has Chronic Kidney Failure at this point we are still devastated they told us not much can be done and should be considering to put her down.
My husband and I are people of faith and know that there is no miracle too small or big for God we prayed and ask that he leave her with us a bit longer, today after feeling like I was running out of hope I came across your article and went straight to the store to get all the ingredients and supplements I know that God put you in our path you are a wonderful person for sharing Ben’s story and the recipe that helped him have good quality life.
Vicky Acosta
Dear Vicky. Thank you for a beautiful note and sharing your own path here. I don’t doubt that we are all part of something, connected in ways it is hard to define or explain, and I’m grateful that this connection has allowed me to share my own story and path with you. I hope it likewise brings you hope and your own miracle. Laney no doubt has much life in her and in life, there is always hope and potential. May it give you your miracle. ~ Dale
My 16 year old collie has both liver disease and rising kidney values. Food for one condition can be contraindicated by the other so it’s tricky finding a balance. She is inappetant and is also wasting. I was putting it all down to her liver condition but now realise it could be her kidneys. She has been drinking more lately and ‘leaking’. So we are off for more tests tomorrow. The vet suggested steroids for appetite but am reluctant. Will try your recipe thanks. The main thing is to get proper nutrition into her and maybe worry less about her liver. At this stage quality of life is more important than length of life. Cheers.
Hi Chrissy. I can totally empathise with the challenge of dealing with dueling conditions in a geriatric dog. I felt the same challenge as Ben’s bloodwork was needing to be managed in terms of all his organ functions, not just the kidneys … and it is why I so importantly ask people here to develop care/treatment plans in consultation with other health professionals who know the dog’s whole history. All that said, I am in full agreement with you that once the end of the runway starts to come into sight, quality of life becomes the most important indicator …. Best of luck to you as you continue on this road. It doesn’t get any easier, but it does become very beautiful.
Thank you so much for the recipe for low-phosphorus dog food. My Miniature Schnauzer has kidney disease, and we go through this horrible cycle of not wanting to eat anything a couple days after receiving fluids at the vet. At first the prescription canned food worked, then she lost interest in it. My homemade chicken and rice met with the same disinterest. Yesterday I tried your recipe and she LOVED it. It broke her 1 1/2 day fast, and she ate it again this morning. Thank you!!!
Such uplifting news, Nancy. Thank you for sharing. I hope your girl continues to enjoy the food and bounce back. Wishing you the very best … good luck.
Hi Dale,
Thanks so much for your blog. My beautiful Milly is 15 years old, diagnosed with Pancreatitis when she was 6, Cushings at 13 and now CRF. She has been in twice in the past 6 months for IV treatment. My girl is very flat atm. Since the diagnosis of Pancreatitis, I have been making her chicken, rice and Veges but now she needs to be on specific canned food. She hates it! I will be cooking your recipes up for in the hope we get a little more time together!!
Thanks again!
Cheryl
I’m very sorry for your news, Cheryl, but do hope this diet perks up your girl and gives you a path through the next phase of her chronic diseases. Don’t give up hope but do enjoy the time you have with her … make the memories you want forever. Thanks for stopping by and sharing too. And stay strong.
HI Dale – I am sorry to read of the loss of Ben. Thank you for sharing your research! From your research, what are your thoughts on ground turkey? My Mugsy loves turkiey more than any other food. We have struggles over his eating anything but the turkey. Is that a good substitute for the ground beef in your recipe?
Thank you for your condolences, Gary. That’s very kind of you to offer. With respect to Mugsy and his love of turkey, I say go for it, but aim for darker meat which is lower in phosphorus vs. the light meat if you have a choice … or at least them combined. Likely, the butchers aren’t exclusively using breast anyway. Ultimately, life is for living and enjoying, if Mugsy loves turkey, then Mugsy should have turkey. Keep him happy … it will make you happy too. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your diet. What a great legacy for your dog, Ben. My almost 9 yr old cooker spaniel Freckles numbers were so bad that they were maxing out the vet’s machine. He has been getting fluids twice a week after spending 3 days at the vets. He would not eat the canned diet but loves your diet. Thank you for posting it! So far, so good!!!
Thank you Allison for adding to Ben’s legacy and sharing your own with Freckles. There is nothing easy about trying to find hope when you’re looking at a loved one who won’t eat. I hope the diet helps Freckles and gives you the hope you need. Strength to you….
Hi Dale, thank you so much for doing all of this research and providing a recipe that appears to be healthy and palatable! As I’m sure you know, it’s almost impossible to find easy, wholesome, homemade recipes for dogs who have KD. I’ve been doing research ever since my Buster (he’ll be 16 in Oct) was diagnosed at the beginning of this month. We’ve tried the Hills, Purina, and Royal Canin renal diets and he detests all of them!! When I read the ingredients in these foods, I cringed! I am losing sleep over this. Buster has never been fed any food that contains animal by-products. He’s used to high quality, top of the line dog food. His last diet consisted of Fresh Pet – different varieties of the chicken and beef recipes. My vet recommended adding PetTinic and Aluminum Hydroxide Gel to his food. Have you heard of these? Anyhow, I’m going to try your recipe with him this week and see how it goes. Fingers and paws crossed!!! Thank you again! Jill
Hi Jill — I wish you the best of luck with the recipe. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about the supplements you mention, so I can’t advise. Sorry, but hopefully the diet with or without provides you a measure of hope and control again. I can well relate to the struggle of always have “done your best” and made the best choices and then with such a diagnosis, it seems so much of the control gets taken out of your hands. Fingers and paws crossed indeed. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for your recipe! We have a greyhound that is almost 13 and was just diagnosed with kidney disease. In addition she is a super picky eater! She loves the food and the puréed bits ensure that she eats everything.
Again thank you and I’m sorry to read that Ben has passed.
Thank you Telitha … wishing you the best of luck on your own journey and thank you for your kind thoughts. Hoping she continues to chow down the food. 🙂
Hi Dale,
All I can do is Echo everyone’s words. You truly are a hero for me. I am the type of person who likes to give my dog the best diet possible. He primarily has either been on a raw diet or high quality kibble (i.e. orijien), so your recipe was perfect for me. He was diagnosed a month ago or so with stage 2 renal failure. I was really lost at first as what to do, because the vet only recommended the standard stuff at first. LAstly, I have another dog, two cats, and also an 11 month old. My time is scarce and we just moved to a new city so we are trying to not go overboard on spending. Your recipe has given me a starting point, and that was I think where my fear was initially coming from. When I told the vet we were doing this receipe for now, they also directed us to a University Vet Center that aids in building homemade diet recipes for each particular dog. We have yet to do it, but plan to soon. I have complete confidence about the recipe you put together, but I think your stance is more that we make sure the diet for our dog is fulfilling his exact needs.
The couple questions I have:
1. Do you ever premade the daily portions to include the additional supplements? (i.e. CQ10, B50, antacid, fish oil, etc..)– I bring this up because we will have to travel and leave our little friend with a dog sitter. In general, I always have anxieties of asking dog sitters (who are just close friends) to do too much– in this case, asking them to provide our dog with his additional supplements. So was thinking if you ever (for example) mixed the fish oil into the daily portions in advanced, vs. providing it when the meal is actually given.
2. Lastly, anything wrong with giving salmon oil? From what I have seen on the internets, salmon oil doesn’t have any phosphorus, but figured it couldn’t hurt to ask what you have seen. This was the link I came across: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/632/2
thanks again!
Dear Scott — thank you for your own words and the echoes. I honestly don’t feel like I’m a hero — mostly because I don’t have any superpowers that I’m aware of — but happy to be a friend to you all and offer any insight or experience that will help you in your own journeys. But you’re right that my stance is indeed that there is not likely a “one size fits all” treatment or plan for all dogs with renal disease. There are often comorbidities or different underlying issues/complications that need to be taken into consideration. So I commend you for working with other professionals and the University sounds like an absolute boon. Would love to hear what you learn through it as they help you with a meal plan for your dog.
In terms of your questions, I wouldn’t recommend combining the supplements with the food. I totally get your predicament and was in the same one myself when supporting Ben through the last few years of his life — it’s really really hard and there is no question this caregiver dependence changes the relationship between both pet and caregiver over the longer haul … but I digress. My primary reasons for discouraging you from putting the supplements in there are because 1) the supplements will dissolve and in a dissolved and mushy state they will 2) taste awful to the dog and disincent them from eating the food and 3) when semi-dissolved, you can’t control the dosage very well any more because the food won’t uniformly contain the elements and the dog won’t eat the same amount always.
As for the salmon oil, it seems like a good bet, yes. I never researched it, but I think you’re right and from everything I’ve read, it indeed only has trace phosphorus so is a good way to get the benefits of salmon without the nasties. Good call and best of luck to you and in coming up with personal meal plan.
Thanks again for stopping by and your good questions.
~ Dale
I did try the recipe but my dog ended up getting pancreatitis. I’ve always given omega 3 and coconut oil her whole life but I think the dark meat chicken and fat from that may have pushed her over the edge. Seems it can happen with KD dogs. So people need to be careful on the fats and make sure their blood work is monitored. I’m working with a nutritionist now. We hope in time we can work the omega 3’s back in. But for the past month we’ve been off all fats. Your Ben was a beautiful creature. He was a lucky dog.
Thank you … and thanks for sharing your story with others. It is indeed a good reminder to all that no two dogs are exactly the same and that treatments, including diets, are best provided in collaboration with a trusted health professional who can guide and supplement the knowledge as part of a holistic treatment plan. Hoping your girl rebounds for sure and that you turn the corner completely with her. Thanks again for your very kind words. ~ Dale
Hi Dale,
I have just stumbled upon this and am so happy I did. Vet’s prescribed my beloved dog Bachi with low protein dog food but it seemed such low quality as well. She hated it and I could see why…we’ve always been good at giving her organic good quality food. After her second set of results she had gone from 3.3KG to 2.7KG, a big loss for a tiny dog and looked permanently fed up. I know vets get a big profit on a lot of prescribed dog food so its no mystery why they plug it…I know there’s no cure for Kidney failure but we can’t expect our dogs to get better with minimal nutrients from processed food they don’t even really like to eat.
I’m going to go home and make a batch of this!
I’m so sad to hear about Ben but what an amazing long life you gave him. You should feel so proud that you and Ben have helped so many people. It’s given me a wonderful insight when there’s so much overwhelming confusing information out there. I honestly can’t thank you enough.
Sophie x
Thanks Sophie. You’re right on all accounts. The pet food industry is challenging segment of our pets’ lives to navigate … and we as humans should be just as wary and ask questions about the food prescribed by vets as the drugs prescribed by doctors. I honestly believe most vets are incredible human beings and there are only a few bad apples who are motivated by profits vs. making good recommendations. That said, I suspect there are a great many vets who naively prescribe pet food with little more knowledge than the pet owners themselves … so it begs that we stay informed and do our own research, that’s for sure.
Best of luck to you and thanks for your very supportive words. I’m only too happy to help those going through similar challenges as I faced. Ben would expect nothing less from me. 🙂
Just made this for our girl Scout who was diagnosed in January with early onset renal disease. She had been eating the Hill’s k/d canned food but as she can be a picky eater, she’s lost interest in that. Scarfed down this recipe!! Question: I made the original recipe, but could I use canned salmon instead of trout, also, could any squashes be subbed? Zucchini, yellow squash, butternut, etc.
So sorry about your Ben, it’s so hard to lose our babies, we know. God only lets us have them for a short amount of time here on earth. We’ll all be together one day at the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you for your research on this to help other pups!
Hi Amanda — to answer your questions, salmon is a no-no from my reading and which is what prompted my own search. Several websites place salmon in the top 10 highest sources of phosphorus. White fish is by far your better choice if you want a fish-based version. Almost any squash is an awesome source. Pumpkin seeds are to be avoided however …. But try different squash and foods in general as they provide a balance of different and equally important vitamins and minerals that your Scout will need over the long haul.
Thanks for your kind words and thoughts … I do believe he continues to watch over me from somewhere. 🙂
Thank you
You’re very welcome.
Dear Dale, bless you for posting this recipe. I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Ben. I hope you find a little comfort in knowing he has helped so many other dogs with renal failure. He’s a lifesaver because of this recipe.
I found your blog about 2 months ago when our beloved Holly, a rescue Shih Tzu who was living on the streets, went into severe renal failure. She had been diagnosed about a year previously with renal failure after chemo when she was diagnosed with mammary gland cancer. For a year she ate canned prescription dog food and then she had a kidney crisis, and spent 1 week in the ICU. We feared we would lose her. After she came home, she refused to eat the canned food and so I searched the internet for a low phosphorus dog food she would like. I’m happy to tell you your recipe has been a true blessing because Holly LOVES it. She sits in the kitchen as I cook it and watches me. I’ve been using the pumpkin (organic) and sweet potatoes instead of the squash and it works out great. Watching her gobble down the food and lick the plate fills us with joy! We don’t know how much longer she has, but we are doing all we can to ensure she has the best quality of life, and your recipe is definitely part of that. Thank you so much for your generous spirit in both sharing this recipe and in doing all you did for your wonderful little fur baby Ben.
Thank you Bonnie. You bring tears to my eyes, truly. It means so much that I can’t describe it … that Ben does have a legacy which goes well beyond the love and awareness he gave to me. Stories like yours gives him life which is so much more than I ever expected when I posted this recipe. Thank you. Thank you all.
It is indeed a magical gift to hear how hope can be packaged and sent around the world. I know you’re necessarily realistic about Holly … but even that, you’ve found the ultimate gift of prizing the time you have and celebrating the life you share. Don’t stop. Those memories and days are more precious than you already think they are … trust me.
Many sweet thanks to you for such kind words. Peace and strength. ~ Dale
Hi Dale, my dog has just been diagnosed with renal failure, he is only 9 so it’s come as a huge shock. Max has never been the easiest dog to live with, lived life at a million miles an hour, dashing here, dashing there but now he is a sad little man who is wasting away in front of my eyes, I really long for him to be dashing around again.
I will have a go at making your diets as I tried Hills with him last night (admittedly he only just got home from the vets after a day on a drip) and he wasn’t interested. One question, do you freeze the packs of food or do they keep in the fridge ?
Thanks
Alison
Hi Alison — I’m very sorry to hear your news. It really is the ultimate kick in the heart. Hang in there.
With respect to your question, I bagged it in 3-4 day portions and froze the bags to be pulled out as needed.You’ll have to judge the portion based on Max, but, yes, it freezes well. Best of luck and thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Hi Dale! Henry Pittock here again, owner of now 17 1/2 year old Stanley. He is still doing quite well, but as the rest of his body declines, he is now on prednisone .75 mg daily. So, of course, now he is hungry constantly! I’m not concerned about weight gain, he’s still rather slim for a dachshund, but am rather wondering about an ingredient or two to “bulk up” his food. I’m assuming he will be on the pred for the rest of his life, so for us, its all about quality of life, but without messing with your AMAZING recipe too much! I’ve also considered splitting his meals into smaller and more frequent portions too, but he has been a ravenous hound since he was a pup!
Hi Henry — thank you following up and the great news about Stanley. Your story reminds me much of my own and it is true, that they diseases often need to be managed in the context of general old age and the other geriatric conditions that come and/or other illnesses and treatments. In terms of bulking things up, the carbs are likely your best bet. That said, I’m fully with you that more frequent and small meals are generally best anyway, but especially for a dog with strong food-drive. That makes things easier on top of it all, but as you say, needs to be managed. Best of luck and sorry for the delay as I was away on my honeymoon.
Hello, I have tried your recipe with my 14 1/2 year old Spanish water dog. He loved it. Like Ben, he loves food and I too said to heck with it, I want him to enjoy the rest of his life. He was not wanting to eat the Royal Canine diet from the vet. I was concerned about the supplements so I asked me vet. She had me go on a site called Balanceit.com and do their recipe and buy their supplement which is a powder. The recipe is only hamburger, rice and corn oil. The supplement smells bad and I am concerned because he is not very excited when I feed him this. My question to you is about the vitamin B and CQ 10. What about a fish oil capsule also?
I would rather go back to your recipe. I’m sure you researched this and determined that this meets their needs? You loved Ben so much, I want to give my Mateo the very best too. I feel bad when he has to choke down that smelly supplement they sold me.
Hi Darla — As implied in your comment, the pet food industry is a deeply troubled and complicated one which vets themselves are sometimes implicated. As in the human medical world, not all health professionals are researched beyond the literature provided to them in vet school or by industry suppliers, pet food and pharma included. As such, having a vet you trust and can have an open and collaborative discussion about the care (and nutritional needs) of your loved one is key … and hard. Because of the questions by the public of the pet food industry, more and more are turning to homemade and holistic food choices … and the pet food industry is trying to respond by providing choices that appeal to this market. The average vet doesn’t have time to research every recipe or option, let alone all the stuff like mine here on the internet, so they often stay with tried and true supplier choices … without necessarily reading labels or giving natural remedies a fair consideration. I can’t comment on the Balanceit supplement, but I know that the few I’ve looked at raised concerns for me because they weren’t formulated for renal disease specifically and because they were ridiculously expensive …. In the end, it does require your own research to figure that out and I hope my site here provides you a few tools to assess. Regarding the fish oil, you’ll have to do a bit more search there as well. It depends on what fish is used to derive the oil. Not all fish are low in phosphorus. Remember the advice I wrote which is to avoid vitamin D in foods and Omega 6 and sodium. If the fish oil avoids these and is low in phosphorus, then go for it. Best of luck to you and Mateo and thanks for stopping by with your comment and questions. ~ Dale
Dale, Do you know of anything that will stimulate a dog’s appetite? She will not eat and has lost a lot of weight. She is 15 1/2. I know that if I can get her eating again that your diet will help her. Is she too far gone? May 27 her BUN was 41 mg and her CREA was 2.4 mg. PHOS was 8.0mg. I love she and her twin sister so much.
Hi Jane — speak to your vet about Mirtazapine. Towards the very end of his life, Ben was prescribed this as well to help stimulate his appetite and lower is nausea response. I hope it helps. Best of luck to you.
Not sure if my wife commented on this yet, but she found this recipe on your site over a year ago, shortly after our now 17 year old dachshund started to refuse the other low protein foods we were giving him. The vet suggested he likely had about a month or two to live. Now we are going on 1 1/2 years or so and though he has some neurological issues, he’s doing great!!!! THANK YOU
What a wonderful testimonial to share, Henry. Thank you. It is proof to so many who are struggling with horrible prognoses that they don’t need to give up hope at all. And that while the road is hard and uncertain, miracles do happen — that there are many dogs out there with strong wills who just need good food to help them through this difficult disease. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m sure it will inspire many here. Wishing you many more gifted days. ~ Dale
FYI…I have been told and also seen many articles that Garlic, in any form is not good for dogs. Love the recipe, thank you!
You’re very welcome. Hope it brings you success as well.
Thank you so much for your info. Ben seems son like our Tim.
My partner has him since 2002 and he recently got diagnosed with 3rd stage renal. Thank you for the recipe. I’ve tried it and Tim loved it. We think tim is 16 . I lay in bed at 2am reading all your blog last night with tears streaming down my face.
Like you we will do everything to help tim until we can’t.
Bless you xx
Thank you Mary — there seem many Ben’s and Tim’s out there, great dogs with people who love them to bits. While there are no guarantees in life or love, a long life rarely comes without love and I’m sure Tim is a testament to both. Hope the recipe continues to bring you success. 🙂
I am so glad I found your recipe. My little 15 year old yorkie is down to just over three pounds and was simply refusing to eat the food from the vet. She spits out anything that looks like a vegetable and I had trouble getting them pureed enough for her so I bought green beans and sweet potato baby foods. I added canned pumpkin puree which I feed to all of my fur kids. She doesn’t seem to be able to handle eggs of any kind so I dropped those. I added Greek yogurt. I mix all of that up with the rice. I haven’t added the parsley. What is the purpose of it? I make a bowl of this mixture to leave in the frig. and then I cook her hamburger in coconut oil in small amounts for a couple of days at a time. At meal time I just heat up a small spoon full of meat and then add the other mixture. It’s taken us a few days to get it down but it seems to be working for now. Again, Thank you so much for the post. We were really in a bad place before we found it. She is feeling so much better and actually her numbers were better today.
Dear Barb — sorry for the delay in reply but I’m glad you’re coming up with a solution that is working for you and your Yorkie. As your story will suggest, the recipe here is a starting point and one which can (and should) be reasonably adapted to your situation and your own dog. Glad it seems to be working for you and I wish you the best with it going forward. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Thank you so much for taking the time to give us the information you have researched. Our Doberman, Nikita, has been diagnosed with kidney failure which we as a family just couldn’t believe was true. We have now just been told that we probably won’t have her for as long as first told, 1-2 years. Our vet has said Nikita may not live until the end of June after seeing the amount of weight she has lost so quickly. This literally feels like my heart is being torn out of my chest. But I’m not giving up. My wife and daughters say I can’t cook. But let’s see what Nikita says. I’m going to make this recipe for her. I’m sure we’ll all celebrate her 8th birthday at the end of July.
Dear Robert — I hope this message finds you and Nikita well. I love your chutzpah and dedication. I felt much the same when I received the news about Ben’s condition and the prognosis was equally bleak. But like you, I threw myself into finding a solution and I hope that it similarly provides you some very precious time to celebrate birthdays and ultimately prepare for what is ahead. I hope the recipe allows you to squeeze every precious day out of the weeks and months ahead. Stay strong and prove the world that you can cook for the ones you love. 🙂
How can i ask some questions about side effects and such?
Hi Hermed — the best advise I have for you is to read the posts by the hundreds of people here … and read what some of them have reported back. To be clear, this is not a scientific nor medically researched diet. These are everyday people doing their best to care for their pets through a difficult period and often the last stages of a long relationship. The recipe is not going to cure kidney disease, but for some it buys time and improved life during that time.
Well my dog was in the early stages… After i changed his diet he got better. On the next drs. Visit his blood tests were all great again… I have him on this diet and a variation of it… just a quick question… he sometimes poops some blood.. wondering if thats normal because he eats a lot. He has gained all his weight back and is always hungry.. So not sure if he is actually sick or its just one of those things where he over eats… advise? Or anything u may have seen? Also the pepcid is that daily?
Hi Hermes — I really can’t say what is normal as I’m not a vet. I would say, however, that if blood is in your dog’s stool, there may likely be some other issue as the kidneys aren’t really connected to the bowels. The pepcid AC is an “acid control” pill and the prescription for my dog to use it was daily. However, I’m not comfortable advising you to do the same as I have no knowledge of your dog or his condition. You could speak to your pharmacist or vet for advice. All I can say is that there should be nothing in the diet that would likely to cause bleeding … but, again, I don’t know your dog so couldn’t say he doesn’t have some form inflammation or allergy or something else. Sorry I can’t be more specific but hope this helps.
Thanks so much for replying. The blood is not often but happens every now n then… its not just blood its with the poop, and small amounts… Anyway, yes when i give him pepcid aci see that he feels better. He may have a very acidic stomach. He is an 8 yr old boxer named Dino. Thansk for all your help.
We are considering your recipe for our dog that was just diagnosed with kidney problems he’s lost 3 lbs in the last week. Was your dog able to gain weight with this diet?
Hi Lauren — the weight loss and wasting is a common issue due to loss of appetite. It will depend on your dog and how advanced the disease is, but in most cases and in Ben’s case, the diet arrested the loss and provided a level of ‘maintenance’ and some bounceback. Others here are reporting weight gain. Fundamentally, it will come down to how much your dog likes the food. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.
Hi Dale,
I have a 15 year old female pitbull names Bentley Ann. I’ve had her since she was 5 weeks old. I came across your blog being that Bent just got her urinalysis back and it suggests the unfortunate reality of age. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your story. It is so lovely hearing another person that loves their dog like I do.
I was hoping you could also share how you copped when it was time for Ben to go. I try to not let my focus manifest on the negative inevitable but my anxieties are truly doing a tune and effecting my daily life. I worry about her constantly. I know she is still happy, eating, loves her daily walks and still with me but I fear that I’m going to absolutely fall apart when its her time. I swear I believe my heart will stop beating right there along with hers. Any advice or a heads up on things to help during that grieving period would be awesome!!!
I look forward to hearing from you,
Danielle Ferris
Hi Danielle — Yours is a good and very honest question … and a difficult one to answer. The truth is that you’ll “know” — you’ll know when your dog Bentley is no longer herself. You’ll know when the good days and hours are more infrequent and when the pain and the hard days ultimately outweigh. You’ll know when “quality” has simply been replaced by time. There are some good resources on the Net with respect to a checklist that you can go through to help you answer those questions, but food is certainly high up on the list.
With respect to how to grieve and let go when you finally arrive at that place …. that’s also tough and very individual. If you live in a larger centre where there are resources, I would recommend a grief support group. You may be so lucky as was I to find one that focuses on pet loss specifically. Surround yourself with people who understand — not the ones who think you should just get a new dog and get over it. Give yourself permission to feel … and let yourself cry. Let yourself have time to feel the loss … and give yourself time to heal. All in all, it takes time, but from now till “then” build up an warehouse of great memories that will last. Chronicle them. Remember them. They will help you through to the otherside and back.
Best of luck. Be strong for you and for Bentley.
~ Dale
Dale,
I am terribly sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet Ben. I am on day two of grieving and realizing that my days (possibly hours) are numbered with my chihuahua, Bizi.
Thank you so much for doing your research and sharing with everyone. I have been going back and forth between certain recipes, but some have foods with levels that are too high and so you have to mix and match foods, then once you think you have a good combo, you find out it might be unhealthy in another aspect.
Bizi is 15 years old and was diagnosed with renal failure on Monday. He is now down to two pounds. I have had him since I was in the 8th grade, so, needless to say, he has pretty much been with me for most of my life. The vet I took him to (not our normal vet because they were closed) wasn’t very informative and I felt as if she “wrote off” my dog because of his age. This little guy has always kept up with our other dogs and held his own up until around a week ago, so we knew something was wrong. I refuse to just stand by and do nothing while my dog withers away and am praying he will start eating again after I make this incredible recipe you put together.
Much love and appreciation and please share any additional suggestions or information so that I can keep my sweet buddy as comfortable as possible for the remainder of time I have left with him.
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer and thank you for your kind words and sharing your own personal story. I’m sure it rings true for most people here and for me as well. It is a devastatingly difficult process to go through, to watch one we love so much waste away while we feel so powerless to do anything to stop it. By the sounds of it, you’re doing everything you can and your love will instinctively make Bizi’s time with you as comfortable as you can … and perhaps with the help of this recipe and other treatments, you may extend your time to days, weeks or even months. Perhaps there is a miracle in your future. All you can do is your best, though, and remember that it is your best. I’m very sorry for you and Bizi. I know what it feels like entirely. Please take care. ~ Dale
Gonna give this a shot, my aussie mix, 7 yrs old has malignant renal carcinoma and recently had one of her kidneys removed, eventually it will take her but maybe this will extend some quality time she has left.
