Kidney Disease in Dogs: Signs, Diet and Holistic Support
Written by Erin Follington, Small Animal Naturopath
Being told that your dog has kidney disease can feel frightening. You may suddenly be watching every drink of water, every unfinished meal and every trip outside, wondering what it means and what you should do next.
The reassuring part is that there is a great deal you can do to support a dog with kidney disease. The best approach is not one miracle food, herb or medicine. It is a thoughtful plan that brings together veterinary monitoring, hydration, a kidney-appropriate diet, gentle herbal support and close attention to your dog’s quality of life.
In this guide, I will explain the signs of kidney disease in dogs, the tests your veterinarian may recommend, what to feed, what I prefer to avoid, and how our Kidney Support and Kidney Support Kit can fit into a complete holistic routine.
THE SHORT ANSWER
A dog with kidney disease needs ongoing veterinary care, unrestricted access to fresh water and a complete diet that is appropriate for their individual kidney values. I generally prefer a properly balanced, moisture-rich fresh diet over a diet based mainly on dry biscuits. Herbal formulas can provide additional support, but they do not replace diagnosis, prescription treatment, fluids or regular blood and urine checks.
What do a dog’s kidneys actually do?
The kidneys are much more than filters. Every day, they help your dog:
- Remove metabolic waste from the blood
- Balance water and electrolytes
- Maintain the body’s acid–base balance
- Regulate blood pressure
- Conserve useful nutrients and excrete substances the body does not need
- Support red blood cell production through the hormone erythropoietin
- Help activate vitamin D and maintain normal mineral balance
Kidneys have considerable reserve capacity, so a dog may appear well while changes are developing. This is one reason routine senior blood tests, urinalysis and blood-pressure checks can be so valuable.
Chronic kidney disease or an acute kidney injury?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops over time and is most common in older dogs, although it can occur at any age. The aim is usually to preserve remaining kidney function, manage complications and keep the dog feeling as well as possible.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) happens suddenly. Possible causes include toxins, severe dehydration, infection, heat injury, urinary obstruction and reactions to some medicines. AKI is an emergency and can sometimes improve substantially when the cause is identified and treated quickly.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT WAIT AND SEE
Seek urgent veterinary help if your dog suddenly stops producing urine, repeatedly vomits, cannot keep water down, is extremely weak, collapses, has seizures, seems confused, has very pale gums, develops a swollen or painful abdomen, or may have eaten grapes, raisins, human medication, antifreeze or another toxin.
Common signs of kidney disease in dogs
The signs vary with the cause and stage of disease. Early changes can be subtle.
| What you may notice | What to do |
|---|---|
| Drinking or urinating more than usual | Book a veterinary check; do not restrict water. |
| Reduced appetite, nausea, lip licking or walking away from food | Contact your veterinarian promptly. Nausea can often be treated. |
| Weight loss, muscle loss or a dull coat | Arrange a full examination and nutrition review. |
| Vomiting, diarrhoea, bad breath or mouth ulcers | Same-day veterinary advice is sensible, especially if eating or drinking is reduced. |
| Weakness, marked lethargy, collapse or very little urine | Emergency veterinary assessment. |
These signs are not unique to kidney disease. Diabetes, liver disease, Cushing’s disease, urinary infection and several other conditions can look similar, which is why testing matters.
How is kidney disease diagnosed and monitored?
A single high result does not always give the full answer. Dehydration, recent meals, muscle mass and other health problems can affect some markers. Your veterinarian may use a combination of:
- Creatinine and SDMA to help assess filtration
- Urea, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and bicarbonate to look at waste, mineral and acid–base balance
- Urine specific gravity to see how well the kidneys concentrate urine
- Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) to assess persistent protein loss
- Urine culture when infection is possible
- Blood pressure, because high blood pressure can both accompany and worsen kidney disease
- Imaging when stones, infection, obstruction or structural disease may be involved
The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stages stable CKD using creatinine and SDMA, then substages dogs according to proteinuria and blood pressure. Treatment is tailored to the individual dog and changes as the disease progresses. You can read the current 2026 IRIS treatment recommendations for dogs here.
