25 Best Dog Foods for a Shih Tzu with Chronic Kidney Disease
When our first shih tzu had it we boiled hamburger, added cooked rice, boiled eggs and smashed up Tums tablets. Mixed that all together and that is all he ate for over a year. This was recommended by the vet. I’m sorry your dog is going through this! It’s horrible to watch your baby suffer.
Author: Karen Kruger J.
Likes: 14
My was just diagnosed I got the hills food from the vet but saw the ‘just for dogs’ on chewy and think it may be a better choice. It’s more like people food. She’s not liking the other food even though I’m slowly mixing it in her old food. Good luck, it’s so hard
Author: Kelly Curry D.
Likes: 7
Hill’s Science Diet KD. Had to be prescribed. But, it kept her kidney labs at a steady level and not increasing. But, my dogs were Science Diet fed from the breeder.
Author: Terri J.
Likes: 7
I made homemade dog food and added nutrients and things he needed. I had to research it. It’s been several years and I’ve forgotten now. I do remember I would grind up calcium tablets (unflavored Tums) and add a little of that. His favorite was chicken, rice and green beans.
Author: Cyndi W.
Likes: 9
Yes I did. She ended up living much longer than expected after I put her on a prescription diet through Just Food For Dogs
Author: Summer W.
Likes: 4
I used a couple of different brands before we settled on Blue Buffalo. It kept Brandi going for over two years after being diagnosed with kidney disease. Sadly, she crossed the Rainbow Bridge last August.
Author: Steve R.
Likes: 2
My girl stopped eating the Rx food. I put her on Primal Freeze Dried Duck, added Persian or Hot House Cucumbers and a little warm water. She living to be 15.5. Stay away from chicken, it causes inflammation. Stick with Duck, it takes inflammation away.
Author: Ginny B.
Likes: 4
I regret giving our little guy KD food by Hills since he had a sensitive stomach. It was too high in fat. Do your own research, wish I had. He died 8 months later but was vomiting earlier on. Towards the end I was making my own food. White rice, veggies, salmon, chicken, pumpkin. Max was 14
Author: Deborah S.
Likes: 3
Ours is 13 next week and has had many serious health problems… A liver shunt at 5 yrs..surgically fixed, bladder stones, bladder tumor and more stones…all surgically fixed, pancreatitis… No surgery for that but a 3 night stay in hospital… Now on low fat diet …and she is not overweight!!!… She loves the canned Hills Science ID…was on Bladder stone food
Author: Jackie Miller M.
Likes: 4
I had to make a food out of white rice, low sodium chicken or beef broth, blueberries, sweet potatoes, green beans & a bit of pure maple syrup for my dog. Vet said No Protein of any kind, which eliminated all but the 2 prescription kidney diets that my dog absolutely HATED. I found I could alternate mixing a little of the canned or dry prescription diet with the homemade rice mixture to get him to eat. He still was not thrilled but would at least eat enough to sustain him. Good luck. If your dog is stubborn this can be difficult.
Author: Tanya S F.
Likes: 0
My shih tzu had bladder stones about 2 years ago. Ever since I’ve had her on Purina Pro Plan UR. She didn’t want it at first. Now she loves it. Good luck!
Author: Chelsea S.
Likes: 2
My Ollie has kidney disease and my Vet told us to watch his protein intake. He is on Hills kd dry which is prescription. My vet said I could mix pure canned pumpkin or chicken broth with it. He absolutely loves the pumpkin. Good luck
Author: Brenda C.
Likes: 2
Royal canin SO and I cook red meat and veggies to mix in with tumeric
Author: Darlene S.
Likes: 3
I cook from fresh every day Kale Carrots Broccoli Chicken breast or lean minced steak Commercial dog foods are not really good for your dogs…they still need protein Phosphorus is the kidneys enemy so use a Phosphorus binder mixed in with their meal…i also give a kidney supplement and also milk thistle which is a liver supplement. My dog was diagnosed a year ago and he is doing great on the above diet and has actually gained weight. There are some great kidney help groups on fb which have a wealth of fantastic advice and information
Author: Wanda Leonie Gay W.