Best of luck to you, Ross. I’m sorry to hear about your story but do hope this recipe provides a bit of a treatment for your girl as well. I can tell you from Ben’s own experience that these creatures have an incredible tenacity and ability to survive what seems like horrible set backs. Don’t lose hope.
Thanks a lot!!! I have the same situation now with my dear dog “Pepita”. She loves her food!!!!!! Thanks to you and Ben! ❤️
You’re very welcome Adriana. Great to hear that Pepita loves the food. Wishing it continues.
My beloved best friend Baxter a fourteen year old maltese has been diagnosed with renal kidney failure, along with allergies. I’m a very desperate person wanting to help him so much, my heart is breaking, I see his pain and sadness. I’m definitely cooking for him and look forward to trying you recipe. Thanks so much for your heart. Be blessed. BJ
You’re very welcome Bek. Courage and strength to you on this difficult road. I hope the recipe is working out and you’re seeing an improvement. Take care and all the best to Baxter.
hi there – from over here in Sydney Australia, your recipe has gone down a treat. My 12yr old dog has recently been diagnosed with stage 1 kidney disease.. but she also has chronic osteoarthritis (has had since she was 3yrs due in part to severe malnutrition – she’s a rescue pup). That said she’s still oozing so much character so the vets assure me we are still in the game! I just finished making your recipe and thought I’d just drop some into her bowl to see her reaction. And it disappeared before I even put the spoon back in pan. I have to try and find a balance between this kidney disease and her chronic arthritis. She can no longer have NSAIDs for the arthritis because of her kidneys, so I’m looking for other ways to try and keep both from causing too much discomfort. If you have stumbled across anything interesting on this front, please let me know! Thanks again for the well thought through recipe.
Hi Peeroy and great to hear from you from Sydney. Always amazed to be seeing notes from people from so far away. I can relate to the challenge of balancing the treatment for the kidney disease and the arthritis. I had the same challenge with Ben as well and he was on Metacam for awhile before, like you, I had to move him off the NSAIDs to support the CRF treatment. In the end, he was on Tramadol for the arthritis which seemed to do the trick … as the pain of the arthritis I think was also impacting his appetite, so controlling that was very important. Hope this helps and hope the recipe continues to show positive effects for you. All the best to you in Australia. ~ Dale
Thank you for putting measurements on here! I will try this tomorrow. It’s unbelievable that vets don’t buy into cooking for your pet and they think the only way is to buy their prescription diet which my pup won’t touch. I would love to know what other recipes you tried. Thank you again.
Our Charley had seizures last week and through blood work found he had renal failure he also has PLE he is a 10 year old yorkie. He loves chicken liver and chicken would it hurt to add this to the recipe. Any other suggestions would be great
My dog suffers from struvite crystals and alkaline urine. He can’t have kibble and I don’t want to give him prescription food, which my vet jumps to recommend. I came across your recipe and it appears to be exactly what I’m looking for. Did your dog have crystals or stones and would this recipe work for a situation like my dogs?
Hi Dave. Thanks for stopping by and the question. Ben didn’t have crystals to my knowledge — suspect because of his Cushing disease he drank and urinated so frequently that he was likely immune to this particular symptom. Hope the recipe nevertheless works for your situation.
Thank you for your reply. Did you ever give your dog a multivitamin? If so, did you have a recommendation? I couldn’t find any that doesn’t have high phosphorus.
You’re very welcome. No I didn’t go the route of a multivitamin for exactly that reason. Instead I opted for vitamins contained in the whole foods in the recipe and for very specific supplements whose dose I could control. Hope this helps.
Made it today for my Max and he loves it. Max has stage 3 and hasn’t eaten much for a few week’s. He’s begging me for more now.
Thank you and Ben! Blessings.
Huge smiles to you, Roger, and Max. A very heart warming story … I hope it continues to be so warm. Many blessings to you both as well. Glad to have been able to help even a smidge. ~ Dale
My Mom’s dog, Molly, was diagnosed with advanced kidney disease. She refused to eat the perscription dog food the vet subscribed for her even with an appetite enhancer and was just wasting away. The vet said it was time to go to comfort care, and to just feed her the regular dog food. She refused to eat that, also. It looked like it was just a matter of days until the end. Then I decided to try this recipe. We had nothing to lose, right? She loves it! She eats her meals and looks for more. She has put back on most of the weight she lost, is off the appetite enhancer and is much more lively. I know it is still a just a matter of time, but thank you so much for this recipe. My Mom lost my Dad less than a year ago and this was his dog. She is taking her illness, so hard. Thank you for giving her a few more days? weeks? months? with Molly.
What a wonderful story to share — thank you Laura. I’m delighted to have given your Mom and Molly a bit more time filled with hope and bond. Truly a beautiful story which I hope has a happy ending for all. Wishing your family a miracle. ~ Dale
Hey! Best of luck to you! Our vet gave us about a month or two for our dog to live. It’s been 1 1/2 years so far since we started this recipe. I hope it works well for Molly! I bet it will!
Hi Laura — that is great to hear. It is so positive to others, as well, searching for hope. Best of health to Molly and your family.
Hi Dale,
Thanks a lot for your sharing. God bless u.
My 12 years old shih tzu had been diagnosed with kidney stones. Both of her kidney are with stone up to 2 cm. and ultrasound shows tht one of her kidney are not really functioning. Wht should I do and feed her? Doc say I must not burden her kidney at the same time don’t let the stone grown bigger. Pls help …
I’m lost and scared. I can’t imagine my life without her.
I’m currently feeding her chicken breast, pumpkins, carrots, cabbage, zucchini and brown rice.
I do give her supplements of co-q10, fish oil and vitamin C daily.
And I added apple cider vinegar in all her food, will apple cider vinegar burden her kidney?
Pls advise me. Thanks in advance.
Hi Charlotte — I’m very sorry to hear of the diagnosis your precious companion has received. I can truly relate to how scary all this feels … and how lost in the moment you feel as well. The truth is, though, that I’m not a healthcare professional nor a vet … and all of my research was spent reading about chronic renal failure. I wouldn’t assume the needs of your girl are the same — but they may be. I really don’t know. The best I could advise is that you print out the recipe I’ve provided and ask your vet or another healthcare professional who understands kidney stones to ask whether it would be appropriate. I wish I could help more — I really do understand what you’re going through.
Wishing you knowledge and solutions …
My dog is 13 and recently diagnosed with hyperparathyroid disease which has caused elevated calcium levels. We’ve opted not to put him through surgery to remove his parathyroid glands and are going to try Fosamax to reduce his calcium levels to hopefully reduce the risk of kidney damage. So in conjunction, I am also researching kidney-friendly diets and this one sounds fairly easy to prepare. I’m just wondering, how much would I feed my 70 lb. dog?
Hi Dana — Sounds like you have your own unique challenges as you do your own research. Hoping this recipe provides you one part of your solution — just be wary that some diets and treatments for chronic renal failure actually add calcium to the diet (e.g. calcium carbonate, egg shells, etc) as the calcium is a helpful binder to allow the body to remove phosphorus. Nothing easy about these diseases because one change in diet on one side can cause unintended consequences. In terms of quantity, I generally advise people here that it is very much a ‘feel’ thing. Each dog is different, not only in size, but in terms of pathology, activity, and temperament. Ben was a 1/3 the size of your dog, but also older, so it’s not easy to correlate this to quantity. Most dogs here are struggling with having any appetite, so quantity isn’t an issue: getting them to eat is an issue, so when they eat, let them eat until they’re full. The other advice is more frequent and smaller meals throughout the days (vs. 1 or 2 big meals). Sorry I can’t be more specific, but suspect that you know your dog well enough at this stage to know when he is full and/or hungry. Hope this helps a bit … best of luck to you.
Hi! I’m very interested in trying this recipe for my girl. She refuses to eat prescription diets and it’s been a struggle with non prescription. You recommend 1/2 cup portions 4-5 times a day, I’m wondering if that would be enough for my dog since she is 70lbs. What do you think?
Hi Ginger. You’ll likely be going through the food twice as fast but it all really depends on the individual dog. Your girl will tell you when she’s full. Best of luck to you.
Hi there, thank you so so much for writing this – I’ve just been told my precious Gucci is very anaemic and has bad kidneys. And they are doing lots of tests at the moment… I’ve been in such a state I cant tell you… But now I’ve calmed down (a little) and Im reading as much as I can – its all making sense, he was feeling weak sometimes, drinking literally non stop and losing muscle and dropped some weight. I get the results of the tests on Tuesday and the vet was saying kind of ‘no hope’ look… But Gucci is a bright, vibrant, happy dog, playing ball every day (he’s 12), eats non stop and looks like a puppy… I am going to follow your diet and read everything I can (as I note you did too) – thank you for providing this excellent advice. Its given me hope and faith that we will get through this… x
You’re very welcome … I hope the recipe and information found there help you and Gucci through this difficult time and he’s back to playing ball again soon. Wishing you the best … hang in there.
Thank you so much for this tip, my dog is a 12 yr old otterhound and was diagnosed with 3rd stage kidney failure. I want to do all that i can to make it slow down the process.your blog is of great help. Thanks again. And im a deeply sorry for your loss i hope time has healed your wounds. Warm regards.
I’ve just sobbed my eyes out reading so many of these posts. Bless each of you and your pets. Thank you Dale for all your replies and posts. Blood work has indicated our dog is now suffering from kidney failure. She just turned 13 and has had the best of everything. And we lost our other dog just 1 month ago from a heart tumor. Happened suddenly – fine one day-happy playing, then gone the next. We are still very emotional about that so it’s a hard time for us now facing this illness with our other dog. They have had the best of everything, home made treats, fresh foods daily mixed with their Honest Kitchen food. Minimal shots… so we’re taken back they – small/medium size dogs could get sick or die at age 12-13 with no warning. My question is, I’ve read that dark meat chicken is the lowest phos choice and you should boil it to leach out the phos, throw out the broth. Wondering if that would be a good sub for the lean beef? Or do you feel the lean beef should be cooked as you have and not boiled? Ben was a gorgeous boy. He was blessed to have had such a loving home and long life. Thanks again!
Thank you for your very kind words and sharing your story here … especially after all you’ve shared on your own website. Such tragic news falls wherever and none of us are immune — no matter how much we love and care for our dogs. I’m very sorry for you. There are no words to describe how much it sucks….
With respect to your question, yes, boiling food and discarding the water will leach out more of the phosphorus. So you’re right. I opted to fry the beef (or dark chicken meat) because I didn’t want to lose the high-calorie fat. Respecting there are pros and cons to this, I opted for the natural nutrients in the beef fat and the flavour it would bring to the dish to promote consumption. Hope that makes sense.
Thank you again for your beautiful words of support. Wishing you the best.
Thank you so much for this post. My Casanova has been my world for 14 years, and yesterday I took him to the vet because he has been sleeping so much lately and lost a little weight. It turns out he went from 11.5 pounds to 8.5 pounds, and his blood work showed advanced chronic kidney failure. My world just feels like its ending and I want to do whatever I can to help him feel better and hopefully spend as much more quality time together as possible. (He is a maltese).
I’ve always made his food all organic (quinoa chicken sweet potatoes and carrots) so did not really like the idea of the canned renal support food that the vet recommends. Alas my research began the minute we got home yesterday. I’m happy to have found your post and will be adjusting his food today with the suggestions you made here.
Any tips as to how many and which vitamins to give him? I want to help him gain some weight back if possible, so I may add a little extra coconut oil into the mix….
My vet recommended something when I told her I wanted to continue to make his food – from a site called balance it -https://secure.balanceit.com/marketplace2.2/details.php?i=6&cc= – their canine K supplement. Do you think these vitamins and stuff look good? I know you aren’t a vet, but feel you have a little head start on me with the reading and comparing of things.
Thank you so so much <3
Also his BUN levels were like 120 or something insanely high like that, she said he is in the worst stages of it and that it happened recently, and that he maybe only has a couple months but I just got want to believe it. he has heart issues so has to take little pills in the morning still. and I’m giving him IV fluids under his skin at home now every other day rather then leave him scared in the hospital for them to do it. he drinks tons of water also.( I don’t know if any of that info is necessary)
Hi Allison. I’m very sorry to hear of your tale. Like so many here, it is the first diagnosis and the ensuing prognosis that takes the wind out of our sails. From there, well, if there isn’t hope there is certainly the hope that comes from trying. The only tips I can give re: the vitamins are the doses by weight I used for Ben. Your guy is half Ben’s weight I think. But in truth the first privy isn’t the vitamins — they’re nice to have if you can get to the eating phase. That’s the goal. Get the appetite back … Then you can get the weight back and stabilized. Then the vitamins if all goes well. As for supplement you added here — I really don’t know. I saw similar ones as I negotiated my own solution. The problem or challenge is they suggest you add the supplant to one of their own recipes which creates the balance. My concern is that the recipe I looked at wasn’t really low phosphorus. I can’t speak for this one though I’m sorry. I might be better. Anyway, I wish you strength for he road ahead. All the best.
Hi there, My labramutt Daisy is in renal failure. My vet tells me ? 6 months. She still has lots of life! but I can tell she doesn’t feel well. I’m going to try your diet, I just was curious if you thought ground turkey would work as well? Thank you for your time.
Annaliesa
Hi Annaliesa. I’m sorry for your journey that is beginning and hope you find your own path and that the diet helps. Re: the Turkey it will depend on what part of the bird and if it is like other fowl, dark meat is lower in phosphorus… However I suggest you look up the values to compare and make an informed decision. Wishing you the best.
Hi Dale,
Thanks for sharing your story and recipe.
I am wondering why you do not use calcium carbonate in your recipe.
Also can you tell me what stage of renal failure Ben is in? Thanks, Peggy
You’re very welcome. You’ll see in the post a list of supplements including calcium (phosphorus binder). It’s not in the recipe because if you’ve ever chewed one you’d also spit it out and note it unpalatable. It’s also unnecessary in many cases so should be used in consultation with your vet on their advice.
What was your dogs level? My dogs level was 15 and the sdma is max 14
Hi Alison — I’m sorry, it was a long time ago and I don’t have that information. Wishing you the best in your own journey ….
WOW! I am so glad to have come across your post. Reading your story as well as the other readers’ stories have given me hope. I have been so stressed out about this all week since finding out. It makes me feel better now knowing I am not alone.
Also, My friend owns a holistic pet store and recommended My Perfect Pet Low Phosphorous Formula. Have you seen this food before and what are your thoughts?
Thank you once again. This is a godsend.
Hi Chris — what a nice thing to hear. I can imagine how much it helps to hear the stories of others and how much it would have helped me to know I wasn’t alone too. It seems it’s a lot more common than most realize.
I hadn’t heard about My Perfect Pet Food. Sounds like a great resource for those who can afford it.
Best of luck to you.
My Great Dane was poisoned by Costco Chicken Treats made in China at age 2. We spent $7,000 saving him but the treats took a toll on his kidneys. Now he is 6 and his damage has put him in stage 4 renal failure. He can’t afford to lose weight and he sometimes eats 6 cans of k/d renal dog food a day – $18 – which we don’t mind paying. He has stopped eating the dry k/d dog food and hates it.$97 for 27.5 pound bag. I’ve asked the vet over and over if they have any recipes or foods I can give him. He’s just given me white bread and hamburger. This helps me a lot! Just knowing some good things to mix with these foods makes me feel better and give me hope he will eat more. We know we have limited time with him, but we want him to enjoy his food and his life for as long as he can. Thank you for posting this.
Hello Mary … I’m very sorry to hear about the challenges you’ve faced for the past 4 years. It is tragic that any pet food is made in China at all … and that so many people and their pets have been harmed by sub-grade and poisonous pet food/treats. I truly hope that this recipe provides you the support and hope you need as you complete your journey with your family member … and I commend you truly for wanting to make the time you have with him the best and most enjoyable possible. Wishing you the best and thank you for your very kind words. ~ Dale
I love my baby girl and I want to thank you for putting this together. She just turned10 and has chronic kidney disease and I work for DaVita…what are the odds. She went for her checkup a couple of weeks ago and her numbers aren’t looking good. The vet told me to only give her the kidney RX dog food that she has been on for the last few years and no treats to see if we can lower her creatinine. In the last few weeks she didn’t want to eat the kibble so I went to kibble and can then can only and now she won’t eat it and I am lucky if she eats half a can for a 60 lb dog. She’s lethargic and I am starting to see her hip bones. I did some research on homemade dog food and found your recipe. I made it tonight and she loves it…cleaned her bowl until it was shiny. I know my time with her is getting shorter and if I can make her last days happy ones then I will cook for her because I love her whole heartedly.
My boy Jersey was diagnosed 9 months ago, so I’ve had him on Royal Canin Kidney wet food. He wasn’t well th last 10 days and my sister’s dog was obsessed with smelling his urine, etc. Today they told me his enzyme count has gone from 20t to 50 (bad). Only option is IV hydration to try to flush the toxins out ($1,000 minimum) He will be there for 48 hrs – breaking my heart. So sad right now. Jersey is a Shitzu who I rescued 8 yrs ago – such a funny, happy guy – loves his squeaky eggs and life in general.
Hi Connie — thank you for stopping by and sharing your story. I hope Easter brought your family and Jersey the gift of hope. It sounds like you have good veterinary care which is all I could really suggest to you at this point. Wishing you the best.
Our 7 year old Golden, Lucy, was critically ill in December with kidney disease due to a tick borne infection. After a week stay at Univ. Penn Veterinary hospital, she left very ill with a feeding tube and a ton of meds. She was so ill, we questioned her quality of life at the time. We tried every prescription kidney diet food and she refused to eat. In desperation, I found your recipe and gave it a try. Four months later, the tube is out, she is off all meds with the exception on one BP medicine. Lucy is thriving, bright, happy and hungry. Her kidney numbers are near normal and continue to improve. We no longer need phosphorus binder because her diet is so low in phosphorus. Our girl is leading a happy and healthy life! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Dear Jennifer — what a beautiful Easter present to hear your story with Lucy. My own heart swells reading this … truly, it is heart melting to read. I am truly humbled and it is hard for me to really comprehend or fully appreciate that my sharing this recipe has made this kind of difference in the life of Lucy and so many other dogs and the lives of their families. Thank you thank you thank you … for sharing your miracle here. Happy Easter to you and make your miracle continue for a very long time ….
I happened upon your page when our dog Ebbe was dying (November 2014). She was born with underdeveloped kidneys and was not supposed to live beyond 4 years. She beat those odds but at age 6 we were told she was in renal failure. Then her body stopped producing red cells. Her count went down to 20 and she was given a steroid to provoke her body into producing red cells. However, it takes time to work and her red cell count dove to 10 — then 8 — then 6 before we were able to get a blood transfusion. She is a fighter — she should have died with those low numbers. The blood transfusion kept her alive long enough for the steroid to kick in but she still would not eat.
Out of desperation I hit the internet & found your site. She ate it as soon as we gave it to her! We also started giving her a supplement called BioPreparation F3 which is a plant based protein. It allows us to lower the meat protein if her numbers go up. It was touch & go for a few months. But then we were able to stop giving her the steroid because her body started producing red cells. She is still on a heart med & two kidney meds & an anti-acid. Our sweet Ebbe is still with us. Her last report (3/16/16) — all her numbers in the normal range except her kidney function. Those numbers have remained static or have been going up slowly. We started feeding our other dog a modified version of your recipe also.
I wanted to take the time to thank you for sharing your journey and your recipe – for free.
Thank you for sharing your story and your own strategy. The plant-based protein supplement sounds like a great idea to support the diet. I’m sure others will be interested in it as well, so thanks again for sharing here. All in all, it does sound like against all odds that Ebbe is defying the prognosis with the support of your care and treatment plan … and it is great to hear that this diet therapy is playing a role in that. You’re very very welcome is all I can say.
I have no doubt, I’m sure there was business opportunity in this for me but I can’t honestly see myself or others profiting from something which is ultimately about love and the love we share for our family members. If this can help others as it helped Ben and I … then I’m thrilled to be able to give it for ‘free’ as you say. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s the loving thing to do. I hope everyone can find a way to pay this forward in their own way and help another dog and family in need. All the best to you. ~ Dale
We just found our dog Princess have a kidney failure disease and I am glad to found your post I cocked today and she loves it, I am so happy that my princess is finally eating something. Thanks
You’re very welcome. I truly hope it continues. 🙂
Can I substitute the rice for sweet potato. My dog was just diagnosed with cancer and kidney issues so trying to stay away from carbs high in sugar
You can certainly substitute whatever you want according to your dog’s own needs. However, keep in mind that more ‘refined’ starches tend to be lower in phosphorus according to my research. White rice vs. brown rice, white bread vs. whole wheat. I appreciate that, however, may not jive with your cancer treatment, so you may have to make some choices with respect to which disease to focus on. I’m very sorry but wishing you all the best.
Hi,
I am very interested in your blog. I’d love some help with my Jack Russell Princess. She is 16 yo with chronic low grade renal disease but has now had two serious bouts of pancreatitis (16 m apart). the diets for either disease are diametrically opposite so one one hand feeding for the kidneys I feel like I’m wondering around with an unexploded pancreas bomb, and feeding for the pancreas that i’m killing her every day with the high protein diet.
Any insight you could offer would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Emma
[email protected]
Hi Emma — thanks for stopping by. Truthfully, though, I’m not sure I can really assist you as your situation is certainly different than the one I faced. Sadly, “comorbidities” in the elderly (and elderly dogs) are quite normal and, as you say, their treatments may be contrary to one another, or at least contraindicated. I’m, however, not a doctor, veterinarian, or even a nutritionist … I’m just like you, a pet owner who did a lot of research to treat my own pet’s condition. My best advice to you, then, is to follow a path similar to my own research to find your answer: speak your vet, speak to pharmacists and other health professionals, and do some reading (including for advice and information for humans with similar competing conditions — as there is often more written about human diseases than about pets). I’ll reply to your personal email with the same when I’m next my own personal email. Wishing you insight and success and all the best to your Princess. ~ Dale
Dale,
Thank you very much. Much appreciated and your blog is very helpful.
Hello, I just wanted to also thank you for posting this recipe. My 13 year old pooch was diagnosed in November and refused to eat any of the prescription food the vets wanted her too, and then wouldn’t even go back to eating her old food. I was so scared and heartbroken when I found your recipe. Thankfully, this not only got her to eat again, she has started acting like she is half her age. Her energy level has never been higher and she absolutely cannot wait to get fed. I took her in for more blood testing this week, a little over 4 months after starting this diet, and all of her kidney disease indicator levels had gone down. My vet was thrilled and told me to continue her therapy. Thank you!! Your dog’s legacy lives on:)
Every success story like yours that I read fills my heart with incredible joy — because each time I read a story like this about the improvements over time that you’re seeing, it reinforces for me that I did the right thing, that I made a positive impact on Ben’s final years and months. I am so happy that people and families such as you and yours are finding hope and respite through this diet. Each time I read one, my heart just swells. Thank you! so much for sharing. Wishing you continued success and many more great months. ~ Dale
Your love of Ben and grateful readership lives on. Thank you for being the end of my search for a diet for Willow, my 15ish year-old sweet old lady. She came back from the brink once; now we’ll see if Ben’s diet will give us a few more weeks or months together. Thank you again.
Thank you Jan. That’s very sweet of you to say. I’m hopeful with you that the recipe does indeed provide you with hope and cherished time. I can attest — miracles do happen.
Dear Dale,
Thanks so much for your blog and your recipe for dogs with renal failure. As soon as I found out that Lucy, my nearly 15 year old dog, was in this situation, I gathered the necessary ingredients and whipped up my first batch of your recipe. Lucy loves it and I am encouraged that she is eating well again. Of course, being able to do something to help her makes me feel better, too.
From the looks of all the comments on your blog, you’ve helped many, many folks and their dogs…
Many, many thanks.
Julia
Hi Julia, I’m in the same boat with my little Jack Russell Brigit. Brigit got diagnosed with stage three CRF last Monday much to my utter dismay. I’m in the process of gathering the ingredients for the kidney recipe but can’t find non-liquid form Q10. Where were you able to find it?
Hi Jenn — I had the very same challenge because Q10 for humans is almost always provided in a gel capsule form. I went to compounding pharmacy to find it in a tablet form (Citrus Q10) which I could then use a knife to break into appropriate doses. This is the brand I found from Douglas Labs … but warning, it’s not cheap:
You’re very welcome Julia. It’s great to hear that Lucy loves the food. Hope it continues to go well … hope is such a precious thing. It does my heart more good than you can imagine to know that so many others out there have found hope because of Ben. Thank you again and best of luck in your future path.
I’m about to cry while typing this. My oldest dog is so seriously ill. It came on suddenly with excessive thirst, loss of appetite and throwing up whatever I could get him to eat. He was so weak he could barely walk.. He’s 11. When it started three weeks ago, my vet told me to put him down. He gave him two shots..one for anti nausea and sent us home. I was heart broken..then gained a flicker of hope when he began eating that night. The next day he was somewhat better..even greeted me at the door with a wagging tail. Since that say he has relapsed slowly and yesterday the vet told me my “Divot’s” blood work shows kidney issues. Now that I read the symptoms I clearly see he has shown all of them and i see,what I’ve been doing wrong that could have aggravated it the past few weeks. I hope and pray that your recipe helps…I’ll try anything to save my baby. Thanks for sharing your story.
My heart goes out to you Karen. It is a terrible fight we fight for our loved ones, feeling helpless in our love and their need. I know the feelings you feel and how given the love you have how you feel truly ‘responsible’ … but I can also tell you from experience that it doesn’t help to beat yourself up for what you did or didn’t do. Acceptance is a huge part of what you will need to find to support Divot through this, including acceptance that you’ve done your best. Be strong and I do hope that this recipe provides you some support and help.
Thank you so much for your hard work and time! Please know that through your wonderful Ben,that what you have shared with so many has been and will continue to be a wonderful blessing!
You’re very welcome, Sandra. Thank you for your kind sentiments about Ben … I feel him with me all the time and the comments from you and so many others make his legacy resounding. Thank you again.
Hi,
I just want to thank you profusely. My Jess, a 13 year old rescue Jack Russell who’s been with us for 2.5 years, has been on your diet since November. She’s always been a picky little madam, so it was no surprise when she refused to eat the tinned prescription food. After a week with my parents who eventually cooked her lamb and rice in desperation, we returned from our holiday and started cooking this. She loves it – though we often have to sprinkle a little bad food on to get her to eat (half a teaspoon of chopped up thinly sliced chicken or smoky ham or she won’t touch it sometimes!) and has never enjoyed her food as much. She’s also on tablets for a heart murmur. They get wrapped in the ham too at the moment as she decided last week she doesn’t like chicken with tablets inside! She also seems to be developing CCD, aka doggy dementia. A lot going on but your recipe and research rescued us from despair. She still loves her cuddles and going for walks to my neighbour’s house where she gets spoilt rotten (not so much the park!). She’s our love and you have helped keep her with us for longer.
