3 of the Best Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food Products

Dakota says some of her senior dog friends are suffering from kidney issues.  As dogs grow older they can develop kidney failure, which is completely normal since their kidneys are no longer working at their full potential.  Dakota says that moving to a Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food diet is a great option to fend off kidney issues.

In this article we will look at what science tells us about phosphorus and it’s relationship to renal function in your furry friend.

Do You Want The BEST Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food?

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However, there are some aspects to be taken into account when having our dogs going on one of these diets.  We always want to stress  how important it is to work with your veterinarian to choose the right diet regimen.

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What Does Phosphorus Affect?

Here are some points we think you should talk to your veterinarian about on your visit:

• Bone Density Issues: High-Phosphorus dog food is not bad for your dog. Actually, phosphorus is very important for young dogs and puppies because it helps them grow stronger bones.  Is it OK to lower phosphorus at this point in your dog’s life?
• Kidney Issues: With the passing of time, Phosphorus becomes harder to digest, meaning a high level of phosphorus could affect kidneys’ daily processes.  How are my dog’s kidneys?  Should I consider a low Phosphorus diet to maintain good kidney function?
• Protein Issues: Senior dogs need a strong source of protein in order to maintain strength in their muscles and joints.  Proteins help cells to repair their bodies and reduces the impact to their internal systems due to deterioration from aging.  What level of protein should my aging dog maintain?

A low phosphorus diet does not necessarily mean a low protein diet.  Renal malfunctioning is a common issue in senior dogs.  There are many options of low phosphorus dog food with plenty of high-quality protein in it.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Kidney Problems?

Some common signs of kidney issues that you should look for are the following.  If you see symptoms like these, you should contact your veterinarian and talk to them about feeding your dog a low phosphorus dry dog food (or at least whether to get them off a high phosphorus food):

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  “Rotating Dog” by mcflygoes88mph, via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

  An increase in thirst and water consumption.  This can result in too much urination.  When kidneys are not working at their full potential they demand more water.

• As in humans, losing their appetite is a common sign of a dog having health issues.  Combined with excessive thirst and urination, this could mean your dog is suffering from renal failure or early renal malfunction.
• Kidneys are key in the purification process, whenever this process is not being carried out well, vomit and constipation are common symptoms.

These are some of the most obvious signs that your dog is having renal issues and should possibly try a Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food diet.

The folks at Care.com have some additional symptoms to look for that will make clearer that your dog is having kidney issues.

Dakota wants to remind you that even if your dog is displaying many of these signs, a visit to the vet is still the best choice to determine what is actually happening to your little barking friend.

Preventions Using Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food

Even though your senior dog may not be displaying any sign of kidney failure, you should keep in mind your canine friend is aging and some precautions are never out of place.

Dakota Says these additional recommendations are important to avoid facing premature kidney failure as our ever pleasing friends get into their golden years:

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  “A thirsty day for mans best friend.” by Thank you for visiting my page, via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

  Feed them with high quality dog food.  Food is very important for dogs’ healthy development. Actually, in most cases, problems as constipation, diarrhea, kidney failure and some others are closely linked to the food they consume.

• The water your dog is consuming is very important. Ensure your dog has fresh and clean water to avoid any bacteria or parasites.
• Whenever you want to change your dog’s current diet to a Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food, it’s recommended to be done gradually.  Mixing a little of both types of food is a very good idea, changing it all at once may harm your dog’s internal digestive balance.
• There are some myths that state vaccinations are not relevant in dogs’ health maintenance, this is not quite true. Keeping all your dog’s vaccinations current will help to avoid not only kidney failure but also many other problems.

Dakota Says that we have to be very careful as we choose a low phosphorus food.  We need to make sure that it still has a sufficient amount of protein.

If we only look for a food with a low level of phosphorus, the food could cause other physical ailments because your furry friend isn’t getting other nutrients they require.

Our 3 Best Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food Products

Now that we have established a good criteria for what to look for, Dakota has taken this criteria and fetched three wonderful products for us.

Any of these three products are a great choice.  Please read our review details for the product that best fits your needs.  And, always remember to work with your veterinarian to ensure that any product you choose (here or elsewhere) is right for your pooch.

First, A Secret Ingredient

While researching Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food products, we ran across this supplement from Epakitin.