PET-PARENT TIP
Keep a simple weekly record of appetite, weight, water intake, toilet habits, vomiting, energy and medications. Bring it to each veterinary appointment. Trends are often more useful than trying to remember how your dog seemed several weeks ago.
What is the best diet for a dog with kidney disease?
There is no single kidney diet that suits every dog. The right food depends on the dog’s IRIS stage, phosphorus and potassium levels, protein loss, blood pressure, appetite, body condition and other illnesses.
However, a good kidney-supportive diet usually focuses on five things:
- Controlled phosphorus. This is one of the most important dietary considerations in established CKD.
- Enough high-quality, digestible protein. The aim is not to remove protein completely. Dogs still need amino acids to maintain muscle, immunity and repair.
- More moisture. Dogs with reduced urine-concentrating ability need free access to water and often benefit from water-rich meals.
- Adequate energy and palatability. A theoretically perfect food is not useful if the dog will not eat it.
- Appropriate fats, fibre, minerals and omega-3s. These should be balanced for the individual dog rather than added at random.
A controlled clinical trial in dogs with naturally occurring chronic renal failure found that dogs fed a formulated renal diet experienced fewer uraemic crises and lower mortality than dogs fed a standard maintenance diet. That is important evidence: “fresh” does not automatically mean kidney-appropriate, and “commercial” does not automatically mean poor quality. The nutrient profile matters.
Read the canine renal-diet study.
Why I prefer fresh, moisture-rich food to dry biscuits
For many dogs, I prefer a properly formulated fresh or lightly cooked diet because it naturally provides more water, can be highly palatable and can be tailored to the dog’s current blood results and food preferences.
I do not love seeing a dog with kidney disease living on ordinary dry biscuits as the foundation of their diet. Dry food contains very little moisture, and a standard adult kibble may contain more phosphorus, sodium or protein than that particular dog needs.
That does not mean every dry food is unsuitable. A veterinary renal biscuit has been specifically formulated for kidney disease and may be a practical, evidence-based option—especially if it is the food the dog will reliably eat. It can also be softened with warm water, provided your veterinarian is happy with the total plan.
MY FRESH-FOOD RULE
Fresh food should be properly balanced for kidney disease, not simply meat, rice and vegetables put into a bowl. Homemade diets can become dangerously low in calcium, essential fats, vitamins or trace minerals, and they can still be far too high in phosphorus.
Fresh foods that may be used in a balanced kidney plan
Depending on your dog’s results and the recipe created for them, a kidney-appropriate fresh diet may use measured amounts of:
- Cooked egg white
- Selected lean meats
- Selected oily fish in controlled amounts
- White rice, oats or other tolerated energy sources
- Pumpkin or suitable vegetables
- Kidney-appropriate oils and essential fats
- A precisely measured calcium source
- A veterinary-formulated vitamin and mineral balancer
The exact amounts matter. If you want to home-cook, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary nutritionist or another suitably qualified professional who can formulate the recipe from your dog’s latest blood and urine results.
Foods to limit or discuss first
Dogs with kidney disease may need to limit high-phosphorus or high-salt foods such as bones, large quantities of organ meat, some dried meat treats, processed meats, salty table scraps, cheese and uncontrolled quantities of sardines or other fish.
Please do not restrict potassium, protein or sodium blindly. Some dogs with CKD have low potassium; others do not. Some lose protein in their urine or are already underweight. Diet decisions should respond to the dog’s actual results.
Simple ways to increase moisture
- Keep several bowls of clean, fresh water around the home.
- Wash and refill bowls daily; some dogs drink more from glass or ceramic bowls.
- Add warm water to food.
- Offer moisture-rich meals rather than relying only on dry biscuits.
- Use a pet fountain if your dog enjoys moving water.
- Ask your veterinarian whether a suitable unsalted broth is appropriate.
- Never restrict water unless a veterinarian gives a very specific medical instruction.
WHEN APPETITE DROPS
Do not let the pursuit of a “perfect” renal diet result in a dog eating almost nothing. Nausea, dehydration, mouth discomfort and constipation can all reduce appetite and may need veterinary treatment. In the short term, getting appropriate calories into the dog can be the most urgent goal.