Thank you.
Oh, Jenny, thank you so much for coming back to share your story and your good news. I can definitely relate to your trials and experiments of hiding pills and putting ‘bad’ stuff on it to entice an appetite and a start. Slices of honey-garlic sausage were my own trick and I’d good one ever 5 or so days and slice it thin to roll his pills and vitamins in. The disease truly demands imagination, so kudos to you for all your efforts and success. I’m so incredibly happy to hear that you’ve been able to keep your Jess a while longer. It is a blessing beyond blessings … cherish it as I know you are. I’m glad, humbled really, that I’ve played any role at all in your success story. Thank you again for sharing and your own kindness. I hope you have many many more months ahead. All the best. ~ Dale
Dale, was tidying up my bookmarks and came across this page again. I thought you’d like to catch up on my story. Thanks to your recipe, we kept going with Jess until this time last year. In fact, it’s almost a year to the day that we lost her. It’s the worst, but time heals, and 5 months later, in May this year, we adopted another rescue Jack Russell, Minnie – who has also helped us to heal. She’s only 4ish, so hopefully plenty of happy, silly, healthy years to come with her. I don’t see a way to post a photo but I’ll contact you on Twitter and you can see for yourself that she’s the new best dog ever! Once again, I’m eternally grateful. Thank you.
Hi Jenny and it is wonderful to hear from people long after they first visited … though I’m sorry it isn’t with much happier news. Very sorry for your loss of ‘Jess’ but I’m grateful that you got a full ‘extra’ year with her. However, no amount of time would nor ever will be enough … and it is the worst loss indeed. Glad you have found Minnie in your lives though — and wishing you a great road ahead with her and your family — and thank you again for sharing the best and hardest part of your story.
Hi — I have a 5 lb yorkie that is 13 year old. I have been feeding her KD food for renal failure. She doesn’t like it to much. She is hungry, so I started looking for homemade recipes. Ran across you and I am excited and can’t wait to make it for my baby.
But, don’t know how much to give her of this recipe. And don’t know about the vitamins. Can you help?
But can’t wait to make it for her. I feel she is starving and she also has Bennett nauseated? ?
Hi Dana — thanks for your questions. Unfortunately the question about “how much” is a common question that I can’t answer. As I’ve answered in the past, you’re going to have to judge that based food drive, age, and advancement of the disease. Generally I advise that let your dog eat as much as s/he wants because dogs with kidney disease have generally lost their food drive and don’t want to eat (because of nausea usually) and are therefore losing weight. My recommendation is to start with smaller feedings and feed more regularly which is best anyway. Avoid large meals and otherwise let your dog ‘tell you’ how much s/he wants to eat.
With respect to the addition of vitamins, especially owing to the size of your girl, I highly recommend you do this in consultation with your vet.
Hope this helps and wishing you the best of luck.
~ Dale
How much should I feed a 100lbs labrador? He currently eats 2 cups dry in the AM and 2 cups dry in the PM
Hi Shannon– I’m honestly not sure. You’re going to have to judge that based in his food drive, age, and advancement of the disease I think. Generally I advise that let him eat as much as he wants because dogs with crf don’t want eat and are losing weight. If that’s not your issue, start small and see how it goes. Sorry I can’t be more specific. Best of luck.
God bless you for sharing such important information on diet. We have a 14 yr old American foxhound who was diagnosed over 3 months ago with kidney failure. Like you I started reading EVERYTHING possible. Dena is about 50 lbs & not a picky eater. She has lots of energy & eats 3x daily with gusto& still loves her walks. I will follow your diet now. I took her off kibble immediately. Thanks, Linda
I know Ben is like a puppy again in heaven & you will be reunited one day!!
Thank you, Linda. I truly hope that Ben is truly joyful wherever he is … and only too happy that this diet is bringing hope and information to so many. Wishing you and Dena great success with it. Thank you again for your very kind words.
Thank you, Linda. I truly hope that Ben is truly joyful wherever he is … and only too happy that this diet is bringing hope and information to so many. Wishing you and Dena great success with it. Thank you again for your kind words.
Cant see the pictures… isnit basically just mixing all the stuff together??? And blending most of it and adding to the rice?? My boxer was just diagnosed and I went thru the same phase as udid almost mourning even tho he is still alive… I realised just that and we r gonna fight it… I just cant find many articles and stuff to read on this…
Thank you so much for the time you have spent to document this. My dog was diagnosed with renal disease this afternoon, and I am overwhelmed by the diagnosis, of course. My subsequent research has also been overwhelming as there is a lot of conflicting information on low protein, low phosphorous. I have concerns about the “prescription diet” food the vet recommends. I am going to make this recipe tomorrow. I was feeling very sad and desperate but have gotten hope since finding your site. Thank you again for providing this information and also for the story of your wonderful best friend.
You’re very welcome, Jules. I can well relate to your fears and how overwhelming all this is especially at the beginning. It does my heart very good to know that my own story and Ben’s has brought some ease to your own story and the challenges you’re facing. Wishing you every success with it as I did and all the best. ~ Dale
Hi Again… Just wanted to report that Shannon loves the food! Thank you again, so very much for sharing this; I don’t know if I would have been able to figure it all out in time, if at all. You and adorable Ben have given so many parents and beloved pooches a wonderful gift!
Hi Patrice and thank you for incredibly thoughtful comments here and kind words. I’m glad that Shannon loves the food and here’s hoping it helps. I’m really sorry to hear your story — it sounds very traumatic and scary but the good news is that it may have provided you earlier diagnosis of her kidney problems while you could treat it. I hope it does indeed turn out to be a gift to you and makes your own story a long one. You’re very welcome and thank you again.
Dale, I am so grateful for your generosity with your story, your research, and this invaluable recipe that I plan to start preparing tomorrow. I am so sorry for your loss – Ben’s spirit shines through in the pictures, and he lives on through this wonderful blog. He has a glow that is similar to that which I see on my own amazing, magical Shannon… divine creatures in dog suits:)
Four months ago, I rushed my beautiful, 13 and a half year old Chow/American Eskimo mix to the emergency vet because something was terribly terribly wrong and she was panicked. Her stomach had flipped over. This was a real shocker, since she is a 25-lb. dog who does not live to eat; she eats like a cat and just like Ben, she has a discriminating palate. This happens more frequently in dogs who gobble their food and then run around taking in air, which causes bloating, which then leads to the flipped stomach. It is actually far more common than we realize. In her case, it was the presence of too much of bacteria “helicobacter” – the same thing that causes ulcers in humans. She underwent surgery and I am ever so grateful that we caught it within about 20 minutes of it happening.
That’s when we discovered that she was in renal decline. I hand-fed her for a month of recovery and for a while she had her appetite somewhat back, but I changed her diet to the Royal Canin T canned food and the Hill’s Science Diet kibble, neither of which she likes. I also have been feeding her K-9 Frozen Raw Food, which she sort of likes, but something has to change, because she is eating less and less.
I decided tonight that I have to prepare her food myself. How amazing that I found your blog post on the first click! Nothing short of grace brought me here; she is still very spunky, and she is not ready to go! I will never be ready to let her go, but then I knew at the outset that her presence on this earth would be far too short for my liking. How beautiful that you were blessed to have Ben with you for more than 18 years! Love is a power elixir of life!
I have no doubt this recipe will do the trick. There are no words to describe how I feel about my girl. I’ll take every precious day she has to give me, and my goal is to ensure she is happy and comfortable. Thank you thank you thank you!
Hi Dale.. thanks for the recipe… I looked you up because this morning I had nothing to feed my girl Tatiana, who was diagnosed at about 6 months with dysplasia… She’s been on low protein and bp meds since. We have evolved with chosing better quality protein, adding vegies, mashing and blending… and discovered she is allergic to gluten along the way. They said she would not make it past two but I am happy to say Tati is now past her ninth b-day! So this morning I blended up chicken, kale, rice, fish oil, carrot, potato… she loved it as she usually does with people foods. Just like your doggie!! (“so cute, btw) So my question to you is did you use people vitamins or ones specially formulated for dogs?
Thanks for the great post and I will let you know if Tati loves the recipes or not
Hi Tamara, and thanks for the very kind words. To your question, I used people vitamins with him under supervision by his vet. Not all people vitamins are clearly intended for dogs, so I caution you to check your your vet if you send any other vitamins than I list here. I hope you have the same amazing success that I had. Your Tati sounds amazing. All the best to you both and thanks again.
First, I would like to thank you for your recipes. My 4 year old Doberman was diagnosed with kidney failure and she is not eating anything. I made this recipe in hopes she’d eat but with no luck. I tasted it before offering it to her and it was kind of bland. I didn’t want to use garlic pepper. Any other seasoning that won’t damage her kidney anymore ?
You’re very welcome. In terms of things to add taste, you use pretty much any seasonings appropriate for dogs but the challenge is to avoid things like salt that increase blood pressure. Lots of herbs will work. Keep in mind, your own palate may be a little bit different than your dog’s depending on what you’re used to …. So many people assume salt as ‘flavour’ and while I’m not suggesting this is you, there should be a lot of flavour in this food to make it exciting to your girl. Experiment, though, and let us know what she likes.
Hi Dale,
Our 14 year old shih Tzu has recently been diagnosed with chronic renal failure and has not been eating (she hates the canned food). Thank you for sharing your story and recipe ideas and I’m crossing my fingers my little girl loves the meal as much as your Ben did.
Hi Vicky — thank you. I too hope that the recipe and food provides you and your girl with much hope. Wishing you success. Fingers crossed.
Ps., I’m sorry about Ben. He looked like a beautiful dog, and I am happy that you had the opportunity to spend so much time with him. Losing a loved one, is never easy but he was lucky to have someone whom cared so deeply for him. I will definitely update you on my cousins dogs progress. Again, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you so much Dale. You are an awesome human being. My cousins dog- whom I consider my own, was recently diagnosed with kidney failure. He’s quite a small dog, a chihuahua that used to weigh 8 pounds but dramatically decreased to 4 pounds. He used to eat our table scraps all the time, and would eat just about anything you’d offer him. Now, he doesn’t even bother. It’s truly sad to see such a rambunctious dog, go through something so terrible. Hopefully this recipe works out… And he starts eating like he used to.
Thank you Nancy. I don’t think I deserve that comment but thank you. Thank you for your incredibly sympathetic words of condolence and for your thanks. Ben and I certainly cared for each other and for that I will always be grateful. I can myself relate to your own story of your cousin’s dog. I hope with you that this recipe and all that you both are able to do brings you all many happy days ahead. Looking forward to hearing of your progress and wishing that it is good news. All the best.
Hi Dale – I just found your blog when searching for home made dog food for CRF. You have my deepest sympathies on Ben. You know that as long as your blog is in the universe, everyone who reads it will fall in love with Ben and he will live on in everyone’s hearts.
As I write to you this morning, I have several of the ingredients for Ben’s recipe cooking on my stove top. My 8 year old Yorkie, Lucy, was diagnosed last summer (2015) with CRF and is currently taking Benazepril along with prescribed Royal Canin Renal Support T, canned dog food. She hates it! I have to add veggies and hide slivers of cheese in it to get her to eat. While she hasn’t had a weight loss issue, I really want her to have something to look forward to at meal time instead of sniffing and sniffing around until she decides there isn’t going to be anything better. She deserves something better! Lucy’s vet (who has taken great care of her since she was a puppy is fantastic and really cares about her well-being) provided a couple of web sites that make custom food, however, they also charge high fees ($300+) just for getting started. Before I take that step, I want to try your recipe. Starting today, she will be eating Ben’s recipe, at least until her next test at the vet’s office on February 10, 2016. I have one question – Can this food be frozen and then thawed? Based on the ingredients I want to say it can but I’d just like your opinion.
I’ll be sure to post Lucy’s results from her next test for everyone to see. Keep your fingers crossed. I also want to tell you how much I appreciate all the reading and research you did on Ben’s behalf (and all the dog-lovers that read this), and the way you wrote the blog for everyone to understand. i.e. not too scientific but enough to make sense.
Keep eating, writing, shooting,
Cindi from Iowa
Dear Cindi & Lucy … I’m humbled and so deeply touched by your comments here and the kindness within. I really wish and hope that Ben can feel the incredible love you and so many others have shown to him in his name and for his graciousness to share his story here. Your story is moving itself and I hope that you find a promising way through the journey ahead, including a diet that brings Lucy joy and not just nutrition. I can so empathise, because if I had a chronic disease and someone told me I had give up my love of food in favour of a treatment for the rest of my life that made me sick to my stomach, I’d make some hard choices. I hope Lucy loves the food and brings her joy and you so much valued time together.
To your question, yes, this can most certainly be frozen/thawed. I placed enough food for 3-4 days in a single ziplock bag and then froze these in larger bags to keep them fresh … And then I would just take a baggie out of the freezer the day/night before, and it would be thawed when I needed it.
Fingers crossed for you both and here’s hoping you have success and results with it. All the best and thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
~ Dale
Hi Dale:
I’m so sorry about the loss of Ben. 18 years is wonderful, but I know all to well that it’s not long enough.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and recipes with the world. Is it okay if I share your actual recipe with my readers along with a link to your blog on my site? You can see my blog at yourolddog.com It is tailored to the needs of those with older dogs.
Thank you for sharing this with the world.
Janie
Hi Janie — thank you for your kind words and support and for your graciousness. You have an amazing blog — truly. What you’ve put together is very impressive and I’m honoured that you want to share my experience with your own readers. Humbled, in fact. To clarify, what I’ve read in your words is that you’d like to reproduce the recipe on your own site … but share reference back to mine still. I’m very happy for people to share a link to the recipe and my blog but I will admit that I’m hesitant to see it taken from source and reproduced elsewhere. The biggest reason is that in taking the content from here, it would remove it from the context of the 250 comments provided by so many other owners here who are struggling with the same and who have provided their own versions, ideas, and suggestions … which I think not only has tremendous value, but those sharing their stories deserve to remain connected. I’d be happy to discuss and if you’d like to email me ([email protected]), I’d like to see if we can work something out because my main goal at this point is to help as many people as I can by sharing my experience. Thanks again. ~ Dale
Thank you so much for sharing your story and your knowledge! We are not battling this with our 8 year old yorkie and we are heart broken. I am really looking to do a diet at home and am excited to use your recipe. We were recommended to use the canned dog food at our vets office, but upon my research found out that stuff is junk! Is there a place you have posted your other recipes, or could you email them to me? Would really appreciate it!!
Hi Alana — I’m sorry for your own heart breaking news and the journey you’ve now begun. In terms of your question about “other recipes” I’m not sure what you’re looking for, to be honest. There are only two dog-food recipes posted here on my site: this one for low-phosphorus food and the previous recipe that I cooked for Ben for many years before he became ill. That recipe, “Super Dog Food” can be found here on my site. I hope this helps. Wishing you the best and thanks for your kind words.
My sweet Lucy was just diagnosed with early kidney disease so I was looking for some way to support her health other than buying the insanely overpriced prescription dry dog food from the vet (which has terrible ratings – Royal Canin). Thank you so much for posting this information!
One thought, though: I understand that garlic is toxic to dogs. Not sure you want to be using garlic powder at all.
Best of luck to you, KC. I hope this alternative really helps you as well. The subject of garlic has certainly been raised by a few people here and believe it is addressed in my footnote to the recipe I used. Wishing you the best on your continued journey.
Hi Dale, I just wanted to thank you for posting this information and recipe. Our 13 year old Cairn Terrier, Jagger, was diagnosed with “approximately” Stage 2 kidney disease a few weeks back (after several weeks of just not being quite himself). However, we are seeing symptoms that would suggest a more advanced stage, along with some personality changes that are just hard for our family to accept (no more snuggles, etc….). We had put him on the kidney care food and he tolerated it for about 5 days and then determined he was done with that (Who can blame him?!). I had been thinking of making his own food for the last year as he became a more finicky eater and a particularly difficult day with his worsening symptoms sent me to the tissue box yesterday afternoon….. followed by a lengthy session with the computer scouring the internet (again…) for information and a good recipe. I came across your recipe and immediately determined we would be making it.
My husband and I prepared the food last night and Jagger LOVED it! He had not eaten without me “doctoring” up the food in about 5 days and the amount he was eating was very small. I don’t think his eating will be a problem anymore! Thanks also for posting the supplemental options as well. We started the Pepcid and CoQ 10 yesterday too. I am so very grateful for your wonderful working relationship with your vet, as well as your distillation of much data, which has obviously served a whole community of dog parents who have been sent scrambling by this problem. I am hopeful, not only for my husband and I who call Jagger “our first baby”, but for our twin daughters who adore him, that we will get a few more months with our Jaggy Waggy. But most of all, I am hopeful that whatever time we do have with him, will be made more comfortable for him by what I have learned here on your site.
Best wishes to you and warm thoughts for your beloved Ben up in Heaven,
Jill
Thank you Jill for your very beautiful note here. Your story is poignant and brings home a lot of feelings and I’m truly moved by your kindness. As so many here are experiencing, it is a devastating illness and is so hard to just coax food into their bodies, let alone help them through the disease. I’m glad your Jagger, your baby, is showing signs of improvement in that regard and that you’re therefore able to find a glimmer of hope for the months ahead. I think you’ve framed it perfectly — hopeful and yet realistic as to what lies ahead which while devastating doesn’t mean you don’t have some very beautiful months ahead of you … especially if he can eat. All the best to you and your family, Jill, and thank you again for your own. ~ Dale
Hi Dale, I just wanted to thank you for posting this information and recipe. Our 13 year old Cairn Terrier, Jagger, was diagnosed with “approximately” Stage 2 kidney disease a few weeks back (after several weeks of just not being quite himself). However, we are seeing symptoms that would suggest a more advanced stage, along with some personality changes that are just hard for our family to accept (no more snuggles, etc….). We had put him on the kidney care food and he tolerated it for about 5 days and then determined he was done with that (Who can blame him?!). I had been thinking of making his own food for the last year as he became a more finicky eater and a particularly difficult day with his worsening symptoms sent me to the tissue box yesterday afternoon….. followed by a lengthy session with the computer scouring the internet (again…) for information and a good recipe. I came across your recipe and immediately determined we would be making it.
My husband and I prepared the food last night and Jagger LOVED it! He had not eaten without me “doctoring” up the food in about 5 days and the amount he was eating was very small. I don’t think his eating will be a problem anymore! Thanks also for posting the supplemental options as well. We started the Pepcid and CoQ 10 yesterday too. I am so very grateful for your wonderful working relationship with your vet, as well as your distillation of much data, which has obviously served a whole community of dog parents who have been sent scrambling by this problem. I am hopeful, not only for my husband and I who call Jagger “our first baby”, but for our twin daughters who adore him, that we will get a few more months with our Jaggy Waggy. But most of all, I am hopeful that whatever time we do have with him, will be made more comfortable for him by what I have learned here on your site.
Best wishes to you and warm thoughts for your beloved Ben up in Heaven,
Jill
Aloha – would it be alright to use Buffalo meat? I need to find duck meat – my jack loves duck meat
Hi there — you’d likely need to do some more research on the phosphorus values of buffalo meat, but it strikes me as a interesting suggestion. Typically “darker” and more fatty meats/cuts are lower in phosphorus … or at least that has been my conclusion from the research I did. This includes duck and dark meat on chicken/turkey. Buffalo is “dark” but it does tend to be lean, so I’m honestly not sure. Let us know what you find out.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. My dog Noodles was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and spent two days and nights on a drip at the vets. I have him home yesterday and the vet gave me tagamet, anti sickness pills and paste to bind the toxins. I had a stomch problem a while back and started to use slippery elm which has made a world of difference that all the pills didn’t. He was refusing to eat so I made him up a solution of ginger root infusion; just a few thin slices of ginger root left in a cup of boiled water for ten minutes. Then I mixed some slippery elm powder with some of the ginger tea and added the paste gave it a good mix and syringed 5 mls into his mouth. Within an hour he wanted his dinner and has eaten about a saucer full, vets preparation food. I am going to make him up this receipe and hope he will get a better quality of life free from medical chemicals. Oh and excerise is so important to get the lymph system working. All the best from me and Noodles and thank you again.
Hi Lee — thank you for sharing your alternative treatment. Sounds like a great solution of the nausea that effects so many of dogs battling this disease. Hope it helps others. Best of luck to you and Noodles in his continued treatment and better health. Thanks again for sharing and your kind words.
My 11-year old Princess was diagnosed with renal failure. Her values doubled in 8 weeks because she stopped eating KD and my vet was not clear what to feed her, I had no understanding as to what was happening, and I was in a panic! I have made the 1st recipe and she loves it! I’m trying the pork and trout with barley today. Overall, she seems much better and her appetite has greatly improved. Our next visit is in 3 weeks. I’m praying that her values have at minimum stabilized. Thank you for helping all of us out here that don’t even know where to start. You and Ben have given us a gift of hope. Your research and compassion has changed everything! Thank you, thank you!
Hi Charlotte. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your story. I hope for the sake of Princess and you both that the diet continues to hold promise and interest for her. You’re incredibly kind in your words and I really don’t know what else to say. I’m so thankful that something as small as sharing my own journey and the recipe we devised on it is bringing a “starting place” and hope to so many. Thank you so much and I truly hope it holds the same promise for you as it did for Ben. Wishing you a healthy 2016. ~ Dale
Thank you for your research. My girl Reggie girl who is 14 is going through hard times.
BUN is 67 up from two months ago at 37. Phos. was 4.9 now 6.0. Heeding your advice.
Happy New Year Lynne — you’re most welcome. Wishing you and Reggie and healthy and long 2016.
Rosie was on a 2 week trial for a different pain relief medication when she started vomiting. This carried on for 24 hrs, called the vet twice and the 3td time they admitted her. Three days later she came home with a diagnosis of kidney disease. But she did not eat or drink and for another 36 hours I gave water in a syringe on the hour. At one point she fainted and I thought that is it. But no she held on and the next day up she got and started drinking! Rosie a yellow Lab is 14 in Jan. A beloved companion. So we are at the beginning. I have special diet food from the vet and she liked it. However it is really expensive since we cook from scratch anyway a home cooked diet seems a good idea and the vet has provided a ‘supplement’ to go with it. So saw your post and we are cooking tonight!
Thanks so much for sharing your research. Will post how we get on.
Happy New Year, Marice. I’m very sorry for you on the beginning road to a challenging diagnosis. It sounds like you have a great vet to support you and that together you can provide excellent care to Rosie. Please do let me know how you get on with the food and how she does. All the best to you on your journey and into the new year.
Dear Dale,
Thank you for the very lovely post and just putting this out there in this world. Also, thank you for continously responding to everyone for I read all 109 printable pages (perhaps it’s my font size) of comments and your responses. I would like to thank the people who have commented again to tell of their success with the recipe. It was immensely helpful and hopeful. Such continuity to an old post allowed me to better understand the recipe, substitutable ingredients, portions and the sort of medication and generic dog food that has been prescribed to people sorry dogs in the four corners of our world. I am greatly sadden and shocked to hear of renal failure in pups and young dogs.
However, Dale, before I attempt the recipe, I would appreciate it if you could address the following questions for me :-
1- What was the rationale for using acorn squash? Can I use Butternut squash instead because we cannot get acorn squash here in Malaysia?
2 – Why was the alternative to acorn squash – a combination of sweet potato and pumpkin? Was it because the phosphorus level of one was higher and the rationale was to balance it out?
3 – Also, I cannot get foreign collard greens but I can get kale. Actually, who can’t find kale these days? They’re everywhere! Were there any other vege contenders that you may have considered? I am looking to vary your recipe further and intend to post them back here for someone out there may want to read this.
4 – In the recipe, were you aiming a certain total maximum level of phosphorus per meal for it to be deemed as low? i have seen other sites say low but have not seen a total max level for a canine.
5 – Did you also try giving Ben spirulina?
6 – Did you see his renal trigger levels reduce when you first fed Ben the recipe?
7 – In respect of the trout, what kind of trout were you referring to? Rainbow? Or king salmon trout? None of which Is local here but there are air flown options that I can get for my boy.
Thank you in advance for responding to my questions.
Lastly before I sign off, I wanted to share that I was incredibly warmed by the sheer number of people spread across our world who have been united together by a recipe for the love of their dogs. Now, if we could only compound such love and dedication, perhaps we might have world peace.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mr Dale & Co.!
Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to a stranger far away in Malaysia. I am continuously floored and humbled at the array of people, as you say, “united” by a common need and recipe from all over the world. Your words are incredibly kind and your calculation of the amount of comments here is a sobering bit of perspective. It’s truly amazing how far this recipe has spread in about 18 months now.
So to your questions now:
1. In my various research it seemed the acorn was a bit lower in phosphorus and provided a rich source of other vitamins and minerals. It’s certainly one of the better winter squashes out there, but butternut is very good as well so if you need to substitute, go for it.
2. The alternative was a combination because sweet potato is higher in phosphorus, so on its own I determined it wasn’t a healthy alternative. The “pumpkin” was added because of its very high potassium levels I believe.
3. Collards are good, as I say, and strictly on the basis of lower phosphorus, are a better alternative than kale. However, kale is far from bad and has so many other good things going for it that, like you, I’d definitely use some, though perhaps in combination. Green beans and wax beans are a third alternative.
4. No, I never did a true nutrition count or breakdown. I simply chose for each ingredient/component of the meal the food with a low or lowest phosphorus count. Again, my goal wasn’t ‘just’ low phosphorus, but a meal that was still nutritionally dense/balanced and which was tasty. Some choices needed to be made to keep this balance.
5. No, I didn’t try spirulina. It would seem a reasonable supplement if your dog’s diet as from what I’ve read, it is in the low-medium category of phosphorus (118mg/100g serving). There are many foods I chose instead that were lower in some ways, but if this was used a supplement and your dog likes it, I don’t see why not. Again, it’s one of those superfoods that has a lot going for it.
6. Yes, his values came down dramatically within the first 6 weeks. Others here are reporting similar results.
7. The trout I was using was farmed rainbow trout.
Lastly, whatever you do for your boy, I’m sure it will be a godsend and provide him hope that he might not otherwise have. The work of you and so many here is truly an act of supreme love which will be a source of great comfort to you later.
All the best to you on this holiday season and thank you again for your kind comments and words. ~ Dale
Thank you so much for this recipe! My 21 year old dog, Gracie, was just diagnosed with third stage renal failure. Her vet sent her home with some supplements and a death sentence, saying she’d only have a few weeks. I knew there had to be something I could do for her and when I found she needed a low phosphorus diet I was searching the Internet. I’m so thankful for your recipe. Gracie will eat it if I hand feed her but she’s not food driven in the first place, so that’s okay with me.
I’m so sorry you lost Ben but thank you for helping Gracie.
