If you are researching natural treatments for dog kidney failure, you probably fall into one of two categories:
- You have a dog with kidney disease and hope natural treatments will help them, or
- You are trying to prevent your dog from developing kidney disease and want to use natural remedies to support and strengthen your dog’s kidneys.
Kidney failure is serious – it’s one of the most common causes of dog death in older dogs – and it is difficult if not impossible to reverse.
But when I started to read about it, I found story after story of dogs whose lives were lengthened by months, or even years, because their owner did everything possible to slow the progress of the disease by supporting their dog’s kidneys in natural ways.
My goal for this article is not to tell you how to treat your dog (more on that in a moment). It is, instead, to educate you about different natural treatments for dog kidney failure, so that you can find a holistic vet to work with and determine which treatments hold the most promise for your dog and their specific condition.
Work With a Holistic Vet – It’s Too Risky To Skip This Step
Important Disclaimer: I am not a vet. I’m just sharing my own personal experience and information I have read. If you think you want to try something you read about here, talk to your vet! But first read this and many more articles to empower yourself for a good discussion in which you can ask your vet great questions about what you want to try.
Knowledge is power – never forget that!
There are some dog health issues where owners research and choose a natural remedy to try. Perhaps you have chosen home remedies to give your dog because they will build your dog’s immunity, or you add fish oil to your dog’s food to help them with itchy skin.
In the case of kidney disease in dogs, there is too much at stake to randomly try different natural treatments to see if they will help slow your dog’s kidney failure.
There are simply too many variables: the age of your dog, the underlying contributing factors of your dog’s kidney disease, other health issues your dog may also be dealing with in addition to kidney failure. . . you get the gist.
It is so, so important that you work with a holistic vet to help you choose a natural treatment for your dog’s kidney failure.
Treating kidneys that are failing in a geriatric dog is different from treating kidneys failing from illness or injury, which is different from treating kidneys that have deficiencies from birth.
And if you randomly select supplements and treatments to try for your dog’s kidney failure, you not only could make your dog’s kidney failure worse, but you could miss an opportunity to slow the disease’s progress and buy your dog months or years of life.
The purpose of this article is to help you educate yourself before your vet appt — so you can talk to your vet about each different treatment option and – with their help – put together the best treatment program for your dog.
What you learn today may also steer you toward seeing a veterinarian who specializes in a modality you’re interested in pursuing as a potential treatment for your dog’s kidney disease.
For example, if you think you want to try acupuncture and Chinese herbs, you will look for a vet that offers those services. If you want to try chiropractic and a raw diet, you will want to find a vet who is experienced in those modalities.
Causes of Kidney Disease in Dogs
There are a number of factors that can play a role in the development of kidney disease in dogs. From what I read, many times kidney disease is caused by a combination of factors, without a single “cause” that can be identified.
1. Diet
Diet was a common factor referenced in many of the articles I read, and dried and processed foods were discouraged by many holistic vets.
According to Dr. Lisa Pierson, DVM, dried pet food contains only a small amount of moisture (~10% versus 78% for canned food), which can result in your pet not getting optimal fluid (which is hard on the kidneys).
In addition to lacking moisture, it taxes your pet’s kidneys by being hard to digest and contains poor-quality protein.
Another issue with dried food diets is that most manufacturers “render” the protein in their pet food. The FDA defined rendering as:
“Any Firm Or Individual That Processes Slaughter Byproducts; Animals Unfit For Human Consumption, Including Carcasses Of Dead Cattle; Or Meat Scraps.”
Finally, according to Dr. Peter Dobias, a poor-quality diet (especially dried and/or processed food) absorbs water from the body when digested, leaving your dog’s body dehydrated.
2. Genetic predisposition
Inherited kidney diseases have been recognized in several breeds of dogs, with different disorders being more common in different breeds. If your dog is at higher risk, you may be interested in supporting your dog’s kidneys as a preventative measure.
3. Muscle injury or decreased spinal energy flow
In his practice, Dr. Dobias has observed that the health of the kidneys depends on the health of your dog’s spine, specifically in the area of the third lumbar vertebra. He has found that increased muscle tightness and decreased energy flow in that area can negatively affect the kidneys.