Why I created Kidney Support
I created Kidney Support to provide gentle, targeted herbal support for dogs whose kidneys and urinary system need extra care.
It is not a replacement for veterinary treatment, fluids, blood-pressure medication, phosphate binders or a therapeutic diet when those are needed. It is designed to sit alongside those essentials as part of a whole-dog plan.
Kidney Support
A high-strength, low-dose liquid herbal formula with Rehmannia root, Cordyceps, Astragalus root and Marshmallow root.
- Supports healthy kidney and urinary function
- Supports normal fluid balance and waste elimination
- Supports energy, appetite and general vitality
- Australian made with human-grade herbs
- Easy-to-use glycerine liquid with natural bacon flavour
Why the Kidney Support Kit also includes Liver Support
The kidneys and liver have different jobs, but they are part of the same larger system. The liver transforms and processes nutrients, hormones, medicines and many compounds circulating in the blood. The kidneys help regulate fluid and electrolytes and excrete many water-soluble waste products.
Supporting the liver does not magically restore lost kidney tissue or directly increase filtration. The reason I pair the two formulas is to provide broader support for antioxidant defences, normal metabolism and the organs involved in processing and eliminating waste.
Kidney Support Kit
Kidney Support provides targeted kidney and urinary support.
Liver Support supplies standardised St Mary’s Thistle, providing 25 mg of silymarin per 1 mL, to support healthy liver-cell function, metabolism and antioxidant activity.
Two complementary formulas. One simple daily routine.
View the Kidney Support KitWHICH ONE SHOULD I CHOOSE?
Choose Kidney Support when you want a focused four-ingredient formula for everyday kidney and urinary support.
Choose the Kidney Support Kit when you want the more comprehensive option, combining Kidney Support with targeted Liver Support—particularly for senior dogs or dogs whose overall metabolic health also needs attention.
Ancient herbal wisdom behind Kidney Support
Kidney Support was not created by choosing a handful of fashionable ingredients. Its foundation comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine—a complete system of herbal practice that has been refined over thousands of years.
In Chinese herbal medicine, the kidneys are viewed as central to our underlying vitality, fluid balance, healthy ageing and the body’s reserves. Traditional formulas rarely rely on one herb in isolation. Herbs are combined so that one nourishes, another strengthens, another supports normal fluid movement and another gently soothes and protects.
This is the thinking behind Kidney Support. Rehmannia, Cordyceps and Astragalus form its traditional kidney-supportive core. Marshmallow root, drawn from the long Western herbal tradition, adds gentle soothing support for the urinary tract. Each ingredient has a distinct purpose, and together they create a much more complete formula than any one herb could provide alone.
WHY TRADITIONAL USE MATTERS
The value of these herbs did not begin when a modern laboratory decided to study them. Generations of herbal practitioners observed how they worked, which herbs complemented one another and how they could be used to support the whole body. Modern research is now helping us understand many of the antioxidant, immune, inflammatory and tissue-protective pathways behind that traditional knowledge.
Rehmannia root (Rehmannia glutinosa)
Known as Di Huang, Rehmannia is one of the great kidney herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been used for centuries within a medical tradition extending back thousands of years.
Traditionally, Rehmannia is used to nourish the Kidney system, replenish Jing or vital essence, support healthy fluids and help maintain the deep reserves associated with strength, vitality and healthy ageing. This makes it especially relevant for older dogs that appear depleted, lose body condition or need long-term kidney support.
Why I added it: Rehmannia is the nourishing foundation of Kidney Support. I chose it to support normal kidney function, healthy fluid balance, kidney-cell resilience and the vitality that can decline when the kidneys are under strain.
Modern research has identified compounds in Rehmannia—including catalpol—and investigated their antioxidant, healthy inflammatory-response and kidney tissue-supportive activity. Explore the research.
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)
Known traditionally as Dong Chong Xia Cao, Cordyceps is a highly valued medicinal fungus used in Chinese medicine to strengthen both the Kidney and Lung systems, nourish vital essence and support energy, stamina and recovery.
