Supplements

Another disclaimer: we are not veterinarians, please consult your vet prior to adding supplements to your pet’s diet. The list below is meant to be informational and is based on our research and what worked for our dog Kira.

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Phosphorus Binder – typically your veterinarian will prescribe aluminum hydroxide to reduce the level of phosphorus in the blood and therefore reduce the workload of the kidneys. Over-the-counter options are available online (Phos-Bind). Calcium carbonate is another option, but we decided against that because elevated calcium levels can have a large negative impact on the kidneys.

Probiotic – a quality probiotic for dogs has been shown to help improve kidney function. Specifically the strains Streptococcus thermophiles, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum have shown promise in reducing blood markers related to kidney disease in human studies.

Chitosan – this supplement, derived from the hard outer skeleton of shellfish, has been studied extensively in humans and helps to reduce creatinine levels. Other dog studies have shown similar results combined with other supplements

Renafood by Standard Process

Liver & Kidney Support

Rehmannia Root – an herb used to support kidney function and “cleanse” the blood. We were skeptical of this and thought it may be a waste of money, but it seems to have some support in studies (here, here and here)

Vitamin D – advanced kidney disease reduces vitamin D metabolites in dogs. Supplementation with D has shown some survival benefit in dogs.

Acid Controller