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Dog won't eat kidney food. Is my homemade diet okay for stage 3?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Male | unneutered | 9 years and 4 months old | 8 lbs

My dog was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease. In regards to homemade food (my dog will not eat the kidney diet food, he went days without eating & I'd rather him eat something he likes & will enjoy) I have since been feeding 50% high quality lean protein of either chicken, beef, turkey mince or green tripe with 25% white rice & 25% squash along with supplements-Hawthorne, COQ10, B12 for his anemia and salmon oil. He also has ipakitine with each meal. Does this sound ok? Anything I can add?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on December 12th, 2017

Aghh Poor Chico, sorry to hear about his kidney disease. Homemade diets are notoriously difficult to get right as it is never as simple as just working out calories etc. My general advice would be persevere with different renal brands as these will ultimately have a better balance. However, having said that, if you are sure about going down the root of a homemade diet, you sound like you are taking the right approach. For your dog's stage I would worry you are giving too much protein. The essential pointing this diet is to reduce protein and phosphorus whilst maintaining vitamin and mineral balance. Renal foods typically has a dry protein of about 14% so with you feeding wet meat I would reduce it to around a third of the diet then make up the rest with pasta, rice and range of vegetables. The supplements you are adding will be helpful and the phosphorus binder will help greatly.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Aghh Poor Chico, sorry to hear about his kidney disease. Homemade diets are notoriously difficult to get right as it is never as simple as just working out calories etc. My general advice would be persevere with different renal brands as these will ultimately have a better balance. However, having said that, if you are sure about going down the root of a homemade diet, you sound like you are taking the right approach. For your dog's stage I would worry you are giving too much protein. The essential pointing this diet is to reduce protein and phosphorus whilst maintaining vitamin and mineral balance. Renal foods typically has a dry protein of about 14% so with you feeding wet meat I would reduce it to around a third of the diet then make up the rest with pasta, rice and range of vegetables. The supplements you are adding will be helpful and the phosphorus binder will help greatly.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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