4. Illness
Illnesses can also cause kidney failure in dogs. Untreated severe bladder infections, high blood pressure, and kidney stones are examples of illnesses that can result in kidney failure. I even read one article that said that advanced dental disease can be a contributing factor.
5. Toxins/Accidental Ingestions
Examples of toxins that can cause kidney failure are xylitol, antifreeze, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), chocolate, coffee, raisins, and grapes.
Note: xylitol is found not only in sugar-free foods, gum, and candy, but also in surprising items such as toothpaste and peanut butter. I have an article about xylitol & dogs that you will want to read – it takes a very small amount of xylitol to kill a dog, and you would be surprised at how many products have xylitol in them.
Another example of toxin-induced kidney failure occurred in 2007 when 14 dogs and cats in the United States died from kidney failure after eating pet food tainted with a chemical called melamine and other toxins.
6. Stress/Fear
Believe it or not, stress and fear can play a role in dog kidney failure. I read one study that explained that fear alters certain metabolic elements that are known to increase a biomarker called SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine). Elevated SDMA levels have been associated with acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
Natural Support & Treatments For Dog Kidney Failure
Now that you understand the causes of kidney failure in dogs, let’s talk about natural support and treatment options that you can discuss with your vet.
1. Glandular Supplements
Glandular supplements are prepared with extracts from dried organ tissues of animals such as cows, pigs, or sheep.
Renal glandular supplements provide support for the normal function and detoxification of your dogs’ kidneys, while also supporting essential systems related to renal support.
Standard Process is a glandular supplement brand used by many natural practitioners and holistic vets. You have to buy their products at a practitioner’s office, use this map to locate an office that sells Standard Process products.
I used Standard Process renal support supplements for my cat when he had kidney failure and he lived to be 21, so I’m a firm believer that supporting the kidneys can buy your pet months or years of life.
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
In a study published in the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine, omega-3s were shown to protect the kidneys. In this study, dogs with poor kidney function were fed a diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or saturated fatty acids. Dogs being fed omega-3s retained superior kidney function when compared to the dogs fed omega-6s and saturated fatty acids, and omega-3s were deemed “renal protective.”
There are a bazillion omega-3 supplements out there and it’s hard to know which are good quality and which aren’t, so I like to use Peter Dobias’s Feel Good Omega.
3. Bladder Supplements
If your dog is experiencing kidney failure it’s important to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) as they can spread to the kidneys.
I have an article about home remedies to prevent dog UTIs that you will want to read after this one, but here’s a quick look at a few helpful supplements.
Cranberry
Cranberry extract is an excellent supplement for preventing dog UTIs. Certain molecules found in cranberries, proanthocyanidins (PACs), prevent bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall and decrease the strength of the bacteria.
Using cranberry extract capsules is best (juice is too dilute). You also want to be sure the supplement is made from the whole cranberry. If it doesn’t specify, it may only contain cranberry skins.
I have had a few dogs prone to UTIs and used these cranberry supplements:
D-Mannose
One of the reasons cranberry helps prevent UTIs is that it contains D-mannose.
D-Mannose is simple sugar that occurs naturally in a number of fruits such as cranberries, apples, and blueberries. When you give your dog cranberry extract for a UTI, D-Mannose is the ingredient in the cranberry extract that goes to work on the UTI.
D-Mannose is effective because it attaches to E. coli bacteria and prevents them from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.
Some people choose to buy D Mannose for dog UTIs instead of using cranberry extract because it avoids the other sugars found in cranberries.
D-Mannose doesn’t have any adverse side effects and is safer for dogs (and people) with diabetes.
Here are two dog products with D-Mannose dog UTI formulas.
Cranberry and D-Mannose are just two of many ways to support bladder health and prevent UTIs, be sure to read my article about preventing dog UTIs for more in-depth information.
4. Probiotics
Probiotics are also recommended for dogs experiencing kidney failure because they support the immune system, which is tied to kidney health.
Azodyl
There is a specific probiotic made to support dog and cat kidneys called Azodyl that contains probiotic bacteria that help manage uremic toxins. I used it for my cat with kidney disease (in addition to Standard Process Feline Renal Support) and believe Azodyl also played a key part in my cat living to age 21.
