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30 Best Foods for a Yorkie with Kidney Disease

| Published on May 12, 2023
Does your Yorkie have chronic kidney disease? You’re not alone. Members of our I Love My Yorkie Facebook community recently shared their insights on the following question: What food would you recommend for a Yorkie with kidney disease? We received hundreds of helpful replies and below have compiled some of the best responses.

Always remember to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your yorkie’s diet, especially if the suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD). iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

30 Best Dog Foods for a Yorkie with Chronic Kidney Disease

Have u tried Royal Canin. brand prescription food for renal support I’ve had good luck with that kind I also u a couple supplements that are helpful with kidney disease Aminavast and Epakitin U can get both supplements at Amazon or Valley Vet online

Author: Vicki G.

Likes: 8


My dog did and she lived a year longer due to what I fed her! A mixture of Mashed potatoes, real pumpkin purée and science diet gastrointestinal canned food. 2 times a day! Only carbs for treats! No proteins!

Author: Kitty Gillis S.

Likes: 6


I give my dog ‘Hills science diet’ but he prefers ‘Nutro So Simple‘. I hope you find a solution for your poor baby.

Author: Ciera W.

Likes: 4


My little 15-1/2 year old man had stage 3. His doctor was in agreement with me to give him whatever he wanted. I cooked white meat chicken with rice, green beans, carrots and pumpkin on occasions. I added some pellets of Solid Gold bison and sweet potato to be sure he got all the needed nutrients. Sometimes he got finicky and wanted a hamburger, which he got.

Author: Stephen H.

Likes: 29


I used to help my dad raise livestock, so I know a little about meds.

I had a Yorkie that my vet told me would succumb from her kidney disease within 48 hours.I had my vet put her on Prednisone and a prescription diet of Royal Canin. I got two more years out of her.

Author: Dale G.

Likes: 14


My previous dog had kidney issues, we used Science Diet K/D. With her kidney problems she could never go under anesthetic. That is how we almost lost her during her spay surgery, but the vet, thankfully got her back.

Author: Sherri C.

Likes: 4


My 19-year-old Yorkie and 16 year old Yorkie both have kidney disease. This has definitely extended her life in the last two years since the diagnosis. (the older dog) Just two weeks ago. Her daughter was diagnosed with kidney disease also. Now she is getting it. It’s called kidney care.

Author: Ana M. L.

Likes: 5


This is the one my little one eats (Hill’s Digestive Care I/D), she’s very sensitive and cannot deviate from her diet ever

Author: Eleanora D.

Likes: 0


My Yorkie has bladder cancer she’s 14. We had surgery last wk they were able to debulk the tumor but not remove all of the cancer. The biopsy came back as an aggressive cancer unfortunately. I know it’s hard! She’s doing good we are doing chemo.. as far as I know her kidneys are holding up well we go for a check Thursday, but I do understand your frustration when she started getting sick and we had no idea what was wrong she wouldn’t eat..I started making her food. She eats Turkey, sweet peas, and green beans. I blend them! She loves it.

Author: Ashley Lane D.

Likes: 2


I used the royal canin urinary one

Author: Rachel F.

Likes: 3


yes mine died of it after 4 years of treatment which is the max any dog has been kept alive with it. he had a home cooked diet via dog naturopath, nutritionist with kidney disease supplements on it and epakitin on it and prescription foods from the regular vets and his specialists. I wish i would have just fed him the vegan dog food with some sardine and or egg as topper my other dogs have lived the longest on, most dogs don’t live till that age.

Author: ZsaZsa S.

Likes: 1


I have a little girl I bought 16 years ago. She is currently on .5mg of Fortekor once a day and 3/4 cup daily of Royal Canin Renal Support A kibble. I top this off with a little baked chicken breast to encourage consumption of the pill and food. She has started losing weight (now 8.4 lbs) and that is of concern.

Author: Richard W. R.

Likes: 1


Natural balance venison and sweet potato worked very well for both of my Yorkies with kidney issues. Both lived to over 16 1/2 years old

Author: Chrissy R.

Likes: 1


My dog is on Hills prescription U/D. He started developing crystals in his urine. Straight out of the can it is really mushy and he didn’t like it. A customer service representative suggested freezing it to draw out the extra moisture. I freeze 2 cans at a time. Each can is about 3 meals. When I open a new can I defrost one. This process changes the texture to be more flaky.