Hi Jess and a very Merry Christmas to you and Gracie. What an amazing age Gracie has reached … but sadly, as many of us have learned, dogs living to such old ages seem more commonly to be afflicted with renal problems. I’m glad that the recipe has provided you some hope and some more precious days and chance to celebrate another Christmas with her. All the best to you and thank you for your sympathies and gratitude. Happy New Year. ~ Dale
Ben was a beautiful boy. So lucky to have such a caring dad. Thank you for sharing your research.
Thank you Jeni. That’s very kind. I miss him buckets still, especially over a season like this … but am glad this is helping so many others. Happy holidays to you and thank you again.
Hi Dale
First of all I would like to say thank you for sharing your story and being so generous with your time and knowledge by still responding to questions for more than a year.
I have a little Australian Shepherd who is only 17 months old and she is my everything. I was given the devastating news last week that she has been diagnosed with renal dysplasia and is almost in stage 4 of kidney failure.
I too have been scrolling the internet and reading as much information as I can. While I have already started with supplements, it was great to stumble across your post.
I have been told by the vet she is only allowed the HIlls KD diet and nothing else and at the moment she is eating this food fine but she always seems hungry (which I think is a good thing). And I’m sure there will come a time when she gets fussy about this. I would like to be able to give her similar foods to what you gave Ben but am also scared that this would not be good based on her numbers..
I’m just wondering if Ben’s levels were similar my girl Scarlett’s when you gave him your home made diet? Her numbers are- Creatinine is 4.86 and BUN 155, Phosphorus 9.07
Thanks again for sharing your experience
Kristelle
Hi Kristelle — you’re very welcome and I’m happy to comment though admit that this time of year, with the busyness of the season, I’ve not been as quick as I’d like, so my apologies for the delay.
I’m very very sorry for you and your Scarlett. It is devastating news, to be sure … and stories like your own when you got that news still resonate loudly in my memory when I heard the same thing. It’s horrible, I know. Ben’s numbers were not good and he was given a month or two which he beat in spades. However, I couldn’t tell you what the numbers were exactly as they were given to me over the phone and I was in a daze when I heard. Sorry I can’t be more specific, but all I know is that he was prescribed the same food as your girl and he hated it … and his numbers came down after eating the food I prepared. However, I can’t say our dogs are the same or that the results would be similar either. Wishing you the best regardless what you decide. It’s tough, I know.
Thank you for this recipe. I prepared a batch this weekend for our 15 1/2 year old dog, who has chronic kidney disease and has stopped eating his prescription dog food. He enjoyed it and is now eating again. We are very grateful.
You’re very welcome, Bernice. Happy holidays to you and your family and I hope that you continue to see great results.
Hi Dale. Our 7 year old beagle, Mel, was diagnosed with a kidney issue. During a routine check up, his creatinine level came back at 2.9, which lead to more tests, including an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed abnormality, which could indicate kidney disease or infection. We are waiting for the culture to come back in the next few days. If infection is the culprit, it is curable. However, if there is no infection, then we are headed down the same road as most of your readers. Mel’s vet has recommended Hill’s kidney care wet dog food, which we’ve began feeding. However, throughout Mel’s entire life, we’ve only fed him homemade food. After searching the internet, I came across your site. It is such an informative and valuable source for me!! Thank you so much for all the research you’ve done and sharing with everyone. I will be supplementing his prescription diet with your recipes.
Hi Sandy — and happy holidays to you. My apologies for the delay in response. It’s been a very busy season. I hope your results came back ‘curative’ and that you’re well on the way to being mended now. Either way, thank you for your kind words and I do hope that the recipe helps as you navigate all of this. Best of health to Mel and wishing you a great New Year.
This post brought tears to my eyes once again. Saying that you were heart broken and that you grieved, hard, is exactly what I did when I got the same news about my pomeranian, Cooper, last week. I was so happy to come upon your post, and read so many comments of others that have gone through similar and are doing anything they can to keep their companions happy and comfortable in whatever time they may have left. I’m going to try your recipe tonight. Cooper was never a finicky eater, but now, it’s very difficult to get him to eat (and I’m finding myself in the same position as I try to come to terms with the thought that my time with him is coming to an end). I’m hoping this will get him interested in food. I’m so sorry for your loss of Ben, but thank you for helping so many others.
Hi Lisa — I can certainly relate to the powerlessness that you can feel as you battle through this disease with Cooper. It breaks so many hearts as we watch our loved ones waste away, seemingly incapable of eating. It’s devastating, I know, but I hope you find a glimmer of hope in these pages. Best of luck to you and Cooper and your whole family and thank you for your kind words and commenting here.
Hi Dale, he comes and goes but seems to like it, although I mix it a little differently and he still indulges occasionally in other items. Getting him reiki today. odd, but why not?
I totally agree — they deserve everything we can give the precious creatures.
Dale, I never comment on these things. I thought for certain my 14 year old beautiful golden mix Yogibear had a few more years, but we have moved several times and just moved home to California from DC. He collapsed and we brought him to the emergency vet who offered to euthanize him on the spot due to a splenic mass. He struggled to maintain and did not eat much then I decided to operate and took him to his old regular vet and she did preop, during which she discovered he could only use 35% of his kidneys and she refused the operation. I have had him on fluids and medicine and his appetite has ben spotty, rejecting most everything but turkey bacon, pastrami, jelly donuts and fatty roast beef. I have made him everything from spinach to chicken noodle soup, beef to bacon and I am a vegetarian myself. It’s been weeks and he is struggling but I will try this today. Thank you and Happy Holidays.
Hi Sonja and happy holidays to you as well. I’m sorry for the challenge you’re facing with your Yogibear. It sounds more than tough. I’m not sure what kind of prognosis you’ve been given, but certainly longer term the bacon and pastrami will present challenges due to sodium levels and blood pressure (a problem with kidney disease) … but short term, I’d be doing exactly the same and just trying to keep him comfortable and happy and lavish him with love for the days you have. They’re precious. I hope by some miracle this recipe provides you hope and many more days. Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your story. All the best. ~ Dale
Thank you for this resource! My vet has recommended that duck is the only meat my 11 lb., 12 year old dog should eat. (She appears to get sick when she eats any other type of food). If I were to replace the 2lb. of beef with 2lb. of duck, do you think there are any other changes I should make to your recipe? She has always been a very picky eater, and she is currently refusing to eat anything except for the Primal freeze dried duck meals, but those are high in protein. I am hoping that if I try your recipe it will get her to eat rice and sweet potato again. Thank you for your advice!
Hi Jessica. Duck is an excellent option from what I read with respect to low-phosphorus — just like dark chicken thighs are preferable to breast. The high caloric nature of duck will be better for keeping the pounds on too. That said, you might want to reduce the coconut fat instead or it might be too ‘fatty.’ Like any diet, though, I’d recommend variation to ensure balance with other nutrients and keeping things interesting. Good luck to you.
I wish I could send you a picture of my girl, Terrie. She looks JUST like Ben; could be twins. She will be 16 next week. After a visit yesterday with the vet we now know why she has been losing weight; renal failure. Thanks for all of your research. I plan to cook up your recipe tomorrow. Thanks again.:-)
Hi Kelly. You’re very welcome. I’d love to see a picture of Terrie some time. You’re welcome to email me here if you’d like. I hope she enjoys the recipe and it helps you both through this period. All the best. ~ Dale
Ben, thank you!!! I am anxious to get my little one started on this. She has been on the k/d diet and hates the food. ;I’ve been reading up on it but your site is the first I found with such thorough information. She turned 15 in September and then was diagnosed with very early stages of kd. Will have to hit the grocery on the way home! Thanks!! Gwen
You’re very very welcome, Gwen. I wish you and your little one success through all of this and with the diet. I hope it provides you hope and many more days together …. All the best. ~ Dale
My Chinese Crested Phoebe ‘s bloodwork just came back slightly elevated. Could be just dehydrated since I pulled her water up because she is going in for a teeth cleaning today or it could be the beginning of kidney disease. Thank you for this vey informative article. I making the low phosphorus food now with the hopes of getting this under control.
You’re very welcome, Lee. I hope that it is indeed “nothing” but that if it does to prove to be that which you fear that the recipe helps you both. Best of luck to you. ~ Dale
Hello Dale
Thank you so much for this wonderful and so helpful article/post.
My baby girl (only 1 year and 5 months), diagnosed this summer with renal dysplasia and although we are on specific diet (royan canin renal), to keep her in life and healthy, she is refusing to eat. She eats every 4-5 days and that is a super small amount. I have had so many discussions with her vet, and the latest addition is some supplements – to lower more the phosphorus intake, so to regain her appetite again -but it just don’t work.
Searching and reading, reading and searching, nothing hasn’t made me try anything. Till I found your post.
I have her in my hands, since she was 20 days old only and till she was diagnosed, I was feeding her only the best and the more tastier! She is and she was always a very eclectic to her food. You can imagine her looks and her face, with renal dry food…”mama don’t you have anything worst to give me?”
So, finding your article now (she supposed to be 27kg and because she is not eating the royal canin we are down to 22kg!), looks like I found the biggest treasure in the universe. From tomorrow already I will cook her with hope to start eating again and gaining weight.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing it all this valuable infos with us.
Oh, Sonia — what heart-breaking news. Stories like yours where the kidney failure is in such young dogs is hard to hear. I can only imagine your emotions. It is very hard to watch those we love so much literally shrink in size as their illness takes over. Heart-wrenching. I hope that this food is palatable to your girl and that she bounces right back. Wishing you a very positive outcome and success. ~ Dale
I am glad I found your recipe. My dog actually ate the food and seemed to really enjoy it. However, when I made your dog food receipe and packaged it per the instructions, I only came up with 7 days of food (7 large bags each containing 4 – 1/2 cup servings. I am not sure what I did wrong as I followed the amounts as stated. Also, is this a low protein diet? My Vet said that my dog needs a low protein diet.
Thanks, Anne
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Anne. I’m sorry for your own journey but hope this recipe provides you some support. With respect to your question about volumes, it sounds like your yield is right. Ben was likely eating 2 cups/day … so that would mean about 24 cups, give or take. There will likely be some variation based on ingredients and how much you purée the food, but, again, it sounds like your volumes are bang on.
Your question about protein vs. phosphorus is sort of answered in my preamble at the beginning of recipe: “… this post is about a low “phosphorus” diet, not low protein. You see, phosphorus occurs most abundantly in protein rich foods, but it occurs to some degree in almost all food and ingredients. But before I sing out my solution, there is something else to this story: it is not as simple as omitting or limiting phosphorus.” Vets and others conflate the two terms which is the problem. They prescribe low protein diets to restrict phosphorus. Protein is not the issue in most cases — its phosphorus. I don’t your particular situation so I can’t advise, but with this information, I’d suggest you speak to your vet or get another opinion. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.
Hi dale,
My name is Cameron. As I scroll through each of these devastating stories I applaud you with how many people you have helped. I am new to all of this and don’t know what to do, this is my story. Yesterday I took my 6 month old puppy( Luna) for a normal spay surgery. What they found has left me completely heart broken. When receiving the pre op blood work they noticed her kidney values were elevated. To get a better look at things they decided to retrieve a urine culture directly from the bladder which showed bacteria. While performing the ultrasound guided urine retrieval they took a look at her kidneys. They then noticed that both kidneys were polycystic. The moment I answered the phone expecting the vet to tell me a pickup time for Luna… My heart stopped. Everything came out of no where, I have no idea what direction to go in. How can this be my sweet 6 month old puppy going through this… Due to her only being 19lbs and so young it makes this situation much more difficult. If anyone has any advice for me I am all ears. Please and thank you:(
thank you all for your stories. i just put down my chick-a-pea over 15 years down but for different reasons. Just under 3 weeks ago i got a new puppy Cobb (Havanese). Last Thursday i found out he has kidney failure. its killing me and he is just a pup. he is almost 14 WEEKS when i go to the vet next week i am going to see if this will help Cobb. i pray it will.
thank you
Hi Trica — I’m so sorry to hear about your loss and now the very sad news about Cobb. I know how devestating all this must be. I do hope the recipe helps you both but I would just caution, and your vet may agree, that the needs of Cobb, as a young puppy may be more complex. My thoughts are with you as well.
I have a 13 yr old cairn terrier who is in early renal failure. She is on the Royal Canin Kidney Diet. Your menu sounds wonderful. The only question I have is that I was told pumpkin is high in phosphorus.
You’re very welcome, Mary. My research reveals that pumpkin seeds are high in phosphorus … not the meat, which is high in potassium. That said, I would alternate this part of the recipe and keep the diet varied. Hope this helps.
What about chicken breasts? Is that ok for them to have? And pumpkin (not pie) in a can and sweet potatoes are ok for them?
Hi there: yes, “pumpkin” is listed in my “Foods to Work With” on the recipe, so it’s a good choice. Sweet potatoes are listed there as well. In terms of chicken, the answer is that dark meat (e.g. thighs) are a better source than breasts — however, there were many other sources of protein listed that are better than chicken. Good luck.
Ben – I guess I found your blog a little later for my Oliver who passed away of renal failure 2 months ago …. still devastated (he was a wonderful 13-year old dog) … but maybe I stumbled upon your suggestions early enough fro Oliver’s widow .. our beautiful 5 lbs, 11 year old Yorkie. Got her blood work done when we lost Oliver (out of extreme care) and we found some kidney indicators a little off. I will post her levels here and see how they behave over time. I will start her on your diet in a couple of days.
we want her to live a good life for as long as she is healthy and happy and I am positive that with a diet change and some adjustments we should have her around for many years to come … I hope I become a frequent visitor to this site to report back any changes … we all need each other for support, feedback and personal experience. I would be very happy if more of us could post the blood test results and urinalysis and see how the diet influences these over time.
Will be back soon.
JORGE
Hello,
I am in the same situation as you. My dog has kidney failure. I read a lot on the internet about this topic . I will not resign myself to lose her. She is only 6 years old. As you say I give antacids, and eca, also coenzyme Q10 , omega 3 and Ortosiphon. She is following a homemade diet like Ben. I use too Rubenal and Ipakitine. In her first in its first analysis creatinine he was 4.4 and now has dropped to 2.1mg/dl.
Thank you for reading and sorry for my English , I am Spanish.
Best regards!
Thank you, Satinne, for sharing your own story. It’s great to hear you’ve come to many similar conclusions and have found resulting success in your diet changes. There certainly is no good in giving up … your dog certainly needs you and your ability to do all this research. No worries in the least about your English — I’m delighted that there are comments coming in from all over the world and from people of many different languages. I wish you the best as you continue forward and hope everything continues to go well.
Hi, My 8 year old Min Pin Chloe was recently diagnosed with kidney disease. She had stopped eating her normal dog food, which was odd, because she still had an appetite for table foods or snacks. I made this food and she LOVES it! She comes running whenever she hears the microwave door open now! So Thank you so much for this recipe, and sorry for your loss! My only question/concern is about the parsley, I haven’t see anyone question it, but I have read conflicting information about it, some things say it is good for the kidneys, but others say to not give it to them after they already have kidney disease, what are your thoughts on this? Thanks again!
Dear Kelly — thank you for your kind words and thoughts and for sharing your own beautiful story. I’m very glad you’re having success with the recipe and Chloe loves it. Regarding the parsley, it’s a fair question and the answer is probably a bit grey. Other reading I’ve done suggests it may depend on the particular kind of kidney disease. As so many and their stories indicate here, few dogs are exactly the same in their disease profile so the treatment likely needs to vary. What I’ve shared here is what I did for Ben. For others, variations might be important. For this reason as much as to maintain appetite and food-drive, I suggest alternating some of the ingredients. If you think some parsley is good for Chloe but don’t think it is good for her every day, then I suggest different batches where some include it but others don’t. The amount is still relatively small, but diversity is likely key regardless. Hope this helps and all the best.
Hello. My name is Liz. I will keep this brief. I just wanted to tell you that my family and I cannot thank you enough for sharing this recipe. My mini schnauzer (now 15yoa) was diagnosed with kidney failure about 2years ago and also has the worst heart murmur a dog can have. We tried elanapril but the medicine dropped his heart rate so low he was fainting. A year ago the vet told us he was likely having seizures and it was only a matter of time. We discontinued the elanapril and gave him the k/d diet dry in an effort to save his teeth. He turned his nose up at it. We began to add some wet k/d in an effort to entice him. That only worked for a brief time. We shred carrots into his food and again the results were short lived. We watched as his health failed. He lost all all his muscle mass and his fat. He went some days without eating all. So weak that walking was difficult and he couldn’t push the dog door open. The vet said it’s only a matter of time. About a month ago after a sleepless night of what I thought was the beginning of him dying,
(Labored breathing, gurgling insides, cotton mouth) I came across this recipe. It’s changed cincos life. Of course there is no cure for his illness, but he has finally regained an appetite, has actually gained a little weight and has increased energy. When I warm up his food, he stands next to me with his teeth chattering eagerly awaiting his food.
I just wanted to thank you. I’m sure without this recipe we would have lost cinco several weeks ago. This food has given him some borrowed time. Thank you dearly, kindly and sincerely.
Thank you Liz for sharing your story. You brought many a tear to my eyes, truly. It is a difficult month for me as I approach the anniversary of Ben’s passing and I can’t tell you how warm and healing your words were to read today. Thank you. I sincerely hope that Cinco continues to be motivated by the food and that you are able to squeeze as much time together as possible. The days are so precious and I’m truly humbled that you think I have given you any more together. Thank you, thank you, thank you and I wish you the same joy and peace. ~ Dale
My name is GwenMy little fur baby is Tina. My Mom passed 6 yrs. ago and I promised her I would raise Tina for her. She will be 14 Dec.1. She was recently diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. My heart is breaking. She is not only my best friend but my lifeline to Mom. She is at the point when she will eat something once and then turn her head. I found one recipe with hamb. and rice ,egg, white bread etc. She loved it at first but now won’t eat it. I did cook a sweet pot. and she ate a little of it. She loves chic. If I made your recipe would it hurt to add chic. Or ground turkey instead of hamb? I try to give her what she should eat but she will not eat it.She was always a good eater. She won’t eat the KD. I love her with all my heart. This is a terrible way to lose her. Thank you
My heart goes out to you, Gwen … and to Tina. I know only too well the desperate feeling of wanting and still not knowing what to do. I think the chicken would be fine. It seems the darker meat is, non intuitively, the better choice but really, when you’re at a desperate point like this, Gwen, there is no judging right from wrong. Just do your best, follow your heart, and in the end, you will know you did everything you could. I hope it works and brings you many more bright and special days.
I have a 5yr old Rottweiler that was diagnosed with kidney failure. The problem im running into is thst will not eat table scraps, and the few i have got him to eat, he pukes back up. I have tried science diet renal support dog food with the same results. He will eat hard and soft dog food, but struggles to keep it down. My once healthy 80 lb Rott now is a fragil 59 lbs and has no energy. It breaks my heart to see him like this but im at a loss finding food he will eat and keep down 🙁
First, let me say how sorry I am for your loss. Thank you so much for sharing your little man’s story and his recipe. I sit here in tears, both for your little guy and for my yellow lab, Chyanne. Last December, the vet noticed a small heart murmur during her annual check up. He wasn’t overly concerned but kept an eye on it. We adopted Chyanne when she was between 9-12 months old. She had been severely abused, was massively underweight, terrified of everything, has scars all over her head, neck, shoulders and sides. When she was ‘found’ by the lady that runs a no kill shelter, she was just about to be killed by who we presume were her abusers. They had a rope noose around her neck and were about to hang her. Thankfully, when the lady pulled over and began shouting, they took off. Sadly, they weren’t ever found to bring to justice. Anyway, they didn’t think she’d find a home as she had so many very special requirements and thankfully, we fit the bill. That was 11 years ago next month. She is my best friend, companion, and constant shadow and I’m dreading life without her. Last month, she had her first seizure, and 2 weeks ago a severe one that lasted 15 minutes. We have been back and forth to our vet more than a dozen times since then. After working through other issues, coughing and wheezing, bad reaction to antibiotics, etc, more tests were done. She had fluid on her lungs, and they decided to check her heart to make sure her seizure media would be ok with her heart condition. That’s when it was discovered that she had a massively enlarged heart and treatment began. She had been slowly going off her food, wanting only home cooks foods for awhile, along with weight Los that the vet wasn’t too concerned about initially. She to went off all food except chicken, no starches or veg at all, and the vet took blood and diagnosed renal failure too. Since then, Chyanne has gone off even chicken. We are desperate to get her to eat anything…she had never been fussy and loved everything except eggs (she would eat yolks but not the whites, but I always suspected it was because I’m allergic to egg whites and won’t eat them so since I wouldn’t, she wouldn’t trust them either lol). Our vet did another blood test on the weekend and called to tell us that other than continuing her meds, injections, keeping her comfortable and trying to encourage her to eat, there really is nothing more that can be done. She’s still drinking water, still bright eyed and happy otherwise. Her tail is still wagging (when she arrived home the first day after adopting her, it been wagging and hasn’t stopped, she even wags it in her sleep!) and she still follows me everywhere. It’s heartbreaking to see her wasting away before our eyes and I was so excited today when I got her to eat almost a tablespoon of yogurt. Hubs is on his way home from work to go to the shops and pick up everything for this recipe — fingers crossed this will interest her enough to try it. Thanks again for sharing all that you have. It’s heartbreaking that these bundles of pure love slip through our lives so quickly, but like themselves, the memories they leave us with are oh so precious and without them, life wouldn’t be anywhere near as wonderful. They make us better creatures, simply because their pure love makes us even more loving and therefore we do nothing and everything to make them happy and comfortable, just to return the love.
My deepest sympathies go out to you, Sassy, and your family as you continue to battle through the sadness and stress of Chyanne’s illness. It sounds very desperate and cuts very close to my own experience. I hope that this food and the recipe defy all expectations and excites her appetite and gives you more precious time together. Thank you for your kind words and condolences as well. In three weeks, it will the first anniversary of losing Ben … and in so many ways, it still feels like it was yesterday. It also feels like he’s still here … so you’re right, those precious memories are so crucial. I hope you find many more in your time together. All the best to you and thank you for sharing your story. Please let us know how it continues to go …. ~ Dale
Thanks for your post
Hi Dale,
Your article has me gaining a little hope. My Chewy is a Diabetic who has lost his vision from this horrible disease. He was rushed to the vet on Monday and the conclusion is he has kidney failure now from it. He did not eat for almost 3 days and I have been making home made foods of chicken, rice and ricotta cheese. He has a appetite again but I want to feed him something that may help him more. He is on a antibiotic for the bacteria infection from the kidneys not working. The vet tells me there is no hope to restore the kidneys but I have to try. I am going to be making some of your food and giving it hope. Thank you.
Hi Brenda — my heart truly goes out to you. Such devastating news I know. The vet is likely right that there is truly no going back — we can’t make work something that has fully stopped working, especially kidneys. That said, I hope with you that Chewy’s kidneys still have some fight in them, that they haven’t totally failed, and that you find a diet and treatment plan that gives him strength and some recovery and some more precious time together. I do hope this helps. Wishing you strength on your own difficult journey. ~ Dale
Thanks for writing this, Dale — great reference. Do you know offhand why butter might be goodbad? It seems decently low in phosphorous and like it might thus be a good source of fat calories, but i see a mention of no butter in the comments. Any ideas?
Thanks Chris — much appreciated. It’s a very good question. I’m not sure why it didn’t come up in my initial searches or thinking either, but you’re right and I suspect it would be a great idea. Over longer periods, obviously it could have other cardiovascular issues (vs. coconut oil) but I think it is a very smart, high-calorie substitution that makes perfect sense. Thanks for sharing it.
I am going to try your recipe for my dog but I was wondering why u are not supplementing salmon oil and vitamin E
(For the omega 3 )
Thanks for the comment and question. The answer is because according my research, salmon is also high in phosphorus which is a shame because it does, as you say, have many other health benefits. I don’t know the phosphorus content of salmon oil, however, so it might, as you suggest, be a good choice of supplement. I don’t know.
Hi Dale,
I will be trying out your recipes for my dog who was recently diagnosed with early kidney disease and she is now refusing to eat the prescription diet. I may have missed it, but how do you adjust the recipe for a 60-65 lb dog?
Hi Chrystee — I hope it helps your dog and she enjoys it. With respect to “adjusting” the recipe, there is no adjustment necessary other than you may want to double future batches if she likes it. Others have also asked “How much to feed” and if this is your question, my personal answer is let her eat as much as she wants since with CRF, appetite is so hard to encourage anyway. Just feed in smaller portions 3-5 or more times a day. She will let you know when she’s full. The only “adjustment” is with respect to the supplements if you choose to use these. The proportions listed there are for a dog 1/2 her size. Nevertheless, when giving any medications/supplements to a dog, I recommend doing so under the advice/supervision of her vet as there may other issues/concerns/drug interactions to be careful of before administering. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.
Thank you so much for your quick reply!!! Really appreciate it. Will keep you updated on how my dog Zeta does on it. 🙂
I adopted my dog, Chrissy, from a shelter when she was eight months old, a mix of probably many breeds. She looks like a cross between a fox and a teddy bear. She is now 12 years old, the light of my life, my hiking buddy, my traveling buddy, my 24-hour a day buddy, and in the early stages of renal failure. Her vet gave me recipes that had limited ingredients and, much to my surprise, table salt was one of them. Each recipe clearly warned, “This diet is not balanced and complete.” I thought that if she is in her final months of life, she is at least going to have a balanced diet that she really likes. So I researched home-made low-phosphorus meals on the internet, found your site, and cooked a batch of your recipe for Ben. Chrissy loves it, licks her bowl over and over and then stands there looking up at me hopefully. I tasted it, too, as you suggested, and it’s really good. I might set aside a bit of it for an occasional snack for me. I tweaked the recipe a bit–the only item I pureed was the green beans. Thank you for sharing your research work to create the recipe. I shed a few tears for Ben and for you, too.
Dale, this is so helpful thank you so much for taking the time to share your recipe, this will help many dog lovers like myself.
Thank you for stopping by and your very kind words. You’re most certainly welcome and I do indeed hope it helps many many more dogs and dog owners in need. All the best.
HELLO Dale, I am writing on behalf of a friend who has a most wonderful Great Pyrenees service dog recently diagnosed with renal failure. We take heart in your blog that Ben’s diet might help our beloved Kennedy Rose. We plan to recreate your low phosphorus recipe this weekend. I also noticed the recipe for HOMEMADE SUPER DOG FOOD…AKA BEN’S BREAKFAST. Can you advise me whether or not this recipe is also low in phosphorus and if we can include it in Kennedy’s meal plan?
Also, Kennedy has a brother, Duffy who has not shown symptoms of renal failure. We prefer to feed them together, would these recipes be beneficial for Duffy as well? We do not wish to challenge his health with low phosphorus diet if it would be ill-advised.