It has traditionally been selected when the body appears tired, weak or depleted—exactly the type of whole-body loss of vitality that families often notice in an older dog needing kidney support.
Why I added it: I chose Cordyceps to support kidney vitality while also helping maintain energy, appetite, immune resilience and healthy ageing. It gives the formula a restorative quality rather than focusing only on urinary function.
Modern research has investigated Cordyceps for antioxidant activity, immune regulation, normal filtration support and its influence on pathways involved in kidney-cell health. Explore the research.
Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus)
Astragalus, or Huang Qi, is one of the most important Qi tonics in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been used for more than 2,000 years to strengthen vitality, reinforce the body’s natural defences and support the healthy movement and transformation of fluids.
Traditionally, Astragalus is chosen when there is weakness, poor recovery or a need for greater resilience. In kidney-focused herbal practice, it is often paired with other tonic herbs because it supports energy and immune function while helping the body maintain normal fluid and urinary processes.
Why I added it: I chose Astragalus to strengthen the formula, support normal kidney filtration and protein balance, and help maintain immunity, appetite and energy. It works particularly well beside the nourishing Rehmannia and restorative Cordyceps.
Modern research has explored Astragalus and its astragalosides for antioxidant, inflammatory-response, renal circulation and kidney tissue-supportive activity. Explore the research.
Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis)
Marshmallow root comes from Western herbal medicine, where it has been valued since ancient Greek times for its gentle, cooling and soothing qualities. Its name comes from the Greek word altho, meaning “to heal.”
The root is naturally rich in mucilage—a soft, slippery plant fibre traditionally used to coat and soothe delicate tissues. Herbalists have long selected it for the urinary and digestive tracts when comfort, moisture and protection are needed.
Why I added it: I chose Marshmallow root to provide gentle soothing support for the urinary tract and balance the deeper tonic action of the Chinese herbs. It helps make Kidney Support a rounded formula for the kidneys and the tissues through which urine passes.
Modern research has also examined Marshmallow’s mucilage, antioxidant activity and support for a healthy inflammatory response. Explore the research.
St Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum)
St Mary’s Thistle has been used in Western herbal medicine for more than 2,000 years and is one of the most respected herbs for liver support. Its seeds and fruit contain the naturally occurring silymarin complex, which is valued for supporting liver-cell membranes, antioxidant defences, normal liver repair and healthy metabolism.
The liver and kidneys work as a team. The liver processes nutrients, hormones, medicines and environmental compounds, while the kidneys filter the blood, regulate fluids and help remove many waste products. Supporting the liver therefore forms an important part of a broader plan for dogs whose kidneys are already working hard.
Why I added it to the Kidney Support Kit: Liver Support provides a standardised 25 mg of silymarin per 1 mL. I chose it to support healthy liver-cell function, normal metabolism and antioxidant protection, giving the Kidney Support Kit a more complete kidney-and-liver approach.
Modern companion-animal research continues to investigate St Mary’s Thistle for liver support, antioxidant protection and support during increased metabolic demands. Explore the research.
How the five herbs work together
I do not formulate by looking for one herb to “fix” one laboratory number. I formulate in the traditional way: by considering the role of each herb, the way the herbs strengthen and balance one another, and the whole dog in front of us.
Kidney Support brings together nourishment, strength, vitality, fluid balance and urinary comfort. The Kidney Support Kit then adds targeted liver and antioxidant support. This is why the combination is so much more purposeful than simply using a single kidney herb on its own.
| Formula role | Herbs contributing |
|---|---|
| Traditional kidney-tonic foundation | Rehmannia, Cordyceps and Astragalus |
| Antioxidant and healthy inflammatory-response support | Rehmannia, Cordyceps, Astragalus and St Mary’s Thistle |
| Soothing urinary-tract support | Marshmallow root |
| Energy and whole-body resilience | Cordyceps and Astragalus |
| Liver-cell and metabolic support | Standardised St Mary’s Thistle in the Kidney Support Kit |
WHY A BLEND?
The purpose of the formula is not to pile five herbs on top of one another. It is to combine complementary actions—traditional kidney support, urinary soothing, antioxidant protection, vitality and liver support—within one consistent plan.