Author: Celeste A.

Likes: 0


I don’t feed my dogs dog food anymore. He gets a meat, veggie with a tiny part of organic butter. After all those animals dying from moldy corneal. And they cook it at such a high temp all the nutrients are cooked out. My suggestion is cook up some chicken, beef, pork or lamb for the week then add some different frozen veggies threw the week.

Author: Audrea L.

Likes: 1


My little male Yorkie name Duke was diagnosed with early stages of kidney disease on March 6th 2022. I feed him Now Fresh dog kibble and I give him powder medication everyday mixed in with his food and he is doing great. He turned 15 years old back in January. Almost blind and deaf but still loves life. He sleeps with me every night and can’t imagine my life without him. Will keep him as long as I can as long as he is not in pain.

Author: Janie K.

Likes: 3


Try Fresh Pet I promise your dog will love it mine did an she is really picky when it comes to food get it at Walmart in a small roll or big

Author: Marie T.

Likes: 4


We had two with it . They ate royal canin I believe s. o. Formula. There is also several other name brand formulas for kidney.

Author: Shirley G.

Likes: 3


My vet started my dog on Hill’s K/D formula, but what caused him pancreatic. He is now on Hill’s G/D which is low in both protein and fat. Does he like it? No. I will mix in vegetables like steamed green beans one week, steamed peas the next and steamed carrots the following. Low protein foods are definitely less palatable to dogs, but the alternative is feed as usual and then you have full-blown renal failure. You know what that means, right? You’ve lost your little friend.

Author: Margaret C.

Likes: 0


Just food for dogs – switched our Yorkie and she loves it!!

Author: Cynthia Standridge T.

Likes: 0


Primal freeze dried raw

Author: Carlea Zurick P.

Likes: 1


We have a very picky 14 yr old with kidney disease. After some trial and error, we have finally settled on alternating between Royal Canin renal support dry food and the Royal Canin renal canned wet food w/ gravy. Some days she likes dry food, other days she wants the wet food But since we started feeding her that and doing subq fluids, her levels have been stable.

Author: Alicia P.

Likes: 0


My Yorkie thinks that she’s a goat and will eat anything. She loves the Hills W/D that the vet prescribed. I add green beans to try and control her weight. She is also insulin dependent for diabetes and blind.

Author: Phyllis Stormo S.

Likes: 1


Dr. Marty’s blend

Author: Betty A.

Likes: 2


Forza10 Renal.

Author: Drita M.

Likes: 0


When my Yorkie got really sick and would not eat, I found some food on line called Dr. Marty’s that was a freeze dried raw meat. She absolutely loved it and gained back all her lost weight that she lost. I highly recommend but it is a bit pricey. Good luck with your baby.

Author: Jan P.

Likes: 0


They never do. Amazon has a pretty good one called Forza10 Renal Support Plate in juices. Made in Iceland. Only one mine ate.Vet formulated. It uses diuretic herbs in this also. A plus!

Author: Linda Pelletier B.

Likes: 0


Try another prescription from a different brand. My kiddos eat prescription Hills Science Diet I/d can Turkey and Prescription Royal Canin GI low fat chicken dry. Sending prayers for your baby

Author: Diane R.

Likes: 6


Mine is at the very beginning of kidney disease and also has arthritis. My vet combines natural/holistic therapies along with normal medicine. I have her taking in extra liquids w some goat milk that has anti inflammatory, she takes b12, a goats milk cheese that has things in it for inflammation and urinary tract support, renal support supplement, a kidney medication, fish oil, joint supplement and is on CBD twice a day. She also gets the red light therapy that helps for both, iv hydration and just started Ozone treatment. She eats a freeze dried dog food that’s all natural called The Simple Food Project. I add broth or goats milk to it. She loves it. And she is very finicky.

Author: Tracey Best C.

Likes: 0


Mine had kidney and liver problems I almost lost her. We changed her diet to a brand called Farmina 100% recommended, and also complement with veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, chicken breast and zero table foods. For her liver we gave her a supplement called milk thistle and that regenerated her liver and cleaned her kidneys. She’s a new dog! She’s 7 now this happened when she was 4. Complete diet change. Hope this helps!

Author: Tessy Cruz-C.

Likes: 0


In conclusion, managing chronic kidney disease in yorkies 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 yorkie, 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.

iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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