Thank you for your blog and for sharing your beloved Ben with the world. We look forward to hearing back from you.
GOD BLESS! Pyr-Pup Mom and her friend, Chihuahua-mix Mom
Hi Linda. Comments like your keep bringing tears to my eyes, so thank you for sharing. I’m so very sorry your friend’s Kennedy Rose (brilliant name by the way). It’s a difficult road and I do hope this recipe helps you all. Given the size of the dog, I’m guessing your kitchen has its work cut out for it soon.
In answer to your question re: Ben’s Breakfast recipe, the answer is no, this wouldn’t be deemed “low phosphorus” though it may still be better than many commercial dogfood formulas. Ben ate this food for about 4 years and more and more it became his exclusive food … but all before he was diagnosed. I created the Low-Phosphorus version to treat the CRF.
Your question re: Duffy is a good one and one I grappled with as well because I had another dog in the house during Ben’s condition. Jules inherited Ben’s “breakfast” which filled the freezer and had to be eaten up anyway, but did contemplate whether phosphorus was like free-radicals in our diets. I never did more research to determine. Fact is phosphorus is naturally occurring and in almost all food to a degree. It’s necessary in our diets so I wouldn’t eliminate it if you didn’t need to, but I don’t know what the impact would be if you did. You’d be best to speak, even casually, to a registered nutritionist or dietitian to get an answer on this. A doctor/pharmacist or your vet might also be able to answer the question with respect to the impact of a low-phosphorus diet on a creature with normal kidney function.
Best of luck to you all and thanks for your very warm words and warming my heart today. ~ Dale
Hi Dale, thank you for your response. We have an afternoon of cooking planned. Thank you too for your recommendations about Duffy, certainly something to consider. Kennedy & Duffy’s mom has an appointment with a nutritionist and your suggestions will be addressed.
My 2 little ones, Sadie Lynn, a chihuahua-dachshund mix and Cinder Ella, a chihuahua-min-pin mix, will soon be enjoying Ben’s breakfast. The research I’ve been doing into home made food for dogs has truly opened my eyes. I love them both so dearly and want only the best for them.
I cannot tell you how much we all appreciate your thoughtful advice and obvious love of all canines.
Off to the kitchens…take care & God bless you ~ Linda
Hi Dale, what a great and VERY helpful read. Our sweet girl was just diagnosed with kidney failure at only 4 1/2 years old. The vet thinks there are some underlying issues. I’m thinking it may be cancer considering she also has a few lumps sporadically on her body. Unfortunately, we can only do so much financially, so we are devastated. She was once about 115 lbs, and got down to about 95 lbs. She’s pretty dehydrated at the moment, but the Prednisone has given her some pep in her step and her appetite back. I’ve incorporated some of your recommendations into the cooking I’ve been doing for her, but remain concerned that I’m not providing her with ALL of the nutrients she needs. I’ve recently started adding Pedialyte to her meals which seems to help a little with the dehydration. I’d also like to add some of the supplements you suggest in your post. With regards to the Q10 coenzyme, you say “you’ll be challenged to find…Q10 in a non-gel capsule format…” I’ve found a Fish Oil Plus CoQ-10 in a softgel that is specifically for dogs. To your knowledge, are the gel capsule not good for dogs with kidney issues? I can’t seem to find anything on that issue. The active ingredients in 1 softgel of this product are 180mg of EPA (Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Fish Oil), 120 mg of DHA (Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Fish Oil) and 50mg of Coenzyme Q-10. The inactive ingredients according to the label also include Gelatin (Bovine), Glycerin, Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin, and Titanium Dioxide. I’m a little concerned about those inactive ingredients, especially considering the amount per softgel isn’t specified. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge, and I’m sorry for the loss of your best friend.
Hi Jessica. Thanks for your kind words and your question. My only intended point about the Q10 coenzyme capsule is that it impossible to cut in half. So if the 50mg is the right dosage for your sweet girl then you’re off to the races. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a small enough dose for Ben which is why I had to find a tablet instead so I could break it up. Doesn’t sound like that will be your problem. Respecting the dehydration, your vet may well advise in favour of subcutaneous fluids be injected to help. I’m very very sorry for you and your family. It is all so incredibly hard I know. My heart goes out to you all.
Dale I am in a panic state, my lovely Tara is a 45 pounds Airdale 21/2 years old and was diagnosed yesterday. Her Crea is 1.9 and I feel lost. I am willing to do anything to help her so I will focus in your receipt. My question is how many portions in a day she needs to eat as she is a young big dog?
I can fully relate. My heart goes out to you. In terms of portions my advice is as much as she will eat. The point of the recipe is that dogs with renal failure lose appetite and struggle with eating and drinking so anything you can do to improve consumption is a win. Let her be your guide but ultimately give smaller portions frequently throughout the day vs 1-2 big meals only. Hope this helps.
Thanks I keep you updated
Hello Dale,
My name is E.G..
I feel all of you wonderful people who have written about your beloved dogs as being Gods people.
If you have any animal that loves you, and they DO LOVE US, you have a good soul….
That saying; You can’t fool animals and children…
They are our blessings in life.
This and the next.
I would like to share my story with your follows and yourself as there is no pleasure in keeping what worked for me a secret.
I hope with all my heart it can help extend precious time with our beloved.
Please share my story
Here is a bit.
My little “bug” was diagnosed with kidney failure suddenly in the fall of 2011.
He was infected with a terrible bacteria called Leptospirosis. Which he got from drinking water that an infected animal, raccoon, skunk
had urinated in. It remains undetected until the damage becomes too great for the dog to survive.
Many would be surprised that it can happen in the city, not just a country setting.
He was on an IV two weekends in a row, coming home in between.
Bug now has only 25% kidney function and damage is damage. Kidneys do not get better. Only in cats.
You deal with slowing the total kidney failure.
I read everything available on phosphorus and kidney failure.
#1 You have to keep fluid intake high. The vets offer IV. But what do you do when they are home.
I got a large syringe from the vet and very carefully began giving two syringes full orally approximately every 2-4 hours.
Bug being 5=6 pounds I had to get 1 cup of water into him daily.
For the first year I was diligent. Now it’s going on 4 years. It doesn’t matter the schedule as much, just the quantity.
But you can not give too much water in a short time as it overloads the kidneys and body tissue.
He’s still with me and doing remarkably well.
I have kept a journal and shared my research with my vet, who is wonderful and been by my side all the way.
I tell him what I am doing and ask lots of questions. This is what has worked for me.
#2 High protein. Dark chicken better than white chicken meat. Egg whites, no yolks they contain tons of phosphorus.
Hamburger, not lean, medium and boil off all fat. Fat triggers his ulcer, common kidney failure.
If stomach is acting up I give 1/4 Pepcid 10 mg orally in syringe with water and wait at least 10 minutes before feeding 1st meal.
Can be given before bed to reduce acid.
I try not to give any medication or supplements as everything ingested has a benefit and a downside.
I do not worry about deficiency as their is no way to control what is in those vitamins and as my vet agrees many ingredients may cause more bad than good. Weighing the time he has (I hate repeating that statement) it won’t cause his bones to become brittle, etc.
I change the proteins every now and then and all are put in food processor with boiled brown rice and slice of white toast.
I add now and then some raw organ meat like beef heart. Keeping the protein to about a tablespoon per feeding.
Every morning 1 Pure Salmon oil 1000 mg gel cap. squeezed on his food. Vegetables, boiled broccoli, green beans (baby food is an easy addition if the veggies are not available. Pumpkin (only pure no canned(. Sweet potatoes and squash are excellent.
He can get treats like rice crispiest, some high fat yogurt even a baby cookie, Toast is always a goody. No butter.
Being a small dog some of the ingredients you mentioned may cause upset, i.e. pepper, tomatoes sauce, Cream is actually very good,
very low in P. Their are excellent sources that list charts for phosphorus in foods. You can mix and match.
Never a problem cleaning the plate. Even our Dachshund wants some.
Thank you for all your sacrifice of time to share Ben and his story with all.
Like I said I hope I can help all you wonderful people with what I have learned over the years.
E.G.
[email protected]
Hi E.G. … thank you for your kind words and sharing your own story and success. I’m sure it will help others here as well and it is nice to read that your own nutritional treatment plan has a lot in common with the one I shared. While not scientists or vets, there is certainly much to be gained by the many people going through the same thing sharing their stories, remedies, and treatment plans, so thank you again. I wish you and your “bug” many many more happy days and years. I couldn’t agree more about the love these creatures share and open up in us. It is a blessing to be sure.
Garlic and avocado are both toxic to dogs. Please do NOT feed your dog avocado oil or garlic powder. Thesee food do more harm than good.
Hi Jamie. Thank you for sharing this with others here. You’re not the first person to mention the point about the garlic. In the end, it is only in the dish for flavour and is highly available to omission or substitution.
Hi Jamie, in small doses garlic is OK. Also Avacado is FINE. It’s the skin and pit that are highly toxic.
Thank you for your answer and post here on the topic. It’s especially meaningful given the many great resources and information you’ve provided to pet owners on your own website. I encourage people to read more ….
Thank you for all this great info. Ben is precious. My Winston (looks a bit like Ben) has been diagnose with kidney failure; these recipes will be helpful. We will see them again over the Rainbow Bridge.
Thank you for your very sweet words and wishes. I wish you and Winston the best and improved health and that your days with him are also all rainbows.
Hi, my name is Josh and i was hoping you could maybe give me some advise. I have a 4 year old boxer named Izzy which i adopted a year ago. Just recently, she began to stop eating very well, and she has been vomiting as well as having a continuous loss of body mass. when i took her to the vet, she was diagnosed with renal failure. Her labs were VERY high. We were told she would probably only live up to another month :(. i was wondering what your dogs labs were like when Ben was diagnosed with renal failure? and also, how much of an effect do you think this diet will make on my dog Izzy? Im going to give it a try, and hope that it helps. Thanks ~Josh
Hi Josh — My heart goes out to Izzy and you. I’m very sorry for your situation but I’m not sure I can give you much in the way of advice. There are so many competing factors that it would be irresponsible for me to even assume. All I can say is that some of Ben’s lab results over the years were very very high and moving him to his “superfood” diet and then later to the low-phosphorus diet in each instance had profound effects on the values. Others have also indicated similar changes but as I didn’t actually have a full-copy of the lab results, I don’t think I could comment right now … plus it was a year ago. I know it is hard — trust me I know — and having a vet you can trust as part of this is so key, but if you do, I would highly recommend you make any diet changes etc in consultation with your vet as there may well be other factors going on that s/he can better advise on as well. Best of luck to you.
First of all I am sorry about your Ben. Our 10 year old Staffordshire Racer got diagnosed with a bad UTI and then acute kidney failure. After spending 3 days in the Medical Center his number were down but not enough. They sent us home with his antibiotic and SQ fluid and K/D food. He hates the food. So I had asked her for some recipes to try, she gave me some. Then I found your recipe. She has tapioca, hamburger, chicken fat, 1 1/2 calcium carbonate and 1/2 multi vitamin mineral. Have you done the SQ also? Do you think rice would substitute for the tapioca. (that is odd to me, don’t understand the tapioca)We are trying all this, he is such a wonderful dog. Thank you for any tips or help.
Thank you, Angela. That’s very kind of you. I never did end up going the SQ route but it was on the horizon as an option if his values got really bad again. His situation never made it a necessary choice, but it was something his vet and I discussed at length a few times, weighing the pro/cons of the approach. With respect to your question, my recipe was always made with rice and/or barley. Others have suggested the tapioca substitution in their own preparations. I can’t attest for this, but tapioca would be low in phosphorus I believe, so it just comes down to taste/preference and perhaps some variety. Just remember to use white rice (not brown). Hope this helps.
Dale, He enjoys the hamburger, tapioca, I made a batch and warm up a bit and put over the K/D, but I do think he needs variety he ate it today but reluctantly. I am going to also make up your recipe. We have done the SQ treatment, 2 days now with success. It takes an old teddy bear he loves and him laying on my daughters bed with the house quiet. We watch him when he goes potty to monitor his output a bit also. He did not have a number 2 today, but tried. Is there something in your recipe that will help maintain a regular number 2 schedule? Does the squash do that? I know pumpkin does, but not sure if the squash does the trick? Thank you for your help!
Hi Angela — that’s great to hear. I hope it continues to improve. Variety was very important to keeping Ben enthused as well. It is a labour of love if there ever was one, that is for sure. With respect to encouraging regular movements, soluble fiber is key. The squash and pumpkin both should do the trick as does the sweet potato with the skin left on. It’s always a battle of making one substitution to manage one symptom only to create a new challenge. Hang in there.
Our fourteen year old dog has been diagnosed with the beginnings of kidney issues. The vet just said, “special food, low protein.” I was researching and found a lot of contradictory information regarding the low protein versus high or regular protein diets. I had equally boiled down to believe that it was more about the phosphorus. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to have found your information. It’s like you did all this research and work for us.. and I really appreciate it. Thank you ! I will be beginning to change over to new home cooked meals for Wylie to try and keep the inevitable CKF at bay. Thank you again. And sorry for the loss of your Ben. In the end, all pets are heartache waiting to happen; but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Would we?
Brenna
It is very warming to read your comment, Brenna, and know that you too came to a similar conclusion. I never really thought that I’d have done “all” the research for each of you, but if it helps each of you through your own personal choices/decisions and the health challenges facing your loved ones, well, I’m only too thrilled. I never expected this post to receive the kind of attention and support it has … but I hope that it helps you in your research and care of Wylie.
Thank you also for your kind condolences. You’re right, though, that without the incredible love and bond we formed, we wouldn’t feel the heartache as well. No, I wouldn’t change that….
Dale, thank you for sharing your priceless experience, knowledge, and recipes. My Tristen (15 years old) is suffering from kidney failure. Your writings have provided an incredible amount of insight to better understand what he is going through. God Bless you and Ben always.
Oh, Millie — thank you. That is incredibly kind of you to say and you bring tears to my eyes. It is horrible journey to be on for any of us and for Tristen especially. I know it feels utterly lonely and without clear answer as to what is right or what we should do for those we love most. If I’ve provided any insight by sharing my own journey, I’m thrilled. Thank you and I hope that you find a path that works for you and Tristen. Best of luck.
Hi Dale ,
It’s just over 24 hours since we learned about our much loved cairn terrier’s diagnosis of advanced renal failure, she will be nine on the 8th of December. I have spent most of that 24 hours trawling the internet to find the best way to give Abbey the best care possible in the coming months? Your story has given me some confidence and an insight in what I can do for her. Thank you for the recipe I am going to the market to collect the ingredients today. Abbey was the runt of the litter that the breader didn’t think she’d sell, she was just over 3 months when she became our little girl. She turned into the most beautiful little dog with the loveliest character that all our friends adore. She has enriched our lives so much I can’t bare to think of the time when she is not around. Thank you once again I’ll let you know how she likes the food. George
Thank you so much, I have made this recipe but in my search for ingredients around town, I cannot find a Bcomplex with a dose. Can you provide a link specifically for the Bcomplex that you used? My yorkie is 7.5 lbs. Thank you!
Hi Deb — yes, the B-complex 50 was a tough one to find. In the end, had one from Jamieson which I broke into two. This was by far the hardest pill to administer to Ben because if you’ve ever tasted one, they taste awful, so even wrapped in food, if Ben bit into it, he’d recoil like he’d been poisoned. Towards the end, I was skipping it as often as I was administering it to him because the trauma around the food wasn’t worth the risk of him not eating. No cure or treatment is worth it if it creates fear and/or removes quality of life in my opinion. Hope this helps.
Thank you so much for the fabulous recipe. I’ve been trying to find the best food options for my 15 yr. old terrier-mix, Rex. He has been steadily losing weight due to his renal disease and getting him to eat is a challenge. I wanted something that would be good for his condition and peak his appetite ~ your recipe seems to be working well for us since I made it several days ago. Thank you for sharing your story and recipe.
Karen
You’re most welcome, Karen. Thank you for commenting and sharing Rex’s story. I hope it continues to help him and gives you much more precious time.
Thank you so much for sharing Ben’s diet. Looking at all these posts, so many precious canine friends have benefited.
My 14 year old mini poodle Max developed kidney impairment after being treated with a non steroidal inflammatory for a painful shoulder after being kicked by a passerby (the friendliest, least aggressive old dog in the world). After the shoulder started to dislocate, he had a major op to fuse the shoulder, more renal insult. After a bout of pancreatitis, things were looking even worse, renal function declining and phosphate up. He hated commercial renal diets, so I searched the internet….
On Ben’s diet, Max is eating with some enthusiasm (and he’s never been very food focussed), has regained the weight he lost, plus a little extra, and his bloods have improved to being better than what was thought to be baseline. The vet is impressed, and I am most grateful for your sharing your research. A great legacy for Ben.
Many many thanks,
Penny, Toowoomba, Australia
Hi Penny — you’re most welcome. I too am amazed at the incredible list of stories shared here. To have helped anyone would have sent me over the moon. To have helped so many struggling with similar stories: it leaves me speechless. I’m very sorry for you and Max — what a hard road he’s had of late. I’m glad you’re having a period of improvement on the diet and that his levels are improving. It was the same with Ben so I’m thrilled to hear that there are some similar stats being pulled in from other parts of the world. Best of luck to you both ‘down-under.’ Wow!
My Buster went into acute kidney failure 2 years ago (this September) after I gave him a topical flea treatment from a pet store. He was hospitalized for 5 days and came home with sub q fluids 5 days a week. It was eventually, gradually reduced to once a week. The vet finally said we did not need to check his levels again for 6 months. His 6 month check up was this week and he is much worse then I had hoped. He has never had an issue with his phosphorus levels only BUN and creatine. Now all levels including phosphorus are through the roof. I have upped his sub q dosage to x3 per week. I knew he would not go back on the prescription kidney kibble as we exhausted all kinds back when he came home. Your information was such an amazing help with getting Buster to eat again because of his age(15 Boston terrier) everyone thinks I am crazy for still trying to help him.
Hi Angie — I’m so happy that the information here has helped and provided you a bit of a plan for Buster and getting him to eat again. I’m sorry for what you’re going through; it isn’t easy, I know, to be accepted by all around you for what to you is not a choice, but a commitment to one you love. In the final analysis, it will be doing your best, whatever that is for you, that will give you peace. Wishing you and Buster the best. Let us know how it goes.
My husbands best friend Gin of 12 years has been on IV fluids for the last 4 nights at our local vet. I found your post and just had to thank you so much for sharing your story, Ben was a very lucky dog and thanks to you Jon may have a few more Months to share with Gin, I’ve just made up a huge batch of Bens dog food and I’m now off to collect Gin from the vets, she will be here when Jon arrives home; can’t thank you enough and we’ll keep you updated on her progress, best wishes from North Wales UK
Hi Joanne. I hope Gin has indeed returned home in better form than when he left and that your hard work with the food has piqued his appetite and does give you the second chance you want … and deserve. I wish you and Jon success … I really do know how hard this is and how incredibly overwhelmed you must feel at what seems to be a hopeless diagnosis. You’re immensely welcome … it feels that I’ve done so little but that it has helped so many and given so many hope, well, it grows my heart with love. Thank you for sharing and stopping by.
Hi Dale! I have just nearly finished reading your fabulous write up. It is extremely informative. My pet poodle, who is 13, has recently been put on Azodyl, a form of supplement to support kidney health and his recent bun and creatine reading has been slashed by half. Although the levels are still not in the normal zone but it is somewhat encouraging. (Trying hard to feel encouraged is not easy.)
In addition, I have put my pet poodle on chorella and Wheatgrass(both human grade which I consume myself) which I strongly believe has helped with the latest reading. His energy levels have increased significantly and he is no longer sluggish. I cannot prove that these two items have helped in any way except from my own observations.
Your blog is a good source of strength and I find myself reading and re-reading your blog when I feel helpless and frustrated.
Sunny greetings from Singapore! And many thanks for sharing.
Good day to you in Singapore. The blogosphere most certainly makes this a small world! Great to hear your success with your guy — and thank you for sharing your experience and remedies with others here. I’m sure others will likewise find support in your experience. I’m glad that my write up has offered you support. Wishing you the best from sunny (and warm! finally, summer) Ottawa.
Dear Dale,
Swift, my beloved pet poodle whose photo I had sent you has succumbed to kidney failure on 21/1/2017. We had to put him down as he was very very ill. He had survived 2.5yrs with crf which the vet had said was almost a miracle in itself.
He went peacefully, like he was sleeping. He was 15 years old. We were lucky to have a wonderful doctor who cried with us. Vet techs who gave us all the support we needed to go through the worst day ever.
Thank you for sharing your blog, recipes and kindness.
Take care.
Nicolette
Singapore.
Dear Nicolette — my heart goes out to you on the loss of Swift. I remember well your first visit here two years ago as you began your own journey down this difficult path. I’m sorry that, in the end, Swift too ran out of runway. By the sounds of it, you found a beautiful way to say good-bye and found support from professionals who cared for him as best they could while being human inside and with you as well. It’s not an easy job they have and not easy to be there with you as pet lovers in the end, but I’m glad you found that. I’m sorry that in the end, the recipes and the blog couldn’t find you a miracle of the most magical kind, but I’m glad for your heart that you got the miracle of ‘bonus’ time. Thank you for all your posts and comments here over the past few years. I hope you are doing well as any of us can with such loss, but if there is ever a need for a friendly ear that “gets it,” please don’t hesitate to come back. Take yourself and may the beauty of your life with Swift never fade from your heart and memory. ~ Dale
Thank you for this information and the effort that you have put into this. I want to advise you, however, that GARLIC IS TOXIC for dogs. Garlic in any form powder, raw, cooked, etc is a very dangerous food item for dogs, as are onions. I would discontinue using garlic as a flavoring. Canine palettes are also different from humans in significant respects (which is why they have no trouble eating feces, vomit, and rancid meat) so what might seem appealing to you may not be appealing to your pet or if so may be appealing for different reasons (fat content, etc. rather than “flavor”). Hope this is of help.
Thanks Albert. It’s a fair point and one I’ve read as well. The amounts I have used were never that significant in my opinion, but as Ben was raised on human food — i.e. food prepared for me — from a pup until his passing, he had consistent contact with allium of all varieties. However, extra caution as you advise would seem prudent and there are other flavourings available to stimulate appetite. Thanks for sharing your comment and this information. I’m sure many will find it helpful.
So sorry about your loss and thank you for sharing these recipes. Murphy, my 14 year old shih tzu was diagnosed with kidney disease 3 years ago. Thanks to a wonderul holistic vet the disease has progressed very slowly. But as of lately, his blood values have gotten worse and he is on fluids at home now. In addition, my vet indicated just recently his phosphorus was high and suggested (althought grudingly) a canned food for dogs with kidney disease. I found your site and after seeing all the posts about how everyone’s dogs loved the food, I decided to try it. Murphy has become pretty complacent about eating and does so grudginly and sparingly. However, after serving him the homemade diet, he LOVED it and dived in. I didn’t mention, but Murphy has also lost his sight this year due to detached retinas but he gets around well. Now that he has your diet to look forward to, he even finds his way into the kitchen and hangs around with the other dogs, waiting for his food.
I mentioned to my vet I was going to try this diet for Murphy. He said fine, let’s check his blood in 30 days and see what his phosphorus looks like. He also put him on a couple phosphorus binders to help. I will update my post and let you know if things have improved next month.
Thanks again for sharing your story and the recipes!
Thank you Karen and thank you for your thoughtful comment here. I’m very sorry to hear about Murphy but am thrilled to hear that he loved the recipe. I’m glad you’ve shared this with your vet and that you have his support. Very hopeful that it sees a stablizing of Murphy’s values or even an improvement. Thank you for sharing and please, yes, do stop by in 30 days and let us all know how he’s doing and whether the diet has made an impact. Fingers crossed for you both!
Hello Dale,
Thank you for such a lovely and inspirational post. My westie Matty turned 19 last thanksgiving. He has just been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. My vet told me the same thing your vet did. I have had Matty for all his life and most of mine. I am following the diet your suggested however Mat is a very fussy eater. He has never eaten the same food twice in a row. He loves exotic meats. His favorite is camel and kangaroo.I don’t seem to be able to find enough information of the phosphorous levels in that meat. Do you have any suggestions?
I was reading on the net that I should include flax seed in his diet. What do you think. Matty is a part of my life. Do you have any tips for me to actually cure him. Life without him ordering me around and pushing me around to get his way seems almost impossible. He constantly yells at me for food. The fact that one day that bark wont be part of my life just seems cruel. Any suggestions you have to make him better and give him at least one or two more years
Hi Meghan — what an inspirational story you have to share … and what a lucky dog Matty to have had you his own whole life. Ben became more fussy later in life too … part of that was the Cushings and then the renal failure which effected his low appetite. That’s a big part of the reason why I changed up the diet a few times a week and kept different variations in the freezer for him to keep him interested. The flaxseed sounds like a great idea since it is high in Omega 3’s. You might even use flax seed oil in place of some of the coconut oil … if he likes the taste of it (as some people don’t). Flax powder is another option.
I wish I could offer you a cure … just like I wish with all my heart that I could have cured Ben. I suspect your pain will be at least as hard as my own and I’m sorry for that. Make sure you start now to surround yourself with supports if you haven’t already. In the end, well, these beautiful creatures only have so much runway … and it will run out and break our hearts, all. I’m sorry, but enjoy these days as the most precious.
A great write-up, well done. Just a little concerned about the use of calcium supplementation. We have to be really careful with calcium, mainly because lots of kd dogs have high calcium (only a very few do end up with low calcium). High calcium can be a problem, so adding to it would increase the problems. Calcium as a phosphate binder is not advised. There are better phosphate binders that don’t employ calcium for dogs with high calcium levels in the blood. Secondly, a point about proteins … protein is generally ill-advised in kd dogs, as they cannot process it … but high quality (human grade foodstuffs) is fine and beneficial, as is the protein in kd specific dog food, which is high quality. Low quality proteins cause stress to the kidneys. These are just a few things worth mentioning, after many years of researching this condition. I am not a vet or a nutritionalist, but I have and continue to read extensively on this subject. I am also the administrator of the Chrionic Kidney Failure in Dogs User Group on MedHelp, which aims to support dogs and dog owners throughout the world.
Hi Tony — thanks for the thoughtful comments and resources for others here. I think it is great if people can find multiple perspectives on things before making a decision. That was certainly my approach. The difficult fact that I faced and many others are facing that have stopped by here is that a dog with CRF becomes a picky eater and given that we’re not able to rationally communicate with our beloved companions and explain why they should eat things that taste like crap when they’re good for them, I chose instead make compromises that worked within the spirit of disease, compromises that respected nutritional needs (and things not-needed) whilst still being tasty enough that Ben would eat the food. This is an exceptionally difficult line to walk, especially with more advanced diseased. In the end, all we can each do is do our research and make the best decisions we can for our individual situations. Not easy at all.