Real dogs, real experiences
These reviews come from real families using Kidney Support and the Kidney Support Kit with their dogs. They show the changes pet parents have noticed in everyday life—from appetite and drinking to energy, brightness and follow-up test results.
“I did notice improvements in his overall wellbeing. He wasn’t as slow and sluggish anymore and he started to brighten up.”
Amy Stevens · Verified review · 14 October 2025 · Kidney Support Kit
How to use Kidney Support as part of a holistic routine
- Keep your dog under ongoing veterinary care and ask which IRIS stage, blood-pressure substage and proteinuria category applies.
- Feed a complete kidney-appropriate diet based on current blood and urine results.
- Provide fresh water at all times and increase food moisture where appropriate.
- Give Kidney Support or the Kidney Support Kit consistently according to the current product directions.
- Administer the formulas at least one hour away from pharmaceutical medication.
- Track appetite, weight, water intake, urine, vomiting and energy.
- Repeat blood tests, urine tests and blood pressure checks at the interval recommended by your veterinarian.
SAFETY FIRST
Do not use these formulas with blood-thinning medication. The Kidney Support Kit also requires caution with anti-convulsant medication, diabetes and gall-bladder inflammation. Administer at least one hour away from pharmaceutical medicines and discontinue herbal supplements before surgery or anaesthesia as directed by your veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
Can kidney disease in dogs be reversed?
Chronic kidney disease usually involves permanent loss of functioning kidney tissue and is managed rather than cured. Some acute kidney injuries can improve significantly when treated quickly, and some abnormal values caused or worsened by dehydration, infection, obstruction or another treatable problem may also improve. Never assume a better blood result means CKD has been cured; keep monitoring.
How long can a dog live with kidney disease?
There is no single timeframe. Stage at diagnosis, the cause of disease, protein loss, blood pressure, phosphorus control, appetite, body condition and response to treatment all matter. Dogs diagnosed earlier and managed consistently may enjoy good quality of life for a meaningful period.
Should dogs with kidney disease eat low protein?
They need the right amount of high-quality protein, not automatically as little as possible. Excessive restriction can contribute to muscle loss and poor nutrition, while too much poorly digestible or phosphorus-rich protein may not suit established CKD. The correct level depends on stage, appetite, body condition and proteinuria.
Is raw food good for dogs with kidney disease?
A carefully formulated fresh diet may be useful, but an ordinary high-meat, high-bone raw diet can be far too high in phosphorus for a dog with CKD. Raw feeding also introduces food-safety risks, particularly for medically vulnerable dogs and people in the household. If you want to feed fresh, I recommend a recipe designed specifically for your dog’s kidney results.
Can my dog use Kidney Support with veterinary treatment?
It may be used as part of a veterinary-led plan, but suitability depends on the complete medication and health picture. Follow the product cautions, give it at least one hour away from medicines and check with your veterinarian when your dog takes blood thinners, anticonvulsants or several prescription products.
How quickly should I expect a change?
Every dog is different. Appetite and brightness may change sooner than coat, weight or laboratory trends, but no timeline can be guaranteed. Kidney disease should be assessed with veterinary examinations and repeat testing—not by symptoms alone.
The whole-dog approach
I do not believe in miracle cures, and I do not believe every dog needs the same plan.
One dog may need urgent treatment for dehydration and nausea. Another may feel well but need tighter phosphorus control. A third may be losing weight and need a more palatable fresh-food plan before anything else can work.
The strongest plan brings natural support and veterinary medicine together. It protects hydration, makes nutrition practical, treats nausea and blood pressure when needed, monitors real changes and supports the dog—not just the numbers on a pathology report.
Support the kidneys. Support the liver. Support the whole dog.
Explore targeted Kidney Support or choose the complete Kidney Support Kit for complementary kidney and liver support.
General information only: This article does not diagnose or treat disease and is not a substitute for veterinary care. Kidney disease can become serious quickly. Always seek veterinary advice for new symptoms, worsening symptoms, medication decisions, diet formulation and ongoing monitoring. Individual results may vary.