In a pilot study, three dogs with chronic kidney disease were treated with Azodyl for more than 1 year. Researchers found that “Azodyl induced a significant improvement in appetite, as well as an increase in body weight, improvement in lethargy, and decrease in blood urea nitrogen and/or creatinine levels, allowing for the discontinuation of fluid therapy.”
Other Probiotics
Dr. Peter Dobias’s GutSense contains the same probiotic strains as Azodyl plus others as well, but I’m not sure how the concentration of the probiotic strains compares between Azodyl and GutSense – this would be a great question to talk to your vet about.
5. AminAvast Amino Acid and Peptide Supplement
Another interesting supplement I read about is called AminAvast. AminAvast contains a combination of naturally occurring amino acids and peptides that are supposed to promote healthy renal function.
This is definitely one you’ll want to discuss with your holistic vet, but I did find a pilot study that investigated the effect of AminAvast on canine renal function. Dogs in this study did not experience increases in SCr (creatinine), BUN (blood urea nitrogen), or PHOS (phosphorus), nor did they experience a decrease in USG (urine specific gravity) – all typically seen in dogs with chronic kidney disease. Additional studies were recommended based on these promising results.
6. Nutritional Supplements
Dr. Dobias also recommends two of his supplements to provide needed nutritional support for kidney failure in dogs. SoulFood provides vitamins for tissue and kidney repair, and GreenMin contains needed minerals that pets with kidney disease lose due to increased urine output, plus helps your dog to improve hydration.
7. Chinese Medicine
Dr. Anne Luther wrote an article for Dogs Naturally Magazine stating she has successfully prevented the progression of (and even reversed in some cases) kidney disease in dogs using Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) along with nutritional supplements.
She also uses Chinese herbs to increase blood flow through the kidneys, which helps remove more toxins from the bloodstream.
I found a fascinating case study written by Dr. Huisheng Xie, clinical professor at University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine and founder of Chi Institute (which trains veterinarians in Chinese acupuncture, herbal medicine, food therapy, and Tui-na).
The case study described a 13-year-old male Alaskan Malamute who was brought to the clinic with acute renal failure. After intensive care and IV fluids he barely survived, and was still anorexic and very weak as he had lost about 30 pounds in the two weeks prior.
Here are the highlights of the dog’s response to the Chinese medicine treatment:
- The dog responded to acupuncture very well and ate an entire bowl of food immediately after withdrawal of needles (first time after the onset of this illness). After two biweekly acupuncture sessions and one month of daily herbal medicine, his appetite became normal, he was able to walk about 1.5 miles once daily, and he gained about 10 pounds.
- Four weeks after the initial visit he was doing well with a normal appetite and water intake. He looked very happy and was able to maintain regular exercise (1.5 miles once daily). He weighed 100 pounds and had gained another 10 pounds.
- Outcome: Urinary incontinence stopped (owner noticed dry diapers) after three months, then he was treated with acupuncture once every three to five months as needed for maintenance. Overall, he had a great quality of life (enjoying long walks daily) and normal appetite and water intake, although his BUN ranged from 80 to 100 and creatinine ranged from 8 to 12. He died three years later at the age of 16, due to congestive heart failure.
This case study fascinated me, such an amazing turnaround – I never cease to be amazed at the power of Chinese medicine.
8. Chiropractic
As mentioned earlier, Dr. Peter Dobias believes there is a relationship between the health of the kidneys and the health of your dog’s spine, especially in the area of the third lumbar vertebra. He states that tightness of muscles and decreased energy flow in this area affects the kidneys.
He recommends maintaining your dog’s spinal health using modalities like Chinese acupuncture, gentle chiropractic treatment, and massage.
9. Homeopathy
Homeopathy was mentioned as a viable option by many of the holistic vets. Each vet was adamant that kidney failure needs to be treated by an experienced homeopath, however, and not to try different remedies without the guidance of an animal homeopath.
Natural Treatments For Dog Kidney Failure Can Help!
Although there is no miracle cure for dog kidney failure, natural treatment options offer the potential to slow/stop progress of the disease and possibly buy your dog months or years of quality life. Work with a holistic vet to evaluate these natural treatments for dog kidney disease to be sure you are trying options that are the best for your dog.
If you have had a dog with kidney failure and tried any of the remedies above, be sure to tell us your story in the comments below!
Until next time-
Naturally,
Karen
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