The Best Treats for Dogs With Kidney Disease

By :Becki Baumgartner, Certified Master Herbalist 0 comments

We’re sorry your dog is suffering from kidney disease!

It's tough when your dog has kidney disease. You must monitor what they eat. And, it's often hard to find the right food and treats.

Our founding vets, Dr. Marc Smith and Dr. Casey Damron, consider freeze dried beef kidney treats the best treats for dogs with kidney disease.

Their choice stems from both an Eastern or Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) perspective and a Western perspective.

They believe in “using treats for a reason,” and “using food as medicine” to help your dog live a longer and happier life.

Below I’ll explain why they choose freeze dried beef kidney treats as the best treats for dogs with kidney disease.

From a Western Perspective: Freeze Dried Beef Kidney Treats for Dogs with Kidney Disease

From a Western perspective, freeze-dried beef kidney treats can provide several key benefits for dogs with kidney disease.

High-Quality Protein

Beef kidney is a rich source of high-quality animal protein.

While dogs with kidney disease often require a restricted protein intake, it is important to provide them with high-quality protein sources.

Freeze-dried beef kidney treats offer a concentrated and easily digestible form of protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance and repair.

Essential Nutrients

Beef kidney is naturally rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins such as B vitamins (B12, riboflavin, niacin) and minerals like iron, zinc, and selenium.

These nutrients play vital roles in various bodily functions and can support overall health, especially in dogs with compromised kidney function.

Palatability and Appetite Stimulation

Dogs with kidney disease may experience a decreased appetite or be picky eaters.

Freeze-dried beef kidney treats are highly palatable to dogs and can help stimulate appetite, making it easier to ensure the dog receives proper nutrition.

Encouraging food intake can be crucial in maintaining adequate body condition and preventing muscle wasting.

From a TCVM Perspective: Freeze Dried Beef Kidney Treats for Dogs With Kidney Disease

From a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) perspective, freeze-dried beef kidney treats offer several key benefits for dogs with kidney disease.

Warming the Kidneys

TCVM views the kidneys as the "root of life" and emphasizes the concept of warming and tonifying this vital organ.

Beef kidney treats are considered warming in nature, and by providing them to dogs with kidney disease, you help invigorate and strengthen your dog’s kidneys.

According to Eastern theory, warmth promotes circulation, enhances the function of the kidneys, and supports overall kidney health.

Nourishing Yin and Essence

In TCVM, kidney disease is often associated with imbalances in Yin energy and Essence (Jing).

Yin represents the cooling, nourishing, and moistening aspects of the body, while Essence is considered the foundation of vitality and longevity.

Feeding freeze-dried beef kidney treats nourishes both Yin and Essence, helping to replenish the depleted energy in dogs with kidney disease and supporting their overall well-being.

Specific Organ Support

TCVM theory suggests that "like treats like," meaning that the consumption of a specific organ can support the corresponding organ in the body.

In fact, as medical doctor Robert J. Kiltz explains, “as a part of the like-supports-like properties of many organ meats, kidney contains the rare amino acid, L-ergothioneine, a compound that may promote the kidney health of people who ingest it.”

By providing freeze-dried beef kidney treats, Eastern medicine theorizes the inherent essence and energy of the beef kidney can be transferred to the dog's own kidneys, promoting healing and restoring balance in the organ.

Other Benefits

In addition to supporting the kidneys as organs, feeding freeze dried beef kidney treats also provide an array of other health benefits.

According to Eastern theory, beef kidney treats may also help with:

geriatric health concerns
incontinence
reproductive issues
arthritis

How to Use Freeze Dried Beef Kidney Treats for Dogs With Kidney Disease

Our founding veterinarians (and creators of PET | TAO) recommend PET | TAO Freeze Dried Beef Kidney Treats.

You can use them as a treat, training reward, or reconstitute in warm water for 3-5 minutes and use as a food topper.

To get the beneficial effects of the treats, feed your dog the treats according to the schedule below.

Under 25 pounds: 1-3 treats daily
26-50 pounds: 3-5 treats daily
Over 50 pounds: 10 treats daily

About Phosphorus

Yes, freeze dried raw beef kidney treats contain some phosphorus. All organ treats contain phosphorus.

And, when a dog has kidney disease you need to avoid too much phosphorus in the diet.

However, our founding vets have recommended freeze dried raw kidney treats to kidney disease patients for years, with great success.

And, so have many other Eastern-trained veterinarians. It's a different philosophy than Western medicine. And it works.

According to our founding vet, Dr. Casey Damron, the amount of phosphorus in freeze-dried kidney, when fed in the appropriate amount, is not a concern. Especially if your dog is taking a phosphorus binder like Renakitin or Epakitin.

The Eastern benefits of feeding kidney far outweighs the small amount of phosphorus ingested.

But, you should only feed kidney treats in the above recommended amounts to dogs with kidney disease. Don't overdo it!

Remember, you are feeding treats for a reason now, using food as medicine. And as with any medicine, too much is not a good thing.