Likes: 5
I fed my baby freshpet vital. My vet said to keep her away from chicken because that elevated some of the labs
Author: Rebecca S.
Likes: 0
Did you try putting a little beef or chicken broth on it or beef or chicken gravy? Sometime the scent of one of them helps their appetite. Our Shih Tzu is healthy but has always been on Royal Canin for Shih Tzu
Author: Judy D.
Likes: 1
She wouldn’t eat the dog food that the vet recommended. We let her eat whatever. I gave her cooked liver , roast beef. Hamburger chicken. She loved spaghetti. Cheese. From one day to another her taste was different. We brought her bowl and held it for her to drink when she started getting weaker She ate the her last day too
Author: Linda M.
Likes: 0
Dr Harvey’s with organic boiled chicken
Author: Ben L.
Likes: 0
4 lbs ground chicken 4 cups white rice (don’t use brown rice, it’s not good for them!) 9 cups water, 2 32 ounce cans of pumpkin puree (not pie filling!)
Boil the thawed chicken in the 9 cups of water. Drain the chicken, but save the juices, there should be at least 8 cups, if not, just add a little water..
Pour the following a turkey sized roasting pan, with sealed lid.
First, mash or hand blend the chicken close to a puree.
Add the 4 cups white rice.
Add the remaining 8 cups of juice from the chicken and mix well.
Bake with lid vents closed for one hour at 350° F.
Remove from oven and let cool without removing the lid.
Once cooled, start blending the mix. I find a hand blender works best.
Add the 2 cans of pumpkin puree and blend well.
We reuse sandwich sized Ziploc bags to store and freeze our dogs meals.
He weighs just under 16 lbs, and we feed him a 1/3 cup twice per day.
The moisture level in the food is quite high. Our dog is rarely at his water dish, only on warmer days. He’s about 16 and has yet to have any bladder issues. Just arthritis, poor vision and diminishing hearing. But the diet seems to help with his arthritis as well. He developed a sensitive stomach a couple years ago, so this is the diet the vet recommended.
Author: Michael P.
Likes: 1
We have been using Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Kidney Function. The pieces are a little bit big and hard so we started adding a little bit of water to soften it up. They seem to like it now. We add water, stir it and let it sit covered during the day or over night. Our vet carries it but is closing soon. We have been told by a couple different vets that they can order it and have it in a couple days.
Author: Lisa G.
Likes: 0
Royal Canin gastrointestinal for my Minnie. She loves it.
Author: Mary Ann Vasconsellos P.
Likes: 1
Royal Canin Urinary advised by the vet. I started my girl on wet food and she gobbled it up. Then transitioned onto kibbles.
Author: Audrey S.
Likes: 0
BENEFUL Small bites dry dog food by Purina
Author: Bill S.
Likes: 0
try brown cooked rice, cooked hamburger, scrambled egg or little cesars wet food a lot of times vets tell you the wrong thing to give them plus they lose their appetite
Author: Connie F.
Likes: 1
I cooked rice, sw potatoes, and a variety of veggies then mixed in a small amount of Vital Essentials freeze dried beef for a high quality protein source. My shih Tzu did well for over 2 yrs until she contacted immune mediated hemolytic anemia. Either the disease or the meds to cure it totally fried her kidneys and in less than 2 weeks she was gone.
Author: Lynda S.
Likes: 0
In conclusion, managing chronic kidney disease in shih tzus is crucial for their long-term health and well-being. Selecting the best dog food tailored to your pet’s specific needs can significantly improve their quality of life. Opt for diets low in phosphorus and high-quality proteins, with added omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential vitamins. Consult with a veterinarian for personalized recommendations for your shih tzu, and always transition your pet’s diet gradually. By providing the appropriate nutritional support, you can help manage your dog’s kidney disease and ensure they continue to lead a happy, healthy life.
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