Low Protein Dog Food Diet

Lately your dog is not being his/her usual self. The eating habits are changing, which means, both of you have been facing some tough times for a while. Perhaps your dog isn't as active as before. After running other important tests, the vet finds out that your dog is in need of a low protein diet. Age can be one of the reasons (but not always) which quite in fact pose as an alarming issue for any dog owner, and can force you to switch from a normal diet to low protein diet.

In the following story, we will read through the reasons for why a dog might require a low protein diet, how to choose from various commercial brands that offer this diet, and some healthy recipes to be made at home.

Typically, any dog breed will usually need at least 25% protein levels in their regular food, regardless of age. So we should just leave this "age related" assumption out for a little while. However, there are certain dog illnesses that makes it impossible for them to consume foods which are high in protein.

The necessity for this diet is because there may be some serious health concerns for your dog; typically health problems which affect the urinary tract. Other health risks can be:

• Canine renal disease
• Genetic kidney problems
• Congenital kidney disease
• Chronic kidney failure
• Congestive heart failure
• Tendency of forming urinary stones
• Acute kidney failure 

Due to these health risks, the vet will prescribe a change in your diet. According to this, there are many commercial dry and canned dog food varieties which cater to low protein dog food. Few of these brands are Solid Gold Holistique, Natural Balance, and Flint River Ranch Senior. These brands are lower in protein than any other normal dog food and since it becomes highly essential for your dog, you should introduce them in your dog's diet immediately.

As these foods are available with a prescription, make sure you get complete information from the vet and research some more on your own. This is because instead of subjecting your dog to this diet without consulting a vet and not having enough information of the store-bought dog foods, could make your dog more sick.

As you read above, we briefly discussed which brands offer foods for your dog, we need to go in a bit more detail. Now, while searching for the best low protein food, understand this, you are keeping the high quality of food into consideration as well. If your dog has been diagnosed with a renal disease, there are certain nutritional concerns that have to be taken care of. Before purchasing the food, keep in mind...

• The brand of dog food has low phosphorus levels. As phosphorus is maintained by your dog's body which later on causes an instability between the calcium and potassium levels.
• The brand of dog food has high levels of vitamin D3 and calcium. Your dog will easily absorb calcium, to prevent bone fractures.

• Brands like Eukanuba, Purina Veterinary Diet, IVD Select Care, Waltham's Royal Canin, and Hill's Prescription Diet are specially formulated for low protein diet.
• The brand of dog food has natural ingredients listed instead of any chemical preservatives. Introduction of toxins in your dog's body will be filtered by the kidneys and liver.

In this section, we will go over some homemade dog recipes which are low in protein and phosphorus, high in potassium, and has normal to low sodium. Consult with the veterinarian before you decide to prepare these nutritious meals. It's better to be on the safer side than take any risks with your dog's health; and the veterinarian is better informed on your dog's medical history, ability to intake certain foods, and which foods will fit properly for his current health.

Ingredients

• 3 cups potato
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon chicken fat
• 1½ calcium carbonate tablets
• ½ multiple vitamin/mineral tablet

Directions
Cook the egg and boil the potato, keep the skin on. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and refrigerate any leftover in an airtight container.

If you wish to make this low protein recipe with normal amount of phosphorus, you can incorporate ½ calcium carbonate tablets instead of 3 bone meal tablets. The meal has about 600 kcal, ideal for any 18 lb. dog.

Ingredients

• 3 cups potatoes
• 2 tablespoons chicken fat
• 2 oz lean ground beef
• 1½ calcium carbonate tablets
• ½ multiple vitamin/mineral tablet

Directions
Cook the ground beef in chicken fat and add all ingredients in. You can also refrigerate any leftover in an airtight container.

If you wish to make this food with normal amount of phosphorus, you can incorporate 1½ calcium carbonate tablets instead of 4 bone meal tablets. The meal has about 737 kcal, ideal for any 23-24 lb. dog.

Ingredients

• 2 cups tapioca
• 2 tablespoons chicken fat
• 1½ calcium carbonate tablets
• ½ cup chicken breast
• ½ multiple vitamin/mineral tablet

Directions

Cook chicken breast in chicken fat; cook tapioca as well. If you wish to make this food with normal amount of phosphorus, you can incorporate 1½ calcium carbonate tablets instead of 5-6 bone meal tablets. The meal has about 763 kcal, ideal for any 24-25 lb. dog.

These were some beneficial recipes that can be easily made at home and fed to your dog. Again I would like to mention consulting with the veterinarian before you include any type of foods in your dog's diet. Remember, if your dog requires a low protein diet, then only it should be incorporated; not due to age or your own personal choice.