Gosh, I have been so devastated by my Lina’s CRF diagnosis, like everyone here, from crying to immobility, to fear over how can I help her, to greiving over the inevitable. I started reading this blog just after she was diagnosed, before I even knew what CRF was, searching for help. I had to stop because I was crying so much. Through the tears, I made Bens food the next week. Incredible! It is amazing how excited she is about her food. She runs around like a puppy at mealtime now. So cute! She had stopped eating and had lost weight. But for now she has made great improvements. All because of you and Ben. Thank you!
Everyone here has the most touching and heartfelt stories. It is nice see that so many love their puppies so much. The bond between us is an immense gift.
i can’t thank you enough for sharing your stories of your life with Ben. I have a terrier too. Lina is a JRT, the bulldog type, 12 lbs,15 1/2. I realize this will be a tough journey, but for now I appreciate our good fortune, and each moment I can. It’s going to be a hot day here in MD. So I am going to give her a bath which she loves and let her sunbathe before it gets too hot!
Hi Mattie — my apologies for my late reply. I was away on vacation and am now just catching up with all the comments in my absence. It makes me so incredibly happy to hear your story and how Lina has responded to the food … and how it has touched you as well. I’m glad it has given you some renewed hope and positive days.
I agree, there are so many touching and heartfelt stories here. It overwhelms me some days, but more than anything, it provides me strength and support knowing I wasn’t alone … and if it helps others feel similarly supported through a horribly difficult process, well, I am thrilled. You’re so very welcome. I hope you get to enjoy many more days of sunshine and a great summer overall. Please let us know how Mattie continues to do. Take care, you both.
Thanks Dale! The support of knowing we are not alone is fantastic. Love your photo journal of Italia! Lived in Napoli for 2 years. BTW, would you happen to know the protein content of Ben’s food? Lina is eating 1/2 cup per meal.
You’re very welcome and thank you Mattie. Very kind words. Just to clarify, however, the photos I’ve been posting of late are from Canada’s Magdalen Islands but I’m delighted if they remind you of Italy. 🙂
Unfortunately, I haven’t done any nutritional calculations of the diet, sorry. I know there are plenty of free nutritional calculators on the web, so perhaps you could weigh and measure the actual ingredients you’re using to determine. Would be happy to learn what you come up with … I’m sure others would as well. However, as I’m not cooking the food anymore myself, I am not likely to asses it myself.
Just starting this journey with my 10.5 year old malamute Roxy whose love language has always been food. Thanks for all your loving research. You and Ben were lucky to have each other. Debbie
Thank you Debbie. I can’t say enough in words how very fortunate I was to have had Ben as my spiritual and emotional guide in life. Our beloved companions are great gifts if only we see them as they really are … innocents with an unconditional and unlimited capacity to love. Wishing you and Roxy support through your journey ahead. Thanks for stopping by and your comment.
Dale, I made your recipe for Roxy’s dinner tonight, the hardest part was finding the squash at the grocery store ( I had to ask, I don’t really cook much). I never thought I would again see her celebratory “Michael Jackson’s thriller dance” as I was coming downstairs with her food bowl but I did and she ate the whole thing (a miracle lately) and wanted more. My younger Malamute , Jackson, who has a restricted diet due to food allergies even got a taste and he loved it, I think I’ll try to make it with white fish for him. Thank-you so much for your gift of sharing Ben’s life with complete strangers, I plan to take a copy of the recipe with me to share with her internist at her next appt if that is ok with you so many others can benefit.
That’s such great news, Debbie. You make me blush. I’m thrilled to share my experience and Ben’s and that it helps others. And in sharing and helping, well, it makes my own grief a little less each day knowing that I did my best and that Ben’s legacy lives on. Please do share it with your internist and welcome as many back to these pages. There is so much incredible information here provided through people’s lived experience. It’s amazing. Wishing you and your pack the best …. ~ Dale
Thanks for sharing and promoting this. Hope it helps others.
Hi Dale,
Thanks for writing this. I am now struggling with advanced Kidney Disease in our 13 year old gal Bailey. She was diagnosed 9 days ago and we were told to just go home and give her whatever canned food she would eat if she wouldn’t eat the K&D. So we tried several and wound up with Natural Balance.
She is on Phosphate binder but the vet farted around trying to get her on the right one. She is also taking Adoyzl and 400 ml of fluid per day and Pepcid. He blood work from 6 months ago to now was unbelievable. It was completely normal and now it’s off the charts. Yesterday she stopped eating canned food. She still likes to go own walks and will play ball as long as you let her, so this diagnosis just broke my heart.
I am working with a pet nutritionist now but won’t hear from her until Monday. She needs low protein and low phosphorus. I I tried making something on my own today but I think I screwed up by pureeing the white rice. It was like paste. I was reading that vegetable oils are bad for dogs? So the coconut oil is okay?
She is hungry and hangs out for food but turns most of what i give her away unless it is just meat. Up until we started treating her for this, she was eating lots of stuff. The only thing I noticed was that she was peeing more and got slower on walks. Now with the treatments she doesn’t want to eat as much and for the first time has runny poo. I think it is all of the change of food and treatments. Or maybe she is just advancing in her illness I don’t know. Anyway. Sorry about poor Ben. My childhood dog was named Ben.
My little 2 year old, 2 lb Yorkie was just diagnosed with end stage kidney failure. I’m heartbroken, dying inside. I don’t know what to do
Hi Paola — I can totally feel your pain and sadness. I had the same reaction when I heard Ben’s “News.” It is devastating. After the initial shock and trauma of the news was absorbed, I went into problem solving mode which is how this recipe was created. That was my solution along with relishing and cherishing each and every additional day I shared with Ben. I set small, achievable goals, lived them, and then embraced the next set. I’m not sure what else to recommend other than reaching out to your friends and family and professionals who you trust can support you. Talking about it is huge. You can’t do this alone.
Dale,
I just read your posts while looking for a food for dogs with kidney disease. My beloved 14 year old Beagle/Sheltie just came from the vet a few days ago and his kidney levels have escalated. Seemingly over night. He is on numerous medications for seizures and his heart. I so related to everything you said. I sat here and cried; with my dog coming to comfort me! I feel like you – he isn’t a “dog” to me – he is a mixture of my child, my best friend, and the love of my life. We do EVERYTHING together. I can’t imagine life without him. I am trying to be proactive and look for alternatives for him – other than the prescription food. My heart just aches for you, as I truly know what you are feeling. Thank you so much for posting this site. I will use this to plan a menu for him. I am also going to make a phone appointment with Smith Ridge Veterinary Clinic regarding their thoughts on some complementary holistic treatment for his, as well. I only hope and pray that after he and I both pass, we will be back together forever. It actually brings me comfort to know others feel as I do; because as you know, so many have the thought of – “it’s just a dog, get over it, you can get another one”. Sad for them that they never experienced the joy, love and bond that one can have with a dog. I hope time is healing your heart. Thanks again for your post.
Susan
I can truly empathise with what you’re feeling, Susan, and your own empathy means so much. It is that empathy, as you say, that makes all the difference, to know others feel as we do and that we can be accepted for the fear, the eventual loss, and the incredible love. I do hope that these pages and your own research provide you both a strategy and many more quality-filled years of love. My heart goes out to you. Thank you for your kind words here. Wishing you the best. ~ Dale
Thank you so much for this beautiful story of love and devotion.
Just made your recipe,your right it is tasty.
My 6year old 110#Bullmastiff was just diagnosed with CRF 2 months ago. Would u have any idea on amount to feed a firm is this size?
Any information would be so appreciated.
Your tribute to Ben brought serious tears to my eyes.He seemed liked a lovely best friend and I commend you for your devotion to him.
Hi there — thank you for your very kind words. Ben was indeed lovely and exceptional.
With respect to your question, your Bullmastiff is about 4 times the size of Ben, so you have a lot of cooking in your future I think. Larger dogs do eat more, but by percentage of weight, smaller dogs/animals actually eat more … so I couldn’t be specific as to how much s/he would eat or need. However, the real truth is that with CRF, getting our dogs to eat is the real challenge because at that point they’re typically losing weight. I don’t think it very likely that a dog with CRF is going to overeat — on the contrary, they’re not eating enough. I would therefore simply say, give him/her as much to eat as often as s/he will eat and that will be your guide. Hope this helps and good luck. And thank you again for your very kind words. ~ Dale
Thank you Dale for sharing your journey with Ben. Ben was a very fortunate dog for having found you. The pain of losing a loved one is simply unbearable. My Labrador, scooby was diagnosed with high level of creatinine and the vet has asked me to put him on a renal diet. Being a vegetarian, I don’t know what to feed him. Scooby was an abandoned dog and he found us five years ago. I have no clue of his age, history or anything else. When he came to our home, he was very serious with acute tick fever and almost died with his platelet count dropping rapidly. After several blood transfusions & continued medical attention he recovered. Scooby is the joy in our lives and I am so devastated with this sudden problem. Can you please help me plan a healthy vegetarian diet for my scooby? Thank you very much.
Hi Shamu — you’re very welcome. I’m happy to be able to share my story with so many. It’s been a huge way for me to make the loss ‘bearable.’
You present an interesting challenge with your own vegetarian diet. Dogs aren’t, however, vegetarians — they’re omnivores. And the challenge with traditional vegetarian substitutes for protein like legumes is that they’re high in phosphorus. Things like chickpeas, lentils, and beans should be avoided. Truthfully, if I were to advise you, I’d be feeding Scooby a recipe/food that includes meat/fish and the right kind of meat for his needs in balance with grains and veggies. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful, but I think this is a situation where you may need to put Scooby’s dietary needs ahead of any beliefs or values you may personally hold for yourself. Best of luck to you both.
Hi Dale,
Wow. I am so moved by you and your endless devotion to Ben. I have been a Vet Tech for many years. Animals are my passion. In my field, I have seen almost everything. Our pets provide us with the purest form of love. Unconditional love. There is no greater love than that. Unfortunately, Some people are so busy in their life they fail to even realize it. I want to tell you that I think you are an amazing human being. Your story has moved me and brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry for your loss of Ben. And, I know exactly how you feel. I lost my 12 year old black Lab Baulder to bone cancer. A different disease but the same emotions of irreplaceable loss and grief. On tough days, I hope it warms your heart to know that you did absolutely everything you could for him in his time of need. What a lucky dog to have been blessed with you as his owner. Thank you so much for sharing. Take care:)
Hi Stephanie — thank you so much for your own very moving words. It means a lot from someone who herself has spent so much of your life with dogs and animals and has seen so much love … and loss. I’m sorry for your own loss of Baulder. Thank you for sharing your heart and kindness here. I’m doing well and better and better but the kindness here is making all the difference. Take care yourself. ~ Dale
You are an amazing person! Thank you so much for sharing your story, research/findings and recipe. I didn’t realize that it was better to feed them smaller portions more often! I will try it out as well! Sencha is fifteen and has the same health problem. I know she will love it, she loves food :))
Ben looks so cute…a real nice dog!
Thank you again, Lidia
Thank you Lidia. You’re very welcome. I hope the smaller portions strategy works for you and Sencha. Best of luck to you both and thank you again for your kind words and compliments.
Thank you for your recipe. I have a 12 year old small mixed breed dog (7kg) newly diagnosed. She doesn’t like the only canned renal food I can find here in Qatar, so I’ll be making her food. I am hoping you might be able to offer advice on the following:
1- Should I use egg whites or the whole egg (including shell) – I’ve read elsewhere that the whole egg is best
2- She doesn’t like the antacid tablet…is it okay to break it up in the food? Will freezing the tablet degrade it? Any suggestions on how to get her to eat it (I know it tastes bitter!)
3- How critical are the other supplements? (b’s, q10, omega 3’s) Did you mix these into the food? Any recommendations for how much of these supplements should be given would be great.
Thank you!!!
Hi Lisa — thank you for stopping by and your questions. It’s amazing to be reaching people through this from all parts of the globe. Wow!
With respect to your questions:
1. Yes, you’ll see that a number of people on this post have commented the same. The rationale is that the extra calcium would act as a “binder” with the phosphorus and promote better kidney function. In my case, in consultation with my vet, we determined that Ben wasn’t in personal need of a binder, but I had been prepared to a calcium supplement instead if it came to that. I appreciate the egg shell might be more natural, but I’d have been cautious about using the shell unless it was pulverized completely so that it didn’t become a textural deterrent to eating … and I’d say, at that level, a supplement would work as well or better. That’s just my opinion. My real reason for not agreeing with those using “whole” egg with/out shell is because my point was to omit the egg yolk — the yolk is higher in phosphorus. The white is high in protein with hardly any phosphorus.
2. The Pecid A/C antacid pill. I’m not sure what you’re using but the pills I was using were the size of a small Gravol. Tiny tiny things. I never mixed his pills in his food because if he didn’t finish the food, I couldn’t be sure what if any of the pills he ate. The other reason is because if he sometimes bit into a pill, he’d spit it out and then react as if the food that it was wrapped in was “poison” and the last thing I wanted was any negative association with the dog food.
Getting Ben or any dog to eat the pills is hard and can be a challenge. I originally was balling them inside small pieces of cheddar which worked for a long time until he began to associate the cheddar with the B50 after a few bad experiences. In the end, what I’d use was a honey-garlic pork sausage which I’d cook through and then put in the fridge and then slice off almost paper thin disks for each pill. This worked very well. Ultimately, you know your dog and in the end, while you’re trying to minimize the phosphorus, yes, giving small pieces of “bad” food to get the pills into your dog is more important than being a zealot.
3. The supplements: my amounts are based on a 25lb (12kg) dog. Your dog is almost half this, just simply reduce by 50%. But again, I’m not a pharmacist or vet, so if in doubt, ask a pharmacist you can trust to give you advice as well. Are they critical? They’re not critical in the sense that you should be force feeding them to your dog. If you can’t get her to eat them in any shape/form, then don’t bother. I would argue that your bond is most important and threatening it over a few pills isn’t worth it. You want this next phase to be perfect and beautiful. However, my rationale for I chose these is listed above in the recipe. They certainly could help in the right dog and condition.
Hope this helps, Lisa. All the best to you both.
~ Dale
Thanks Dale! I made your recipe this weekend and my dog ate for the first time in days. What a relief. I will be making larger batches now. I’ve tried all kinds of tricks to try to get her to eat the zantac (tiny antacid tablet) – she’s very clever and knows when I’m trying to sneak it by her! I’m breaking it into ever smaller pieces. I’m also about to add a multivitamin that I was able to find here.
Thanks again for sharing your recipe and for your kind replies to everyone’s posts!
Dear Dale,
My shih tzu, Dakota, is now 15 years old and this coming July we will have been treating his kidney failure for one year. Just yesterday our blood levels came back to show that his phosphorus levels were above 16, and the vet put him on a binder. He has become pretty picky about his food in the last 6 months and will eat treats until he tires of them and I am left looking for a new type that matches his special diet food from the vet. His has dropped weight from 9-10 lbs (about two years ago) down to 6.8 yesterday, and he is just a bag of bones.
Reading your blog yesterday was the hope that I needed. We have been doing fluid drips but I kept feeling like there is something more I need to be trying. I am excited to try this recipe for him today, and hopefully this gives him the nutrition that he needs.
Thanks so much for all of your research and efforts to get this information out there!
~Kristina
Hi Kristina — I’m very sorry for your challenges with Dakota but I do hope there is hope in this recipes and these pages and that you both find many more good days together. Thank you for you kind words. It is my pleasure to share and help — Ben would have had it no other way. 🙂
Wow is all I know to say. While I didn’t read each comment… I definitely skimmed them. 3 weeks ago today I first heard the words “kidney failure and kidney disease”. I’ve grown to hate those words. My baby girl, Lady, is not eating and I’ve been hand feeding for two weeks. I am using herbal supplements from a out of Canada, but for now, her numbers are up. I’ve also been using Raw Apple Cider vinegar with a little unsweet applesauce for the nausea. I’m anxious to try your recipe as we’ve been through so very many. We pray and I’ve released her to God, knowing she has been a gift for the past 12 years. I also tell her that it is ok to leave mom when she is ready. For now… we still walk our condo complex, feed 4 times a day, bond over IV fluids and sit by the lake and enjoy every moment. Besides the lack of appetite… she is as normal as ever. Blessings to you for sharing your experience and advice. What a handsome boy Ben was… a true joy. Only those who love their pets completely understand.
Hi Kathy — thank you for such kind words. You’re so right — the many beautiful and touching comments so many people have left here over the months make me go “wow” every time I read them … and with each new story, this space becomes even more touching and real.
I’m so sorry to hear of your own story with Lady. I can so relate to the many, many days over Ben’s life that I hand fed him. Every time he was sick, I’d sit cross-legged with him on the ground and hold food, mushy and wet, or kibble, and feed it to him in small handfuls.
I can also relate to your making ‘peace’ with what is coming. It is beautiful and so giving and it brings tears to my eyes.
I hope the recipe but, more than anything, your incredible love, brings her peace and security as you move through this final phase of your bond. Thank you again for your beautiful and kind words about Ben. Much support … ~ Dale
My 12-year-old miniature poodle has been through the same thing. This is my 2nd batch for him. I used sweet potatoes and pureed pumpkin this time. I’ll let you know how he likes it.
From the day that I began to feed my dog your recipe his thirst stopped. I haven’t checked his bloods/urine yet but three weeks later his thirst levels are back to normal. Thank you so much for posting and sharing
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! My whippet, Chase, is 12, and in addition to having heart problems, his latest bloodwork shows that he has started kidney failure (which has happened to all my animals — the flip-side of being fortunate enough to see them all live to old age). He’s also lost a lot of his appetite, so the challenge is to find a kidney-friendly diet that he will be excited to eat, since he is already down to 35 lbs. from his middle-aged maximum of 45, and we are trying hard to get him to gain at least a few pounds. We’re going to try making your recipe this weekend. The pics of Ben were so sweet, 18 years is incredible! I can’t hope for 18, but if he makes it to 14, as his sister did, I will be very happy. Thanks again for taking the time to post the photos and recipe.
I just wanted to follow-up, my vet had me make a few modifications to the recipe because we want it to be as calorie-dense as possible for weight gain, here’s my modified recipe (and photos!). Thank you again! http://webuiltthiscity.tumblr.com/post/116142741902/time-for-home-cooked-dog-meal-experiment-2-last
You’re very welcome, Gaelen … and thank you so kindly for your words about Ben. Thank you for great feedback. I know a lot of people here have been using this recipe because they have found few other options or choices … and many don’t seem to have the support of great veterinarians that they can consult and get input from. So it is great to have the recipe validated by your vet … I hope this provides more assurance to others as well. Yes, the green beans don’t add much in the way of carbs or calories … but they have a bit of protein, lots of nutrients, and the fibre of course. Mostly they are veggie that Ben loved and approved so by all means, substitute other low phosphorus veg and experiment. Thanks for posting your own version to share and for promoting this post. That’s very sweet. Wishing you and Chase all the best. ~ Dale
My sweet Baxter came to our yard about 8 years ago during a thunderstorm. He is 14-15 years old. He has had cancer removed twice and it has returned. He has had some hypertension and eye bleeds and yesterday was diagnosed with stage 3/4 chronic kidney disease. Today he is weak and doesn’t want to eat because of the phosphate binder I have to give him. I am blessed to find this recipe and will make it this weekend. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Shari. You’re very welcome. I hope it does indeed bring you and Baxter the blessing of many more good days ahead. All the best to you both.
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. My dog loves it! He was diagnosed with kidney disease a few weeks ago and your recipe was the first one I tried. Thank you so much!
You’re very welcome. Thank you for sharing your success!
Hi Dale – I found your homepage while searching for a new recipe for my beloved Kobi Boy; he will be 11 years old this coming June and he is my precious, little fur baby. I’ve gone through almost an entire box of tissues after reading about your Ben and all that you’ve done to ensure his quality and longevity of life. Kobi was diagnosed with Stage 2 renal failure last April 2014, thyroid problems a few months later, congestive heart failure in January 2015 and now Cushing’s disease in March. I would move heaven and earth for Kobi, who has always been my little shadow but now even more so since I’ve retired. To say I am devastated with all of these diagnoses is putting it mildly; like you I would give many of my years to keep him with me. He is on several different medications and Omega 3,6,9 prescribed by the vet for his conditions. I also give him 30mg CoQ10, 50mg B-Complex and Vitamin E oil, once daily when I began to make his food last October. Before Kobi’s health problems started last April I’d researched and found, what I thought was the perfect dog food. After he was diagnosed I did extensive research about renal failure, however, not the food; I assumed since it was prescription it had to be good. At the vet’s recommendation I changed Kobi’s food to a renal health prescription canned food. Kobi hated it, so we tried a different brand but he still hated it so I decided to do some research into prescription dog food. What I found was alarming, shocking and made me furious! I immediately started research, bought a book and found several recipes which helped me to come up with a recipe that I felt would work for Kobi. From the first day I gave Kobi this homemade food he’s gobbled it down and looked up at me for more. His kidney numbers improved, his energy level came back and he looked and acted like a puppy again. That all changed in March when I noticed certain changes and it was then Kobi was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. Kobi has been put on yet another medication called Vetroyl and it’s not going well; his electrolytes are elevated and the vet has taken him completely off and wants to do another blood test next week. Kobi has been a ravenous eater since October and now he’s not interested in his food anymore; that’s why your article caught my eye. I make his food up once a week and will need to do some shopping for some of the ingredients, specifically the coconut oil but I’m anxious to try a different recipe and pray Kobi likes it! You mentioned Ben was really not on any meds until the end. I’m thinking with all the other meds Kobi is on adding this newest one is maybe just too much. I so hate to ask because your loss is so recent – how did you know your Ben only had a few weeks? As much as I’d love for Kobi to live forever, I know that’s just not possible and I would never want him to suffer and be in pain. I constantly worry I won’t know when I will need to make that decision.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story of your beloved Ben; I will be forever grateful…
Hi Cindy — I’m sorry about the tissues but glad you’ve found support in these pages. Your story of Kobi is very close to home, especially with the mention of Cushing’s. It’s also very positive to hear you followed a similar regimen of supplements. It’s great to hear another story of how kidney values improved with a shift to a homemade diet. I hope this recipe works for Kobi, I really do. Talk to your vet about mirtazapine (I was giving Ben 1.5mg once and then twice per day at meals to help with the appetite the last month or so).
Your question is a good one. My vet helped me a lot to prepare for this and had shared a link that might help you: Euthanasia: When Is it Time? On the final day, there was no longer any doubt, but in leading up to it, I could see the struggle with food getting harder and harder. His arthritis was getting worse — his pain getting worse. He was becoming more and more clingy and needy, but the alertness and sparkle in his eye never left … until that final morning. Trust me, after reading this link, you will know. All of us who are incalculably bonded with our dearest companions can see the change, see the big changes, as if they were happening to ourselves. Admitting what we’re seeing is harder than knowing, but at some point, you will know … when the bad days and pain far out weigh the good, when the ‘quality’ of life is gone … the time will have arrived.
My heart goes out to you as you prepare for this. I hope you find peace and enjoy this last time you have.
Hugs.
Hi Dale,
I have a question regarding the Omega 3. I’ve purchased a 600 mg Omega 3 supplement for small dog breeds from my Vet (AllerG-3) and noticed it contains vitamin D3 50 IU. Do you have any suggestions on where I may find a Omega 3 supplement without vitamin D3?
Thank you again for your help and information,
Sincerely,
Christy
Hi Christy — most of my supplements for Ben were naturally derived and purchased from either good pharmacies (where I could talk to the pharmacist about what I was doing for a dog) and/or health food stores. These supplements are essentially the same for both humans and dogs, but the doses obviously have to be adjusted — and the problem is that some supplements like fatty acids or coenzymes can’t easily be split if in the wrong dose. Supplements should still be monitored very carefully so it is best that you clear your purchase or use with your vet if you have a good relationship with her/him. In Canada, they are required to provide answers/Rx to alternative dispensaries if asked. Hope this helps.
Hi Dale,
I’m very touched and glad to have come across your story about Ben. I have a miniature poodle named Lucy who was diagnosed last Sept with kidney failure. She is almost 10 yrs old. I’ve had her since she was a puppy. She’s too young for me to lose her and it’s breaking my heart. I’m very glad and thankful to have come across your very good research and tasty recipe. I’ve made the recipe twice. Lucy loves it and I’m so thankful she is still eating. I would like to make the next batch with collard greens or kale instead of green beans. I was wondering how much greens in weight it would take compared to the 1 pound of green beans?
Thank you Dale for your help and information.
Bless you for your valuable website and posts.
Sincerely,
Christy
Hi Christy — thank you for your kind words and sharing the success of the recipe with Lucy. That’s so great to hear. Just getting our dear creatures to eat is indeed the battle and if done while adhering the limit of phosphorus, all the better. I actually did make both those substitutions for Ben over time. To be honest, he wasn’t too crazy about the collards, but perhaps Lucy will like them more. Sometimes I’d use a bit of each (some beans, some kale, some broccoli) so the flavour of none was particularly strong. Changing up the recipes every batch or two I think is a good idea. It worked with Ben and kept him interested and engaged with his food. With respect to quantities, I’d not use them equal in ‘weight’ because these leafy greens are strong in taste and a bit unpalatable in large quantities. I would recommend that you remove the leaves from the stems and then ‘shredding’ (chiffonade) the leaves and lightly pack them in a measuring cup to about 2 to 3 cups. You can always add more but you can’t take it out. Hope this helps. Let us know how Lucy enjoys the greens. 🙂
Thank you Dale for the feedback, I really appreciate the information about the quantities and variations. I’ve just finished making a batch with the variation of half beef/pork, sweet potato/pumpkin, and green beans (decided to wait and think about the collards some more). Your site is so very helpful and I’m so glad to have it for Lucy. If I make a batch with collards, I’ll let you know if she likes it.
Thank you again 🙂
Hi Christy — thanks for coming back and sharing your update. I’m glad it worked out. You’re so very welcome. Ben would be very pleased, indeed. 🙂
Hi Dale,
It’s Symeon again. I forgot to mention that it may be good to add crushed egg shell in your recipe as it contains calcium which constrains phosphorus and makes the system discard it through poop instead of letting it reach the kidneys….It’s something I read yesterday..
My best regards
Hi Dale,
Just found your recipe. I have a 13 y.o. Brittany Spaniel with moderate to high renal failure. Latest analysis showed BUN 75 and Creatine 4.9. He unfortunately has colitis too. W/D is out of the question 🙂 He doesn’t even get close…. I managed to cheat him and wet the food with some water from a chicken I boiled .
I’ve already ordered K/D but i think i might cancel it. I’ll try your recipe for sure but I’m a little worried about his colitis.