This supplement is specifically designed to bind to phosphorus in your loved one’s system and remove it.

It comes in powder form.  I found that to be a strange way to deliver the product.  But, many folks online found their pooch (or cat) didn’t have any problems at all eating the powder.

Although, some used it with canned or dog food with some level of moisture so the powder could be mixed in.

There are many very positive testimonials from users of Epakitin.

Several claim it has extended the life of their pet and that the quality of their life has improved greatly.

One owner even said they had been told by their Vet that their pet had only days to live.  But, after changing to a diet that included Epakitin For Dogs and Cats and another vitamin called Azodyl, that their pet is still alive after 11 months and living a much higher quality life since the diet.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Active Longevity

The folks at Hill’s Science Diet have been around since Dr. Morris Frank developed a dog food for his personal guide dog back in the late 1930’s.

Morris was blind and was touring the country with his guide dog Buddy promoting the use of guide dogs.  During the country wide tour, Buddy began to develop kidney issues.  This prompted Morris to go to his kitchen and get to work along side his wife Louise.

Morris believed Buddy’s poor health was the result of poor nutrition in his diet.  The result was the beginnings of Hill’s Science Diet.

Morris and Louise bore a son Mark who grew up to also become a doctor.   Dr. Mark followed in his parents footsteps to become a leader in animal nutrition.  His son Dr. Mark Morris Jr. continues the legacy and became know as the father of small animal wellness nutrition.

This specific offering, Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Active Longevity, continues the heritage that was started back with that first product.  The legacy of better nutrition for kidney problems.

The science had advanced over the years and this dog food for older dogs limits the amount of phosphorus while still providing all the nutrients that helped Buddy all those years ago.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo has the premise of treating your dogs as if they were part of the family.  And, after all, aren’t they part of the family?

That’s why Blue Buffalo has been producing top quality food featuring great natural ingredients that keep your dogs as healthy as possible.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food contains an excellent balance of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins providing key nutrients for all of stage of your dog’s life.

And, they do this while keeping phosphorus levels really low to avoid kidney issues.

Some of the top ingredients in this product are perfect for your dogs’ aging process.  Ingredients such as:  apples, cranberries, pomegranate, spinach and pumpkin.

Completely made in the U.S.  And, without any extra calories from animal fat, BLUE Life Protection Dry Dog Food will help your dog to achieve a healthy weight.  In addition, it will help avoid digestive problems as well as renal issues.

Want your companion to have a high quality, healthy meal?

Then eat BLUE!

Solid Gold Holistic Dry Dog Food

Solid Gold is the first American holistic pet food brand.  They have been developing high quality products for more than 40 years.

Their meals feature egg protein, fish, fruits, vegetables, healthy oils and the best animal meats from Europe, America and Australia.

The Solid Gold Holistic Dry Dog Food recipe enhances your dog’s optimal energy levels, lean muscle development and healthy coat while delivering a controlled phosphorus level.  All the while still offering an excellent source of protein for your barking buddy.

Some of the ingredients in this healthy product are pumpkin, carrots, blueberries, almond oils, kelp, lentils and broccoli.

These holistic ingredients provide your dog with a fantastic balance of vitamins and minerals.  If your dog is a little overweight, this is also a perfect option to help your pooch reach its optimal weight by speeding up its metabolism.

There is some controversy with regard to the almond oil that is contained in Solid Gold.  My research finds that actual almond nuts are the culprit.  But, as with any new dog food, introduce it in small portions and monitor your dog for any negative changes in their diet such as gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia.  Should you see anything like that, stop feeding the new food and visit your veterinarian.

Go Solid Gold, Go Healthy!

Wrap Up:  Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food Products

In this article we have talked about issues like bone density and kidney function being affected by phosphorus levels.  And, covered the importance of maintaining sufficient protein levels and the reasons protein is important.

Do You Want The BEST Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food?

YES - GET IT NOW

Using this criteria, Dakota has selected three products and one supplement she believes are the great choices when looking for the perfect food for your senior dog whenever you want to avoid or treat kidney problems.

These brands keep the level of phosphorus low while still remaining a great healthy source of dry protein to favor our senior barking friend’s body strength and elasticity.  We hope you find the Low Phosphorus Dry Dog Food products to be a good choice for your best friend.  And, we hope you remember to work with your veterinarian on all of these choices.