Is Dry Dog Food the Best Option for Liver Disease? | Tackling Health Concerns

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Hearing your dog has any kind of health problem can be upsetting; whether it is manageable or not, we want our furry friends to be as healthy as possible. If a vet has told you your dog shows early signs of liver disease, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Changing up your dog’s diet, alongside recommended supplements, can help your dog live a healthier life despite their diagnosis. There are plenty of options when choosing dog food for liver disease, but which options are best: dry, wet or raw?

In this guide, we will explore what your first steps should be when your dog is diagnosed with liver function problems, and the dog food options available that can benefit your pooch. We will also discuss alternative food options for your dog, as well as other ways you can help your dog live life to the fullest.

What Should I Do if my Dog has Liver Disease?

Liver disease and chronic liver insufficiency in dogs can be categorised by any conditions that cause damage or inflammation of the liver. Symptoms include jaundice, decreased appetite, vomiting, weight loss and increased drinking and urination. If you notice any symptoms of liver disease or hepatic encephalopathy, you should take your pet to the vet immediately. Once liver disease is diagnosed, there are steps you can take to ensure your pet is healthy. These include:

• Changing their diet: fatty foods can be a cause, and contribute to, liver disease, we recommend reducing high fat foods from their diet. At Fetch, we recommend a raw dog food diet to ensure you provide your dog with fresh, species appropriate food. We also recommend providing supplements to help detoxify and support your dog’s liver. If you want to change your dog’s diet to support their liver disease diagnosis but do not have the means to provide a raw diet, there are plenty of other options that we can recommend. At Fetch we stock the highest quality minimally processed foods that will support your dog’s health. We recommend requesting a wellbeing consultation to ensure the correct plan is in place for your dog.
• Supplements: due to the success we have seen with this product our primary supplement to recommend is Four Leaf Rover Liver and Kidney. It is a powder supplement that can be given alongside food. Its natural ingredients help to detoxify the liver and kidneys while also supporting the liver during disease to reduce the degeneration rate and potentially help to regenerate liver cells.
• Antibiotics: these would be prescribed by your vet when necessary. If your dog has been prescribed antibiotics, we recommend providing pro and prebiotics for the gut microbiome, which we can discuss with you in your wellbeing consultation.

At Fetch, we recommend moving away from highly processed foods and rebuilding the immune system and gut microbiome by offering fresher, more species-appropriate food. You can discuss your dog’s specific needs in our wellbeing consultation.

Should I Choose Dry Dog Food or Raw Dog Food for Liver Disease?

Changing your dog’s diet could not only help prevent liver problems, but can ease the symptoms if liver disease is already present. At Fetch, we will always recommend a raw dog food diet, but we understand that this cannot always be achieved. Therefore, we offer various dry dog food options that can help.

At Fetch, we stock a wide range of dog food options perfect for dogs with liver problems:

• Raw Poultry and Fish: red meats such as beef and lamb tend to be high in ammonia during digestion, which isn’t good for your dog’s liver. Therefore, try looking towards protein options such as raw chicken, turkey and fish. These are lean options that will benefit your dog’s liver and overall health. We offer a wide range of premade raw meals that are very convenient.
• Nourish Rite Light Senior: if you don’t have the freezer space or the lifestyle, Nourish Rite provide light dry dog food options ideal for senior dogs. In the turkey option, not only can the inclusion of cranberry help urinary health, but it is gentle on the digestive system, which can be beneficial for dogs with liver problems. Dogs with liver issues should also avoid food with high copper content, which Nourish Rite does not have.
• DARF Cold Pressed Dog Food, salmon and turkey: If providing a raw dog food diet constantly doesn’t fit with your lifestyle, DARF cold pressed dog food is the next best thing. To reduce the strain on your dog’s liver, opt for easily digestible lean proteins such as salmon, turkey or the light option. DARF cold pressed dog food is minimally processed, making it even easier for your dog to digest.

At Fetch, we recommend raw dog food alongside supplements to detoxify and regenerate the liver. Raw dog food is the best option if you’re willing to make a commitment to improving your dog’s life. However, if you don’t have the freezer space or there are any other reasons why you can’t commit to a raw diet, we will always recommend other options that are suitable for you and your dog. You can browse our full collection of dry dog food here. If you need help choosing which food, you can drop us an email; for a detailed review of your dog’s diet, please book a consultation.

What Supplements Can I Provide for My Dog?

As well as a recommended raw dog food diet, or dry dog food where applicable, providing your dog with the best supplements can help. The supplements you can consider include:

• Four Leaf Rover Kidney Liver and Kidney Supplements: these supplements help to “clean out” your dog’s liver and kidneys, helping them to break down toxins and keep your dog healthy.
• Holistic Hound Liver and Kidney Supplements: created to detoxify the liver, this supplement can be given orally twice a day to support your pet if they are on long-term medication.
• Pro and Prebiotics for the gut microbiome: pro and prebiotics are perfect for aiding your dog in their digestive health, which can influence their immune system and overall health.
• Incorporate liver into your dog's diet: By making liver just 5% of your dog’s daily intake, you can support their liver health. Ideally, serve raw liver, though dehydrated liver can also offer similar benefits in supporting healthy liver function.

If you’re looking for a specialised diet for your dog, a wellbeing consultation from our dog nutrition experts can help you find the best food for your dog and their liver health, taking the stress of research off your hands. You can book your wellbeing consultation with Fetch today.

What Can I Do to Help my Dog with Liver Disease?

As well as feeding your dog a special diet and providing them with supplements, there are other ways you can improve their health, including:

• Always provide clean accessible water
• Give them regular exercise to maintain their overall health
• Remove toxins from their environment, choose probiotic cleaners
• Reduce the use of chemicals by choosing natural pesticide products

Healthy Dry Dog Food Diets at Fetch

At Fetch, we stock various dog food brands packed full of ingredients and key nutrients your dog needs. No matter what ailment your best friend has, we have different dog foods and natural supplements perfectly aligned to your dog’s needs.

As well as browsing our dry dog food collection or raw dog food collection, consider a wellbeing consultation today to improve your dog’s health and set them on the right path.