I’ve been searching the net for some time for a recipe or for advice. Every vet says his own stuff. I don’t know. From what I’ve read the sure thing is that it is preferred that the food has moderate proteins and very low phosphorus..same thing you have discovered. I live in Thessaloniki Greece and news about that kind of researches do not travel fast (except from IMF ones 🙂 )
We’ll see. I’ll let you know .
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your research.
Symeon
Hi Symeon — and welcome all the way from Northern Greece. Such a beautiful country and one of my favourite places in the world.
I can’t tell you whether this is an appropriate diet for dog with collitis. My instinct says that the fat in this diet might irritate your spaniel. You might reduce the coconut oil as a result. Many people who have posted here have had the same experience with K/D as I did and that the dogs don’t like it very much. So, yes, you might try this first and see if it works for your boy.
I think you suggestion about the egg shells is an interesting one, but I’m pretty sure Ben wouldn’t have enjoyed that unless I had processed it into a fine powder. It really depends on each dog, but the need for a phosphorus binder is not always necessary except when the CRF gets more advanced. Would be interesting to see if it works for you or others ….
Thanks for sharing and I hope it goes well for you.
First attempt……he almost ate his plate 🙂 I’ve altered the recipe a bit and used olive oil instead. Tomorrow I’ll have his blood tested for BUN Creatinine and Ph. I’ll go on and test him again in a few months.
Symeon
That’s great news, Symeon. I hope the test results show improvement and stable health. I’m sure if he’s a Greek dog, he’s more than used to lots of olive oil. Sounds like a good plan for sure.
Dale,
I wanted to post a follow up comment since finding your site and posting in January. After 2.5 months on the “Dale Diet”, Piccolo is doing great! His appetite remains excellent (sometimes asking for a 3rd serving!). I’ve played “mix and match” with some of the ingredients – half rice/half barley, half rice/half tapioca, adding spinach, a little extra chicken, or cooking rice in broth – but overall this is THE recipe for a happy, healthy dog. His BUN and creatinine numbers dropped back into “normal” range – as a combined product of azodyl and a healthy diet, and all the other numbers that were out of range have all fallen back into normal ranges, which I can only attribute to a consistently balanced diet. Thank you for your commitment to Ben and to CRF dogs everywhere.
With gratitude,
Sue
Oh Sue. I’m so thrilled to have you return to share with me and others your incredible news. The food likewise had the same effect on Ben which blew away his vet. I still have the message she left for me that day after rechecking his values and informing me that they had come down which was almost unheard of. I too attributed it to diet so with your story we have an n=2 at least. I’m so happy for you and Piccolo.
Thank you for your incredibly kind words and sharing your tips with others as well. I don’t know what else to say except to smile. 🙂
I’m just now learning about your beloved Ben as I’ve happened upon your site while trying to find a low-phosphorous recipe for my Westie, Fiona. I am so sorry for your loss. Ben is such a beautiful boy! (present tense, yes, because I know that he will be with you always!) Thank you for your dedication to him through this site–and with this recipe, which I am sure has helped countless others and which will help me now.
Peace and blessings,
Patti
Hi Patti — thank you so much for your condolences. I appreciate the present tense most definitely. His beauty is indeed permanent as is his legacy. I hope it helps you and Fiona both … there have been a lot of terriers with their ‘thumbs’ up, so fingers crossed. Wishing you both health and many more good years. ~ Dale
Wow incredible stories. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Dale thank you so much for posting this recipe and a summary of all you learned. We have an 11 month old puppy and her bloodwork just came back yesterday with very high kidney values. My heart sank, as it was supposed to just get a baseline, not to see if anything was wrong! So my baby Hallie and our two other dogs have been on an organic raw diet their whole lives. I have been reading up all day on renal failure & what to do. I just made their dinner tonight w/ 1/2 white rice and veggies and will definitely give your recipe a try.
Again thank you. I am sorry for the loss of Ben. I lost the love of my life 2 yrs ago, Tasha. She was my everything and had been by my side through the toughest of life’s changes from my single college years through to meet both of my children. She is missed terribly to this day.
With love, Heidi
Thank you, Heidi, for your very kind and heartfelt words. I’m sorry for your scare with Hallie. I hope it is a blip and nothing more than a bug and it passes … and hope your food and diets help. The dietary needs of a puppy/young dog are certainly different than my senior citizen but I think you’re likely going in the right direction.
Thank you again for your incredibly warm words. Ben is missed but I know he is staying very close ….
Hi, my family just discovered our 17 year old bijon named Fluffy has renal failure with 2 weeks to live. We give her 24 hour care and she is comfortable. I search endlessly to find a kind heart who would share a recipe as retail is so expensive and we have already spent a fortune to diagnose her. I will try your recipe to help her be comfortable as long as possible. Thank you for your generosity and i will let you know if she makes it a little longer. Sam
Hi Sam. I’m very sorry to hear about Fluffy. You’re very welcome for the recipe. I hope it brings you and her comfort and extends the quality of her life. I will say as a word of support, however, that Ben was frequently given poor prognoses and continued to defy them all … so don’t give up hope on Fluffy. She may surprise you all. Peace and comfort to you all ….
I have to say thank you a thousand times, and I am sure if she could type, Juicy Girl would thank you as well! She is almost 18 now, a friend found her wandering the streets when I was stationed in Korea, and she has been all over the place with me since. She has a heart murmur (medicated for approx a year now), and unfortunately I think the Lasix has caused/expedited her recent renal problems.
Last Monday we were afraid we were going to have to say goodbye to her, which in itself is horrible, but we lost two of our other dogs in November (both 15), so that made it that much worse. She wasn’t eating at all, wouldn’t potty, had a head tilt, could barely walk, and was extremely loopy. She was already too thin, but lost another 2lbs (for a dog that should be 18/19, but was 16, and is now 14..). We took her to the vet, and other than fluids and K/D (can’t eat the dry due to bad teeth, won’t eat the wet), there weren’t really a lot of other options.
I spent the last week researching recipes while feeding her pretty much anything semi-healthy I could get her to eat (which wasn’t much). She has perked up significantly, but I was still concerned about her low calorie intake, and her lack of enthusiasm over pretty much any food. I knew she wouldn’t last long this way, even if she is acting better. Your recipe was the first one I found that was extremely detailed, well thought out, and had plenty of options.
Well, I tried your recipe tonight, and she went NUTS over it, I haven’t seen her so excited over food in months (and definitely not in the last week)!! So, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for taking the time to write this up. I am so, so sorry about your sweet boy, but from reading the other posts, both of you have helped a lot of other doggies get a second chance :).
Oh Brooke — thank you so much for sharing this. I can’t tell you how much your story does to heal my heart. It makes me very happy to know that Ben and I have been able to share our success with others and that it is, as you say, giving people at their wits end a “second chance” with their boys and girls. It certainly won’t cure CRF and there is no cure for our companions that have really just run out of runway. That doesn’t make their loss any easier and to hold onto them for as long as we can makes all the difference. I hope the food and your love gives your Juicy Girl many more great months with you. Cherish every day. My thoughts and best wishes are with you both.
Dale~ What a nice comment section you have on your page. I have been making my own dog food for my dogs for a long time. For the past 18 years we have had Cairn terriers. My first Cairn, Charly was diagnosed with kidney disease back in 2002.She was put on vet recommended Science Diet, k/d. She hated that. Being so distraught at the thought of losing my girl, I purchased Dr. Goldstein’s book “The Nature of Animal Healing”, and have been a strong proponent of making my own dog food since reading his wonderful book. My vet approved of my homemade meal choice and I didn’t puree anything back then. I cooked chicken breast or ground turkey, cooked spinach, carrots, green beans, and cut those up to put over white rice, which became her dinner. Back then I crushed a tums and put that on the top of her dinner. Sometimes she’d have 1/2 tsp of wheat germ sprinkled on top also. For variety I’d mix in a little cottage cheese or cooked egg white. Sometimes I’d give her a tsp. of tuna or tuna juice. The health food store had a variety of low sodium organic tuna choices. With kidney disease small meals are better, so she would eat about 4 or 5 small meals a day. She weighed 14 pounds so about 1/4 -1/3 cup of food for feeding was perfect for her. She managed to live for 2 years longer than my vet predicted and I believe it was because of her diet. Well, here it is 2015 and my 12 year old Cairn, Abby, was just diagnosed about 5 weeks ago with diabetes! She was admitted to the vet clinic and put on an IV for 2 days. Her glucose was stabilized with insulin. Upon her weekly Friday glucose check, her kidney enzyme values were all in the High range. So, basically my vet said take her home, she’ll probably be gone by the weekend! Well, that was over a month ago. My problem now is feeding a diabetic dog only every 12 hours so she can receive her insulin shots properly, and feeding her quality homemade food for also kidney disease. For whatever time she has left I want to help her. Do you have any thoughts? Thanks, diane
Hi Diane — You’re so right: the comment section of this recipe has taken on a life of its own. It’s amazing how many people have shared their stories, both seeking help, advice and community and many who are sharing their own tips and strategies. I’m blown away each week with the new comments that come. Thank you for the kind words.
There does seem to be a lot of overlap with your cooking for Charly and this recipe. As you remind, this is a recipe, not a prescription — and recipes are just guides and starting points. Variety is key and knowing our own creatures is most important. I hope others take from your suggestions some great tips.
With respect to your girl Abby, I honestly don’t know what to suggest. Diabetes has much overlap with CRF as you point out, but the insulin and blood sugar aspects of the disease make it quite different. I didn’t do any research into this area so I’d be totally shooting in the dark to provide advice. I wish I could help more. Sorry Diane. My research was limited to controlling phosphorus in the diet and I’m not sure if that is a concern for Abby or not.
Hi, Dale. Thanks so much for the info and recipe. I just made my first batch. My 15-year-old Miniature Pinscher, Halle, was diagnosed 2 days ago with Chronic Renal Failure. She left the vet today with a 59 BUN, down from 125 after two days of IV fluids. She refused KD and Purina at the vet. She tried your recipe tonight and loved it. I made the half ground beef and half pork with sweet potato and pumpkin option. She weighs 13 lbs. she got 1/3 cup twice a day of her old food. How much of this should I feed her? A cup divided between two or three feelings? And I don’t know how to determine how much of each supplement to give. If you have time to answer, that would be great. I’m very sorry about Ben.
HiJackie — thank you for your condolences. I’m very sorry for your news but I’m happy that the recipe has proved to be a short-term success at least. I can’t be specific or confident in prescribing the supplements for your girl, but she’s almost half the weight of Ben, so my gut is to to simply half the supplement dosages I’ve provided. However, if you have a good and trusting relationship with your vet and/or if not that, then with a knowledgeable pharmacist, I’d suggest you have that conversation with them. I know that having a practitioner we can trust can be as hard as finding a good mechanic, but I’m not a vet so the last thing I want to do is harm. The Pepcid AC would a safe bet for sure, though, and help with the nausea.
In terms of quantities of food, as I’ve suggested to others here, I didn’t limit Ben and every day he had a full set of meals was a “success.” It was a battle to the end so my advice is to make ‘hay’ and gain weight when she’s hungry and eating. She’s going to need those calories down the road. Smaller and more frequent meals as you’ve suggested is a good strategy, but if she’s able to eat more, let her ….
Hope this helps a bit. All the best … my thoughts are with you.
Hi Dale-
Thank you for sharing your story about Ben. You have kept his spirit alive by sharing your recipes and background about the disease. So thanks again for all the research and time you have put into this.
My 14 yr old Max, a maltese, has kidney disease and also high liver and gall bladder issues. He spent time in the ER with IV liquids and then sent home a week ago. I cannot give him the IV liquids at home because of the amount of anxiety and stress it causes in doing it to him, although I did try. He seems to be getting enough liquid from his food and what he drinks himself. I do gently administer water through a baby feeding syringe when necessary. I have been using alkaline Water 8.5. I tried your recipe, although he has a appetite he is VERY picky. So I give the meat, sweet potato, green beans and asparagus separately instead of mashed together. I also give him organic greek yogurt. I wanted to ask you if Ben was on a phosphate binder? The vet just called with results from yesterday blood test and his creatine is at 2.4. A little better from 2.6 but she said she wants him on a phosphate binder being his phosphorous is above the norm. My research on these binders is negative so am apprehensive to add this to his regimen. I know my time with my buddy Max is short and we will enjoy every day with each other until the day I need to let him go.
Sincerely,
Kathy
Thank you, Kathy for your very kind words. Ben’s spirit does indeed continue.
I’m sorry for your own challenges with Max’s health. I know I had serious conversations with Ben’s vet about administering them at home myself and we all agreed that it wasn’t the right thing for our family and the potential of threatening our bond.
With respect to your question about a phosphate binder, the answer is no. I was in fact prepared to give him a calcium supplement for exactly that purpose but the vet said no to it — which I think follows your own research. It would have been a last ditch effort if anything and would have only slightly have slowed the progress of the CRF. There are ‘textbook’ treatments for CRF like the IV fluids and binders etc, and in the end we each have to make difficult decisions in the treatment of the disease, but my own were based on love and keeping Ben comfortable until that day, as you say, when there was nothing more to be done except to beautifully let him go.
I hope this helps a bit and that your own decisions with Max keep your bond strong and provide him peace and support through to the end.
~ Dale
Thanks for the information Dale! So far this is the only “low phosphorus” diet that I’ve found without messing with the protein levels and such. Though I’m still looking. My dog, Jake, had a urinary tract infection. He was put on antibiotics for 2 weeks and then went back in for a recheck. That urinalysis showed no more infection but showed he had a bad urine specific gravity(on the test trip thing it was all the way to the left when the vet said it should be all the way to the right). He said his kidney’s aren’t functioning well and to just feed a low protein diet.
Jake is only 4-5 years old. I got him when he was around one so I have no way of knowing what happened in his “puppyhood”. Right now I have not gotten a blood test done due to money issues and the fact that I have a cat with a bladder infection that hasn’t gone away in 6 weeks of antibiotic use so I’m focused on him at the moment). However, I do want to try to get money together to do a blood test for Jake to see where his other levels are at.
But, I figured I’d better start doing research on diets and low and behold, have found many places saying tests have been done stating that protein isn’t the problem! That it’s mostly phosphorus. So far, the only “symptoms” that Jake has is drinking more and urinating more(part of that was the infection). He is still very active and eats well.
Anyway, he is 40lbs. Do I just double your recipe if I decide to feed it to him? I probably wouldn’t add the vitamins as of yet as I don’t have a blood test done yet. But I want to do the best for Jake and give him as much time as possible and as many good years as I can. Thanks again for posting this recipe! It gives me hope that there are better things out there that I can control other than commercial pet foods(which I’ve already started switching 2 of my cats over to homemade food because of dry food issues!)
Hi Kristen — it sounds like you’re doing your ultimate best to cope with a lot going on in your furry family. Sorry to hear about all of that. I’m glad if this recipe can help Jake and you a bit. In terms of the recipe, yes, if Jake likes it and you want to keep making it for him, then, yes, by all means double the recipe. I was making food for Ben every 3-5 days and freezing the extra. I was also changing the proteins and other ingredients in each batch so that he had variety and better overall balance in his diet. You’re going to have to see what Jake likes and doesn’t, but don’t get discouraged. That is normal too. In the case of Ben and others here who have shared their stories, the issue with chronic renal failure is that the dogs lose all appetite … so the concern in the end isn’t how “much” but just getting these beautiful creatures to eat at all. What you may discover is that when Jake has appetite, don’t restrict it. Just let him eat until he’s not hungry anymore.
I hope this helps but if you have other questions, please let me know. Good luck and my thoughts are with you all.
Well see that’s the thing, he’s never lost his appetite(which I’m grateful for). And I’ve been doing a lot more research on how they actually figure out it’s CRF and I think I need to do more investigation. I’m going to be ordering a refractometer soon so I can measure his specific gravity myself other than just the ONE test the vet did. And then save up for a blood test. What I’ve been reading is that many things can make the SG low than just kidney problems. So I will see what I can discover. I bet he’ll love this recipe though! He loves food…lol. Thanks again for the help! 🙂
what brought us to the vet was the fact that Amy was thirsty and had to go potty more than usual…it took me awhile to catch on to this but eventually I thought “this isn”t quite right????
when I told the vet what was going on he flatly told me that is was one of two things. It was diabetes or crf. A simple blood test with a glucometer and 2 minutes later with a perfect insulin score he diagnosed crf. We started that day with purina nf. Few days later I brought in a urine sample and the gravity test confirmed the dx.
I have been looking at home recipes to have ready if she decides to quit eating the prescription one. She is a spoiled 11 yr old english bull terrier. I like the sounds of this recipe and will go to work in the kitchen. Thanks for sharing your info. with us.
Hi JB — thanks for sharing your story. I hope she does well with the Purina and am glad that you now have a backup plan if it comes to that. While I don’t know your own story in detail, I know that for Ben, the diagnosis required a blood test … that the specific gravity levels only indicated there was a problem, not what was causing the problem. Ben was a little older than your girl when the excess drinking and sudden finding of accidents revealed not kidney disease but rather Cushings. It’s quite possible that the Cushings contributed to Ben’s later kidney disease … or it may have just been his very old age, but that’s when the other symptoms appeared. I hope your own story turns out to be a long one with a very happy ending as well.
Hi Kristen — I’m sorry for Jake. I’m far from being able to diagnose anything myself let alone through this distance, but as you’ll read about most people who are sharing their stories here, appetite loss is a huge and very real symptom of CRF for most of us who have seen it. However, CRF may not start that way, at least no obviously. When I look at pictures of Ben on his 17th birthday and then again on his 18th it was remarkable how much he had changed … and yet it wasn’t until the last 7 months or so that his appetite appreciably changed that I knew something more was up. And, yes, I’m sure Jake will love the recipe regardless. A healthy dog would still love the real food in it; there is no question about that.
I tried this recipe today for my Scottish Terrier, Hercules. His Kidney levels were just barely going upwards, and the vet suggested prescription dog food (kd). He HATES it!!! The only way he eats it is if I add chicken broth and green tripe to it. Green tripe is low in phosphorus and is suppose to be excellent for them. He absolutely loved your recipe. He weighs 30 lbs so I gave him a little more than a cup 2 times a day. It made enough for the week, so I’ll have to make more in 7 days. Do you have any recipes for duck. It is low in protein also. I bought some today. Thanks so much for posting this! I have one happy dog that is still salivating!!!
Hi Kathy — that is such sweet and wonderful news. Hercules sounds like he is similar in size to Ben who was eating similar portions … though I would serve the evening in smaller amounts and he was eating probably more but smaller meals. Ben also hated the KD diet which is what really pushed me to invent this.
Ben loved duck as well and that was his last birthday dinner last year. While this wasn’t “dogfood” by any stretch of the imagination, Ben loved it and it may give you inspiration: . But truthfully, you could just make the low phosphorus recipe above and substitute the proteins (i.e. make it with duck instead of beef/pork).
Good luck to you and Hercules and thank you so much for sharing your comment. 🙂
Hi Dale,
Thank you so much for giving such a detailed receipe. It has been really helpful for me as I’m a little “cook illiterate.” I suppose helping me learn to cook will be one of my Cloud’s final lessons for me.
Cloud was actually diagnosed with early stages kidney failure almost 3 years ago. She’s been on kd since. She also has cancerous tumors on her stomach that we’ve had to had removed. I personally believe the initial kidney damage resulted from some of the cancer meds we tried a few years ago. Luckily her tumors have all be exterior. My girl is almost 14 now and has started having trouble with arthritis and having trouble getting up the last few months. 3 weeks ago, we tested her blood and phosphorus levels were still good. My vet recommended starting adequan for arthritis. We started that and her appetite began declining and her mobility seemed to be getting much worse, so 2 weeks in I told him I wanted to stop the treatment and we tested blood again to find that her phosphorus is now elevated. Now were on phosphate binding meds. Vet doesn’t feel like adequan had anything to do with it but I do. Were you able to do anything for Bens arthritis? My condolences for your loss. His story has really touched my heart. What a legacy to leave behind. I’d like to share with you a letter written by one of my favorite artists, Fiona Apple, explaining to fans why she would need to cancel her tour in order to care for her own ailing pet. It has helped me with my struggle with Cloud.
http://www.brainpickings.org/2012/11/22/fiona-apple-janet-letter/
Woo hoo! After spending all day cooking your receipe (like I said, cook illiterate), my girl gobbled up a whole bowl of the stuff! This is after spoon feeding her her dog food the last few days. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We celebrating all the small victories over here!
Do you freeze or refrigerate this? And did you serve cold?
Hi Jessica, I’m so glad this has worked out for you and that the step by step helped and that Cloud loved it and gobbled it up. I hope Cloud continues to enjoy it but don’t be surprised if her tastes suddenly change again. It’s one of the most frustrating parts of the disease from my experience. I felt like was in a near constant battle with Ben and his appetite, but we managed for a long time … so that’s our success story. So, yes, definitely count every victory. Thank you for you very kind words about him and his loss. It remains hard but it does get easier and as I continue to write our long history together, our story, it is helping even more.
In terms of your question about freezing vs. refrigerating, the answer depends on how fast Cloud is going to eat it all. I never kept Ben’s food in the fridge for more than 4-5 days, especially with a compromised body system. The food freezes exceptionally well. That’s what you see in the picture — the ziplock baggies. Those were frozen (inside a larger freezer bag) and I’d simply take a bag out of the freezer the day before I needed it and let it defrost in the fridge before the next bag was empty. Hope that makes sense. I typically had 3-4 batches of different variations on my recipe in the freezer and so would rotate them and keep Ben from getting bored with one over another.
Ben liked his food ‘warm’ because he was used to eating human food most of his life … so I would microwave it for about 30 seconds or so, just enough to take the “cold” off it but not too hot that he’d burn his little doggy tongue.
Finally, for Ben’s arthritis he was on a supplement called Flexadin for about 5 years which I think helped. But at the end, for the final few months, he was taking tramadol as well. I was convinced and of the opinion that pain for the arthritis was causing nausea which was also impacting his appetite. The tramadol controlled this well and make a huge difference to quality of life.
Please let me know how Cloud continues to progress and if you have any other questions.
Thanks again for all your kind words and comments. 🙂
Hi Dale. My dog skipper is a Jack Russel. He is the best. I’m sorry to hear about Ben but I really think he had the best owner a pup could have. I got the news that skipper had kidney failure a couple of mouths ago. My vet put him on a very expensive dog food that he didn’t like at all. Then he put him on some heart medicine that he said supposed to help the kidneys not to work so hard. Took him back a couple weeks ago and was told they could do no more for him. It broke my heart. He’s 11 and I feel he could have longer. I cried all the way home. I prayed for God to please help me know how to help him. I had done some research on line before and never saw your site until that day. I tried the food and he really liked it at first but now it seems like he doesn’t like meat. Go figure. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. If you have any ideas please let me know what to do. I’m also struggling with him crying and howling over my sister’s dog that he only sees very little. What would be your suggestion? Thanks again for all your research and sharing. Thanks again
Hi Jean — thank you for your incredibly kind words and condolences. I’m not vet so I can’t really say what’s going on with Skipper, but some of what you describe reminds me of my challenges with Ben and why I ultimately created this recipe. It’s important to remember that as the kidney’s fail, it is causing other imbalances in the system … and they can effect a lot of things including appetite. In the end, Ben was on a low dose of Pepcid AC to control the nausea which could be Skipper’s problem. Ben was also on a low dose of Mirtazapine which is called Remeron in human’s. In human’s it’s prescribed usually as an antidepressant, but one of it’s ‘side effects’ is that it is an “antiemetic” which means it suppresses nausea and vets will sometimes prescribe it in situations like this to stimulate appetite. Getting the dose right can be tricky, but this little “happy pill” along with the rotation of the diet above got us our 6 months. I hope this helps a bit. Let me know how it goes.
I can’t answer the question about the ‘howling’ at your sister’s dog. All I can guess is that Skipper is perhaps ‘hungry’ or anxious.
Dale, We have a 5 month old Sheltie who unfortunately has been diagnosed with kidney failure and was wondering from your readings is there anything different/tips you would advise on your recipe? It is amazing as we have only had her 3 months just how much joy she has provided our home so the unfortunate news was extremly hard to take but we simply want to provide her with as much love and comfort we can.
Hi Alan — that’s a real kick in the teeth. I’m so sorry for your devastating news. I can so relate to you situation on so many levels.
With respect to your specific situation, I’m not sure I have much more to offer. A typical pup would certainly require a different diet to support their maturation and development, so I wouldn’t normally suggest any of my recipes as appropriate for a puppy. But the truth is you’re in a palliative care situation and this is supported by your words that you “want to provide her with as much love and comfort we can.”
All I can really say is that over the last few weeks of Ben’s life, none of the rules really mattered any more — like you, I was just striving as hard as I could to keep him nourished, happy, and comfortable. It no longer mattered what it was he was eating, whether it was balanced, etc. I avoided the worst of the phosphorus foods but ultimately went for ‘taste’ more than anything because it didn’t matter if the food was healthy if he wouldn’t eat it.
Have you tried any of these recipes with her so far? Will she eat?
Hi Dale, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your very special Ben. My heart aches for you. My McGuire, a Cairn Terrier, is 16 1/2 years old with cushings as well as kidney failure. He actually looks a bit like a mini Ben and is loved more than I could ever express. We’ve been fighting through with diets, tons of TLC and lots of trips to the vet for the last 3 years. McGuire seems to go in bouts of feeling pretty good and then falling into illness again. I don’t know if Ben had tremors or trembling but my little guy has started to experience those which the vet said is just another indication that the failure is progressing. But even sick, my little goof ball loves and lives for his food. He hated the special kidney food from the vet and simply didn’t want to eat it. The hunt and research was on to find a diet that would appeal to him and thankfully I found your diet. I know there is no recovery for his kidneys but I am thrilled that any time he has left with us will be filled with food he loves. Thank you for sharing your diet, your love for Ben and your life with him.
Hi Dawn — thank you for your incredibly sweet message and words. Ben lived 6 years with his Cushings, a remarkable story of survival: his original prognosis was a year or two. Through a process of ruling out the other causes of the disease, we narrowed it down to a micro-tumor on his pituitary. While he never developed tremors or anything, it is possible that this tumor grew to cause what we think was a stroke in the end. That is to say, we don’t think that the renal disease claimed him, but something cerebral. But is hard to say because they are all interconnected diseases with the tumor putting pressure on his brain, the Cushings putting pressure on his organs and kidneys, the kidneys putting pressure on his blood vessels through hypertension, and the hypertension perhaps causing the stroke … or a failure anywhere else along the line. Ultimately, there was very little that could be done for my big guy at the end, just, as you say, lots of TLC and love. I think your own outlook is really the right one: you know what’s coming, but you’re committed to celebrating the days you have with McGuire while you can.
Ps. Yes, we often thought there was a little bit of Cairn in him … along with a little bit of most other terriers. 🙂
After my 14 year old whippet, Piccolo, was diagnosed, I initially put him on Renal LP. While Piccolo’s BUN number dropped significantly in the first month, so did his weight and appetite (I don’t blame him – it looks and smells like crap). I got some recipes from my vet and have done extensive research online for additional options when I stumbled on your recipe. I would be concerned with the pumpkin substitute since pumpkin is high in phosphorus – something that needs to be avoided for dogs with CRF. I’m going to try to make this with tapioca, which is also slightly lower in phosphorus than rice, although from a consistency perspective I’m not sure how well it will hold up. I’ll keep you posted on how it works out.
Thank you Sue. With respect to the pumpkin substitute, there are a few things to clarify. First, I wouldn’t suggest you stay with any single substitution: variety is important both from an appetite perspective as well as ensuring overall nutrient balance. Second, pumpkin “seeds” are high in phosphorus; my own research suggests that pumpkin flesh (like that used in pie) itself is moderately-low and in the substitution I also balance it with the sweet potato. Third, the pumpkin adds an important element of potassium which over the course of the treatment can become deficient in some diets so once/month I created a batch that included ‘some’ pumpkin for overall balance.
Ultimately, though, each of our companions is different, each with their own histories, comorbidities, and each with their own ‘tastes’ of what they like or don’t. There is no magic bullet here and this is more a guide than anything intended, as you’re doing, to be adapted to your own companion and instincts.
I hope Piccolo responds well and that you can arrest the weight loss. My heart goes out to you both.
Dale:
You have done an amazing job of putting together this eating plan. Medically, they are healthier compared to the actual canine KD and NF diets which are filled with meat byproducts and other artificial ingredients.
I adopted a senior dog who was a stray all of his life. He was malnourished and never received proper medical care. On Christmas, his blood work showed that he had moderate liver and kidney failure and hyperparathyroidism. We have been able to repair the liver failure by significantly improving his nutrition. My dog will not touch the KD nor NF canine food but loves your recipes. No surprise given that they inherently know that real food is better for them than processed foods.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information. It will certainly add to my dogs quality of life and enhance his medical care.
Thank you Kathy. It’s very validating to hear from readers as yourself and hear your perspectives … and hear of your own success stories. It is interesting to hear about your story about your dog’s liver values. When Ben was originally diagnosed with what would turn out to be Cushing’s disease 5 years earlier, it was his hugely elevated liver values that were the tracer we followed. After two years of playing with different pharmacare and introducing Ben’s “super food” I eventually had him off all his medication except a Thryotab and his liver values were almost normal again. All each of us can do is our best but I can’t tell you how much it means to keep hearing how the legacy of Ben’s long life is bringing hope to other dogs and families.
Thank you again for your very kind words. It does my heart very well.
Hi Dale
Very sorry for your loss of Ben,
I have 3 year old Viszla named Hamish.
He has been diagnosed with kidney failure, just a week ago, spent new years eve at vet on drip.
Having bloods redone on Monday, will certainly try your recipes for him.
It is a very confusing heart breaking time lots to take in.
regards Jen.
Hi Jen — thank you kind words of condolence …. and thanks for stopping by and sharing your own story. I’m amazed at how many people have or are going through similar battles with their boys and girls. It is heart breaking and I remember how much I cried when I first got “His News.” It broke me and I was lost for a few days until I switched into my own version of survival mode, a mode that Ben had almost always been in himself. It is a scarey time that you’re entering and I hope that both your vet delivers better news and that Hamish bounces back. Our companions are resilient creatures that each possesses a surprise, I know. In the meantime, I’m hoping the recipe brings you some some and Hamish some nourishment. My thoughts are with you.
~ Dale
Thank you for sharing your Recipe and sorry for your loss of your dear friend Ben. Our terrier is in the early stage of kidney disease and on special diet/nuts from our Vet which he will only eat as a last resort. So I was looking for information and found your Recipe and hoping to get started ASAP. Just one question…..would you recommend freezing the prepared food? Would much appreciate your guidance. Thanks again.
Ger
Hi Ger — thank you for your very kind condolences. I hope things go well with your dog and that he enjoys the recipe. In answer to your question, yes, it freezes very well. You can see in the pictures I hope that I simply bag it in Ziplocks and in quantities that will last 3-4 days. This ensures there is both no spoilage … but it also means that I could create all the optional meals listed there so that Ben didn’t get bored with the same food for too many days. It worked very well … but it did mean that I felt like was cooking a few extra dinners a week, so the freezing really helped to find balance in my life. Best of luck to you all. ~ Dale
Hi. I just wanted to thank you so much for posting this information. My 13 yr old Chihuahua was diagnosed with a heart murmur about 2 yrs ago. It’s gotten worse over the 2 years. About a month ago we did an ultrasound because he was really bad. Then 2 weeks ago he was literally drowning with all the fluids accumulated in his lungs. His vet literally saved his life by putting him in an oxygen tank (baby incubator) and prescribing some meds including lasix. But after that incident he didn’t want to eat. We did some blood work and discovered his kidneys were failing, perhaps because of the meds or perhaps it was already occurring because of the congestive heart failure. Hard to tell. So I found your article after doing some research and decided to try your recipe. Figaro, our Chihuahua, has always been a picky eater any way…and now more so. But Holy Cow! He loved your recipe! He’s eating 3 times a day now! The vet said it was very important for him to eat. He’s on several meds and your diet and some vitamins and he’s doing really great. That day that he got really sick and we had the emergency visit to the clinic, he almost died. His tongue was purple and the vet was really alarmed. But he pulled through and for now he’s in the bonus round and we’re enjoying him and spoiling him for the while we still have him! Thanks again!
Oh,Norma. That sounds all too close to home and I can truly relate. It does my heart very good to hear your success story and to know that I’ve managed to help another companion and their family. It is a tough thing to go through but your attitude is much like my own which was to acknowledge that this diet provided a “bonus round” and I milked it for all it was worth. I hope you get as much quality time as you can through this with Figaro. Thank you again for sharing your story. It really means a lot.
Hi Dale. Figgy (as we call him) is still doing well. I wanted to mention that my husband works as a vet tech for our vet. He has been for about 2 yrs (he’s retired military and loves animals and is totally enjoying his job!) We were discussing your recipe and can’t get over how much Figgy likes it, he licks every single speck in the bowl. This is so important, as I mentioned before, that he eat. Of course, our other dogs desire it so much and just watch with much intensity to see if he’ll leave anything, but he doesn’t. So I give each of my other dogs just a tablespoon of this food on top of their food so they don’t feel left out. Anyway, my husband said he was going to refer all clients at the vet clinic with similar cases to your post. Of course, we’ll tell them how well its done our dog and they can decide themselves if they want to try it. I think it’s done wonders for our Figgy. I actually think he eats better now than he ever has! He was always reluctant to eat…didn’t really care for dog food….but LOVES people food, always has. I think people will appreciate this information if they are in the same situation as us. On another note, would you mind sharing your dog food recipe for healthy dogs? Do you have that posted elsewhere? I think you mentioned you had made homemade dog food for your dog before he got ill. Thanks again!!! We will spread the word! We keep saying “It’s a miracle!”
Thank you so much, Norma, for your kind words and taking the time to share them on here. Your message brought a huge smile to my face and keeps Ben very much alive in my heart. Your story of Figgy and your other dogs is very uplifting and I hope an inspiration to others as well. As you say, the biggest enemy of kidney disease it would seem is just getting our dogs past the nausea and coaxing them to eat … and if you can do that whilst maintaining the right balance in the food, it is a success in spades. I hope it gives Figgy and you many beautiful months to share.
Please do refer anyone to the site and this post who may benefit. This really is becoming a great legacy for Ben. Thank you.
Finally, yes, the recipe for Ben’s previous food is posted as well. This is the food that Ben ate for many many years. Other dogs have eaten it as well with similar love and it seems to improve their breath and coat as well … though teeth brushing might be more a common need because the dogs don’t get the ‘hardness’ of the kibble to scrape their teeth anymore. Anyway, here’s the link to the recipe — let me know if it doesn’t work for you.
~ Dale
Hi Dale, I just read your article “Possessing Loss: Remembering Ben”. What a beautiful article, brought tears to my eyes…had to reach for the tissue! Just wanted to thank you again for posting your recipe. I truly believe it gave us a bonus year with Figgy. The vets all called him the miracle dog. He lived an extra year after the first horrible incident we had with his congestive heart failure. Last October (2015), almost exactly one year after the incident and around the time I found your recipe, Figgy had another incident. This time we couldn’t save him. We tried everything, even keeping him in a baby incubator with oxygen all weekend! But every time we’d pull him out, his little heart just couldn’t pump enough oxygen to his organs through his blood any more. This time the vet said there was nothing more we could do. So that Monday we made the horrible heart-wrenching decision to put him down. It’s only been a few months (Nov 2, 2015), but it’s still really hard. He was with us just 3 months shy of his 14th b-day. That dog was my child (we have no human kids) and slept next to me every night all his life! So I KNOW how painful it is. Glad you found your “person”. My husband and I grieve together and I have many friends that know how much I love my pets (kids) and support me and are there for me as well. Nice to have friends like that. Take care and I wish you much happiness for the future. We still have 3 dogs and 2 cats and we’ll be loving on them just like we did Figgy. They are all so unique, different personalities and keep us smiling!
Hi Norma — I remember you and your story of Figgy very well — you were one of the first “success” stories to be posted after Ben’s passing. I’m glad that it provided you with your own miracle, your own miracle year, your own miracle memories. Thank you again for sharing your story and your progress … but I’m very sorry that in the end Figgy ran out of runway. I can well relate to how painful it is … but I am glad you’re still able to find smiles in your memories. Wishing you and your husband both take care as well. Thank you again and all the best to you in your continued journey. ~ Dale
Hello Norma,
Glad to hear Figgy is doing well. I have a wonderful 13-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who has similar health issues – enlarged heart which results in accumulated water in his lungs (causes him to wheeze like he’s been smoking cigarettes for 10 years haha) and renal disease. His BUN and phosphorous levels were all on the high end of “high” about a few months ago. The vet was surprised Mocha was still alive!
Anyway, I would just like to ask what vitamins are you giving Figgy? Right now Mocha is on Flusapex Drops and Vetmedin capsules for his heart and water in his lungs. The vet also gave him aluminum hydroxide which acts as a phosphate binder.
Dale – I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how hard it’s been. Sending you much love and light your way. You have accumulated a lot of “good karma” for sharing your recipe which has undoubtedly benefited many including myself. God Bless your heart 🙂
Demi
Hi Demi and thank you for the very kind words. I’m sure I can always use with some more karma, but the truth of it is that this is Ben’s gift to you all, not mine. Ben and I are square, but I wish with all my heart that if he needs karma wherever he is today that he can have all the goodwill offered to me and be safe.
Wishing Mocha better health and you all what I hope is a happy New Year.
Hi Demi, Sorry it took me so long to respond. I hadn’t checked this website in awhile. But something told me I should. Figgy is doing great! The vets at the clinic cannot believe he’s doing so well and that he’s the same dog that was sooo dying in November 2014! I hope your dog is still doing well. As for vitamins, I was giving Figgy Petco Adult Vitamin Gel for Dogs. But I went to our local pet store called Tomlinson’s and they recommended this blue algae powder that they said would be a more natural way of him getting vitamins and minerals versus synthetic. It’s called E3 Canine Powder by E3Live. He’s been eating this mixed in his food for about 3 weeks now and is doing awesome! He has a lot of energy and is playful with me and my other dogs! Not sure if he’s getting all the vitamins he needs, so I’m thinking about alternating the 2 things on alternating days. I need to talk to my vet to see what he thinks. I met a lady that said she thought she was spoiling her dog by giving her nothing but chicken for about a year. Her dog got really sick one day and has developed pancreatitis!!! Now she’s on special diet and meds. So sad that she didn’t know she was not giving her the needed vitamins and minerals. She feels horrible. I can only imagine. Hope this helps. Let me know how things go. I’ll check back in a couple of days for your response! ~Norma
Norma I have a chihuahua with kidney disease she is 13 can you please tell me how much food you gave her daily and what amount of vitamins you gave her I am so bad at conversions and I do not want to over feed her with food and toxins she is going to have her blood pressure taken to see if that is a problem she started going to the toilet at night but I had no idea just took her in to have bloods checked so she can have teeth cleaned then they inform me if high urea and creatine levels so upset and shocked I have bring feeding her white fish and squash a long time now and tiny piece of liver .I have a dog with liver disease and I have kept him alive 6 yrs due to diet so I am praying this works for me. She is also going deaf and has terrible allergies. Hope to hear from u soon. Sharmeen
Hi Sharmeen — I hope Norma can answer your question. In case you don’t get an answer, please consider that a dog with CRF is unlikely to overeat. Getting them to eat at all is the challenge. Let them guide you as to how much, but keeping weight on and fighting against wasting is the key while avoiding the phosphorus. Best of luck to you.
I have two dogs that were both diagnosed with CRF about 3 months ago. I have since been through many different diets that I have used and most recently have been doing research on the low phosphorus, good quality protein, carb recipes. I have been reading everything I could find for the past three months and just found yours. I also have made my own food for my dogs forever and it has been a trial to find what I believe is best suited for the two older ladies with the CRF. I am so happy to have finally found your site. It is exactly what I have been looking for. So many of the recipes are not palatable to my girls. I season mine with the garlic and they won’t eat the bland food that most offer. I know they will like yours and first thing tomorrow I am going to start cooking the new food for them. Not sure how long they will be with me but I will do anything I can to keep them feeling well and hopefully have a few more months (praying for more) time with them. I am afraid my little Angel is reaching the final stage of her time with me. She is just too weak and I am hoping the low phosphorus diet will give her some relief. Actually just started to address that issue today. She eats well but I am afraid the low protein diet didn’t address the real problem of the kidneys inability to clean out the toxins and waste. Hoping it won’t be too late. Bless you and your little guy. I hope you have many more months with him.
Thank you Alexis for sharing your story and for such very kind words. I’ve been meaning to come back to this post to add a post-script with respect to how the diet worked for Ben. I must say, it worked very well to the point that it actually caused Ben’s values to improve — but there is no cure for CRF; diet only provides longevity and quality of life. Ben survived on this diet about 5 months before his appetite became even more finicky. In the end, for the last month of his life, I just fed him various pasta dishes that were made for loving — I called it the All-Pasta diet. Ben loved the bolognese, cream sauces, pesto, and tomato and his last meal was Fettuccine Alfredo. In the end, it wasn’t the CRF that finally robbed me of Ben, it was a stroke that felled him and the suffering from his arthritis. His body just finally wore out …. But this diet was a godsend and gave us many more good months than anyone expected. I hope it helps with your girls. Please let me know ….
Hi Dale,
My heart goes out to you and Ben. Angus, my sweet friend, a 13-year old bichon-schnauzer also died on November 12th, and there are no words, only time and reflection that have helped. I also have another little friend, Baymo, who just came from a shelter to live with me and my other 2 dogs. He is an 8-year old shih tzu/bichon someone didn’t want anymore. His BUN and creatinitine levels are nearing the high end of “safe” so I was looking for diet ideas when I ran across your post. I am bookmarking it and want to say thanks so much, very helpful! Christie
Thank you Christie for your very kind words … all of them. I’m very sorry for your own loss of Angus. There are many great stories of great people taking care of their beloved companions; so much compassion and caring. I really am overwhelmed that my research and recipe is helping so many. I hope it helps Baymo and you and helps him quickly to get on the mend. Best of luck and a happy New Year to you both.
Dale–thank you so much for this information. My beloved Chloe was diagnosed with kidney failure back in January. In March they told us she had less than a week left to her little life. Thankfully, she is still with us. We have been feeding her chicken, bulgur and watered down food now for all of these months with a little KD but she is turning it away. Desperately I made some ground turkey for the last two feedings and she has been eating it! HOWEVER, now I am going to try your recipe!!! My question for you is, I noticed your dog has “hazy” eyes–is he blind? Chloe also went blind at the same time and they could not explain WHY or if it was connected to the kidneys. Any insight into this?
Hi Penny. Thanks for stopping and by and sharing your own story. There are more of “us” and our companions out there than we individually know. Yes, Ben is now almost 6 months since his diagnosis and the challenge of food continues as he moves into what may be his final phase. We’re now preparing for the end, but he continues to fight and me along with him. There is no doubt in my mind that this diet gave us many more good months, but no diet is going to ‘cure’ time and its ravage on the body. I hope Chloe likes the food and it helps you as well.
As to your question about Ben’s eyes. The one is ‘hazy’ because it is actually a prosthetic. He lost his right eye more than 11 years ago, so what you see is that. His other eye is simply showing the signs of age and no treatment has been warranted, though he has lost considerable vision in the eye. Don’t quote me on this, but I think his vet has said it is a version of Keratitis.
I hope things go well with you and Chloe. Let me know if she likes the food you prepare.
Thank you Dale. Day 3 of the food and he is begging for more 🙂 We have another blood test scheduled for next week to see how things are going. If wagging tails are an indicator, I’d say things are going pretty well now that he’s finally eating. Thanks again, have a good day.
My 7 year old dog was just diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, spent a week in the hospital on IV fluids and got home 5 days ago. He hasn’t really been eating and I was getting desperate. I found your recipe and just made a batch and he absolutely LOVES it! Thank you so much for sharing your research and your recipe! Good luck with your pup. Mary
Oh, Mary. My heart goes out to you. There is nothing easy about the diagnosis or helping your own companion through this difficult stage of his life. Again, my own sample of one dog does not a study make, but since Ben’s diagnosis and switching him to this diet now for the better part of 5 months, not only is he still plugging along, but the last bloodworm we did 6 weeks ago showed a remarkable improvement in his kidney values … something that surprised Ben’s vet: it’s highly unlikely to see improvement with stability being the best. The only thing that changed in Ben during this time was the food and vitamins. I hope it provides you the miracle of a few more months as well.
My husband was searching for help for our tiny mini-dachshund who is one of the victims of a major dog food. Two weeks ago, Bonnie Elizabeth suffered acute renal failure. We were told at one ER that there was no hope. Thank God we went to another ER. A wonderful veterinarian went to work and saved her life. She is home now and perky but still having daily fluids injected. She still has high levels and not eating as much as we would like. We monitor her.
When my husband read Ben’s story, we knew we had had another prayer answered by finding your site and acurate, healthy help for Bonnie’s diet. I just wrote a list to buy in a little while. Thank you for taking time to give your info. One question: where to get the vitamins you suggest? A human health food store?
Thanks again, Judy
Hi Judy — thank you for sharing your story and your kind words. My thoughts go out to you and your husband and Bonnie Elizabeth. I hope this recipe works for her and gives her strength and you hope.
With respect to the vitamin’s be very careful with doses because your girl is quite tiny. If you have a good relationship with your vet, you might want to confirm doses before hand … and you might even want to skip the supplements all together until you at least get her eating (though the Pecid AC might still be a good choice if she’s suffering from nausea and acid problems). But my advice aside, yes, all the supplements and vitamins were sourced from human drug/health food stores. It is not easy to source some of them like the Q10 or even the B50 in forms and doses appropriate, so cutting and breaking is a second step and a likely one for a dog as tiny as yours. With Ben, the vitamins and getting them into him was an adventure in and of itself and the last thing you want as she’s recouping is to be causing her any anxiety with food or your hands.
Good luck Judy and please visit again and share how it works … or ask any other questions. I’m sure others would like to know as well.
Dale
Thanks so much for you reply and prayers. Bonnie is actually doing well for what she’s been through. She stills has the fluids and special diet. Scott made her 1/2 the recipe and we are feeding her some of Ben’s diet. Her phosphorus level is perfect. Her BUN is off so she is dehydrated some and I don’t know what to do. Vet says fluids until levels are normal. Bonnie is playing, eating, drinking and queen of her domain. She is so spoiled. You are doing great for your Ben too. Love the poetry you email. Thanks again. Judy
Thanks for sharing an update on Bonnie, Judy. It’s great to hear that she’s responding. Ben had Cushing’s disease on top of it all so getting fluids into him was not a main concern, though something that was discussed as a “down the road” option if/when he went into actual renal failure. In the end it was a devastating stroke that felled him. Have a very Merry Christmas with your Queen by your side. ~ Dale
Can I feed celery and cucumber? My dog also had kidney troubles and her creatine is very high 200. I used raw celery, parsley and cucumber for my mom and had success and her creatine went down. I’m just worried if the two ingredient are not a poison to my dog.
Hi Gina — a quick Google search on both ingredients and the search term “phosphorus level” or “chronic kidney disease” will answer most of your questions about specific ingredients. My own read is that celery may be problematic because though it’s low in phosphorus it has high potassium levels (http://www.kidney-cares.org/ckd-nutrition-recipe/1246.html). Cucumber seems to be fine, but I strongly suggest you do your own research to ensure there is consistent support for these conclusions.
Hi Tyler — thank you for sharing my recipe on your blog. I’m so glad that you’ve had success with it and that Rocky is enjoying it. It does my heart very well that Ben’s food legacy to the world is helping so many. I’m overwhelmed at all the stories of people facing similar struggles with their canine companions to know that so many are finding support in this recipe.
When I went through this last year, I felt alone facing the worst news in the world … so one of the best parts of all this is everyone sharing their stories with each other and, in so doing, knowing they’re not alone in their fears and struggles.
Thank you again and my thoughts to you and Rocky. Stay well.
Just came across your site – My 8 y/o Border Collie is in early stage CRF, I make her food at home and the recipe I developed is almost exactly like yours except it doesn’t have rice…what is the rational for the addition of rice? Or is that something that might need to be changed when she is farther along? So far, her labs are almost perfect – she was diagnosed almost 3 years ago.
Hannah
My 8 lb maltese does poorly with beef, pork. Would it be possible to use ground turkey or chicken with this recipe?
Hi Dale,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipe with all of us, such a labor of love that I so enjoyed reproducing yesterday. My 14 year old Golden was diagnosed two weeks ago with kidney disease. I am devastated for he is my world and the love of my live. I knew the day will come when I will have to say good bye to this big fluffy bear and that there is no way to prepare for the loss I know I will feel… but that being said, my daughter and I and Copper with a paw handshake have all decided to fight this and do our best together to keep it from progressing. We are team COPPER!
We are doing IV therapy daily from home and were trained by our amazing vet tech. We have rotating neighbors coming over daily to lend their support. We have started him on Calcitrial and I have ordered Royal Canin Renal Support, though not a big hit and I have to hand feed it to him for he poo poo’s it in the dog bowl. At least he is taking it though out of my hand.
Until the bag of food arrived I was feeding him boiled chicken and rice and cottage cheese which he loved. I made your recipe yesterday without the spices and he ate some last night and also this morning. He is 88 pounds and had dropped 10 pounds (was 98) in three months which was a red flag at the vets last week. He is also not able to control his bladder and has needed to wear a belly band since Dec. I thought it was old age since I had his blood work done in October and it was normal. The numbers increased significantly confirming kidney disease. I have noticed that many people state the stagetheir dog has and was wondering how they know this. My vet has not spoken in stages but said it is in the mild to moderate stage.I have not seen any shared blood numbers and would like to share mine so that others might also. It would help to know how my boys blood results look in comparison to others and also if they can improve. My dog wears a belly band which works amazingly well and really saved his life since I live in a small town home and peeing all over the house daily would not have been an option. I bought them on Amazon and he goes through about 7 of them daily with a bladder pad also put inside. I would like to share my dogs blood levels and if anyone cares to also that would be appreciated for I would like to know how high his are compared to others. His SDMA was 20 and the norm is 0-14, his Creatinine was 2.6 and the norm is 0.5-1.5 and his BUN was 50 and the norm is 9-31. He will get retested next Friday after two weeks of IV therapy, meds and diet have been introduced and I pray we can keep this disease from progressing for awhile. He is still doing remarkably well, loves his walks, is playful and very engaging with us. My daughter and I have pretty much put ALL other priorities aside so that we can spend most of our time at home with Copper. I believe this is in God’s hands although we are do our best to support his good health and pray he will know how much we love him when it is time for us to have to say goodbye. His 14th b-day is next week 2/6 and we are having neighbors over to celebrate with burgers and pasta and a little taste of icecream or yogurt. Thank you again for all your wonderful advice. The support is appreciated more than you could ever know. Praying for more time and appreciating each day as if it were his last.
Sincerely, Ginny
have to mention that I read your bio and tribute to Ben and was deeply moved…it reminded and sounded so familiar. I think I know how gratefull you are to have had him as long as you did, what a Gift they are…
years ago, I was grieving a loss when a friend called out of nowhere and told me about something his grandmother had told him years before but only then did he remember, and only then did it make sense. She told him that when someone or some thing of importance dies that the heavens open up for them and it always RAINS…..
RC, like Ben, had just passed….and it was raining….
…i think that we will see them again.
jb
Hi Hannah — sorry for the delay in reply but life got very busy for a bit and my blog suffered. In answer to your question about the rice, the answer is that it adds carbs and calories and flavour … and a bit of soluble fiber. In most cases of CRF, the pet is wasting away and losing weight for lack of eating, so food that goes in, stays in, and adds to caloric intake is key. The white rice (vs. brown) is a key ingredient for this reason and because it is easy on the gut and dogs like it usually, it is a good choice. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your girl.
Hi Barbara — yes, and I believe Turkey would be the better of the two especially if you go with dark meat … not the breast.
Dear Ginny and Team Copper — and a belated happy birthday to you, Copper. Your story definitely hearkens back to my own and knowing how important celebrations and milestones were becoming. I’m glad you had a great birthday party for him and he got some of his favourites. You’re most welcome for any support you have taken from this recipe and my site. As for your question about “stage,” yes, that is really up to your vet to describe, but sounds like you’ve been given some indications that Copper is at the early stage of CKD of which there are, to be the best of my memory, 5 stages which are determined according to the ‘values’ you’ve been citing as well. Some people quote the blood work, others quote stages, but in the end, they mean much the same. I hope this helps and that you get many more celebrations in the seasons ahead. Best of luck, ~ Dale
Thank you, Charlotte. I am deeply humbled at your sharing my work and recipe on your own much adored blog. Wishing Peggy Sue a speedy recovery and success with the recipe. Peace and comfort to you. Thank you again for your kindness. ~ Dale
Firstly, I’m very sorry for your own loss but I commend you for sharing your story with readers. I’m sure there are many here who would love to read about all the other research you did and how you and your vet dealt with renal failure in Lucy. Thank you also for sharing with your readers this recipe. Hoping it helps many others. Please take care in your own journey through loss and I wish you all the best. ~ Dale
Thank you for sharing your own additional work with the recipe and for the attribution to myself. I’m glad it continues to help others and spread.
A very very humbled thank you for your link and reference to my recipe. It means a lot to have my own lay research backed up by the research on your website. You have also provided a tremendous amount of information and alternatives for those that can’t or don’t want to go to the effort of making this recipe. Thank you again for the kind reference to mine and Ben’s story ….